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Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tennessee Titans Odds & Game Pick

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Coming off their bye week, the 2-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to get back on track after losing back-to-back divisional games, heading to Tennessee to take on the 3-4 Titans, who are now led by Ryan Tannehill at quarterback.

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Buccaneers vs Titans Odds and Info

All odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook.

  • Opening Lines: TEN -2.5, O/U 46.5
  • Moneyline: TB: (+124) | TEN: (-142)
  • Spread: TB: +2.5 (+100) | TEN: -2.5 (-120)
  • Total: 45.5 – Over: (+100) | Under: (-120)
  • Location: Nissan Stadium – Nashville, TN
  • Start Time: 1 pm ET
  • Coverage: FOX

Injuries

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneerss: LB Jack Cichy, (Out), G Alex Cappa (Out), TE OJ Howard (Q), OL Demar Dotson (Q), WR Breshad Perriman (P)
  • Tennessee Titans: TE Delanie Walker (Q), WR Corey Davis (Q), CB Adoree Jackson (Q), DL Jurrell Casey (Q), OL Jack Conklin (Q), LB Sharif Finch (Q), LB Rashaan Evans (Q)

View consensus picks from 100+ experts for the Buccaneers at Titans >>

Overview

With Ryan Tannehill taking snaps, the Titans got the win last week over the struggling Chargers. As a whole, the Titans’ offense has struggled, averaging just over 17 points per game. They have talent at the wide receiver position, with Corey Davis and AJ Brown, and they have a capable workhorse running back in Derrick Henry. However, Henry has averaged more than four yards per carry just once since Week 2, and his success on the ground is what this offense depends on. Defensively, the Titans are a solid overall unit. They are limiting opponents to 16 points per game, their front is holding opponents under four yards per carry, and the secondary has limited opponents to just 235.1 yards passing, on average. The reason for their three wins has been their defense.

After a terrible five-interception performance in London, Jameis Winston and the Tampa offense used their bye week to figure out the miscommunications and develop ways to get their weapons involved. Slot receiver Chris Godwin has been nothing short of spectacular for Winston and Tampa Bay, but star receiver Mike Evans has seen inconsistent usage and talented tight end O.J. Howard has been invisible on the field. This offense has the potential to be great, but it needs to find chemistry. Defensively, this unit has completely turned around from last season. They give up just 68 rushing yards per game, and this is with games against Alvin Kamara, Todd Gurley, the 49ers’ committee, Saquon Barkley, and two against Christian McCaffrey. This means bad news for Derrick Henry, and the offense will start and end with Tannehill.

Trends

  • Tampa Bay is averaging 28.8 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 4 in the NFL)
  • Tampa Bay is surrendering 30.8 PPG this season (No. 30 in the NFL).
  • That total has hit the over in four of Tampa Bay’s last five games.
  • Tennessee is averaging 17.3 PPG this season (No. 27 in the NFL).
  • Tennessee is surrendering 16.0 PPG this season (No. 4 in the NFL).
  • Tennessee is 5-0 straight up in its last five home games against Tampa Bay.
  • The Titans lead the all-time series between these two teams, 9-2.
  • Last Meeting: September 13, 2015 — The Titans defeated the Buccaneers, 42-14, at Raymond James Stadium.

Prop Bet

All odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Score First and Win: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+215)
Spoiler alert for the next part, but yes, I think Tampa takes this. I also believe they jump out to a lead and hold it for the rest of the way. While Tennessee’s defense is solid, there are key matchups Tampa can exploit. For example, Malcolm Butler will face Mike Evans most of the day. Butler has struggled this season, giving up three touchdowns and 12.9 yards per catch. Evans has a six-inch advantage and will use is well down the sideline.

Bottom Line

To build on the last section, Tampa’s defense is elite, as discussed above. In the two games Henry has averaged less than three yards per rush this season, the Titans scored just seven points total. The game will be on Tannehill’s back to keep them in it, and in this scenario, I’m putting my money on Bruce Arians and the Bucs.

Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers +2.5

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Check out our other NFL Sports Betting Guides for Week 8

Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills (-2)
Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles Rams (-11.5)
Los Angeles Chargers at Chicago Bears (-4)
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars (-6)
Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons (+7)
New York Giants at Detroit Lions (-6)
Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts (-4.5)
Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans (-6.5)
Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints (-10.5)
Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots (-11)
Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers (-5)
Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs (+4.5)
Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers (-14)

Zach Brunner is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Zach, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyFlurry.