Philadelphia Eagles vs Tennessee Titans Point Spread Picks

Two of the best defenses in the league clash. The Eagles are second in yards allowed, while both teams are ranked No. 8 and No. 9 in points surrendered. Tennessee's offense is fourth-worst in total yards and in passing yards behind QB Ryan Tannehill (10 TDs, 4 INTs). But the Titans' defense has held nine straight opponents to 22 points or less and is No. 1 on third down (30.67%), on an 8-2 run UNDER the total, as well as 16-6 UNDER on natural grass. Philadelphia chews up yards and the clock with an offense that is third in rushing and seventh in time of possession (31:07). The Eagles are 38-20 UNDER the total after scoring 35+ points, plus 46-19 UNDER after playing a game where 60+ total points were scored. Play Tennessee/Philadelphia UNDER the total.

Tennessee's defense was much-improved under the new coaching staff in 2018, ranking eighth in yards allowed, third in points surrendered. The offense is a run-first attack, finishing #29 in the NFL in passing yards, #27 in points. Running the football chews up yards and the clock, keeping scoring opportunities down. Last preseason the Titans averaged just 10 points per game. After letting Nick Foles leave Philadelphia doesn't want to risk another injury to QB Carson Wentz, so below-average QBs Cody Kessler and Nate Sudfeld will see the most action in Week 1. Last preseason the Eagles averaged just 11 points per contest (12 ppg in two home NFL preseason games) and this shapes up as a game with more defense than offense. Take the UNDER.

Philadelphia eked out a 20-16 win over the Colts on Sunday with a major defensive stop in the final minutes while the Titans won their second in a row with a 9-6 victory over Jacksonville. Marcus Mariota replaced Blaine Gabbert in the first quarter after Gabbert was knocked out with a possible concussion and completed 12-of-18 passes for 100 yards plus he ran for 51 yards, including a key 15-yard run on a third down play. Carson Wentz returned for the Eagles and finished 25-of-37 for 255 yards, but he also committed two turnovers inside the 20-yard line and the Colts couldn't take advantage. Tennessee has gone OVER its last four games after scoring fewer than 15 points its previous game dating to last season and the Eagles are 1-7-1 ATS in Week 4 the last nine years. Also, Philly is just 1-4 ATS its last five September games. Tennessee has covered the spread eight of its last 10 against teams with winning records and six of its last eight overall. The Eagles are 20-8 OVER their last 28 road games and the Titans are an astonishing 17-2-1 OVER their last 20 games in Week 4. Titans coach Mike Vrabel has announced that Mariota will start this game. Play the Titans and the OVER.

The Philadelphia Eagles had everything going at 7-2 until they went to Lambeau last week. In that game they suffered a humiliating loss as the Packers torched them for over 50 points. Mark Sanchez seemed to show signs of why he lost his starting QB role with the NY Jets: turnovers. Sanchez threw two INTs and also fumbled three times, losing two of them. That isn't a good sign because he had shown confidence replacing Foles, but the issues that drove him out of New York may ultimately be back to haunt him in Philly. Tennessee is just 2-8 on the season which won't get the interest of Philly. Especially considering the Eagles played a big game last week and they have an even bigger game next week on Thanksgiving Day off short rest.  The fact is they follow Dallas on Turkey day with Seattle, and then Dallas again, so this is a huge sandwich game for them. The Eagles have not been good after a poor defensive game as they are 3-12-1 ATS after allowing more than 350 yards in their previous game. The Eagles have allowed 25.1 poitns per game on the season so I expect the Titans to find some success. Tennessee has nothing to lose here and Mettenberger has been able to move the ball fairly well, throwing for 7.8 yards per attempt, which is better by more than a yard compared to Jake Locker. Grab the generous points on Tennessee.