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Tennessee Titans at Detroit Lions NFL Odds & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

Tennessee takes the field just four short days after enduring its first loss of the season when it takes on Detroit in its traditional Thanksgiving Day game. Tennessee was blown out 34-13 at home by Brett Favre and the New York Jets last Sunday after starting the season 10-0. The good thing for Tennessee is that its first loss of the year should be short-lived as it faced a Lions team which is yet to win this season. Detroit has gotten mighty close to breaking through in five of their last six games but have not been able to get the job done. Detroit led 17-0 last week against Tampa Bay before falling yet again. While the Lions will once again have the benefit of playing with nothing to lose, odds makers feel strongly that Tennessee will bounce back and have listed the Titans as 11-point favorites with the total set at 44.

Many experts have expressed that last week’s loss by Tennessee could actually benefit the Titans going forward as their focus is no longer about being undefeated and just about winning a championship. While this may pan out to be true, Tennessee has looked far from invincible this seeing, winning by the skin of its teeth far more often that dominating its opponent. While losing creates incentive to win, it also creates doubt, and the fact that an undefeated Titans team was beaten so badly at home, could have Tennessee doubting some things right about now. The defense remains the strong suit of the Titans and if the old saying is true that defense wins championships, as it was last year for the Giants, Tennessee could be in good shape. The Titans are allowing just 15.0 ppg and only 293.4 ypg. But the Jets may have given teams a game plan that can work against the Titans defense. New York spread them out and Favre threw lots of short, quick passes which allowed the Jets to control the football and to wear down the Tennessee defense, which was on the field for more than 40 minutes in that game. New York outgained the Titans 409 to 281 and points out this team’s most glaring weakness – offensive firepower. While veteran QB Kerry Collins has been efficient this season, he is not the type of player that is going to be able to bring the Titans back from a sizeable deficit. If Detroit is able to jump on Tennessee the way it did Tampa Bay last week, we could see the Titans dropping their second game of the year unless the defense can continue to make plays. If you like Tennessee to bounce back big after suffering its first loss of the season, bet the Titans at -11 at Bookmaker.

Since starting the season with four straight blowout losses, by and large the Lions have been very competitive, unfortunately they have been unable to come out on the winning end of a number of close games. The Lions will have home field and the advantage of knowing the routine of playing the short week Turkey Day game on its side as it tries to pull off the shocking upset to get its first win of the year. The key for Detroit will be not turning the ball over. An interception return for a TD by Ronde Barber off of Daunter Culpepper kept Detroit from any chance at getting back in the game in the second half last week. Detroit’s defense will also have to play its best game of the season. The Lions are allowing 31.5 ppg and 388.7 yards of total offense. The Tennessee offense averages just 23.4 ppg so if Detroit can defend the run and not allow the big play through the air, which Tennessee rarely goes for, it has a legit shot to win. If you think the books are giving Detroit too many on its home turf, bet the Lions at +11 at Bookmaker.

Check out all of the NFL odds this week at Locksmith Sports to see if any early NFL betting opportunities present themselves. And make sure you’re playing Jimmy Boyd’s NFL picks on Thanksgiving Day so that you can stuff your pockets while you’re stuffing your belly.

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Written by Jimmy Boyd on November 24, 2008 · Filed Under NFL Betting Articles, News & Previews

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