NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -The Tennessee Titans find themselves on the edge of new territory.
Winning their first three games gives them the chance Sunday at the first 4-0 start in the franchise’s 49-year history, dating all the way back to their AFL start in Houston. It would be a very strong start for a team that finds itself atop the AFC South, and that is why the Titans are uttering all the right cliches about thinking only of the Minnesota Vikings (1-2).
“I mean we’re experienced, but we’re not experienced in this situation,” Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said. “I think this team has had a worklike attitude. We’ve been able to keep our focus despite the distractions. It’s just another distraction. The best thing we can do is just focus on our next opponent.”
The Vikings can understand what the Titans have been dealing with this season.
us Frerotte replacing Tarvaris Jackson in Minnesota in an attempt to boost the offense. In Tennessee, 35-year-old Kerry Collins took over when Vince Young sprained his left knee and a police search gave a glimpse at his bruised psyche.
“They’ve weathered the test of time,” Minnesota coach Brad Childress said.
Frerotte led the Vikings to their first win in his first start last week, a 20-10 victory over Carolina in which Minnesota scored the final 20 points.
“I don’t really have anything to lose. I’m just having a lot of fun,” Frerotte said.
Collins joked that this is the battle of the blue hairs. But he now is 2-0 as a starter himself after a 31-12 win over Houston. He has had some great games against Minnesota, throwing for 375 yards while with the Giants in 2003 to snap the Vikings’ 6-0 start, and 381 yards and five touchdowns in the 2000 NFC championship game.
“That is ancient history now,” Collins said.
Absolutely, because neither the Vikings nor the Titans are pass-happy teams. These franchises couldn’t be more similar right now, with run-oriented offenses featuring fast running backs and punishing defenses that love to hit quarterbacks and force turnovers.
he NFL with 350 yards rushing, and he has hurt the four AFC teams he has played with 594 yards on the ground.
He even gave some advice during the offseason to Titans rookie Chris Johnson, who leads the AFC with 276 yards rushing, words he doesn’t regret now that the teams are about to meet.
“No, not at all. Honestly, I’m the type of player that wants to compete against the best. A younger guy, I’m always willing to step in there and give the younger guys advice and see those guys succeed, too. That’s what it’s all about when it comes down to it. As long as I have myself together and I’m prepared, that shouldn’t affect anything at all,” Peterson said.
Tennessee is on a six-game winning streak in the regular season, and the Titans have allowed an average of 10.3 points and a league-low 252.8 yards per game in that stretch. Minnesota has managed only one TD inside an opponent’s 20.
The Titans know the first challenge is keeping Peterson in check.
“What we kind of hang our hat on is stopping the run, and there’s no better challenge,” Vanden Bosch said. “In my opinion, maybe other than the rookie we have in this locker room, he’s one of the best young backs in the league, and he’s going to be a good player for a long time.”
d where the games were played for Titans coach Jeff Fisher. He has yet to beat the Vikings in four matchups.
The home field might help: Tennessee is 22-7 against teams making their first visit to LP Field, which opened in 1999.
“Well, it’s a tough place to play,” Fisher said. “We have great support and get noise when we need it. Hopefully it will be nice and warm, and we like to play at home.”
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