For the second consecutive year, the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans will meet in the postseason. It’s time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Ravens-Titans Wild Card playoff prediction and pick.
Last year, the Titans shocked the world by soundly defeating the 13-3 top-seeded Ravens and MVP Lamar Jackson 28-12 while never trailing in the game.
This year, Baltimore looks to avenge the embarrassing defeat.
The Titans enter the AFC Wild Card matchup with an overall record of 11-5. They finished the season 7-9 against the spread.
The Ravens finished with an identical overall record of 11-5, but they were 10-5-1 against the spread in the regular season.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Ravens-Titans Wild Card Playoff odds.
NFL Odds: Ravens-Titans Wild Card Playoff Odds
Ravens -3.5 (+100)
Titans +3.5 (-120)
Over 54.5 Points (-111)
Under 54.5 Points (-109)
Why The Titans Could Cover The Spread
In order for the Titans to win their third straight game against Baltimore, they'll rely on the man that got them to this position in the first place: Derrick Henry.
Henry has given Ravens fans nightmares, dominating Baltimore in both of Tennessee's recent victories over them.
In last year's postseason, Henry rushed for 195 yards against Baltimore, simultaneously chewing up clock, destroying the Ravens defense, and keeping Jackson off the field.
Most recently, Henry scored the walk-off TD against Baltimore in Week 10 after rushing for another 133 yards.
The Ravens run defense has been vulnerable all year, and they have not been able to contain Henry.
If he breaks loose again, the Titans can expect to not only cover, but win yet again as underdogs.
Why The Ravens Could Cover The Spread
There are two main factors working in Baltimore's favor here: Momentum and motivation.
The Ravens ended the regular season as the hottest team in the league. Their last loss came against the Pittsburgh Steelers over a month ago, and even in that game they managed to cover the spread.
Their last five matchups weren't exactly a murderers row of teams, but they handled them with ease. Against the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, and Cincinnati Bengals, the average margin of victory for the Ravens was 19.4 points. Covering 3.5 points is not a daunting task for Baltimore.
After being rocked by COVID and various injuries, the Ravens will be nearly fully healthy and ready to avenge last year's embarrassment.
Since Lamar Jackson became the Ravens starting quarterback in 2018, only one team has beat him in a head-to-head matchup three times: the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
No offense to this Titans group, but they are nowhere near the quality of Kansas City.
Jackson and the Ravens will be doubly motivated to not only exorcise their playoff demons, but do it against the team that brought them on in the first place.
Final Ravens-Titans Wild Card Playoff Prediction & Pick
At the beginning of the season, the Ravens were the second highest favorite to win the Super Bowl, right behind the Chiefs. The reasons for this have been evident in the past few weeks. I predict the Ravens finally get over the hump against the Titans, giving Lamar Jackson his first postseason win and covering the spread en route.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: BAL 27, TEN 21
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