Minnesota Vikings look for third straight win against Tennessee Titans - NFL Preview
In-form Minnesota Vikings will be looking for a third straight victory on Sunday, October 7, 2012 when they face a struggling Tennessee Titans side at home.
The Vikings are unbeaten at home and will be favourites to continue that record against a Titans side struggling on both offence and defence.
Another win will see the Vikings gain more wins in the first five weeks of the 2012-13 season than they managed in an entire year in 2011-12.
With star running back Adrian Peterson returning better than ever and quarterback Christian Ponder finally getting to grips with the National Football League (NFL) that goal seems easily achievable for a team that is joint top of the National Football Conference
(NFC) North division.
A third straight victory for the Vikings will see their dreams of winning the division become even more realistic.
Head coach Leslie Frazier is aiming for that goal and after a 20-13 win over the Detroit Lions last week he said:
"We want to embrace it. It was one of our goals when the season began, to win the NFC North."
Adrian Peterson will once again be the key player for Minnesota against the Titans.
The running back has delivered some exceptional performances since returning from injury and against the Detroit Lions he rushed for 102 yards from 21 carries putting in a big performance for the Vikings.
Scoring two touchdowns and rushing for a total 332 yards this year, the Vikings will once again expect a big performance from their running back who is reclaiming his spot as one of the top players in his position this year.
Ponder on the other hand has been delivering consistently as well passing for four touchdowns and 824 yards this year.
Speaking about the offence he said:
"As long as we're winning, I'll keep handing it off to Adrian and Toby (Gerhart) back there and they're going to keep chugging along. As an offense, we're going to keep doing what we're supposed to be doing to win games."
The defence too is playing a big role in the Vikings success and the Titans have a huge mountain to climb if they are to win this game.
Quarterback Jake Locker’s shoulder injury does not help the Titans cause who will now have to turn to veteran Matt Hasselbeck.
Locker injured his shoulder last week in a lopsided 38-14 defeat to Houston Texans.
The Titans are 1-3 this year with their poor performance in defence being the biggest cause for their poor results.
An in-form Minnesota Vikings side is the last team Tennessee would wish to face under such circumstances that too on the road.
Titans defence may improve if cornerback Colin McCarthy recovers in time to make the game but even with him in the roster it is hard to see given the Titans problems any other result than a Vikings win.
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