NFL Week 5 Predictions: Tennessee Titans vs. Minnesota Vikings

Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, 10/7/12, 4:25 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Minnesota -6.5
Current Betting Line: Minnesota -5.5
Opening Total: 45.5
Current Total: 44
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Tennessee Titans will rely on QB Matt Hasselbeck under center against the Minnesota Vikings

Tennessee hits the road for the second consecutive week, coming off a 38-14 loss to the Houston Texans as 13-point road underdogs, while going OVER the total for the third-straight game. The Titans are certainly capable of turning around their season if running back Chris Johnson is able to build off last week’s performance, gaining 141 yards on 25 carries. “I’m going to be as good as my offensive line,” stated Johnson this week. Tennessee is 6-7 ATS as a road underdog over the last two-plus seasons, while the OVER has gone 8-6 in that situation.

The Titans have produced an incredible 30-12 record against NFC opponents since the 2002 campaign, but are just 4-7 all-time against the Minnesota Vikings. Tennessee will have veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck under center, as second-year signal-caller Jake Locker is out with a shoulder injury. On the other side of the ball, the franchise has surrendered a league-worst 151 points, which is on pace to be the worst stop unit in league history.

Minnesota has won back-to-back games against the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers, while going UNDER the total the last three weeks. The Vikings have won the statistical battle in three of their four games, but were out-gained by a 114-yard margin in last week’s 20-13 victory over the Lions as 3.5-point road underdogs. “I think we have some veteran guys who know how quickly things can change in our league,” commented Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier. Minnesota is 4-6 ATS as a home favorite since 2010, with the OVER going 7-4 in that situation.

The Vikings have to be pleased with the progress that running back Adrian Peterson has shown, gaining 332 yards and two touchdowns in four games. Minnesota has been doing just enough to be successful, considering it ranks 21st in the league in total offense, averaging 321.8 yards per game. On the other side of the ball, defensive end Jared Allen has been battling numerous injuries, which actually made him miss some practice time this week.