The No. 1 seeded Tennessee Titans get their post season campaign underway Saturday afternoon in an AFC Divisional Round matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sportsbooks opened the top seeded Titans as small favorites, with current NFL odds offering them at -3.5 with a game total set at 46.5. While some shops are now hanging a -3, both the total and spread have seen little movement since being released.
Earning Their Stripes
Led by quarterback Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals ended their 31-year playoff drought in last week’s Wild Card win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The team managed to cary over their momentum from the final stretch of the regular season, going 4-1 in the process and covering the spread in each of these five matchups.
In the victory, Burrow went 24 of 34 against the Raiders defense, recording 244 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions. Ja’Marr Chase was Burrow’s favorite target, with the wide receiver hauling in nine passes for 116-yards on the day, making it his six consecutive game with more than 100-yards.
Cincinnati’s defense looked tight in the win, limiting the Raiders to a single touchdown on their five trips to the red-zone. Unfortunately, the Bengals defensive unit sustained a few injuries, with lineman Larry Ogunjobi now out for the season and defensive end Trey Hendrickson dealing with a concussion.
These injuries become even more significant if Titans’ running back Derrick Henry makes his long awaited return, as Tennessee will be keen to exploit any weaknesses in Cincy’s 5th ranked run defense (102.5 ypg).
Titan The Reigns
Many had written the Titans off after Henry suffered a broken foot in Week 8, but a 6-3 run to close the season saw Tennessee silence skeptics and clinch the No. 1 seed.
RBs D’Onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard filled in valiantly in his absence, with Tennessee boasting the league’s 5th best rushing attack, even without their starter for the majority of the season.
Henry is practicing with the team this week, and while he is expected to be in uniform, it remains unclear just how often he will take to the field, if at all.
While the Titans have three possible options at the RB position, the team’s air game could be the real difference maker in this matchup.
The Bengals are already weak on their defensive line, and linebackers will likely be asked to support the unit in limiting Tennessees’ run game. Cincy already struggles against the pass, and balanced play calling could see Tannehill have a big day.
The Titians are being undervalued here, and a Derrick Henry green light could see this line move closer to kickoff.
I like Tennessee to take the win and cover the short line here, ending the Bengals’ playoff run in the process. Take the Titans -3.5
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans Betting Odds Via BetOnline
Moneyline
- Bengals +159
- Titans -179
Spread
- Bengals +3.5
- Titans -3.5
Total
- Over 47
- Under 47
