TNF: Tennessee Titans vs Packers Betting Preview
Green Bay Riding High
The Green Bay Packers are still not in a great spot, sitting at 4-6 and on the outside looking in on the NFC playoff picture but their crazy 31-28 comeback win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday certainly gave the Packers some life. Matt LaFleur’s team which snapped a five-game losing streak with the win; will have a tough assignment on Thursday night as it tries to make it two victories in a row with the Tennessee Titans, who have six of seven, coming to town. As this Titans vs Packers betting preview will show, though, Tennessee has to worry about Green Bay possibly finding its groove after the Packers stunned Dallas with a huge fourth quarter.
Tennessee managed to hold off the Denver Broncos over the weekend despite an unusually quiet game from Derrick Henry. It might not be pretty every week for the Titans but, thanks to their strong ground game and a very stout defense, Tennessee finds ways to win games and now the Titans have a comfortable lead in the AFC South.
Green Bay, interestingly, opened up as 2.5-point favorites even with their recent struggles. The Packers are -142 favorites on the moneyline (a sizable number for a 4-6 team that has won one game since the beginning of October) — while the total is a low 40.5 points. Weather could be a factor at Lambeau Field on Thursday night as will the short week for both teams. The TNF betting odds clearly like Green Bay’s chances.
Tennessee Titans (6-3) at Green Bay Packers (4-6)
Date, time (TV):
Location: Lambeau Field; Green Bay, Wisconsin
Streaming:: Live Sports Stream
Is Packers’ Offense Back On Track?
One impressive fourth quarter — and overtime — against the Cowboys doesn’t mean that the Packers are back to the level of offensive strength that we’ve been used to seeing from Aaron Rodgers-led teams. But, it’s hard to overlook how the Packers came back from a 28-14 deficit in the final quarter on Sunday to force overtime before winning on a short Mason Crosby field goal.
Dallas has been one of the NFC’s better teams this season, particularly on defense, so it seemed like the Packers were headed for a sixth-straight loss. Then, Rodgers and Christian Watson linked up for a pair of touchdown passes (the second and third scores between them on the night) — to help Green Bay draw even.
Any Titans vs Packers betting preview should acknowledge that while the Packers did have a huge season-saving win on Sunday, in large part due to their much-maligned passing game, Green Bay’s issues are far from solved.
The Packers also picked up huge performances on the ground from both Aaron Jones (138 yards and a touchdown) and AJ Dillon (65 yards), who each give Green Bay the kind of offensive diversity that is impossible to stop when Rodgers is playing well. Interestingly, the Titans have one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL (31st in yards allowed) and one of the best rushing defenses (2nd in yards allowed and 3rd in yards per carry allowed).
Rodgers might need to pick up the slack from Jones and Dillon and, if there’s anyone capable of doing so, it’s him.
Tennessee’s Defense Has Been Extremely Consistent
As mentioned above, the Titans’ defense is poor against the pass while stingy against the run. Overall, Tennessee gives up a lot of yards (23rd in the NFL in yardage defense) — but is eighth in scoring defense and has given up 17 points or fewer in five of its last six games.
Considering that the Packers’ offense is in the middle-of-the-pack in the NFL this year and has struggled to put up points against worse defenses than that of the Titans, Tennessee isn’t in a bad spot on Thursday.
The short week could work in the Packers’ favor on the football injury front, as guys like Jeffrey Simmons, Bud Dupree and David Long Jr. all could miss Thursday’s game.
Plus, home teams (with the weather advantage) — tend to have a lot going for them in terms of NFL scores on Thursday Night Football. That’s a big reason why the Packers are favorites from a gambling perspective.
Tannehill Could Swing Game
Ryan Tannehill had a big day in the Titans’ win over Denver as he returned from an ankle injury that cost him Tennessee’s two previous games.
The veteran, replacing rookie Malik Willis, threw for 255 yards and a pair of touchdowns to make up for the very slow day of Derrick Henry who only managed 53 yards on the ground.
How Tannehill plays is a crucial part of this Titans vs Packers betting preview. The Packers have been bad against the pass on defense so, even with Tannehill being up and down all NFL season, the Titans could do some damage through the air.
If Green Bay’s secondary can play as well on Thursday as it did down the stretch against Dak Prescott and Co. this weekend, it could be a long day for Tennessee.
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