The Cincinnati Bengals are fresh off their first playoff victory since the 1990 season as they visit the Tennessee Titans for an AFC Divisional Round game. The No. 1 seed and AFC South champion Titans are favored in the NFL odds and will likely be bolstered by the return of Derrick Henry, the NFL’s top rusher. Let’s check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and NFL lines for Cincinnati Bengals vs Tennessee Titans. We’ve got plenty of predictions for you to consider.
Oh Henry! Derrick Set to Return as No. 1 Seed Titans Play Host to Bengals
Titans Poised to Live Up to Their Name
All signs point toward the Tennessee Titans getting Henry back after he took a big step in Wednesday’s practice. Henry donned pads and faced contact for the first time after missing the last nine games with a foot injury.
The Titans went 6-3 without their workhorse back to finish atop the AFC. Henry rushed for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns. His top two replacements, D’Onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard, totaled 916 yards while running backs not named Henry accounted for six scores.
Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill did a fine job managing the offense without Henry, despite often missing at least one of his top receiving weapons in A.J. Brown and Julio Jones. The duo combined to miss 11 games.
The Titans were 10-7 against the spread in 2021 after failing to cover as an 11-point favorite in the Las Vegas odds in a 28-25 squeaker over the Houston Texans in their regular-season finale. Tennessee led 21-0 at halftime.
Bengals Must Face the Music (City) With Ailing D-Line
The Cincinnati Bengals hung on to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders 26-19 in the Wild Card round, snapping the franchise’s eight-game playoff slide. Bengals backers at -6 when betting online were sweating profusely when the Raiders had it first-and-goal at the Cincinnati 9-yard line with 30 seconds left.
The Bengals’ task was made easier when Las Vegas’ Derek Carr decided to spike the ball on first down despite having plenty of time on the clock to run four plays. Two incompletions and an interception later, Paul Brown Stadium exploded in celebration.
Under players also rejoiced after the 48½ total wasn’t reached. Cincinnati’s defensive line is banged up. Tackle Larry Ogunjobi sustained a season-ending foot injury against the Raiders. Tackle Josh Tupou (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice but end Trey Hendrickson was a full participant after sustaining a concussion against Las Vegas.
Tackle Mike Daniels did not appear on the Bengals’ official injury report despite leaving the Las Vegas game with a groin injury. Cincinnati is 11-7 ATS in 2021.
Bengals vs Titans Head to Head
The Cincinnati Bengals have won in the NFL picks against the spread in the past four meetings – three as an underdog – while going 3-0 straight-up. The Bengals prevailed in the last get-together, 31-20 as a 7½-point dog in 2020.
That game edged over the 49½ total when the Tennessee Titans completed the scoring with 5:56 remaining. Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow tossed two touchdown passes in his second career victory while Henry rushed for 112 yards and a score. The Bengals on Saturday are more likely to have success through the air as the Titans boasted the No. 2 rush defense during the regular season.
Tennessee owned the No. 5 rush offense despite not having Henry for more than half the season. It takes on the fifth-best rush defense that held the Las Vegas Raiders to 101 yards on the ground.
Bengals vs Titans Game Information
- Day: Saturday
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville
- TV: CBS
- Cincinnati Bengals vs Tennessee Titans Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
Bengals vs Titans Betting Lines
The number opened at three points before bettors banged hard on the Tennessee Titans, moving it to 3½. A successful bet on the Titans means they must win by at least four points. Tennessee has gone from even to -110, so a $110 bet would win $100. The Cincinnati Bengals were at -115 earlier in this particular action before also settling at -110.
The money line shifted from -165 to -190 on Tennessee, with Cincinnati increasing to +165. A $100 bet on the Bengals would create a profit of $165, with the implied probability of that becoming a winner at 37.7 percent. The total has moved slight from 47 to 47½ with each option at -110. The weather isn’t expected to be a factor with sunny skies and light wind and temperatures near 40.
Bengals vs Titans Prediction
With a trip to the AFC Championship Game at stake, Henry is the biggest wild card in this divisional playoff game. It’s anyone’s guess – perhaps even for those in the Tennessee Titans’ inner circle – how effective Henry will be in his first game action since Halloween.
Tennessee should be able to exploit the injuries on the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive line – on the ground and through the air – with whatever they get out of Henry. The under looks like the play regardless of Henry’s output and where it might land. The total isn’t budging but if it does, there’s no reason to believe it will matter that much.
The Nissan Stadium turf rarely plays fast and firm, so Cincinnati’s speedy receivers, led by rookie Ja’Marr Chase, could be compromised. The Titans coupled with the under looks like the way to go. A separate bet on Tennessee against the spread – larger than the parlay play – would ensure a winning day for Titans backers with an added bonus should the low deliver.
- Parlay: Tennessee Titans -3½ and Under 47½ at +260
- Pick: Tennessee Titans -3½
