NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sam Darnold overcame an early fumble by throwing for 246 yards and two touchdowns and working for a rating and the Minnesota Vikings beat the Tennessee Titans 23-13 Sunday.
Darnold had been picked off 5 occasions over the earlier two video games, matching his whole over the primary seven video games of the season. Then his toss to Aaron Jones on the Vikings’ third offensive play was fumbled and recovered by Jeffery Simmons for the Titans.
The quarterback answered proper again to assist the Vikings (8-2) win their third straight and enhance to 5-0 in opposition to AFC groups this season. He discovered Jordan Addison for a 47-yard catch-and-run landing because the Vikings didn’t path once more as they scored 16 straight for a 16-3 halftime lead.
Andrew Van Ginkel had his two sacks on back-to-back performs as Minnesota completed with 5. Pat Jones II additionally had two. Harrison Smith clinched the win with an interception with 1:50 left, giving the Vikings’ followers that turned this right into a close to residence recreation another excuse to have fun chanting “SKOL.”
The Titans (2-8) misplaced their second straight and went winless in opposition to the NFC North. They certain made it fascinating.
Will Levis threw the longest TD go within the NFL this season with a 98-yard rating. He discovered Nick Westbrook-Ikhine on the correct sideline for the catch-and-run, pulling the Titans inside 16-10 halfway by the third.
It was the Titans’ longest go play since DeAndre Hopkins’ 61-yarder on Oct. 29, 2023, in opposition to Atlanta in Levis’ first NFL begin. It tied the longest TD go in franchise historical past matching Willard Dewveall’s TD catch from Jacky Lee with the then-Houston Oilers on Nov. 25, 1962, in opposition to the Chargers.
Levis additionally had a 51-yard TD go to Calvin Ridley inside the ultimate minute of the third worn out by an unlawful formation penalty on proper deal with Isaiah Prince. They settled for Nick Folks’s second discipline aim, this a 43-yarder.
Down 23-13, they went for it twice on fourth down close to midfield. Levis was sacked by Jones on fourth-and-4, and he was compelled to throw it away on fourth-and-7 with 2:23 left.
The Titans couldn’t cease hurting themselves with too many penalties. Brian Callahan even drew a few flags tossed excessive within the air because the first-year Titans coach vehemently protested a penalty on security Mike Brown for successful on Addison ultimately zone.
Darnold simply scored on a 1-yard keeper. Parker Romo’s additional level went off the correct upright, however he made up for that with a 40-yard discipline aim late within the first half.
After Levis’ large play, Darnold padded Minnesota’s result in 23-10 with a 3-yard toss to Cam Akers late within the third.
Penalty woes
The Titans simply maintain hurting themselves. That they had 9 penalties for 71 yards by halftime. Minnesota didn’t draw its first flag till the Titans already had eight. Tennessee completed with 13 penalties for 91 yards in comparison with three for 35 yards by the Vikings.
Accidents
Vikings: Addison handled cramping within the fourth quarter. WR Jalen Oliver harm an ankle.
Titans: LB Jack Gibbens was carted off the sphere together with his proper ankle in an air forged early within the third quarter. … RB Tyjae Spears left within the second half being evaluated within the concussion protocol. … LB Otis Reese IV went down on the opening kickoff with injured ribs however returned within the second.
Up subsequent
The Vikings wrap up a three-game highway swing at Soldier Area in opposition to the Bears.
The Titans hit the highway once more visiting AFC South rival Houston.
