After suffering their first loss of the season last week, the Falcons take on the one-win Tennessee Titans, who may be without the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft. Marcus Mariota sustained a sprained knee against Miami last week and is questionable to lead the Titans, as they try to salvage a win in the final of a four-game homstand.
ODDS
The line and total were taken off the board while oddsmakers wait for news on the status of Mariota. No matter who plays for the Titans, the Falcons have the edge and should cover coming off their first loss of the year and a long week to prep for Tennessee.
KEY INJURIES
Marcus Mariota – Was injured last week on a low hit from Miami’s Olivier Vernon. He underwent an MRI and was diagnosed with a sprained MCL in his left knee. The Titans will have to wait and see how Mariota progresses through the week before making a determination on his status for Sunday’s game. If he is unable to play Zach Mettenberger would get the nod.
Justin Durant – Missed Atlanta’s last two games with an elbow injury and is close to returning, but is listed as questionable for Sunday. He was leading the team in tackles from his weakside linebacker spot before getting hurt. Joplo Bartu and Nate Stupar worked in his absence.
KEY MISMATCH
If Mariota is taking snaps or if Mettenberger steps in for the rookie, the Titans simply have to protect their quarterback better against the Falcons then they have so far this season. The Titans have allowed 20 sacks in five games and have a 1-4 record to show for it. They also have an injured No. 1 draft pick because of their inability to pass protect. Rookie right tackle Jeremiah Poutasi was pulled in the second quarter last week because he couldn’t contain Cameron Wake. Another rookie, center Andy Gallik, will start against Atlanta in place of injured Brian Schwenke, who’s done for the year with a fractured leg. Additionally, left tackle Taylor Lewan is dealing with a shoulder issue and right guard Chance Warmack will be playing his second game after missing time with a sprained knee. The Titans might be regretting the preseason trade of guard Andy Levitre, who is starting on a much improved Falcons offensive line. A beaten up quarterback isn’t what the Titans need. What they need is a full season from Mariota as they look to grow a team around him.
KEY STAT
7.0 – Atlanta’s quarterback sack total. The Falcons are tied for last in the NFL in sacks, but they have a good chance to improve that number against a banged up Titans line that has surrendered 20 sacks, the fourth-most in the league.
BETTING ANGLE
So, the Falcons offense gets completely derailed at New Orleans, held to seven points over three quarters by a Saints team that was dead last in the league in total defense. Were the Falcons overrated? Football bettors should find out for sure Sunday at Tennessee, where the Titans have an excellent defense but hardly anything to show for it. This will be Tennessee’s fourth straight home game and fifth straight week without travelling having their bye thrown in there. The Titans should be ready to make life hard for Atlanta for the second straight week. It’s hard to see a lot of points on the board in this one as Tennessee makes adjustments following a poor effort against Miami.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Falcons fell back to earth with last week’s loss to the Saints where they couldn’t do much damage offensively. They had a long week after Thursday’s game in the Big Easy and that allowed Julio Jones to work on his sore hamstring. Atlanta’s stud receiver lacked the explosiveness against the Saints and he still had six catches for 93 yards. He should be able to exploit the Titans’ defense as long as Matt Ryan stays upright. But the Falcons strength on offense will challenge the Titan’s weakness on defense. Devonta Freeman is the NFL’s second leading rusher, and has been a find since taking over for the injured Tevin Coleman early in the year. And with Coleman now back, the Falcons have a dynamic 1-2 punch out of the backfield that should carve up the Titans weak run defense. The Falcons will be able to bottle up Tennessee’s offense, no matter who’s quarterbacking, and they get back in the win column with a road victory.
Atlanta 29, Tennessee 20
The line was taken off the board while waiting for news on Tennessee’s quarterback situation. Minute-by-minute NFL spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans will square off Sunday, October 25, 2015, at 1 p.m. ET at Nissan Stadium. The contest will be broadcast regionally on FOX.
