The Titans just took down the reigning Super Bowl champion Patriots in a mild upset in the wild-card round of the 2020 AFC playoffs. Now they'll try to keep it up when going on the road against the Ravens in Saturday's divisional playoff game (8:15 p.m. ET, CBS).
Tennessee needed the final week of the 2019 regular season to get in as a No. 6 seed. Baltimore, coming off the bye, is the top seed in the conference tournament after going 14-2.
The Titans won thanks to dominant running from Derrick Henry backed by fundamentally sound defense. Dean Pees, before becoming the Titans' defensive coordinator, worked for the Ravens in the same capacity and before then, also worked for the Patriots.
The Ravens, however, were the most prolific rushing team in NFL history led by the best-ever running quarterback in a single season, 23-year-old league MVP-to-be Lamar Jackson. Can the Titans either slow down or keep up with Jackson?
Here's everything to know about betting on Ravens vs. Titans in the NFL playoffs, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for the AFC divisional game.
MORE: Get the latest NFL odds & betting trends at Sports Insider
Ravens vs. Titans odds for NFL playoffs
- Spread: Ravens by 10
- Point total: 47
- Odds: Titans -119, Ravens -101
The Ravens have seen their favoritism rise as the line started around 9 points early in the week. The Ravens have won 12 consecutive games with limited challenge. The Titans ended up as only 4-point underdogs for the Patriots' game in New England.
Ravens vs. Titans all-time series
The Ravens hold a slight edge, 12-11. They got that edge by winning five of the past nine meetings. The Ravens shut out the Titans 21-0 in the last meeting, In Nashville in October 2018. The Ravens most notably in the 2001 playoffs upset the Titans after the 2000 season in route to their first NFL championship in Super Bowl 35.
Three trends to know
— The Titans are 9-7-1 against the spread this season. The Ravens are 10-5-1. 53 percent of spread bettors side with the Titans. 58 percent of moneyline bettors also like the Titans to win straight up.
— The total has gone over in 10 of 17 Titans games. The total also went over in 10 of 16 Ravens games. 56 percent of bettors like the game to have more than 47 points.
— The Titans have won and covered in six of their past eight games. The Ravens have won and covered in four consecutive games and also in nine of their past 10.
Three things to watch
Ravens' run defense vs. Henry
The Ravens ranked No. 5 against the run in allowing only on average 93.4 yards per game. But they did give up 4.4 yards per carry, which put them tied for 20th in the league. There's no doubt the Titans will be relentless in running Henry, because he's also the absolute key to getting quarterback Ryan Tannehill to succeed in the play-action passing game. The Ravens have a deep secondary and good pass defense, too, so they can confidently commit extra resources to at least keep Henry from getting back-breaking chunk runs.
Titans' run defense vs. Jackson
The Titans ranked No. 7 in yards per carry allowed (4.0) with a run defense that finished No. 12 in terms of average yards allowed (104.5). But that was more stopping the traditional running game. They did struggle at times with QBs rushing, as Jacoby Brissett, Josh Allen, Deshaun Watson and even Jameis Winston and AJ McCarron did some damage against then. Jackson is a whole different beast behind a mighty offtensive line that can push the Titans around a bit. The Titans need to be careful about worrying about Jackson's running so much that they become easier pickings for him in the short-to-intermediate passing game.
Ravens' kicking vs. Titans punting
The Ravens have a premier clutch kicker in Justin Tucker. The Titans have struggled to find a reliable leg all season. The Titans have ace punter Brett Kern, who was tied for fourth in the league in net punting average (43.1) and dropped a league-leading 37 of his 78 punts inside the 20. The Ravens' Sam Koch wasn't nearly as effective, but he also punted only 40 times. The Titans will try to win the field-position game, but Tucker can also turn that into a favorable field goal game for the Ravens.
Stat that matters
The Titans were the second-worst AFC defense against the tight end during the regular season. On average, they gave up 5 catches for 57 yards on 7 targets and 9 TDs. The Ravens have a strong trio in Mark Andrews, Hayden Hurst and Nick Boyle. You can bet the Ravens will keep them all busy for Jackson, especially Andrews stretching the middle of the field.
Ravens vs. Titans prediction
The Titans had a good run to get into the playoffs with Tannehill, Henry and coach Mike Vrabel. The Patriots win, however, was much like their Chiefs win in the wild-card round a couple years ago. It will be followed by a reality check against a Ravens team that has easily dispatched opponents more difficult than the Titans. Baltimore will show that it's much better offensively and defensively, while Tennessee still has major limitations on both sides of the ball.
Ravens 30, Titans 17
