Jacksonville at Tennessee in Opening Week NFL Action

The Tennessee Titans (10-6 SU, 8-8 ATS in 2007 regular season) in an NFL contest that is set to get underway at 1 PM ET on Sunday at LP Field (natural turf) in Nashville, TN.

Sunday, September 7

BetUS NFL betting odds: JACKSONVILLE -3, Total 37

NOTABLE STAT: Tennessee was fifth in overall defense in 2007 (allowing 291.6 ypg)
KEY NFL BETTING TREND: Jaguars have played 11 overs in last 12 games

In the BetUS NFL football betting odds, the Jaguars are listed as a three-point road favorite, with a posted total of 37 points.

Here are some NFL football betting trends as they relate to this matchup (reflecting numbers going into the 2008 season):

* JAX has won seven of its last ten games SU
* JAX has covered eight of its last ten games
* JAX has played 11 of its last 12 games OVER the total
* JAX has covered seven of its last 10 road games
* JAX has played seven of its last eight road games OVER the total
* TENN has won four of its last six games SU
* TENN has covered three of its last nine games
* TENN has won five of its last seven home games SU
* TENN has covered two of its last seven home games

Also...

* JAX has won four of the last six meetings SU
* Four of the last six meetings have gone OVER the total
* TENN has won and covered six of the last nine meetings as the home team

These are two teams that will depend on traveling by ground this season, because they have to. Neither Vince Young nor David Garrard are going to be at the helm of a run 'n shoot offense, though they can both run a little themselves when they have to. Admittedly, Jacksonville has gotten out a little ahead of the Titans when it comes to ground forces, with its duo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, who can beat you in different ways.

But Tennessee reached out and took a step toward catching up in the draft when it took Chris Johnson, who comes into the NFL as one of its swiftest players. Johnson showed what he could do in his first shot out of the box, as he raced 66 yards for a touchdown in a pre-season game. He'll be a great change of pace, particularly if LenDale White can continue to progress. And one would have to think that Young, who improved his accuracy by ten percent last season (62%, up from 52%), can produce a better ratio than nine TD's to 17 interceptions. How will he respond to the departure of Norm Chow, who took off for UCLA?

With a healthy Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee gives up yardage very begrudgingly on the ground. And if Jevon Kearse can flourish as a pass rush specialist, Garrard, who threw just three pickoffs in the regular season, will pressured more than he likes. While Tennessee replaced its offensive coordinator, Jacksonville had to replace its defensive coordinator, as Mike Smith took the head coaching job with Atlanta. The pass rush was disappointing last season, and it's doubtful that first-round Derrick Harvey, who only just signed, will be of any immediate use. Actually, the Jags are rebuilding a little on defense, and are still looking for a wide receiver to get the attention of opposing defenses. Jerry Porter, who was with the Raiders last season, may not be the answer.