The Tennessee Titans started the year on a 2-4 note, but then Ryan Tannehill took over the offense, and they went on a 6-1 run that still has them on the edge of contention in the AFC playoff race. They had a chance to move into the AFC South lead when they hosted the Houston Texans last week, but they lost a spirited game, 24-21, and now they need to win out and hope for some help in Week 16. They host a New Orleans Saints team that looked elite in their demolition of Indianapolis last week, a game in which Saints quarterback Drew Brees set a new record for career touchdown passes, moving past Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. The Saints come in at 11-3 after that win, a nice bounce back from a two-point loss to San Francisco the week before. The Saints need to keep winning if they want a bye through the wild card round of the playoffs. Can the Titans pull off what would be a huge home win? Or will the Saints push through to their twelfth win? We have your sports betting preview right here.
Saints vs Titans 2019 NFL Week 16 Spread & Expert Prediction
3 #Saints did not practice Wednesday Injury Report: https://t.co/mguzdCdgqY#NOvsTEN
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 18, 2019
- When: Sunday, December 22, 2019, 1:00 pm ET
- Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville
- TV: FOX
- Radio: WWL 870 AM New Orleans / WGFX 104.5 FM The Zone Nashville
- Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
- NFL Week 16 Odds: New Orleans -2.5
Why should you bet on New Orleans?
New Orleans’ offense has been stout all season long (even when Teddy Bridgewater took over for the briefly injured Drew Brees), and it may never have been more in sync than it was last week, when Brees went 29 for 30 for 307 yards and four scores. Tailbacks Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray continue to provide balance so that Brees has time in the pocket. Michael Thomas had a stellar night against the Colts, catching 12 balls for 128 yards and a score. The defense was equally impressive, limiting the Colts to 205 yards of offense and a touchdown that did not come until garbage time.
While the Titans have had an impressive second half of the 2019 season, New Orleans has covered in five consecutive games away from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. On the year, they have a +3.7 score margin on average this season. If you like the Saints, you see momentum carrying over from their big win over the Colts — and the Titans faltering once again after that home loss to Houston a week ago.
Why should you put your money on Tennessee?
The Titans come in with their backs against the wall in this game. If they do not win the AFC South, they would need help to come away with the wild card, which means that their best option is to win out. Ryan Tannehill has played the best football of his career in 2019, throwing for 2,272 yards and 17 touchdowns, along with six picks, since taking over the starting job for the Titans. He has gotten a lot of help from tailback Derrick Henry, who has rumbled for 1,329 yards and 13 scores this year.
Against Houston, Tannehill went 22 for 36 yards for 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns, with an interception. Henry was solid, running for 86 yards on 21 carries, and A.J. Brown had a big day, catching eight passes for 114 yards and a score. However, the Titans could not get the stops they needed, as they coughed up a chance to take the AFC South lead against the Texans at home. If you like the Titans on Sunday, then you think that the Saints will have a hard time playing outside in the cold (which is a fair criticism), and that the Saints will somewhat overlook the Titans.
Final Score Prediction
I’ve been impressed by Tennessee’s second half of the season — and the promise that Tannehill has shown. Tennessee has a lot more to fight for here, as their postseason lives are on the line. I predict a final score of Tennessee 27, New Orleans 24.
