The biggest question hanging over Sunday’s AFC South showdown between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts is the health of Colts quarterback Carson Wentz. He has played reasonably well in the Colts’ 0-2 start, but he has swelling in both ankles and is questionable. A high ankle sprain had him on the sideline during Wednesday’s practice, and Wentz said after practice that he could never remember having played in a game after missing the prior week of practice. Colts coach Frank Reich said that Friday’s practice would serve as his indicator about Wentz’s fitness for play.
Let’s take a look at this game from an online NFL betting perspective.
NFL Preview: Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans (Sunday, September 26)
When: Sunday, September 26, 2021, 1:00 pm ET
Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville
TV: CBS
Radio: WOWO 1190 AM Indianapolis / WGFX 104.5 FM Nashville
Live Stream: Hulu
NFL Odds: Tennessee -5.5 / O/U 48
Why should you bet on the Colts?
The Titans have some issues in their secondary, as the team released Bradley McDougald, and Amari Hooker is on injured reserve. Dane Cruikshank and Matthias Farley could get a lot of time this week. Overall, the Colts’ defense is fairly stout, as they showed in their close loss to the Rams in Week 1. The Titans have shown a wide variety in terms of consistency over the past few seasons, as their talent seems to lack the attention span to put together dominant runs, particularly in the early part of the season.
Indianapolis has won three straight meetings between the two teams in Nashville. That includes a surprising 34-17 whipping a year ago. The Titans were able to rebound and rout Indianapolis on the road and end up winning the AFC South, but for whatever reason, the Colts have not had problems winning at Nissan Stadium.
Why should you put your money on the Titans?
When the Titans played at home last year, they were 4-4 against the spread and 5-3 straight up. They started out 2021 with a shocking home loss, as the Arizona Cardinals delivered a rout in Nashville. It took a game and a half for the Tennessee offense to wake up, but once it did, the Titans were able to mount a comeback in Seattle and deliver an overtime win. Derrick Henry had 237 all-purpose yards against Seattle and has averaged 173 all-purpose yards in his last six games against Indianapolis.
Vrabel told the press that he considers Wentz and Eason as similar quarterbacks in terms of style. Both are pocket passers without a great deal of mobility. In two games, the Indianapolis O-line has permitted 15 quarterback hits and six sacks. The Colts pushed the Rams hard in Week 2, but when Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald got to Wentz and slung him to the ground, that was when Wentz had to leave with an ankle sprain.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
When Tennessee was favored by at least 5 ½ points last year, they covered three out of six times. For the 2020 season, they were 7-9 against the spread. Indianapolis was about the same, going 8-8 against the spread. They were only underdogs by at least 5 ½ points last year one time, and they covered in that game. However, last year they had Philip Rivers running the offense, and they come in this week with a starting quarterback in Carson Wentz who has two ankle sprains hobbling him — and the likes of Jacob Eason and Brett Hundley behind him on the depth chart. I like Tennessee to win, 27-16.
NFL Betting Odds
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