Minnesota Vikings vs Tennessee Titans Point Spread Picks

Minnesota's defense is allowing 15 points per game in the preseason. The QB rotation has J.J. McCarthy, Sam Howell, and Brett Rypien, averaging 16 points. This is the Vikings' first road game, and they've allowed 15 total points in their last two preseason road tilts. Tennessee is back in Nashville after a 10-day road trip to Tampa Bay and Atlanta. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward has 109 passing yards in two games on 15 attempts (seven completions), while the backups are Brandon Allen and Trevor Siemian. The defense is allowing 13.5 points per game and has allowed an average of 15 points in its last seven preseason battles. The Titans have won their last five preseason home games by scores of 17-13, 16-15, 23-7, 13-3, and 26-23. Back the home team in a defensive duel. Play Tennessee + UNDER the total.

Combine the Vikings (-255) and the 49ers (-280) into a 2-team parlay at -112 odds.

Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer is 16-4 straight-up in preseason, winning their only other road game this August, 48-28, at Denver. The QB rotation is deep with Kirk Cousins, Kyle Sloter and Trevor Siemian, while the defense is strong with talent and depth. Last week QB Sloter was 11-of-15 with two TDs, no picks in a 21-20 win over Seattle. Tennessee is learning a new playbook under first-year coach Mike Vrabel. The results have been awful, winless through three games, getting outscored by a 25.5-12 average. They've been going easy on QB Marcus Mariota, coming back from a serious injury, and the most time this week will be for rookie QB Luke Falk. Falk has combined to go 19-of-34 for 182 yards, one TD, one pick, and three sacks, so back the best preseason team and coach the last five Augusts. Take Minnesota.

Defenses are often ahead of the offenses in Week 1. In this game, a pair of run-oriented teams clash that rarely pass the football, preferring to control the ball, which also eats up yards and burns the clock keeping scoring down. Minnesota is a road favorite, but dealing with quarterback issues after losing Tedy Bridewater for the season. Backup QB Shaun Hill will run the offense while new addition Sam Bradford learns the playbook. Last season the Vikings' offense was #29 in total yards, #16 in points, and had almost no passing game. Minnesota is on a 13-4-1 run UNDER the total, including 12-3-1 UNDER on the road. Tennessee is home where they always play hard for coach Mike Mularkey. The offense is run-oriented behind QB Marcus Mariota, #30 in total yards last season and adds RB DeMarco Murray. The defense is bend but don't break, ranking #12 in the NFL in yards allowed in 2015. Look for a battle of field goals as both teams run all day, and grab the home dog with the home team covering the last four meetings. Play Tennessee and UNDER the total.