NFL Against the Spread Picks: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans

Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 11/6/11, 4:05 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Tennessee -3
Current Betting Line: Tennessee -3
Opening Total: 40
Current Total: 42
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

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Cincinnati has won four games in a row and will play a second straight game away from home, coming off a 34-12 win over the Seattle Seahawks as one-point road favorites. The Bengals will now be looking to put together a five-game winning streak for the first time in 23 years, while staying in the mix in the AFC North division. “I think we set out not to do anything less than making the playoffs,” commented Bengals offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth. Cincinnati has covered nine of its last 10 games and the ‘over’ is 6-1 this year.

The Bengals-Titans series has been incredibly close over the years, with each team scoring exactly 1,677 points in 72 meetings. Cincinnati dropped a 24-7 contest in last year’s meeting as one-point home favorites, managing just 215 yards offensively. The team’s strength is definitely its defense, allowing under 300 yards to five of seven opponents, ranking second against the rush and ninth versus the pass. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton will be glad to have starting running back Cedric Benson back in the huddle, as he missed last week’s victory in Seattle due to a one-game suspension.

Tennessee is coming off a 27-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts as nine-point home favorites, maintaining its second-place standing in the AFC South behind the Houston Texans. The Titans have benefited greatly by acquiring veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who has thrown for 10 touchdowns and just four interceptions. The team is now waiting for star running back Chris Johnson to turn the corner after a slow start, as he missed the preseason, gaining just 34 yards on 14 carries last week. Tennessee is 9-10 ATS at home the last two-plus seasons, while the ‘over’ is 12-8 in those contests.

The Titans have played 100 games inside LP Field and posted a 63-37 record in those contests. Tennessee will want to continue establishing its once dominating running game, as the team is 46-7 at home when recording 30 or more rushing attempts. Hasselbeck will still want to target wide receiver Nate Washington, who has 33 receptions this year, filling in as the team’s leading target on the outside for the injured Kenny Britt.