Opening Line: Titans Slight Favorite Over Vikings in Saturday's Preseason Game

The Tennessee Titans are slight favorites to win their second preseason game on Saturday night when they take on the Minnesota Vikings. Here's the latest line, with all the numbers and plenty of good history on both teams. The numbers create an obvious lean.

Updated 11:25 a.m. CT

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — You never know what to expect in NFL preseason games, but sometimes a few days of joint practices will give you plenty of clues. 

The Tennessee Titans play their second preseason game on Saturday night, when they take on the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. There's a good bit of familiarity after the two teams practiced against each other on Wednesday and Thursday at the Vikings' fabulous facility in Eagan, Minn. 

The game starts at 7 p.m. CT. Here's all the information on how to watch the game. CLICK HERE

There's certainly plenty of uncertainty as to who's playing in the game and who isn't because neither Titans coach Mike Vrabel or Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell likes to play veterans in preseason games.

That's why it's something of a surprise that the visiting Titans are actually favored in the game. They are a 2-point favorite, according to BetMGM, and the over/under is 37.5. 

Here are three things to know about the game and the betting lines:

1. Defenses dominated practices

Throughout most of the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills during joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday, the defenses on both sides controlled play. They got a boost from some really strong winds both days, and it made it tough to shine in the passing game.

Things might be a little different in the controlled environment of U.S. Bank Stadium, but don't count on it. Both of these teams are very good defensively, and they seem to have the early edge. I'll be curious to see the carryover into Saturday night's game. 

And if you're looking for a lean in the game for your wager, I do think the under makes a lot of sense.

2. Both teams failed to win or cover last week

Again, the preseason is always tough to figure out because outcomes are often determined in the fourth quarter by guys who are more than likely going to be cut in two weeks.

Still, there is some history in numbers, and they are worth tracking. Last week, both teams lost straight up — the Vikings in Seattle and the Titans in Chicago — and also failed to cover.

During the 2022 preseason, the Titans were 1-1-1 vs. the spread. The Vikings were 0-3 straight up and also failed to cover in all three games. In fact, the Vikings have lost eight straight preseason games dating back to 2019, and also failed to cover in all eight.

3. Titans have some quarterback concerns

Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill got a lot of work in during the joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday, and he's not expected to play on Saturday night. We don't know that for sure, for a couple of reasons.

For starters — no pun intended — Titans coach Mike Vrabel said he'd let us know on Saturday what the quarterback rotation would be. That means they aren't saying anything, and we'll watch to see what happens on Saturday night just like you guys.

Last week in Chicago, Tannehill didn't play at all and backups Malik Willis and Will Levis rotated series. Both played well and did some good things, but there were plenty of hiccups, too.

We don't know Levis' status right now, either. He was taken into the locker room late in Thursday's practice and we don't know the extent of his injury. 

UPDATE: Several sources are reporting that Levis will miss Saturday’s game with a lower body injury, and that Willis will play the entire game.