Tennessee Titans vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2020 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-09-27, the Tennessee Titans took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 31–30 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Tannehill (Tennessee Titans) paced the passing game, with -0.50 total EPA, and +3.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.26 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-18.9% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Tennessee Titans changed the game: (15:00) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left intended for 15-N.Westbrook INTERCEPTED by 22-H.Smith at MIN -4. 22-H.Smith to MIN 12 for 16 yards (15-N.Westbrook; 70-T.Sambrailo).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 J. Jefferson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +9.26 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Raymond · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +8.20 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.73 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +5.37 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Davis · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +5.21 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Henry · Tennessee Titans · Rushing · +5.14 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Pruitt · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +1.21 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Thielen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +0.40 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Smith · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +0.22 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.02 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Minnesota Vikings — D. Cook (Q1 47:51)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Thielen (K. Cousins pass) (Q2 39:04)
• Minnesota Vikings — J. Jefferson (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 23:17)
• Tennessee Titans — D. Henry (Q3 18:56)
• Tennessee Titans — D. Henry (Q3 16:24)
• Minnesota Vikings — K. Rudolph (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 10:22)

Field goals

• Tennessee Titans — S. Gostkowski (Q1 56:48)
• Tennessee Titans — S. Gostkowski (Q1 51:04)
• Tennessee Titans — S. Gostkowski (Q2 33:22)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Bailey (Q2 31:45)
• Tennessee Titans — S. Gostkowski (Q3 24:02)
• Tennessee Titans — S. Gostkowski (Q4 6:36)
• Tennessee Titans — S. Gostkowski (Q4 1:48)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–6. Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the MIN 21 (Q1 56:48) — (11:48) 3-S.Gostkowski 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the MIN 13 (Q1 51:04) — (6:04) 3-S.Gostkowski 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the TEN 39 (Q1 47:51) — (2:51) 33-D.Cook right tackle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q1 47:43) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 10–3. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the TEN 16 (Q2 39:04) — (9:04) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 19-A.Thielen for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q2 38:56) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the MIN 12 (Q2 33:22) — (3:22) 3-S.Gostkowski 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the TEN 23 (Q2 31:45) — (1:45) 5-D.Bailey 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..

The third quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 16–7. Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the MIN 33 (Q3 24:02) — (9:02) 3-S.Gostkowski 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the TEN 71 (Q3 23:17) — (8:17) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q3 23:04) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q3 18:56) — (3:56) 52-D.Munyer reported in as eligible. 22-D.Henry up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 18:53) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q3 16:24) — (1:24) 52-D.Munyer reported in as eligible. 22-D.Henry up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 6–6. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the TEN 3 (Q4 10:22) — (10:22) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 82-K.Rudolph for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN [90-D.Jones].; Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the MIN 36 (Q4 6:36) — (6:36) 3-S.Gostkowski 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the MIN 37 (Q4 1:48) — (1:48) 3-S.Gostkowski 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Tennessee Titans (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left intended for 15-N.Westbrook INTERCEPTED by 22-H.Smith at MIN -4. 22-H.Smith to MIN 12 for 16 yards (15-N.Westbrook; 70-T.Sambrailo). [WPA -18.9% · EPA -4.79]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 52:03) — (7:03) 33-D.Cook right end to MIN 45 for 3 yards (33-J.Joseph). FUMBLES (33-J.Joseph), RECOVERED by TEN-54-R.Evans at MIN 45. 54-R.Evans to MIN 20 for 25 yards (30-C.Ham). [WPA -18.7% · EPA -7.60]
• Tennessee Titans (Q3 17:39) — (2:39) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep middle to 14-K.Raymond to MIN 4 for 61 yards (20-J.Gladney). [WPA +17.8% · EPA +4.15]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 1:09) — (1:09) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right intended for 19-A.Thielen INTERCEPTED by 37-A.Hooker (31-K.Byard) [98-J.Simmons] at TEN 29. 37-A.Hooker to TEN 32 for 3 yards (82-K.Rudolph). [WPA -17.1% · EPA +0.16]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 23:17) — (8:17) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.0% · EPA +5.73]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 52:03) — (7:03) 33-D.Cook right end to MIN 45 for 3 yards (33-J.Joseph). FUMBLES (33-J.Joseph), RECOVERED by TEN-54-R.Evans at MIN 45. 54-R.Evans to MIN 20 for 25 yards (30-C.Ham). [WPA -18.7% · EPA -7.60]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 23:17) — (8:17) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.0% · EPA +5.73]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) 8-K.Cousins pass short right intended for 18-J.Jefferson INTERCEPTED by 33-J.Joseph [55-J.Brown] at MIN 31. 33-J.Joseph for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN NULLIFIED by Penalty. PENALTY on TEN-99-J.Clowne [WPA -7.4% · EPA -5.15]
• Tennessee Titans (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left intended for 15-N.Westbrook INTERCEPTED by 22-H.Smith at MIN -4. 22-H.Smith to MIN 12 for 16 yards (15-N.Westbrook; 70-T.Sambrailo). [WPA -18.9% · EPA -4.79]

Quarterback report card

R.Tannehill led all passers in efficiency for Tennessee Titans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Tannehill (Tennessee Titans) · 40 dropbacks · 57.5% completion · +3.7% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.50 total EPA
• K.Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 32 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.1% CPOE · +0.17 EPA/play · +5.37 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Tennessee Titans generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.05 vs -0.02), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Minnesota Vikings: 13 drives, -1.47 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Tennessee Titans: 13 drives, +4.51 total EPA, 8 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Tennessee Titans leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• J. Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Tannehill (TEN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q1 56:48 · MIN 21 · Score 3-0
   (11:48) 3-S.Gostkowski 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
2. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q1 51:04 · MIN 13 · Score 6-0
   (6:04) 3-S.Gostkowski 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
3. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 47:51 · TEN 39 · Score 6-6
   (2:51) 33-D.Cook right tackle for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 47:43 · TEN 15 · Score 6-7
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
5. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 39:04 · TEN 16 · Score 6-13
   (9:04) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 19-A.Thielen for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 38:56 · TEN 15 · Score 6-14
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
7. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q2 33:22 · MIN 12 · Score 9-14
   (3:22) 3-S.Gostkowski 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
8. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 31:45 · TEN 23 · Score 9-17
   (1:45) 5-D.Bailey 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
9. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q3 24:02 · MIN 33 · Score 12-17
   (9:02) 3-S.Gostkowski 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
10. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 23:17 · TEN 71 · Score 12-23
    (8:17) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 23:04 · TEN 15 · Score 12-24
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
12. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q3 18:56 · MIN 1 · Score 18-24
    (3:56) 52-D.Munyer reported in as eligible. 22-D.Henry up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q3 18:53 · MIN 15 · Score 19-24
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
14. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q3 16:24 · MIN 1 · Score 25-24
    (1:24) 52-D.Munyer reported in as eligible. 22-D.Henry up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 10:22 · TEN 3 · Score 25-30
    (10:22) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 82-K.Rudolph for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN [90-D.Jones].
16. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q4 6:36 · MIN 36 · Score 28-30
    (6:36) 3-S.Gostkowski 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
17. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q4 1:48 · MIN 37 · Score 31-30
    (1:48) 3-S.Gostkowski 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.