The Minnesota Vikings have remained in the league's Top 10 Super Bowl odds, a totally bizarre circumstance after Minnesota was expected to win about six or seven games in 2024.

That's the benefit of a 7-2 start. Minnesota has won two straight after a two-game, post-bye losing skid and appears to be back on track.

So, with the Vikings' meeting with the Tennessee Titans just around the bend, these are three bold predictions for Titans-Vikings.

Darnold is wickedly overdue for a clean game, and we believe that will happen in Week 11. The Titans' defense is mediocre, weirdly ranking best in the NFL per yards allowed and fourth-worst in points allowed. It's an odd statistical variance.

Nevertheless, Darnold, who is cognizant of his recent struggles, will rebound for a game with no interceptions and no lost fumbles, culminating in a 27-17 purple triumph.

Minnesota has fallen on harsh times in finding the endzone on the ground. Most of the touchdowns come from the air.

Well, that stat will begin to even out this weekend. Aaron Jones will score two touchdowns or Jones and Akers will score one apiece. It's time.

Of course, fans won't care how the Vikings score touchdowns — they just need to score them. Last weekend, the endzone was elusive, and it took four field goals from the next guy to topple a lowly Jacksonvile Jaguars squad.

Renewing this one from last week ...

Romo will connect from 50 yards or beyond, showing off a powerful leg that some onlookers don't yet know about. We predicted this one last week, but all Romo did instead was flawlessly kick four shoter field goals.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert described the Vikings' win in two words — "clutch kicks." He explained , "In his first NFL game, place-kicker Parker Romo converted all four of his field goal attempts to account for all of the Vikings' scoring. Romo replaced the injured Will Reichard (quadriceps) last week, and the Vikings needed every one of his kicks Sunday. His longest came from 45 yards."

Romo has distance, too, and Vikings fans will learn about it on Sunday afternoon.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow . The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, 'The Sopranos,' Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.