The Vikings are 7-2, one game behind the Lions in the NFC North, and should be a first or second Wildcard team if they can’t catch Detroit. The Titans are bottom feeders in the AFC South at 2-7 and have already lost to the other three NFC North teams.
 and improve to 8-2.</p>
<p><strong>Here are my keys to a Vikings win over the Titans:<br /></strong><br /><strong>1.</strong> Darnold has to be more careful and accurate with his throws and follow the old cliché — take what the defense gives you. I think it’s great to target Justin Jefferson often, even if he’s doubled, but Darnold has to be more accurate than on his last two interceptions against the Jags, when he threw behind and short of Jefferson.</p>
<p>Jefferson and Jordan Addison also benefit from the Titans’ top corner, L’Jarius Sneed, missing his fifth straight game due to a quad injury (he did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday). Starting nickel corner Roger McCreary is dealing with a knee injury but is expected to play. </p>
<p>If the Titans and future opponents copy Jacksonville’s game plan on D with shell coverage and two high safeties 90% of the time, then Darnold has to be ready to throw short and intermediate passes to the tight ends and check downs to the running backs.</p>
<p>It was positive that Darnold completed 12 passes to the tight ends last week (eight to T.J. Hockenson and four to Josh Oliver) and 3 passes to the backs. But Jefferson and Addison have to be involved, even if on wide receiver screens and quick slants.</p>
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Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year after the Vikings’ 15-1 season in 1998. He now works for the NFL agent group IFA based in Minneapolis and does other sports consulting and media work along with college/corporate speaking. Follow him and direct message him on Twitter– @jeffdiamondnfl
