The defending NFC North Champion Minnesota Vikings (13-3 in 2017) will close their 2018 preseason slate on the road against the Tennessee Titans (9-7 in 2017) at 7 p.m. (CT) Thursday.
The game will be simulcast live locally on FOX 9 and KFAN 100.3-FM.
The Vikings have earned a 16-4 (.800) preseason mark under Head Coach Mike Zimmer, who has led the club to two undefeated preseasons in his four seasons at the helm. Prior to dropping the 2015 preseason finale at Tennessee, 24-17, the Vikings boasted a perfect 8-0 preseason mark under Zimmer.
Minnesota's RB corps is second in the NFL in yards from scrimmage per game, averaging 175.7 yards through three games this preseason. Mike Boone leads the Vikings with 175 yards from scrimmage (sixth in the NFL) and fellow undrafted rookie Roc Thomas has 168 yards from scrimmage (10th in the NFL). Minnesota's running backs are tied for fifth in the NFL with nine rushes of 10 or more yards. Boone has four (tied for second in the NFL), Latavius Murray has three, Thomas has one and Mack Brown has one.
The Vikings defense, which ranked No. 1 in the NFL in yards allowed and points allowed in 2017, is the only defensive unit in the NFL to not surrender a single point in first quarters in the 2018 preseason.
SIMULCAST
FOX 9 (TV Channel 9 in Minneapolis/St. Paul) and KFAN 100.3-FM/KTLK-AM 1130
Play-by-Play: Paul Allen
Analyst: Pete Bercich
Sideline Reporters: Greg Coleman and Ben Leber
Radio Pre-game Show: Mike Mussman | 5 p.m. (CT)
KFAN and KTLK serve as the flagship stations for the 63-station, five-state Vikings Radio Network.
VIKINGS IN THE PRESEASON
* The Vikings have a combined record of 156-100-3 (.609) in their 259 preseason games.
* The team has finished undefeated in the preseason eight times (1964, '65, '73, '92, '98, '01, '14, '16).
* The Vikings have finished with a .500 record or better 44 times in the team's 57 preseasons.
* Minnesota has finished .500 or better in the regular season 34 times after posting a .500 or better record in the preseason.
* The 13 preseasons in which the Vikings have finished below .500, the team went on to finish below .500 seven times in the ensuing regular season.
* Under Zimmer, the Vikings have compiled a 16-4 (.800) record in the 2014 (4-0), 2015 (4-1) and 2016 (4-0), 2017 (2-2) and 2018 (2-1) preseasons.
NORSE NOTES
Vikings quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, Trevor Siemian and Kyle Sloter are a combined 74-of-116 passing (63.8 percent) for 686 yards and six touchdowns. Minnesota's combined passer rating is 93.5.
Thomas leads the Vikings with 114 receiving yards on five receptions, including two touchdowns. Boone leads the team in rushing with 34 carries for 139 yards.
Twenty-three Vikings players have caught at least one pass so far this preseason. That total includes Siemian who secured a deflected pass he threw. Chad Beebe leads the Vikings with nine receptions and has 95 yards and two touchdowns. Boone has eight receptions, and Stefon Diggs has seven.
The Vikings have outscored opponents 17-0 in first quarters but trail 31-16 in second quarters.
Minnesota led the NFL in yards allowed and points allowed in 2017. Tennessee ranked 13th in yards allowed and 17th in points allowed.
Anthony Harris recorded an interception against Seattle that helped spark Minnesota's comeback. It was his second of the preseason. He and Jack Tocho each recorded interceptions at Denver, and the Vikings scored touchdowns after each turnover. Harrison Smith recorded an interception against Jacksonville, but Minnesota didn't capitalize on the turnover.
Harris and Ifeadi Odenigbo have each recorded 2.0 sacks to lead the Vikings. Odenigbo, who had been working at defensive tackle this offseason and camp, filled in at defensive end against Jacksonville.
Tennessee natives
Smith (Knoxville) and long snapper Kevin McDermott (Nashville) are from Tennessee. Stephen Weatherly and Jonathan Wynn both played collegiately at Vanderbilt.
Former Titan
Receiver Kendall Wright was drafted by the Titans in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He totaled 280 receptions for 3,244 yards and 18 touchdowns in five seasons with Tennessee.
