Patriots vs. Titans Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 3 Odds, Prediction
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Edgar Chaput
An unfortunate injury to New England Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden put a swift end to the team’s game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2. Despite that Bolden was released from the hospital on Sunday morning and travelled with the team, there will be no joint practices with the Titans this week. New England’s game officially ended 21-17 in their favour. Tennessee was in Minnesota in Week 2 and took their game against the Vikings 24-16.
Check the NFL preseason odds as they develop.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Titans rarely live up to their namesake when facing the Patriots. Tennessee has emerged victorious only twice in its previous 10 meetings with the Foxborough-based franchise. Funnily enough, one of those two wins was of particular significance. It came just after New Year’s in 2020 in the AFC Wild Card game. Not only was it a rare Titans win over the Pats in the playoffs, but it proved to be the last time Tom Brady ever suited up for New England.
New England failed to cover the spread in Week 1 versus the Texans, but the 21-17 victory in Green Bay evened their ATS effort to 1-1 this preseason. The over is also 1-1 in their case.
After falling to 0-1 against the spread when playing the Bears in Week 1, Tennessee did much better when playing the Vikings, thus also improving their record to 1-1. The over is 2-0 for the Titans this month.
New England Patriots
Obviously, no one wants to see a contest end the way it did last week in Green Bay. When Isaiah Bolden collided with a teammate and remained on the ground, memories of Buffalo’s Damar Hamlin’s injury in January surely rushed to many minds. Thankfully the rookie spent less than a day in the hospital. Details about the injury he suffered but word has it it’s a concussion.
Mac Jones began the game at quarterback for the Patriots. It was a rough outing insofar as the offensive line didn’t play up to par. Jones was sacked twice and hurried often. It felt very à propos to send in Bailey Zappe as early as the second quarter. Some fans may remember that Zappe earned somewhat of a reputation in 2022 when he played in Green Bay against the now-departed Aaron Rodgers. The Packers had to mount a late comeback to win 27-24 in overtime. This time Bailey was 10-22 for 117 yards and a TD. Kayshon Boutte was the recipient of the touchdown pass in the second quarter on an inside slant after which the WR burned the Green Bay secondary.
All in all, the 21-17 final very Patriots-esque win. Not the most memorable offence, but just good enough and a sound defence to keep the opponent at bay.
Tennessee Titans
Speaking of teams winning in ways befitting of their nature, the Tennessee Titans rumbled to a 24-16 victory over the Vikings in Week 2.
Rumbled how? By throwing for a grand total of 71 yards (after lost yards on sacks) and rushing for 281! QB Malik Willis was in for the entire game and, for all intents of purposes, looked exactly like 2022 Malik Willis. He went 10-for-17, threw for 85 yards, a short touchdown as well as a head-scratching interception. But he ran for 91 yards, more than once on critical plays that kept drives alive. Julius Chestnut led the running back committee with 98 yards and a TD, but Tyjae Spears had to coolest TD of the night, slickly outdoing an incoming Vikings safety en route to a 33-yard major.
Derrick Henry was nowhere to be found – unsurprisingly – but it didn’t prevent the Titans from doing what they’re most efficient at to win a game. Is this style of play sustainable through 17 regular season contests? Probably not, but it’s still something to behold when a squad can run the ball at will.
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