In the 2015 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected quarterback Jameis Winston, a former Heisman winner, No. 1 overall out of Florida State. The Tennessee Titans took QB Marcus Mariota, a former Heisman winner, No. 2 overall out of Oregon. The two face off Saturday in Week 2 of the NFL preseason with the Titans as slight NFL betting favorites.
Rookie safety Dane Cruikshank (shoulder) was injured on kickoff coverage during the preseason opener against the Packers. The Titans recently signed safety Steve Terrell, which could be a sign that Cruikshank will be out for an extended time. Wide receiver Rishard Matthews has not practiced since the start of training camp because of an undisclosed injury. Tajae Sharpe has been receiving more and more work with the first team with Matthews out.
The Titans’ four-player draft class left the door open for undrafted free agents to take over roster spots. One is linebacker Sharif Finch. The Titans are already thin at outside linebacker and Finch had a monster first preseason game. He registered one sack but came close on several others while showing a full arsenal of pass rush moves.
Akrum Wadley is making a push to be the No. 3 running back. In the preseason opener he a team-high 12 touches on offense. Wadley had 27 yards on nine carries and added three catches for 11 yards. Some of his open-field shiftiness was on display. The Titans’ top two backs are Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis.
How to Bet Buccaneers vs Titans NFL Odds & Game Info
- When: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
- Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville
- TV: NFL Network Replay
- Radio: Siriusxm
- NFL Odds: Tennessee Titans -2.5 (41)
Why Bet on Tampa Bay?
Winston has been suspended the first three games of the regular season but that doesn’t affect the preseason. In fact, the might play more in these games since he will have to sit out when things count. The Bucs opened the preseason with a 26-24 win in Miami. Winston played the second quarter against Miami’s second team and led a group of reserves to 10 points on drives of 32 and 40 yards. He went 11 for 13 for 102 yards in four series. Rookie Ronald Jones rushed eight times for nine yards and a touchdown in the game. Peyton Barber started but the No. 38 overall pick got some brief run with the starters. His numbers were unimpressive, though his touchdown was an excellent goal-line run. Needing to improve in the passing game, Jones was held without a catch on one target. He also has struggled with pass protection thus far. Top cornerback Vernon Hargreaves suffered a groin injury in the win and the Bucs are hoping he will only miss 2-3 weeks. If Hargreaves can avoid setbacks, he should be back for the start of the regular season. Hargreaves struggled last season, earning PFF’s No. 90 grade out of 120 qualifiers at cornerback. The Bucs’ secondary was thin and weak even before Hargreaves’ injury. Kicker Chandler Catanzaro said he has “moved on” from his bad performance in the preseason opener. Catanzaro missed an extra point and a field goal. Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said the team is sticking by Catanzaro. For now. The Bucs have gone through eight kickers since 2009, tied with the Bills, Bengals, and Eagles for most in the NFL in that span. Catanzaro did make a 26-yard field goal with 23 seconds left vs. Miami to cap a 67-yard drive and give the Bucs the win. For the third year in a row, the Bucs will hold joint practices with their upcoming opponent prior to that second preseason game. It was the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016 and 2017 and this year the Bucs will share a field with the Titans this week. The Buccaneers’ new-look defensive line will learn to contend with talented left tackle Taylor Lewan and a mobile quarterback in Marcus Mariota.Why Bet on Tennessee?
The Titans were 31-17 losers at Green Bay last week in Mike Vrabel’s head coaching debut. Marcus Mariota was 2 of 3 for 42 yards with a 4-yard scoring pass to Darius Jennings on the opening drive of Vrabel’s first preseason game as Titans coach. Mariota also had one carry for 7 yards before leaving after the nine-play series. Veteran safety Kenny Vaccaro started alongside All-Pro Kevin Byard at safety and had one tackle after playing into the second quarter. Formerly of the Saints, Vaccaro signed recently after the Titans lost starter Johnathan Cyprien last week to a torn left ACL.
Rookie safety Dane Cruikshank (shoulder) was injured on kickoff coverage during the preseason opener against the Packers. The Titans recently signed safety Steve Terrell, which could be a sign that Cruikshank will be out for an extended time. Wide receiver Rishard Matthews has not practiced since the start of training camp because of an undisclosed injury. Tajae Sharpe has been receiving more and more work with the first team with Matthews out.
The Titans’ four-player draft class left the door open for undrafted free agents to take over roster spots. One is linebacker Sharif Finch. The Titans are already thin at outside linebacker and Finch had a monster first preseason game. He registered one sack but came close on several others while showing a full arsenal of pass rush moves.
Akrum Wadley is making a push to be the No. 3 running back. In the preseason opener he a team-high 12 touches on offense. Wadley had 27 yards on nine carries and added three catches for 11 yards. Some of his open-field shiftiness was on display. The Titans’ top two backs are Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis.
Latest NFL Betting Trends
- Buccaneers are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 road games
- Buccaneers are 1-11 ATS in their last 12 Saturday games
- Titans are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 home games
- Titans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall
- Under is 9-3-1 in Titans last 13 Saturday games
