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Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans: 3 things we learned

By Russell S. Baxter

Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Shaun Hill (13) passes the ball with defensive pressure from Tennessee Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Shaun Hill (13) passes the ball with defensive pressure from Tennessee Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans kicked off the 2016 NFL regular season in Nashville. Here are the three biggest takeaways.

Thanks to a pair of touchdowns courtesy of their defensive front seven, the Minnesota Vikings scored all of their points in the second half for a 25-16 comeback victory over the host Tennessee Titans.

Mike Zimmer’s club didn’t get a lot from veteran running back Adrian Peterson but did get a very steady performance from backup quarterback Shaun Hill. But it was really Minnesota’s defense that had the final say by day’s end.

What did we learn about the defending NFC North champions, as well as Mike Mularkey’s Titans?

1. Shaun Hill can be efficient

Keep in mind that a year ago, the Vikings won 11 games despite an offensive unit that produced only 32 touchdowns in 16 regular-season contests — including a mere 14 through the air. Also worth noting: The team didn’t find the end zone once in the 10-9 NFC Wild Card Game loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Minnesota’s offense failed to score a touchdown on Sunday. But quarterback Shaun Hill took care of the football, throwing for 236 yards without a score or a turnover. He also helped the club convert on third down a respectable 43 percent of the time (6-of-14).

It will be interesting to see if the seasoned signal-caller gets the nod next week against the Green Bay Packers, especially with newcomer Sam Bradford waiting in the wings.

2. Minnesota’s defense can carry the load

A year ago, Mike Zimmer’s squad allowed only 31 offensive touchdowns and a mere 18.9 points per game. The defense generated 43 sacks, and while the club forced only 22 takeaways, three of those turnovers were returned for scores.

The team may be getting ready to top that latter mark thanks to a great start against the Titans. Linebacker Eric Kendricks returned a Marcus Mariota interception for a touchdown and teammate Danielle Hunter scooped a fumble and took it into the end zone from 24 yards out. That’s not to say that this unit is good for a pair of touchdowns every week, but the play-making ability is there.

Minnesota forced three Tennessee turnovers in the contest while not coughing up the football themselves. That tends to be a formula for success.

3. We may see the 2014 version of DeMarco Murray

Remember when the then-Dallas Cowboys running back totaled 392 carries for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns, to go along with 57 catches for 416 yards?

It wasn’t that long ago that DeMarco Murray was busy leading the league in both rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage and garnering NFL Offensive Player of the Year accolades.

On Sunday against the Vikings, Murray ran just 13 times for 42 yards — with 12 of those yards coming on one run. But he was also targeted seven times and caught five passes for 35 yards and a pair of touchdowns. A year ago with the Eagles, his 44 grabs added up to only 322 yards and one score.

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While 18 total touches is hardly something to get too excited about, it may give us a sign on how the Tennessee offense will function this season. And Murray may be just getting warmed up in terms of workload in 2016.

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