Titans Open as 3-Point Favorites in Week 2 Against Colts
- Following a decisive win in Cleveland, the Titans are early 3-point favorites vs. the Colts in Week 2
- Indianapolis looks to rebound from a 30-24 overtime loss to the Chargers in Week 1
- The Colts have dominated the Titans for over a decade, but Jacoby Brissett is 0-2 against Tennessee
The Tennessee Titans will be looking to build on a spectacular start to the 2019 NFL season when they return home next Sunday (Sep. 15th) for a clash with the division rival Indianapolis Colts. The Titans opened as 3-point favorites in the Colts vs Titans full odds.
NFL Week 2: Colts vs Titans Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | +3 (-105) | N/A | Ov 44 (-110) |
| Tennessee Titans | -3 (-115) | N/A | Un 44 (-110) |
*Odds taken 09/09/19
Titans Spoil Browns Season Debut
The Titans spoiled what was expected to be a coming out party for the highly touted Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon, rolling to a 43-13 win in what marks the team’s most lopsided victory in seven years.
The win has paid immediate dividends for Tennessee’s odds to win the AFC South divisional crown, where the Titans have climbed to +200 second-favorites. They entered Week 1 with the worst odds among the four teams at +350.
The immediate reaction to Cleveland’s beatdown Sunday was the @Browns lack is composure. But the @Titans – especially their defense – had plenty to do with dishing out the L and folks better not sleep on the unspoken threat in the AFC South. pic.twitter.com/5LjWouUb1K
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) September 9, 2019
Tennessee’s offense fired on all cylinders in Sunday’s victory, powered by quarterback Marcus Mariota. The fifth-year QB tossed for three touchdowns in a game for the first time since 2016 while piling up 248 passing yards.
Titans Producing Steady Results on Home Turf
The Titans return home aiming to extend the steady run at Nissan Stadium that marked the second half of last season. Tennessee went 3-1 straight up on home turf down the stretch last season, and is 12-3 SU in their past 15 home dates.
However, the Titans’ last home loss came to the visiting Colts (33-17) in Week 17 last year, a setback that bounced them from the NFL playoff picture.
Andrew Luck took Marcus Mariota aside after the #Colts beat the #Titans last year in Week 17 to go to the playoffs and instilled a message that “meant the world” pic.twitter.com/hqDpeSciUY
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) August 26, 2019
Historically, the Titans have enjoyed little success in head-to-head clashes with Indianapolis, going 3-18 SU in 21 overall meetings since December 2008. That run includes just two SU wins in 11 meetings on home turf, with the Colts claiming victory by double-digit margins in three of their past five matchups.
Tennessee Aims to Rewrite Narrative
It will be a different Colts team that Tennessee will face this time around, of course, following the sudden and unexpected retirement of quarterback Andrew Luck. The Titans failed to beat the Colts during the Luck era, losing 10 straight, including a pair of defeats last season by an average margin of 22 points. But they are undefeated in their past two clashes against Indianapolis without Luck.
With Jacoby Brissett under center, Indianapolis opened the season on a disappointing note, falling 30-24 in overtime to the Los Angeles Chargers after overcoming a third-quarter 24-6 deficit.
The Jacoby Brissett era officially begins with a L in ot to the Chargers but he proved worthy of being the starter.
– 21/27 77.78%
– 190 Yards
– 2 TDs (via @colts) #YearoftheBlackQB pic.twitter.com/9MnHLavY0X— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) September 8, 2019
Brissett performed admirably in his debut as the Colts undisputed starter, tossing for a pair of scores and 190 yards. But it was a breakthrough performance by running back Marlon Mack that kept the Colts in the game. The 23-year-old out of South Florida scampered for a career-best 174 yards and a crucial third-quarter touchdown in Sunday’s loss, and has also enjoyed past success against the Titans, running for 119 yards and one score in last season’s Week 17 win.
However, the Titans defense proved effective at frustrating the Browns’ rushing game in Week 1, limiting Cleveland to just 102 total ground yards, and no runs longer than 15 yards. So, as has been largely the case since they drafted him, the Titans’ success will hinge on the play of Mariota.
Mariota Undefeated Head-to-Head with Brissett
Sunday will mark the third time that Mariota has gone head-to-head against Brissett on the gridiron. Mariota led the Colts to a pair of wins over Brissett and the Colts in 2017, including a decisive 36-22 victory on home turf in which the former Oregon Ducks star piled up a season-high 306 passing yards. That extends a trend in which the Titans have won five of seven when Mariota tosses for 240 or more yards.
Middle of the Colts defense was the biggest problem all game (at all levels, but esp DT), and cost them in OT
Colts played well, but that interior DL play was atrocious. No pass rush, massive holes in the running game. Could become a lingering problem as season progresses. https://t.co/FZ33KYGNsg
— Colton Lochhead (@ColtonLochhead) September 8, 2019
And if the Colts’ struggles to contain Chargers pivot Philip Rivers in Week 1 is any indication, Mariota could enjoy ample opportunity to pile up big numbers in Week 2. Rivers lit up the Colts for 333 yards and three scores in Los Angeles’ victory.
There may be some believers out there still that remain convinced that the Colts can maintain the results they regularly achieved when Luck was under center. But with the Indianapolis defense failing to prove they can shut down an elite level passer in Week 1, the early faith in the Titans at the sportsbooks remains justified.
Pick: Titans -3 (-115)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
