Titans vs. Vikings: Who has the edge?

Offense: Titans

The Titans had the second-most rushing yards in the NFL during the preseason, with DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry ranking among the top six rushers individually. While Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is a formidable threat, Minnesota will start either quarterback Sam Bradford, acquired last week in a trade with the Eagles, or career backup Shaun Hill.

Defense: Vikings

Minnesota has returned all 11 starters from a defense that allowed just 18.9 points per game last season, the fifth-best mark in the NFL. The Titans probably will load the box to stop Peterson and come after Minnesota’s quarterback in an effort to create turnovers, but the strategy will leave their secondary exposed.

Special teams: Vikings

Marc Mariani provides the Titans with a veteran presence on kick and punt returns. But he doesn’t compare to the Vikings’ Cordarrelle Patterson. The former University of Tennessee star led the league in kickoff return average last year, 31.8 yards, with two touchdowns.

Coaching: Vikings

Mike Zimmer enters his third season in Minnesota after helping guide the team to an 11-5 record and surprising NFC North championship last year. Mike Mularkey, whose career record is 18-39, has never faced Zimmer and lost his only previous game against the Vikings.

Intangibles: Titans

The Titans have won their last three season openers — at Pittsburgh, at Kansas City and at Tampa Bay. This is their first season opener at home since 2012, when they lost to the Patriots. The Titans snapped an 11-game home losing streak late last season by defeating the Jaguars on Dec. 6, 2015.