Titans at Broncos Odds & Picks
- Odds: Broncos -2
- Over/Under: 40.5
- Kickoff: 4:25 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: CBS
If you're into defense and mediocre quarterbacks, boy do we have a game for you!
This game opened with a spread of Broncos -1 and 40-point over/under. The market hasn't moved much since then.
So how should you bet a game featuring two teams that are seemingly so similar? Let our experts guide the way with analysis on all the key injuries to know, a sneaky storyline, Sean Koerner's power ratings and our experts' favorite bets.
Titans-Broncos Injury Report
Which team is healthier? Broncos
Titans tight end Delanie Walker (knee) missed practice on Wednesday but returned to full practice on Thursday. This is likely his normal routine now. Tennessee's biggest injury of note remains Cameron Wake (hamstring), who was ruled out last week and still hasn’t resumed practicing.
The Broncos had a massive injury report on Wednesday, but most players were upgraded to full practice on Thursday, suggesting most of them should be trending toward being active for Week 6. — Justin Bailey
Note: Info as of Thursday. See our Injury Report for daily practice participation and game statuses up until kickoff.
Sneaky Storyline
How Is Titans Kicker Cody Parkey's State of Mind?
I cannot stress enough how no matter where you look, these two teams match up pretty evenly across the board in what should be a low-scoring defensive struggle, similar to what we saw last week in Bills-Titans.
Considering how similarly these teams profile, I wouldn’t be surprised if this game came down to a field goal.
Both of these teams are well aware of the value of special teams.
The Titans ended up losing by seven to the Bills at home as a result of special teams miscues, namely Cairo Santos missing four field goals. Consequently, Tennessee went out and signed the much-maligned Parkey, whose last-second double-doink miss cost the Bears a playoff win last season.
And the Broncos have already lost two games this year via last-second field goals against the Bears and Jaguars.
If Parkey can’t shake his demons — which could come roaring out if he misses his first attempt — advantage Brandon McManus. And how will head coach Mike Vrabel subsequently react if Parkey misses his first? All eyes will be on the Titans' new kicker this week, especially after how they lost last week and how Parkey last left a football field.
I personally think Parkey will be fine. He just needed a change of scenery. He’s actually the much more accurate career kicker between he and McManus.
I won’t be playing either side, but I can’t pass up the opportunity to tease the Titans to +8.5, crossing 3 and 7 in a game I make a coin flip with a low total — my favorite tease scenario. I would do the same with Denver if it was +2.5. — Stuckey
Sean Koerner's Projected Odds
- Projected Spread: Broncos -2
- Projected Total: 39
I’m pretty much right in line with market here, so I don’t see any value. I'll be staying away. — Sean Koerner
Expert Picks
Danny Donahue: Two-team, 6-point teaser with Titans +8 and Saints +7.5
Like Stuckey, I'll also have the Titans +1.5 or better in a 6-point teaser. Getting an underdog from 1.5-2.5 is crucial because you’re crossing two key numbers — namely 3 and 7. The value is even more magnified when using the strategy in games with low over/unders. So adding Tennessee +2 to a two-team, 6-point teaser was an easy decision.
Picking the second leg wasn’t quite as straightforward, and as much as I think the Jags may end up as one of this weekend’s sharper plays vs. the Saints, the value of going from +1.5 to +7.5 with the Saints was too good to pass up.
I’d bet this as long as both teams are listed +1.5 or higher.
