It can’t be this easy, can it? Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota sure made it look that way in his NFL debut, leading Tennessee to an impressive opening day win last week. Mariota had a perfect quarterback rating and the Browns are hopeful their quarterback Johnny Manziel took notes.
The teams like scoring points when they meet, playing the over in five of the last seven series meetings.
ODDS
Cleveland opened as a 4-point favorite with a total of 41.5. The betting public sure likes Mariota as that number was wagered down to -2.5 rather quickly. The teams played the over last season with Cleveland earning a 29-28 road win, and the over is 5-2 in the last seven.
KEY INJURIES
Delanie Walker – Was the only thing the Titans lost last week. He injured his right hand late in the blowout win at Tampa Bay and was seen afterwards wearing a cast, though reports say there is no break. He caught three passes, including a touchdown, before going down. Anthony Fasano will see more reps in Walker’s absence.
Josh McCown – Signed to be the Browns starting quarterback, he was knocked out in the first quarter of his first game with the team and is questionable. Johnny Manziel took over in New York last week and would get the start Sunday if McCown is unable.
Dwayne Bowe – Was inactive last week as he continues to deal with a hamstring issue and is listed as questionable.
KEY MISMATCH
It looks as though the Titans have the advantage at quarterback, especially considering what took place last week. Marcus Mariota had a magnificent debut tossing four touchdown passes while misfiring on just three passes. His quarterback rating was perfect and the Titans steamrolled Tampa Bay. Mariota’s four scoring passes and a pick six from Coty Sensabaugh gave Tennessee 35 first half points. Their highest output last season was 28. With McCown sidelined with a concussion, the Browns are preparing for Manziel as their starter, the quarterback the team decided to trust for its future while declining to trade for Mariota before this year’s draft because they felt the price was too high. Manziel threw a touchdown pass, but his next 23 passes totaled 128 yards, and he spent the second half evading New York defenders. He fumbled twice in the fourth quarter and threw an interception in the third and did very little to help the Browns win a game.
KEY STAT
42 – Tennessee’s point total in its opener. The Titans averaged 15.9 points per game last season and topped out at 28. They had 35 at halftime last week, thanks to four Mariota scoring passes. Cleveland gave up 31 to the offensively-challenged Jets.
BETTING ANGLE
Former Browns running back Terrance West had a solid debut for the Titans, getting 41 yards on 13 carries. West was traded by the Browns to the Titans for a conditional seventh-round draft pick the week before the season opener, even though Cleveland was thin at the position. West showed promise rushing for 673 yards as a rookie last season, but the Browns still dumped him for virtually nothing. West had a pre-draft visit with the Titans last year and enjoyed the experience. He’ll have the opportunity to build on those good feelings as the newest member of the Titans backfield. It just so happens Tennessee will be in Cleveland this week, giving West added incentive to prove his former team made a mistake. West has worked his way up the depth chart behind starter Bishop Sankey.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Before we go anointing Mariota as the second coming, let’s realize that he played one game. Sure the Titans are going to be better, but they also won their first game last season before going 1-14 to finish it off. The Browns looked out of sorts against the Jets after McCown left with his concussion, forcing Manziel to rally the troops and he just couldn’t do it. Running with the first team in practice this week should get him ready to handle the chores and the Browns catch a Titans squad that thinks they’re better than they actually are.
Cleveland 26, Tennessee 24
The NFL odds for this Sunday contest were first released by BookMaker and the Browns were positioned as 4-point favorites with a total of 41.5. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time odds and player props during the game. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
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 matchup between the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns will start at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 20, 2015, at FirstEnergy Stadium. The matchup will be televised live on CBS.
