Tennessee Titans 2022 NFL Season Betting Preview

The Tennessee Titans were the No. 1 seed in last season’s AFC playoffs but were upset at home by the Cincinnati Bengals in the Divisional Round. The 2022 season could be make-or-break for QB Ryan Tannehill because of his playoff struggles. Let’s take a look at the Titans for your NFL betting tips.

Odds to win Super Bowl: +3500
Odds to win AFC: +1800
Odds to win AFC South: +170
Over/under win total: 9

Tennessee Titans 2022 NFL Season Betting Preview

Despite losing arguably the NFL’s best running back in Derrick Henry about halfway through the regular season to a foot injury, the Titans finished 12-5 and earned the AFC’s top seed. Tennessee finished above .500 for the sixth straight campaign, fourth consecutive under coach Mike Vrabel and third in a row with Ryan Tannehill under center. The franchise has not had such a run of sustained success since the turn of the century Titans, led by Jeff Fisher and Steve McNair, went to the playoffs four times in five years and came up one yard short in the Super Bowl.

However, the Titans were shocked at home by the Bengals in the Divisional Round 19-16. Rookie Evan McPherson kicked a 52-yard field goal as time expired. The Titans haven’t won a playoff game at home since January 2003.

The Bengals intercepted Ryan Tannehill three times, setting up two of McPherson’s four field goals. Logan Wilson picked off Tannehill with 20 seconds left. Burrow hit Pro Bowl rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase with a 19-yard pass, then the Bengals ran twice to set up McPherson for the win. Henry was back for that game and ran for a touchdown and finished with 66 yards.

The 2021 regular season also was not kind to Tannehill statistically. His 14 interceptions were three short of the career high from his second season in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins in 2013. Tannehill’s touchdown passes also decreased from 33 in 2020 to 21. It didn’t help that Henry was hurt. Tannehill has led the Titans to a 30-15 regular-season record since taking over as the starter in 2019. Tennessee has made the postseason in each season, reaching the AFC championship in 2019.

There was some speculation that the Titans might move on from Tannehill this offseason but his contract really didn’t make that an option. The team can get out of it easy after this year, though. Tannehill signed a four-year extension with the club in 2020 that keeps him in a Titans uniform through the 2023 season. The veteran is owed $29 million in base salary and is slated to count $38.6 million against the cap in 2022.

“Ryan’s a pro. He knows how much he means to us. Traded for that guy. Gave him an opportunity to start. New contract,” GM Jon Robinson said. “I think it’s pretty apparent where he stands with us. He’s our quarterback. I don’t know how many more times I gotta say it.”

Tennessee did draft Liberty QB Malik Willis in the third round this year and he could be the long-term replacement.

The Titans lost their top two receivers from last season as they released Julio Jones and traded AJ Brown to Philadelphia for a first-round pick. With that selection, Tennessee took Arkansas wideout Treylon Burks. His ability to gain yards after the catch and make plays down the field could add a much-needed explosive element to the Titans’ passing game. He has outstanding size, strength and body control to win contested catches, and he’s extremely fluid and athletic with the ball in his hands. Burks can play outside but seems to excel from the slot, which should only endear him to Tannehill.

The team also signed former Falcons receiver Austin Hooper to give Tannehill another option. He’s a proven pass catcher dating to his days with the Falcons where he posted back-to-back seasons with over 70 receptions. While with Atlanta, Hooper played in a similar offense to what the Titans use.

Promising young cornerback Caleb Farley tore his ACL last season but is good to go now. Selected 22nd overall in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech, Farley played in just three games in 2021 before suffering the season-ending knee injury. He was credited with two tackles and a pass defensed against Jacksonville before starting against Buffalo the following week. Then came the injury on Oct. 18 against the Bills. Farley also tore his ACL in college, when he dealt with back issues as well.

The Titans open the season at home vs. the Giants and are 6-point favorites.

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