Point Spread: Following QB Change, Titans Are Slight Underdogs Sunday vs. Falcons

It's Week 8 in the NFL and the Tennessee Titans are finally getting around to playing their third home game in Nashville. They are 2.5-point underdog to the Atlanta Falcons, same as their first two home encounters. They won both of those instead, and hope to do the same on Sunday with a new quarterback. Here's what both teams have done against the point spreads all season.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans play their third home game of the season on Sunday, taking on the Atlanta Falcons at Nissan Stadium. And there's something very familiar about it.

In all three games, the Titans have been 2.5-point underdogs, including Sunday's Noon CT contest.

Want some good news? They've won the two previous matchups — beating the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bentals, two 2022 playoff teams — despite being the underdog. Unbeaten at home, despite an overall 2-4 record, seems like a bit of a contradiction.

The Falcons are a 2.5-point favorite on Sunday, and the over/under is 35.5 according to the DraftKings.com gambling website. That's the lowest over/under total all season. (You'll see why in a minute.)

This game is different, of course, because it will be the first time this season that veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill won't be available. He's out with a high ankle sprain suffered late in the Oct. 15 game in London against the Baltimore Ravens. 

The Titans will now turn to young quarterbacks Will Levis and Malik Willis. Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel has been vague about the game plan, saying that both will play. Several outlets have reported that Levis will get the start, but Vrabel has refused to confirm that.

Tennessee has struggled to score all season, with just 104 points. That ranks No. 28 in the league. That 17.3 average seems like a lot to ask for on Sunday against a Falcons defense that's very good.

The obvious thread in the gambling numbers between the two combatants on Sunday? It's not whether they cover the point spreads — they don't; Atlanta is 2-5 and Tennessee is 3-3. It's more about the over/under. Both teams tend to play low-scoring games, and betting the under is an 11-2 proposition so far. 

The Titans have been very good defensively at home. In their last game, they held the potent Bengals offense to just three points, and they came on the first drive of the game. The Falcons haven't been very good offensively either. They are 4-3, but in their three losses, they have scored a total of just 29 points.

Here's what both teams have done against the point spread this season:

Titans vs. the number in 2023

• WEEK 1: Lost at New Orleans Saints 16-15 as a 3-point underdog. The total (31) went far under the 41.5-point line. Record: 0-1. Against the spread: 1-0. Under Total Record: 1-0.
• WEEK 2: Won at home against the Los Angeles Chargers 27-24 in overtime as a 2.5-point underdog. The total (51) went over the 45.5-point line. Record: 1-1. Against the spread: 2-0. Under Total Record: 1-1.
• WEEK 3: Lost at Cleveland Browns 27-3 as a 3.5-point underdog. The total (30) went far under the 38.5-point line. Record: 1-2. Against the spread: 2-1. Under Total Record: 2-1.
• WEEK 4: Won at home against the Cincinnati Bengals 27-3 as a 2.5-point underdog. The total (30) went under the 40.5-point line. Record: 2-2. Against the spread: 3-1. Under Total Record: 3-1.
• WEEK 5: Lost at Indianapolis Colts 23-16 as a 2.5-point favorite. The total (39) went under the 43.5-point line. Record: 2-3. Against the spread: 3-2. Under Total Record: 4-1.
• WEEK 6: Lost in London to the Baltimore Ravens 24-16 as a 4.5-point underdog. The total (40) went under the 44.5-point line. Record: 2-4. Against the spread: 3-3. Under Total Record: 5-1.

Falcons vs. the number in 2023

• WEEK 1: Won at home against the Carolina Panthers 24-10 as a 3.5-point favorite. The total (34) went under the 40.5-point line. Record: 1-0. Against the spread: 1-0. Under Total Record: 1-0.
• WEEK 2: Won at home against the Green Bay Packers 25-24 as a 3-point favorite. The total (49) went under the 40.5-point line. Record: 2-0. Against the spread: 1-1. Under Total Record: 1-1.
• WEEK 3: Lost at Detroit Lions 20-6 as a 3.5-point underdog. The total (26) went far under the 47.5-point line. Record: 2-1. Against the spread: 1-2. Under Total Record: 2-1.
• WEEK 4: Lost in London to the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-7 as a 3.5-point underdog. The total (30) went far under the 42.5-point line. Record: 2-2. Against the spread: 1-3. Under Total Record: 3-1
• WEEK 5: Won at home against the Houston Texans 21-19 as a 2.5-point favorite. The total (40) went under the 42.5-point line. Record: 3-2. Against the spread: 1-4. Under Total Record: 4-1.
• WEEK 6: Lost at home to the Washington Commanders 24-16 as a 1.5-point favorite. The total (40) went under the 42.5-point line. Record: 3-3. Against the spread: 1-5. Under Total Record: 5-1.
• WEEK 7: Won at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16-13 as a 3-point underdog. The total (29) went under the 37.5-point line. Record: 4-3. Against the spread: 2-5. Under Total Record: 6-1.

Related Titans-Falcons stories

• LEFT SIDE PARTNERS: The Tennessee Titans have been dealing with problems along the offensive line for a couple of years now, and there are more changes afoot coming out of the bye week, with Nicholas Petit-Frere starting at left tackle next to rookie Peter Skoronski at left guard. CLICK HERE
• FRIDAY INJURY REPORT: The Tennessee Titans released their final injury report of Week 8 on Friday and ruled out three players including starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill. CLICK HERE
• WEEK 8 KEYS TO VICTORY: The Tennessee Titans are facing a must-win situation in Week 8 with a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons set for Sunday and if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Titans will have to accomplish three key items. CLICK HERE
• TITANS TRADE RUMORS: The Tennessee Titans shipped off veteran safety Kevin Byard this week and could make more deals before next week's deadline. Here are the latest rumors on the Titans' trade front. CLICK HERE