The Tennessee Titans (11-5) visit the Houston Texans (4-12) with a chance to lock up the top seed in the AFC (and a bye through the wild card round of the playoffs, and home field advantage all the way to the Super Bowl) with a win over the Texans. Houston has won three of their four victories against AFC South competition – including a shocking win in Tennessee. Their fourth win came against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Titans can avenge that earlier loss by taking down the Texans, and they can make their own path to Super Bowl LVI much easier by avoiding a matchup in the first week, giving tailback Derrick Henry even more time to prepare for returning to the starting lineup.
Check out our NFL betting prediction for this divisional showdown.
NFL Preview: Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans (Sunday, January 9)
When: Sunday, January 9, 2022, 1:00 pm ET
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
TV: CBS
Radio: WGFX 104.5 FM Nashville / KILT 610 AM Houston
Live Stream: Hulu
NFL Odds: Tennessee -10 / O/U 42.5 // Tennessee -550 / Houston +450
Why should you bet on the Titans?
Ryan Tannehill has been one of the Titans’ unsung heroes in their gritty journey to the top of the AFC. He has thrown 17 touchdown passes, completing two-thirds of his passes and amassing 3,447 passing yards. He has struggled at times with ball security, throwing 14 interceptions, but he has largely put that behind him in the last month of the season. Despite the team adding Julio Jones this season, Tannehill’s top target has been A.J. Brown, who has caught 59 catches for 801 yards. The team has struggled to run the ball consistently without Henry, who still leads the team with 937 yards on the ground despite playing in only eight games.
Last week, Tennessee went to Miami and demolished the Dolphins, 34-3. Even in the absence of Henry, the Titans were able to dominate the rhythm of the game by running the ball, picking up 198 yards on the ground. Tannehill only threw the ball for 110 yards on the day, but he effectively managed the game and kept the ball away from the Miami offense. The Titans have covered in four of their last five against AFC South competition and in five of their last seven games coming after a win against the spread. But can they win this game by double digits?
Why should you put your money on the Texans?
Rookie quarterback Davis Mills has developed under the pressure that has come with the Texans having no other options at quarterback. Deshaun Watson remains under wraps as he has demanded a trade, but Watson’s legal situation has made him impossible to ship out of town for anything approaching the value that the Texans want. Mills struggled early in the season, playing in the place of the injured Tyrod Taylor, but then when Taylor returned and was ineffective, Mills took the job back, and in a dozen games, he has thrown for 2,363 yards, completing two-thirds of his passes. His 13:10 TD:INT ratio could be better but, given his status as a rookie and the iffy state of the O-line, is not bad at all. Brandin Cooks has been his leading target, picking up 1,011 yards and six scores.
Last week, the Texans lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 23-7, despite going into halftime up 7-3. Mills threw for 163 yards and a touchdown, but the 49ers’ defense locked down the Houston offense after the intermission, and the defense could not keep 49ers quarterback Trey Lance in check for four quarters.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
Seeing Derrick Henry return to the practice field on Wednesday had to be an encouraging sign for the Titans as they prepare for what they hope to be a deep playoff run. The Titans have all the motivation in the world – the chance to seize the top seed, the opportunity to avenge the home loss to Houston earlier, and the thought of having their best offensive player back for the playoffs. I predict a final score of Tennessee 27, Houston 13.
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans: Bet the Game Today
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