Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Joe Burrow, Bengals Take Care of Business?
Two familiar AFC opponents will play each other in Week 4, as the Cincinnati Bengals face the Tennessee Titans. Can Joe Burrow and the Bengals take care of business? NFL handicapper Matt MacKay provides his prediction and pick for the Bengals vs. Titans.
Matt MacKay - October 1, 2023, 11:47 AM EDT
7 minCincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Joe Burrow, Bengals Take Care of Business?
Two familiar AFC opponents will play each other in Week 4, as the Cincinnati Bengals head to Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee to face the Tennessee Titans.
After an 0-2 start, quarterback Joe Burrow played through a calf injury to lead the Bengals to a tight 19-16 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Star wideout Ja'Marr Chase was back to looking like his former dominant self, while running back Joe Mixon ripped off an impressive 14-yard run to put Cincinnati up early in a must-win game. The Titans looked flat and outmatched against Cleveland in Week 3. They did, however, run into one of the best defenses led by Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward, leading to a 27-3 rout on the road to the Browns.
Both of these teams have been handled by the Browns early in the year, sharing common ground. The Bengals have won four of the last five head-to-head matchups straight up, including three straight since 2020, with a divisional round win over the Titans in 2021. Don't expect Mike Vrabel's team to roll over despite a concerning performance in Week 3. The Titans mounted a late comeback in Week 2 during their only home game to beat the Los Angeles Chargers in overtime, with Ryan Tannehill showing plenty of fight and some solid passing production when it was needed.
NFL handicapper Matt MacKay is back to share his latest prediction and pick between the Bengals vs. Titans ahead of this Week 4 matchup.
Bengals vs. Titans Start Time, Where To Watch, And Odds
- Date: Sunday, October 1, 2023
- Game Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: FOX
Bengals vs. Titans Odds
- Spread: Bengals -2.5 (-106), Titans +2.5 (-114)
- Total Odds: Under 41 (-110), Over 41 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Bengals (-146), Titans (+124)
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans Injury Report
Bengals
Probable: QB Joe Burrow (Calf)
Questionable: TE Irv Smith Jr. (Hamstring), RB Chris Evans (Hamstring), LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (Knee)
Out: N/A
Titans
Probable: WR DeAndre Hopkins (Ankle)
Questionable: DL Denico Autry (Groin), DT Teair Tart (Knee), CB Elijah Molden (Hamstring), LB Luke Gifford (Hamstring), WR Treylon Burks (Knee), QB Will Levis (Quadricep)
Doubtful: OT Pete Skoronski (Appendix)
Out: CB Caleb Farley (Back)
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans Prediction
Oddsmakers are giving the Titans 2.5 points ATS, making them home underdogs against a conference foe that has had their number for three consecutive games. To put things into perspective, the Titans have lost nine of their last ten games SU, while failing to cover the spread in four of their last five home games.
In terms of point total, oddsmakers at FanDuel have set the line to an even 41, leaving room for a push. This is pretty low, but both teams have good run defenses, while the Titans remain a plus-matchup for opposing passing attacks. Burrow and Chase could easily find a rhythm against the Titans, who have numerous injuries on defense, while Tee Higgins has shown his ability to burst, going off for two touchdowns against the Ravens in Week 2.
Cincinnati has won six consecutive games as the favorite following a win. Their confidence should be fully restored heading into Nashville, but the Titans will likely give them a fight, as they need to find a way to get Derrick Henry going. Tyjae Spears has looked sharp as the RB2 on pass-catching downs, and Treylon Burks and DeAndre Hopkins are quality weapons for Tannehill to target on the perimeter.
Let's not overthink this one and roll with the Bengals' moneyline at -148 odds. This could be the game where Burrow and the rest of the passing game get into a rhythm, while the Titans' run-centric offense will run into a Bengals defense that has shut down opposing rushing attacks. The Titans aren't built to mount comebacks, despite their Week 2 win over a Chargers team with a much worse defense than the Bengals. Burrow and the Bengals own the Titans and that won't change this week, so let's place a three-unit wager on Cincinnati to take care of business for their first road win of the season.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans Pick
- Pick: Cincinnati Bengals Moneyline -146 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
NFL Odds
