Buccaneers vs. Titans Preseason Week 2 NFL Picks: Bucs Starters Enjoy Another Week Off
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will once again be without star quarterback Tom Brady, as they visit the Tennessee Titans on Saturday in search of their first win of the NFL preseason. Find out who we like in our Buccaneers-Titans picks.
Both these teams are coming off sloppy performances in their respective preseason openers, and have used this week’s joint practices to vent their frustration. Will that testiness carry over into Saturday’s contest, as battles for spots on each squad’s opening day rosters intensify?
Here are our Buccaneers-Titans picks for NFL preseason Week 2 (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, PointsBet, and BetMGM; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Buccaneers vs. Titans Game Info
Date: Saturday Aug. 20, 7 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Weather: Partly cloudy, 82 degrees, 10% chance of precipitation, 6-mph winds
Buccaneers vs. Titans Odds Analysis
The betting line for Saturday night’s matchup opened with the Titans pegged as 2.5-point home favorites. While the line has since moved to Tennessee -3, the moneyline backing the spread has largely tilted in favor of Tampa Bay, which now sports -115 odds of covering as a 3-point underdog at FanDuel.
Accordingly, the best option for sports bettors looking to back the Titans on the moneyline can also be found at FanDuel, where they sit as -145 chalk.
Over bettors cashed in last weekend, but that has not dramatically impacted the total in this contest. It's felt downward pressure since opening at 38.5, with most sportsbooks dipping to 38. The notable exception is BetMGM, where the total remains unchanged at 38.5.
Buccaneers vs. Titans Pick
- Titans -2.5 (-120 via DraftKings) ★★★★
- Under 39 (-110 via Pointsbet) ★★★
Buccaneers vs. Titans ATS Pick
Titans -2.5 (-120)
The Buccaneers followed up a sloppy performance in last week’s loss to the Miami Dolphins with an uninspired effort at practice earlier this week, and drew the ire of head coach Todd Bowles.
The squad tightened things up as the week progressed, ultimately closing out Thursday’s joint practice with the Titans by throwing punches. While that spark may satisfy the coaching staff, it's unlikely to be enough when the Buccaneers take to the field with most of their starters on the bench again.
Bucs second-year quarterback Kyle Trask is expected to see plenty of action but will be without star wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, both of whom saw limited action at practice.
The upside for the Buccaneers comes in the form of a stingy rush defence that limited the Dolphins to 49 total rushing yards last week.
That could create issues for Tennessee’s dual-threat rookie passer Malik Willis, who contributed 38 rushing yards and a scoring run versus the Baltimore Ravens last weekend.
However, considering that Tampa Bay derives its strength from an established veteran core that will be sparsely represented on the field, and the team’s middling August start, look for Tennessee to cover.
Buccaneers vs. Titans O/U Pick
Under 38.5 (-110)
Sports betting fans taking the Over enjoyed steady payouts in Week 1 of the NFL preseason. That includes the games involving the Buccaneers and Titans, which finished Over 33 and 32, respectively.
While that trend may entice sports bettors to chase the Over again this weekend, the Buccaneers’ early struggles in both game action and practice, as well as the absence of their key personnel, will likely limit their ability to run up the score.
Where to Bet on Buccaneers vs. Titans Picks
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Buccaneers vs. Titans picks made 8/19/2022 at 9 a.m. ET
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