One good defense leads to the next

Another aggressive unit awaits the Vikings this week. The Titans, anchored by a talented defensive line, are giving up a league-low 9.7 points per game.

By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Last update: September 25, 2008 - 9:17 PM

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There are two ways to look at the Tennessee defense the Vikings will face Sunday.

Yes, the unit hasn't really been challenged. Jacksonville, Cincinnati and Houston are a combined 1-7, and none has an offense ranked in the NFL's top 20. Statistically, the Jaguars offense (ranked 24th) was the most dangerous the 3-0 Titans faced.

Still, the Titans defense has played a significant role in making its opponents look so feeble. The Titans are third in the NFL in defense, giving up 240.3 yards per game; they allow a league-low 9.7 points per game; they have a league-leading seven interceptions; and their pass defense is rated third.

"We've faced some very solid defenses, and this one kind of takes another step," Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. "They have big boys up front. They've got two great defensive ends, they've got linebackers that can fly around. They've got corners that can cover. It seems like each week it's been a tougher test for us."

The hard-nosed Titans defense includes Pro Bowl tackle Albert Haynesworth, Pro Bowl right end Kyle Vanden Bosch, standout linebacker Keith Bulluck and cornerback Cortland Finnegan, who leads the league with four interceptions. Safety Michael Griffin has three picks.

Finnegan, a seventh-round pick out of Division I-AA Samford in 2006, picked off two in the Titans' season-opening victory over Jacksonville and returned an interception 99 yards for a score in a victory over Houston.

"He has a knack for the ball," said Vikings receiver Bobby Wade, a Titan in 2006. "He does a good job of route recognition, he comes off other routes, plays the whole field pretty well."

The combination of Haynesworth and Tony Brown rivals the Vikings' Pro Bowl tackle tandem of Kevin and Pat Williams. Haynesworth leads the Titans with three sacks and Brown has two. Vanden Bosch, whom Vikings coach Brad Childress called a "whirling dervish," has 2 1/2 sacks after recording a team-leading 12 in 2007.

Left tackle Artis Hicks, starting in place of the suspended Bryant McKinnie, gets Vanden Bosch. Pro Bowl center Matt Birk will have his hands full with Haynesworth.

"He's a powerful man," Birk said. "He's that kind of rare combination of size and power and quickness. He gets off the ball. Their whole defensive line plays with a lot of aggression."

The Vikings' primary goal is to establish their ground game, and they will be trying to do it against a defense ranked 10th against the rush. Minnesota is fifth in rushing offense, and Adrian Peterson is second in the league with 340 yards.

Said Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte: "It comes down to how smart you are when you play against them. Are you going to take what they give you? Are you going to challenge them?"