The Tennessee Titans aren’t getting a lot of respect ahead of their Week 12 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, at least not from sportsbooks.
Despite owning the better record and having won seven of their last eight games, the Titans are actually home underdogs to the Bengals, with Cincinnati being favored by 2.5 points, per Tipico Sportsbook.
The spread has actually widened as the weak progressed, with the Bengals starting out as 1.5-point favorites. The spread went as high as three points, also.
Experts don’t quite see things the same way, though. In our expert picks round-up for this week, 20 of the 31 expert picks we gathered were for Tennessee to win this game.
Now that we know what Las Vegas and the experts think, it’s time for our staff to weigh in and make its picks for the upcoming contest at Nissan Stadium on Sunday afternoon between the Titans and the Bengals.
Ryan Sikes
Despite Ryan Tannehill and the Titans stating this is not a revenge game, the veteran quarterback likely had this game circled on his calendar.
I think the Titans build off last week’s balanced offensive attack, and the defense does a good job limiting the Bengals’ offensive weapons. Titans in a close one at home.
Final score: Titans 30, Bengals 26
Shaun Calderon
The Titans make a statement by putting together a complete game for the second consecutive outing.
I think the Titans’ defense makes its presence felt throughout this one, while Derrick Henry and Treylon Burks have impressive showings of their own en route to a close victory.
Final score: Titans 22, Bengals 17
Tyler Rowland
The Cincinnati Bengals are a bad matchup for the Tennessee Titans. The only kryptonite for the Titans defense so far this year has been opposing WRs making plays in contested catch, one-on-one situations.
The Bengals are ideally equipped to take advantage. That advantage could be magnified if Ja’Marr Chase plays and Kristian Fulton doesn’t. The Titans’ insane pass-rush was able to limit that advantage in the playoffs last year, but only two of those four rushers are playing.
The pass-rush can’t win as often as it did in the playoffs and it allows Cincy to score enough to win while the Titans plays up and down.
Final score: Bengals 24, Titans 20.
Mike Moraitis
The Titans shut down another run game, forcing the Bengals into a one-dimensional style of play, allowing Tennessee’s pass-rush to get after Joe Burrow and disrupt him all game long, leading to a few interceptions the Titans will turn into points.
On offense, Derrick Henry gets back on track after two lackluster games on the ground in two weeks, and Ryan Tannehill and Co. make the plays necessary to put Tennessee over the top.
Final score: Titans 24, Bengals 23
