NASHVILLE – The Titans beat the Vikings 23-13 on Friday night at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things that stood out in the contest:
Van's Big Night
While starring at Ravenwood High School, receiver Van Jefferson had plenty of big Friday nights. In the preseason finale at Nissan Stadium, Jefferson had another. Jefferson caught three passes for 102 yards against the Vikings. Jefferson caught a short pass from quarterback Brandon Allen in the second quarter and raced 65 yards for a touchdown. "I think Van had himself a day," quarterback Cam Ward said. "He does that every day in practice. It's all about putting the ball in his hands and letting him make a play. It's something I want to do every time I get the opportunity to. I am excited for Van, and I am happy to have him on my team. I am ready to throw him the ball some more." Yes, it was a nice bounce-back week, and game, for Jefferson. "It was good for him personally to have (a big game)," Coach Brian Callahan said of Jefferson. "He took a little bit of heat publicly for … not coming down with the (catch vs Atlanta). To see him bounce back, I didn't know he had that kind of speed down the sideline, that was really good to see. Happy for him to put up that performance and let everybody know he is still a good NFL receiver and we're happy to have him."
Ward Finishes Strong
The real test for rookie quarterback Cam Ward will come in Week One in Denver. But Ward passed another quiz in the preseason finale on Friday night. In two series of action, Ward completed 3-of-4 passes for 35 yards, with a 102.1 rating. He guided a 13-play, 90-yard touchdown drive that took 8:33 off the clock, completing passes to Jefferson, Chimere Dike and Tyler Lockett on the drive. Other than being sacked, it was a pretty good last night out for Ward in the preseason. "It was exactly what we wanted to see," Callahan said. "(Cam) led a long drive, he was efficient, he was accurate. … It was good to have that last experience." Ward finished the preseason with confidence. "I know what I am capable of doing on the football field," Ward said. "Coach Callahan knows that, so I am excited. He is going to put the ball in my hands, and I'm glad he's doing it."
Chestnut's Hurdle
Running back Tony Pollard didn't play, and neither did Tyjae Spears. Another back, Kalel Mullings, left the contest with an ankle injury. It was a night for running back Julius Chestnut to shine, and he took full advantage of the opportunity. Not only did Chestnut score the game's first touchdown, he also electrified the crowd with a beautiful hurdle of Vikings safety Jay Ward on a 16-yard run. "It was good to see him get up and over a couple of tackles," Callahan said of Chestnut. "He ran well, and he's really ran well all preseason, and proven himself a viable ball carrier, and he can protect, too. So, happy with his performance over the course of camp and the preseason." Chestnut carried the ball five times for 28 yards in the game.
63-Yard Field Goal
Officially, kicker Rob Bironas still holds the record for the longest field goal in Nissan Stadium history, his 60-yard game-winner against the Colts in 2006 is etched in Titans lore. That's because, according to the record books, preseason field goals don't officially count. With an asterisk, Titans kicker Joey Slye can stake claim to the longest kick, after making a 63-yarder last night. Slye sailed his kick through the uprights, and he had plenty of room to spare. Slye later added a 30-yard field goal, and a 53-yard field goal, to finish the night 3-of-3. "That's real range right there," Callahan said of the 63-yarder. "That was an impressive kick, and I think it hit the net, too. So it had some room to spare on it. That's a weapon – if we can get points on those ranges, that's huge deal for us from a points perspective, so that was really good to see that kind of range show up, that was pretty cool."
Simmons Plays
Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons talked earlier in the week about wanting to play in the preseason finale, and Callahan granted his wish. Simmons was on the field for the first defensive snap, and he played a total of two series with the first team defense on Friday night. Simmons was credited with a pair of tackles on a night when he busted into the Minnesota backfield on a few occasions. For Simmons, it was good to knock the rust off. "He came up to me on practice the other day and said, "I'd like to play.' I said: Are you sure?," Callahan said. "I was happy to let (him) do it, and it was good. He had a couple of series, and you felt him in there. He played well, and it was good to get that experience to feel like he's ready for Week 1."
ILB Battle
Inside linebacker Cedric Gray carried momentum into the preseason finale, and he didn't slow down on Friday night. Gray looked fast and physical, and he racked up five tackles in the game. Gray busted into the backfield and stopped Vikings running back Zavier Scott on one play. In recent weeks, Gray has made a great case to be the starter alongside Cody Barton. James Williams Sr. made a big play himself on Friday as well, intercepting a pass near the end of the second quarter to end one Minnesota drive. "I thought our linebackers stood out again, which was good to see," Callahan said. "Cedric, and I thought James did some really good stuff."
The Tennessee Titans take on the Minnesota Vikings in Preseason Week 3 at Nissan Stadium.
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings compete during preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
