NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Zach Mettenberger started and threw for 154 yards, but the Titans struggled to put points on the board in Thursday night's preseason finale, losing to the Vikings 19-3 at LP Field.
No Titans starter played on either side of the football against the Vikings in an effort to give reps to other players battling for roster spots.
Second-year wide out Justin Hunter saw three series of action, catching two passes for 53 yards, including a shoe-string catch on a 34-yard pass down the right sideline from Mettenberger.
Rookie running back Bishop Sankey played a majority of the first half and also showed very well. The rookie carried the ball seven times for 43 yards (6.14 avg.) and added one catch for three yards.
Mettenberger and Tennessee's offense moved the ball well during the first half, but were left without any points to show for their efforts. The rookie QB played into the third quarter and finished with 154 yards, completing 12 of his 17 passing attempts. He was also sacked three times and lost one fumble.
Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater got the start for Minnesota, going 4-for-9 for 19 yards and a three-yard touchdown to Adam Thielen. Three Blair Walsh field goals gave the Vikings a 16-0 lead into the half.
"It was disappointing from the standpoint of missed tackles and missed opportunities," Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt said going into the half. "We had three missed sacks and penalties on third down defensively. Offensively, obviously we had the turnover and we let them get to the quarterback, but the conditions weren't great. There are some little things that we've got to clean up, which we expected somewhat with some of these guys that are playing."
Newly signed quarterback Dominique Davis took the lion's share of the snaps in the second half relieving Mettenberger. Davis threw an interception on his first throw – a deep ball intended for Rico Richardson -- and finished with 13 passing yards on two completions.
Antonio Andrews paced Tennessee's offense in the second half with 12 carries for 73 yards. The rookie out of Western Kentucky showed plenty of flash en-route to his six yards per carry average. Andrews also hauled in three passes for 19 yards.
The Titans finally got on the board late in the fourth quarter on a 29-yard Maikon Bonani field goal.
The Vikings were led by running back Joe Banyard, who ran for 111 yards on 18 carries.
Players report to Saint Thomas Sports Park Friday morning at 9 a.m. CT, then will have the weekend off. The Titans must have their roster trimmed to 53 players by 3 p.m. CT. on Saturday and can begin building a 10-player practice squad on Sunday.
The Titans will start their normal weekly schedule on Monday as they prepare for a Week 1 matchup in Kansas City against the Chiefs.
Notes: Marc Mariani handled all of the return duties tonight with two kick returns for a 24.5-yard average and a long of 28 yards (no punt returns) … Bonani went 1-for-2 on field goal tries making good from 29 yards and missing from 32 yards … Travis Coons didn't see any action Thursday night … Tight end Taylor Thompson finished second on the team in receiving yards with 26 on two catches.
