Tennessee Titans (1-4) vs. Buffalo Bills (4-2)
Scheduled for: Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS
Current Betting Odds: Bills favored by 9 points.
Historical Record: Titans lead the series 30-20.
Against the Spread: Titans 1-4, Bills 3-3.
Previous Encounter: Bills triumphed over Titans 41-7 on September 19, 2022, at Orchard Park.
Recent Performance: Titans suffered a defeat against the Colts 20-17, while the Bills edged past the Jets with a score of 23-20.
Scheduled for: Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS
Current Betting Odds: Bills favored by 9 points.
Historical Record: Titans lead the series 30-20.
Against the Spread: Titans 1-4, Bills 3-3.
Previous Encounter: Bills triumphed over Titans 41-7 on September 19, 2022, at Orchard Park.
Recent Performance: Titans suffered a defeat against the Colts 20-17, while the Bills edged past the Jets with a score of 23-20.
Titans Offense: Ranked 31st overall, 15th in rushing, 31st in passing, and 21st in scoring.
Titans Defense: Ranked 1st overall, 9th against the rush, 1st against the pass, and 13th in scoring.
Bills Offense: Ranked 21st overall, 11th in rushing, 25th in passing, and 7th in scoring.
Bills Defense: Ranked 21st overall, 23rd against the rush, 15th against the pass, and 11th in scoring.
Turnover Differential: Titans at -7; Bills at +8.
Titans Defense: Ranked 1st overall, 9th against the rush, 1st against the pass, and 13th in scoring.
Bills Offense: Ranked 21st overall, 11th in rushing, 25th in passing, and 7th in scoring.
Bills Defense: Ranked 21st overall, 23rd against the rush, 15th against the pass, and 11th in scoring.
Turnover Differential: Titans at -7; Bills at +8.
Player Spotlight – Titans: Quarterback Will Levis is under the spotlight. The Titans are committed to developing the 33rd overall pick from Kentucky in the 2023 draft. After a disappointing performance last week where he managed only 95 passing yards, Levis was fortunate to avoid more turnovers. His development will be critical as he adjusts to a new coaching and offensive scheme.
Player Spotlight – Bills: Amari Cooper might make his debut for the Bills after being traded from the Cleveland Browns. Coach Sean McDermott has yet to confirm his availability. Cooper was brought in to strengthen their receiving corps, which has struggled this season.
Key Matchup: The battle between Bills quarterback Josh Allen and the Titans’ defense will be essential. Tennessee has successfully limited its opponents to under 200 passing yards in their last five games, facing various quarterbacks, including rookie Caleb Williams and others. If the Titans can maintain this trend against Allen, it would mark a significant achievement for their franchise.
Injury Report: The Titans may be without running back Tyjae Spears, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Defensive lineman Keondre Coburn is likely to miss another game due to a knee issue. Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is a question mark after not practicing Wednesday due to a quad injury. For the Bills, defensive tackle Ed Oliver and running back James Cook are showing signs of recovery. Additionally, tight end Dalton Kincaid’s situation will need monitoring after a collarbone injury.
Series History: This matchup features two of the original franchises from the American Football League. The home team has been dominant in recent encounters, winning the last three. The Bills have enjoyed success, winning four of their last six matchups against the Titans. Since relocating from Houston to Nashville, the Titans have a 9-5 record against Buffalo. A historical highlight from their rivalry includes the famous “Music City Miracle” in 2000, where the Titans secured a playoff victory in dramatic fashion.
Interesting Stats: The Titans are kicking off a two-game away stretch. Defensively, they rank fourth in red zone efficiency, conceding just four touchdowns out of ten attempts. Last week marked the first time in 33 games that the Titans did not allow a sack, ending a streak dating back to October 2021 against Buffalo. Running back Tony Pollard achieved a season-high with 93 rushing yards last week, while DeAndre Hopkins continues to approach a career milestone with eight catches needed for 950 receptions within his first dozen seasons.
The Bills, on the other hand, return home post-road struggles and aim to carry the momentum from their last win against the Jets. This game marks Josh Allen’s 100th regular-season start, where he boasts an impressive 67-32 record. Allen has yet to throw an interception this season, a notable trend following a challenging previous season.
Fantasy Insight: With Spears likely sidelined, Pollard is projected to take on a larger role for the Titans. This situation comes against a Bills defense that has shown vulnerabilities against the run, allowing opposing teams to gain over 120 rushing yards multiple times this season.