Falcons vs. Titans Point Spread: NFL Week 8 Odds, Prediction
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Edgar Chaput
It was difficult to know what to expect from the Atlanta Falcons in 2023 when the season started. Given their 4-3 record thus far, it’s safe to say that they’re better than anticipated, even if the road is rocky at times. As for the Titans, at 2-4, there are more concerns than positives. They enjoyed their bye in Week 7 after a London defeat to the Ravens a fortnight ago.
Under those circumstances, it’s the Falcons who benefit from being deemed -3 favourites on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Falcons-Titans contests are a rarity, scheduled only once every four years. The previous quartet has been split 2-2, Tennessee having taken the last game in Atlanta 24-10 in 2019. Marcus Mariota and Matt Ryan were the quarterbacks that day, which goes to show how times have changed.
The Falcons might be a much better bet on the moneyline than against the spread. Their 4-3 record has only translated to a 2-5 effort ATS. They were favoured by three against the Packers but won by a single point. Atlanta was also a -2.5 favourite versus the Texans and took the game by just two points.
Tennessee’s efforts against the spread have been slightly better than in the standings. Mike Vrabel’s group has covered three of their six games compared to their 2-4 straight-up record. They’ve fared a bit better at home though, having drubbed the Bengals and narrowly defeated the Chargers. Technically the loss to the Ravens overseas was a home game, but who’s really counting that?
Atlanta Falcons
Games like the Week 7 victory over the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay are what pundits sometimes describe as “character building” matches. It wasn’t necessarily pretty, and Desmond Ridder once again found himself in the limelight on unfortunate plays, but the Falcons still took it 16-13 on a game-ending Younghoe Koo field goal.
This was more of a defensive battle, with both sides making key stops, not only on third downs but in the red zone. Both teams lost fumbles, although the Bucs recovered one of their two whereas the Falcons gave away all three of theirs. Ridder lost the ball in the red zone not once but twice. Falcons faithful are perpetually frustrated with his play, despite that he still regularly makes good throws. Forgotten man Cordarrelle Patterson had 10 carries for 56 yards in light of some headaches Bijan Robinson was dealing with. Don’t look now, but the Falcons have the third-best defence in the NFL as far as total yards per game go with 285.4. It’s been a challenge getting yardage on them this season.
RB Bijan Robinson is questionable.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans have had two weeks to mull over what has gone wrong through six games in 2023 and prepare for the visiting Falcons this Sunday. It’s safe to argue that this early season club resembles that which trailed off in the second half of 2022.
Tennessee is in the bottom five in total yards per game and passing yards per game. Before anyone thinks that having Derrick Henry as a running back can right all wrongs, they’re 19th in rushing yards per tilt. Ryan Tannehill is not the same gunslinger as during his first few seasons with the Titans, having thrown only two touchdown passes against six picks. Furthermore, he’s listed as questionable heading into this match. Of note, should the veteran indeed sit this one out, 2023 second round pick Will Levis is currently pinned as the backup QB in the pecking order, not Malik Willis. This could be a slow burn, as the Titans don’t give up many points per game (19.5) and the Falcons don’t score many either (16.4).
ATL
TEN