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The Tennessee Titans are in a logjam with every other team in the AFC South. There is currently a three-way tie at 3-3 in the division, with the Indianapolis Colts right behind at 2-4. Now that Marcus Mariota is back, the Titans are looking to start to put some ground between themselves and their division rivals and make the postseason for the first time since 2008. They will be a popular pick when they take on the winless Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
This contest in Week 7 of the regular season will go down Sunday, October 22, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The game will be broadcast on CBS.
NFL Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Tennessee Titans -6.5
Cleveland Browns -+6.5
Odds Analysis
Tennessee has notched some huge wins this season, but really struggled against Miami two weeks ago without Marcus Mariota. We saw how much Mariota meant to this team as backup Matt Cassel could only lead the team to 188 total yards against the Dolphins. He returned to action on Monday Night Football and although he struggled early, he eventually turned it on as Tennessee got its first win against Indianapolis since 2011.
The Browns seemed like they were going to turn the corner after hanging with the Steelers in their season opener, but have looked listless on offense. They have only topped 20 points in a game once, and that has led to the defense staying on the field for far too long. Growing pains are tough for a young team with a rookie quarterback, but to Browns fans it’s just the same old Browns.
Player to Watch
Mariota played despite still suffering from a hamstring injury, and there were concerns about how he would perform without his mobility. He is known for scrambling around to buy time and is able to pick up first downs offense with his feet too.
It took some time for him to adjust, but Mariota eventually found his footing and had a great game. He ended up throwing for over 300 yards and found rookie Taywan Taylor on a long touchdown pass to help ice the game.
There’s no doubt that he is the most important player to Tennessee’s success, and he should be able to play against Cleveland. However, his offensive line needs to keep the freakishly talented Myles Garrett away from him.
Matchup to Watch
Cleveland has been unable to get solid production from the quarterback position this season. The Browns have used both DeShone Kizer and Kevin Hogan for significant amounts of time, but neither one has played well. The duo has combined to throw seven touchdowns and 14 interceptions, with Hogan’s numbers somewhat better than Kizer’s.
Hogan got the start last week against Cleveland, but it seems like head coach Hue Jackson might go with Kizer in this game. Either way, the Browns probably won’t be able to do much in the passing game, despite facing a Titans secondary that isn’t that good.
Free ATS Pick
You’re going to see a lot of love for Tennessee all week. Experts are going to talk up Mariota’s performance against Indianapolis and dismiss the fact that the Titans were trailing the Colts at the start of the fourth quarter.
The Titans found something special in Mariota, but this team runs the ball in order to open up the pass and the Browns have one of the best run defenses in the NFL. Cleveland is allowing just three yards a carry this season, despite being on the field for a significant amount of time.
Going on the road after a short week of rest is usually a recipe for disaster. Wait to see if you can get a full touchdown with the Browns, but if the line starts trending the other way go ahead and take Cleveland. The Browns might actually get their first win of the season over a Titans team that is going to be overhyped heading into this one.
NFL Odds: Titans 20, Browns 17
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