Before the wild card round of the playoffs, it looked like New England would roll over Tennessee at home and then head to Kansas City to try and avenge that home loss to the Chiefs from earlier this season. However, the Tennessee Titans had other plans. They relied on a grinding defense and a pounding running game keyed by Derrick Henry, getting just enough key completions from Ryan Tannehill to upset the Patriots in Foxboro, 20-13.
Some sports betting prognosticators saw the Patriots’ home loss in Week 17 to Miami as a sign of trouble and picked the Titans at least to cover, but now Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are out of the playoffs before the divisional round for the first time since 2008.
The next test for the Titans will be even greater, as they head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens, who have not lost since Week 4 and seem to have their offense operating at an unstoppable level. Don’t miss our sports betting preview of Saturday’s AFC wild card showdown.
Titans vs Ravens 2020 AFC Divisional Round Odds & Game Preview
- When: Saturday, January 11, 2020, 3:35 pm ET
- Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
- TV: CBS
- Radio: Westwood One
- Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
- NFL Divisional Round Odds: Baltimore -9.5 / O/U 48
Why should you bet on Tennessee?
Derrick Henry torched the New England Patriots for 182 yards on the ground last Saturday. When your running back is picking up five, six, seven yards on first down, life becomes a lot easier for your offense. This was nothing new for him, as he led the NFL with 1,540 yards on the ground and 16 touchdowns. The Ravens have a lockdown defense, but the Titans have the O-line to open up holes. Remember, New England had the best defense in the league in terms of points permitted, and they shut down the likes of Ezekiel Elliott this season, so Henry’s accomplishment was significant.
There’s also the emergence of Ryan Tannehill. In 12 games as the starter (after coming on for Marcus Mariota), he threw for 2,742 yards and a 22:6 TD:INT ratio. His top target was A.J. Brown, who had 1,051 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Those aren’t gunslinger numbers, but he averaged almost ten yards per attempt, showing that he can throw accurately down the field. If you like Tennessee, you see their front seven containing Lamar Jackson while also applying pressure and the secondary holding their own when Jackson throws the ball down the field.
Why should you put your money on Baltimore?
The Baltimore Ravens played Pittsburgh in Week 17 and won, 28-10, despite the fact that Jackson, along with starting tailback Mark Ingram II and other skill players on both sides of the ball, watched from the sideline. We saw once again that Robert Griffin III is more than adequate as a backup quarterback, but we also saw how solid that Baltimore defense is. During their 12-game winning streak, the Ravens have led the league in fewest points permitted per week (15.1) and fewest yards allowed (268.9).
Jackson had a transcendent season for the Ravens. He threw for 3,127 yards with a 36:6 TD:INT ratio, and he also led the team in rushing with 1,206 yards and seven scores with his legs. His top target was Mark Andrews, who had 852 receiving yards and ten scores. That dual threat aspect of Jackson’s game makes him a uniquely dangerous quarterback. Many running quarterbacks have struggled when it was time to drop back and pass, but Jackson is the best dual threat signal-caller since Michael Vick — and Jackson has a chance to be even better.
Final Score Prediction
I was extremely impressed by the Titans’ win in New England on Saturday, but that probably had more to say about the Patriots’ decline than the Titans’ emergence as a contender — but they did go to Kansas City and knock off the Chiefs in a similar situation a few years ago. I don’t see Tennessee having enough to slow down a Ravens offense that has been much more dynamic than New England’s. I predict a final score of Baltimore 27, Tennessee 16.
