All NFL groups lose, except you’re the 1972 Miami Dolphins. The trick for good groups is to not go on a shedding streak, or lose to a clearly inferior opponent.

The Tennessee Titans did each in Week 8.

A loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers two weeks in the past wasn’t excellent however comprehensible. However shedding to the Cincinnati Bengals final week was simply unhealthy, particularly because the Titans by no means led. They confronted a pair of 17-point deficits to a crew that was 1-5-1 coming in.

The issue has largely been the protection. Even when the Titans had been 5-0, they received three video games through which they allowed 30 factors. It’s exhausting to ask an offense to proceed to win video games like that. In opposition to the Bengals, whose unhealthy offensive line was even worse final week on account of accidents, the Titans obtained no strain. It was troubling.

Tennessee’s greatest downside, by far, has been on third downs. The Titans are permitting groups to transform a league-high 61.9 p.c of third downs. No different crew is permitting a charge larger than 54.2 p.c and solely two different groups are even over 50 p.c. Not solely are the Titans the worst third-down protection within the league, they’re lapping the sphere. You may’t win video games if the protection can’t get off the sphere.

The Titans traded with the Los Angeles Chargers for cornerback Desmond King, which may assist. They minimize cross rusher Vic Beasley’s whose half-season with the Titans was a catastrophe. They want to determine one thing.

The offense has been good however on a day like Sunday, when a key participant like A.J. Brown was taken out of the sport by the Bengals, the Titans can get uncovered as a crew with an offense that’s excellent however not precisely the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and a protection that hasn’t carried out as much as expectations. Abruptly the Titans, who had been 5-Zero a pair weeks in the past, are tied for first place within the AFC South with the Indianapolis Colts.

The excellent news for the Titans is that this week they face a Chicago Bears offense that may’t reap the benefits of their defensive points. The Bears are 5-3, which is a deceptive document as a result of they’ve one of many NFL’s worst offenses. The Titans are a 5.5-point favourite, which appears slightly excessive given the Bears’ document and the Titans’ two-game shedding streak, however I’ll nonetheless take Tennessee. The Titans protection isn’t nice however I don’t suppose Chicago are the crew to take advantage of it.

But when the Titans do drop a 3rd in a row, that 5-Zero begin will likely be all however wasted and there will likely be loads of panic. Justifiably so.

Tennessee Titans’ Corey Davis (84) is defended by Cincinnati Bengals’ William Jackson (22) in final week’s loss. (AP Photograph/Jay LaPrete)Extra

Listed here are the picks for Week 9 within the NFL, with spreads from BetMGM:

We’ve got seen Nick Mullens go into turnover machine mode, however the harm I’m most fearful about isn’t Jimmy Garoppolo, it’s George Kittle. He provides a lot worth to the offense. The 49ers could be in hassle with out him.

Look Payments followers, your crew isn’t enjoying nice. The final time Buffalo really appeared like one of many NFL’s prime groups was most likely the primary half of the sport towards the Rams, and that was Week 3. A 6-2 document is improbable and no person is attempting to take that away. However Buffalo want to start out enjoying higher quickly in the event that they need to preserve anyplace close to that tempo.

Broncos (+4) over Falcons

I’m unsure why I don’t but belief this Falcons resurgence. I’m going to imagine Calvin Ridley doesn’t play, which clearly is an element too. I don’t belief the Broncos both, however I’ll take factors towards a two-win Falcons crew.

Lions (+4) over Vikings

The Vikings aren’t out of the blue good. Dalvin Prepare dinner had an enormous day towards the Packers, however the remainder of the crew did little. There are nonetheless cornerback issues. The Lions aren’t good both, and the lack of Kenny Golladay is unhealthy for an offense that has struggled with out him, however I’m unsure why this unfold is greater than a subject purpose.

Ravens (-2.5) over Colts

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In most occasions this might be one of many juiciest strains of the 12 months, an overreaction to a Ravens loss through which they tripled up the Steelers’ yardage. However the COVID-19 points with the Ravens make this one exhausting to name. I’ll nonetheless take the Ravens for now however we’ll see how the week goes.

Chiefs (-10.5) over Panthers

I hate taking double-digit favorites within the NFL, however right here’s what I hate much more: Betting towards Patrick Mahomes and that offense.

Texans (-7) over Jaguars

In case you’ve been studying the picks each week, possibly you’ve seen that we principally begin the picks with fading the Jaguars after which transfer on to the remainder of the video games. That’s the one automated play, and I’m not altering it this week with Jake Luton (who?) taking on at quarterback for an injured Gardner Minshew II.

Washington (-3) over Giants

I’ve come to consider Washington is the very best crew within the NFC East (their odds to win the division are nonetheless +400 at BetMGM). Right here’s the primary take a look at of that concept.

Raiders (+1) over Chargers

This can be a fairly disrespectful line. The Raiders have gone 4-Three towards a really exhausting schedule. The Chargers are enjoyable with Justin Herbert tearing it up, however that is nonetheless the Chargers. They’ll discover a technique to lose any sport. I get it. The Raiders’ superior stats aren’t all that fairly and the protection shouldn’t be good. However I consider within the Raiders.

Cardinals (-5) over Dolphins

In case you had the Dolphins final week, you realize you bought away with one. Tua Tagovailoa did nearly nothing in his first begin. Groups can’t rely on defensive and particular groups touchdowns to win video games. Till Tagovailoa performs higher, I’ll be seeking to go towards Miami. He’s able to it after all, I simply must see it first.

Saints (+5.5) over Buccaneers

The Michael Thomas absence is … curious, let’s say. I determine he’ll be again and that does change issues for the Saints, who’ve been very underwhelming regardless of a 5-2 document. I just like the Buccaneers to win however am just a bit leery of laying that many factors.

Steelers (off) over Cowboys

This line is off the board at BetMGM on account of uncertainty with the Cowboys quarterback scenario. I’ll make it straightforward: Oddsmakers can’t set a line excessive sufficient for me to take Dallas.

Patriots (-7) over Jets

The largest indictment of the 2020 Patriots could be that they’re solely laying a landing towards one of many worst groups in fashionable NFL historical past.

Final week: 7-7

Season to this point: 60-55-3