NFL Preseason Week 2 Picks: Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints

Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints
Friday, 8/15/14, 8:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: New Orleans -4
Current Betting Line: New Orleans -4
Opening Total: 43
Current Total: 43
Odds Courtesy of 5Dimes

The Tennessee Titans will look to improve to 2-0 in the 2014 NFL preseason

Tennessee came away with a 20-16 victory over the Green Bay Packers as 2.5-point home favorites in their preseason opener last week, which can’t be ignored when making your NFL betting picks Friday night. The Titans have to be happy that running back Shonn Greene showed no lingering effects of the knee injury that consumed most of his offseason, as he displayed a burst in finishing with four carries for 20 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Justin Hunter is a key player to watch leading up to the regular season, as he’s created a goal of catching at least 60 passes, which would shatter the 18 he caught during his rookie campaign.

The Titans have a healthy Jake Locker back under center to learn under first-year head coach Ken Whisenhunt, but many experts around the league are intrigued with former LSU Tigers signal-caller Zach Mettenberger, who completed 4 of 7 passes for 87 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, Tennessee failed its first test of the season last week, as Green Bay went eight plays for 64 yards in scoring a touchdown on its opening drive.

New Orleans has now won seven of its nine preseason openers, as it tallied a 26-24 victory over the St. Louis Rams as two-point road underdogs last week, while going OVER the betting total of 37.5. Saints head coach Sean Payton has compiled a 17-13 SU record in exhibition play over the course of his career, with the first team out-gaining its opponent by a 100 to 60-yard margin in the opening quarter—despite starting quarterback Drew Brees not seeing the field.

The Saints were happy with backup signal-caller Luke McCown’s performance of completing 7 of 10 passes for 49 yards and one interception, but most people were talking about Ryan Griffin. He took over behind center in the second quarter and connected on 16 of 23 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. Rookie wide receiver Brandin Cooks was ultra-impressive in his debut, while running back Mark Ingram has an opportunity to break out this season—gaining 83 yards and scoring a touchdown on eight carries.