Many teams use the preseason as an opportunity to evaluate talent and work out their depth chart. Baltimore on the other hand uses the exhibition to get players into the winning mindset, and that’s evidence by a 20 game win streak in the preseason. That has to give the home team some extra value as -4 point favorites in the NFL preseason Titans at Ravens betting matchup.
Now that everybody is familiar with the Ravens’ prowess in the preseason, is it time to fade and go with Tennessee? 72% of the betting public is on Baltimore, so are oddsmakers serving up a trap right out of the gates? Then again it is the preseason, and no team on the week one slate is more than a -3.5 favorite.
Titans Ready to See Some Rookies
Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel went 0-4 in his first preseason in 2018, but the Titans have gone 2-2 and 2-1 the last two years in the exhibition. That’s obviously nowhere near the mark of 4-0, 4-0, 5-0, 4-0, and 3-0 the Ravens have put up the last five preseasons but at least the Titans are stacking up some wins in the exhibition.
Neither Ryan Tannehill nor Derrick Henry will be anywhere close to playing in the NFL preseason Titans at Ravens matchup, so it’s time for the future in the Music City to be on display. A. J. Brown averaged 8TDs and nearly 1,000 receiving yards his first three seasons but is off to Philadelphia after failing to receive an extension off his rookie deal. In return the Titans got the #18 pick which they used on Arkansas WR Treylon Burks, who had 1,104 yards and 11 TDs last year at Arkansas.
The Titans will also be giving a lot of reps to QB Malik Willis in their preseason opener. Logan Woodside is the backup to Tannehill, but Willis was a projected 1st round pick (as high as #6 to Carolina) that fell to the Titans in the third round, mainly because his offense at Liberty was reportedly too simplistic. That might work out well with the bare bones offense of the preseason opener however.
Ravens Try to Keep the Streak Going
Baltimore has a preseason dynasty, with their 20 straight wins breaking the mark the Packers set from 1959-62. The Ravens will try to get to 21 in a row without Lamar Jackson taking any reps on Thursday night, and are also thin in the backfield with J.K. Dobbins just getting off the PUP list two days ago but backup Gus Edwards still sidelined.
Preseason results are all about QB depth, and Baltimore looks like they have that edge in Thursday’s opener – even without Jackson. Tyler Huntley will get most of the first half reps as he enters his third NFL season, starting four games in 2021 with 1,081 yards and 3 TDs with 4 INTs.
Brett Hundley will likely get the bulk of the second half work, Hundley started 9 games with Green Bay in 2017, but hasn’t seen the field the last two years with the Cardinals and Colts.
Free NFL Preseason Titans at Ravens Betting Pick
It’s no secret Baltimore treats the preseason like they want to win, and that’s just something other teams do not do. The Titans are going to want to see what they have with Willis, but it’s a big jump from Liberty to the NFL. Have to go with Baltimore for #21.
Free Pick: Ravens -4
