Will the Eagles also overrun Tennessee?
Running team versus running machine is the name of the game on Sunday when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Tennessee Titans. Because while Philly as a whole has the run as a strength, Tennessee has one of the best individual running backs on the squad in Derrick Henry.
So we can expect a very run-heavy duel this weekend, which in the end could also be won by the team that can bring its rushing game through better. Or more accurately: by the team whose defence is better at stopping the run.
While the Titans have one of the top defenses against the run, they’ve only played a top running team once this season. Not only did they lose that duel against the Giants, they allowed a total of 238 rushing yards.
This does not suggest that the Titans will be able to stop the 10-1 Eagles. So for Philly vs. Tennessee, our prediction is another win for the surprise team of the season. They could take another step towards the No. 1 seed in the NFC with this one.
Kickoff of the exciting rushing duel is Sunday at 7:00 pm in Philadelphia. The match can be followed live on ProSieben, ran.de and on DAZN.
Philadelphia Eagles – Statistics & current form
The Eagles offence has struck again. They put a whopping 40 points on the scoreboard against the Packers, which now ranks them 3rd in the NFL in points scored (27.5). The same goes for rushing yards, where she averages 162.5 yards.
Against Green Bay, Philly even achieved 363 rushing yards, which was a new season record. It is extremely rare for two players to rush for over 140 yards (Sanders: 143, Hurts 147). The Titans defence will have to dress warmly.
Losses of the ball are the be-all and end-all
In this game, however, it was once again obvious what almost everyone in the NFL knows: fewer ball losses means a much higher chance of winning. Against the Packers they lost a fumble, but won the turnover duel for the eighth time this season.
With a turnover ratio of +13, they are still the undisputed number 1 in this statistic, which is also reflected in their record of 10:1 victories. Their upcoming opponents from Tennessee, on the other hand, only have a +2 record here. First advantage Eagles.
Hurts is becoming more of a dual threat QB
What should make the Eagles even more positive is the performance of their quarterback Jalen Hurts. Long considered one of the best runners but unsure with his arm, that is visibly changing this season. With 17 touchdowns already thrown, he is already in the top 10.
His completion percentage of 67.3 % is also in the top 10 of all quarterbacks. His counterpart Tannehill, for example, only has ten touchdowns and 65.0 % of passes completed.
Thus, for Eagles vs. Titans, the odds on Philadelphia are recommended in several respects. While we don’t expect a blowout win like we’ve seen more often this season, Philly -5.0 is a value that’s very playable.
Key Players:
QB: Jalen Hurts
RB: Miles Sanders
WR: A.J. Brown
TE: Grant Calcaterra
K: Jake Elliott
Tennessee Titans – stats & recent form
Whenever the Titans lose another game, all the critics come out of their holes and think they knew it would happen. But these defeats don’t happen very often.
Tennessee has lost four games, the last one last Sunday against Cincinnati. They could have done more in that game, too, but a very stupid penalty by defensive lineman Kevin Strong cost them the game in the end.
Penalties always a problem
Despite their good 7:4 record and the clear lead in the AFC South, these penalties are often a problem for the Titans. With already 72 penalties they are among the ten most penalised teams – last Sunday it was their undoing again.
Their defence in particular has major problems here. They have already committed a defensive holding nine times and false starts seven times. If they don’t get a handle on that, it could hurt them badly in the playoffs. And they shouldn’t give the Eagles any extra yards on Sunday either.
Offense too predictable
Although the season is going well and quarterback Ryan Tannehill is playing solidly, it’s obvious that the Titans are once again one of the most predictable teams. Only ten passing TD with eleven rushing TD speak for themselves. As soon as a defence manages to take Derrick Henry out of the game, it becomes very difficult for the Titans.
No question: On good days Henry overruns everything and everyone, but especially towards the end of the season these days become rarer and rarer. That’s why our favourite betting option for Philadelphia vs. Tennessee is on the Eagles – at the best value even as a half-time/final result bet.
Key Players:
QB: Ryan Tannehill
RB: Derrick Henry
WR: Robert Woods
TE: Austin Hooper
K: Randy Bullock
Philadelphia Eagles – Tennessee Titans Head-to-head comparison / H2H record
Let’s move on to the head-to-head comparison and with it the only small bright spot for the Titans. Five of the last six duels since 2000 went to Tennessee. However, the last meeting was more than four years ago, which is a small world in the NFL.
Therefore, these results are not very meaningful. Philly’s 10-1 record this season is much more meaningful. Especially since many of their wins have come by wide margins. Five of the Titans’ seven wins, however, were one-score games.
Since it could come down to a one-score game again, handicap betting on Philly is possible, but not our first option. Since Philly traditionally starts games very well (eight halftime leads to date), a tip at 1/1 is our clear betting recommendation for Eagles vs. Titans.
Philadelphia Eagles – Tennessee Titans Tip
The Eagles have a complete team, the Titans have Derrick Henry. While that’s overstating it and not entirely fair to Tannehill or the equally good Titans defense, in the end it just boils down to that fact offensively.
No matter how we spin it, we can’t think of a reason why Philly shouldn’t win this home game. That’s why when it comes to Eagles vs Titans, Philadelphia half-time/final odds are our recommendation.
However, bets on a Jalen Hurts touchdown are also playable. He’s already found the end zone eight times in eleven games and since it wasn’t his turn Sunday night, his time could come again against Tennessee.
