The top sportsbooks sent Seattle out as -3.5 on their opening line betting odds and they were adjusted upward to -5.5, which is no man’s land for betting football. Here is a look at both clubs.
Tennessee Titans vs. Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, September 19, 2021 – 04:25 PM EDT at Lumen Field
Before the season, this looked like a marquee matchup. It might turn out to be that way but based on how Tennessee played in the season opener, that is open for discussion.
Tennessee was thoroughly manhandled by Arizona last Sunday. It was not pretty. After years of great pass protection, Ryan Tannehill had to have Miami flashbacks last week as he was sacked six times. Seattle had an easier than expected contest in the Hoosier State with Indianapolis, as Russell Wilson had his 12th game with four touchdown passes and zero interceptions.
Tennessee Was off Key and Has to Recover Quickly
As Tannehill said this week, “I think we kind of got hit in the mouth early…… and we didn’t respond well. It took us four drives before we moved the ball. So that’s unacceptable.” Titans’ fans would agree, but just not on offense. The Tennessee defense was torched for 416 yards, unable to stop the Cardinals’ run or pass.
Coach Mike Vrabel has not minced words all week and he knows an 0-2 start is problematic, even with a new 17-game schedule. He even called out a new acquisition Julio Jones for taking a “dumb penalty”.
It is back to basics for Tennessee. It is imperative the Titans establish Derek Henry, which means the offensive line has to do a 180-degree turn from last week. If Seattle has seven or eight defenders within four yards of Tennessee’s line of scrimmage, they have to hit quick Tannehill throws on slants.
On defense, the tackling must be purposeful, and the secondary cannot be beaten on 20+ yard plays.
Seattle Looks to Keep Rolling
With Russell Wilson evidently happy and receiving concessions from the offensive staff to have more freedom, the Seattle offense ran and passed the pigskin for an efficient 381 yards at 7.6 yards a play. The running game led by Chris Carson set the table for Wilson to take deep shots to Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf in particular.
Given how porous Tennessee’s defense looked last week and last year for that matter, the Seahawks figure to have a similar game plan. The one adjustment could be to connect on short passes in the first quarter, to keep the Titans guessing what is next.
Seattle’s defense is not the quality of their Super Bowl appearances in the last decade, however, they have studs like Bobby Wagner and Jamal Adams that do much of the work.
Henry is an elite runner either inside or just outside of the tackles. Pete Carroll’s defense will look to have gap integrity inside the tackles or push Henry laterally when he tries to go one hole over. Do this on the early downs and make Tannehill again have to throw on third and long.
And the Winner Is……..
On a situational basis, for NFL picks, Seattle should take this one since they are 14-4 ATS at September home games under Carroll and 16-5 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points in 11 seasons.
However, life in the NFL is week-to-week and this is all about the urgency for Tennessee off a lamentable showing and having something to prove to themselves.
Additionally, the Seahawks’ status as unbeatable at home is not the case the last four years at 21-12 SU and 12-15-1 ATS as home favorites. Taking the Titans with the points.
NFL Pick: Titans +5.5 (-109) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
