Cleveland vs Tennessee Opening Odds Favor the Titans by 4.5 Points in Week 13

• The Tennessee Titans (8-3) are 4.5-point favorites against the Cleveland Browns (8-3) in the opening odds for their Week 13 meeting (Dec. 6, 1 pm EST)
• The Titans beat the Indianapolis Colts 45-26 in Week 12 to move into first alone in the AFC South, while the Browns (8-3) knocked off the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-24
• See opening odds, team overviews, and a prediction about how the line will move

The Indianapolis Colts are one of only five NFL teams that are giving up fewer than 100 rushing yards per game this season. Coming into Week 12, they ranked third against the run with an average yield  of 89.2 yards per game.

But none of that matters to NFL leading rusher Derrick Henry who  ran for 178 yards and three touchdowns to spark the Tennessee Titans to a 45-26 win against Colts . The win broke the tie for first place in the AFC south.

The Colts have given up 100 or more yards only three times in the past three seasons, and Henry was the runner each time. The former Alabama standout now has run for 100 or more yards seven times this season. That’s one reason why the Titans are -4.5 favorites against the Cleveland Browns for their Week 13 contest.

Browns vs  Titans Opening Odds

Odds taken Nov. 29th at FanDuel.

Maybe Browns Can Slow Henry in Tennessee

The oddity of Henry’s rushing success this season is that he has run much better on the road than he has at home. He has rushed for under 100 yards in four games. Each of those games was a home game.

He is averaging slightly under 100 yards per game at home (599 yards in six games). His road average is 131.6 (658 yards in five games)

Players with at least 1,250 rush yds and 12 rush TD thru his team's first 11 games:

DERRICK HENRY
Jim Brown
Eric Dickerson
Emmitt Smith
Shaun Alexander
O.J. Simpson
Terrell Davis

Hall of Fame company for King Henry #TitanUp pic.twitter.com/RT3FIKIEsj

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) November 29, 2020

The Browns rank eighth against the run this season. The Browns are giving up 108.2 rushing yards per day. Of course, we know the Colts were better against the run at it didn’t help them. When Henry rushes for 116 or more yards this season, the Titans are 5-0.

Tannehill More Productive than Mayfield in 2020

Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield has national commercials and name recognition that stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific. If you did a man-on-the-street poll, a good number of people wouldn’t be able to name Tennessee’s starting quarterback.

But Ryan Tannehill is enjoying a better season than Mayfield.  Tannehill has thrown for 2,387 yards and 22 touchdowns, while completing 65.4% of passes. He’s only been intercepted four times.  In Tennessee, Tannehill’s teammates believe he is deserving of MVP consideration.

Most Completions of 50+ Yards This Season

Justin Herbert: 6
Russell Wilson: 5
Kyler Murray: 4
Ryan Tannehill: 4 pic.twitter.com/1Go4CR8zd8

— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) November 22, 2020

By contrast, Mayfield has thrown for 1,850 yards and 15 TD, while completing 60.8% of passes. He has been intercepted seven times.

Both quarterbacks benefit from a strong running game, and Mayfield has earned considerable praise this season for the way he manages the Cleveland offense. Tannehill also is a quality field general, although we don’t hear as much about his skills.

Browns Could Lose Their Best Tackler

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said safety Ronnie Harrison, hurt on the first play in the win against Jacksonville, will have an MRI Monday for a shoulder injury. He had already been dealing with a knee bruise.

The Browns have shown considerable resilience this season in building their 8-3 record. Against Jacksonville, they played without arguable their three best defensive players, Harrison, Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward, and still won.

Ronnie Harrison will have an MRI on his shoulder tomorrow. Hoping for a minor injury. #Browns

— clebrownsnetwork (@clebrownsig) November 29, 2020

The Titans have their own injury issues, as defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, linebacker Jayon Brown, and tackle Ty Sambrailo are all on the injured reserve.

Enthusiasm over Browns May Move Line Early

The Browns have a strong national following, and there is considerable excitement about this team. The public will love getting 4.5 because they believe the Browns will win the game. That may move the line towards Cleveland.

This game could end up being a ball control game, which means a low scoring contest. Betting the Under could be popular this week.