The Cincinnati Bengals (10-7, 5-3 away) take on the Tennessee Titans (12-5, 7-2 home) in the opening game of the AFC Divisional Round on Saturday. Cincinnati, the four-seed, knocked off the Las Vegas Raiders last week, picking up its first postseason victory since 1991. Tennessee is the top-seed in the AFC and enjoyed Wild Card Weekend from home.
Saturday’s kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. EST at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Tennessee is a 3.5-point favorite, and the over-under total is at 47.0 points.
What to Know – Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals closed out the regular season, winning three of their final four games, and carried that over into a 26-19 victory in the opening round over the Raiders. Cincinnati faces the Titans for the first time this season.
During the regular season, the Bengals scored 27.1 points on offense and averaged 385.2 yards of total offense. Cincinnati’s defense surrendered 22.1 points and 367.1 yards of offense to opposing teams.
Joe Burrow led an efficient offense that scored on the first six drives in last week’s victory over the Raiders. Cincinnati struggled to punch the ball into the endzone, scoring touchdowns on only two of those six drives. Burrow completed 24-of-34 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns, and rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase hauled in nine receptions for 116 yards.
Cincinnati is 11-7 against the spread this season with a 6-2 mark ATS on the road. The Bengals are 5-0 ATS over their last five and 6-1 ATS in their previous seven games against the Titans.
What to Know – Tennessee Titans
Tennessee was able to get some much-needed rest as the AFC’s top-seed, and there is a good chance the Titans get back running back Derrick Henry, who’s been sidelined with a foot injury since Week 8. Tennessee won four of its final five games, including its last three to garner the top spot in the AFC.
Tennessee’s offense during the season averaged 24.6 points and 361.7 yards of total offense per game. The Titan’s defense held opponents to 20.8 points and 348.4 yards of offense.
After opening up a 21-0 halftime lead, the Titans held off a fighting Houston Texans squad to clinch the top seed with a 28-25 victory in the final week of the regular season. Ryan Tannehill threw four touchdown passes to four different receivers, and the Titans’ offense didn’t turn the ball over. D’Onta Foreman led the Tennessee backfield with 21 carries for 69 yards.
The Titans own a 10-7 record ATS with a home record of 6-3. Tennessee is 1-4 ATS over its last five games in January.
The Pick is In
The anticipated return of Henry adds another element to the Titans offense and changes the narrative of a contest that bookmakers believe will be close. If Henry can go, how much the Titans use him will be something to monitor.
Even if Henry goes at full strength, there is something about Burrow and the Bengals offense that you have to respect. The Titans’ defense will have their hands full and must keep the rookie Chase in check. Cincinnati can win this game, and we believe they will.
Betting Pick: Cincinnati Bengals +3.5
