Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans 2017: Prediction, Betting Odds For Week 3

The best game in Week 3 of the 2017 NFL season might be Sunday’s matchup between the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks. Favorites to win their respective divisions, both teams enter the contest at 1-1.

The latest betting odds have Tennessee favored by three points at home, via OddsShark, and the over/under is 42.5. Here’s a closer look at the Week 3 game, as well as a prediction against the spread:

Why the Titans could cover the spread

Despite a 1-1 record, Tennessee has yet to do anything that should lessen the enthusiasm that surrounded the team in the preseason. After a tough loss to a legitimate Super Bowl contender, the Titans took care of business on the road, blowing out the Jacksonville Jaguars. They’ve got what it takes to make a statement and beat the Seahawks Sunday.

The strength of the team remains the same. Tennessee can run the ball with anyone. Led by Derrick Henry’s 92 yards, the Titans totaled 179 rushing yards on 5.0 yards per carry in their 37-16 win in Jacksonville. Playing behind one of the NFL’s best offensive lines, Marcus Mariota was sacked just once, as was the case in Week 1 against the Oakland Raiders.

Seattle’s secondary is filled with future Hall of Famers, and their front-seven can rush the passer with just about anyone. The Seahawks did have some lapses against the run last week, allowing the San Francisco 49ers to rush for 159 yards on just 19 attempts. Tennessee will lean on Henry and the rest of the backfield, hoping to establish Mike Mularkey’s “exotic-smashmouth” offense.

Defensively, Tennessee is going to make sure Russell Wilson is uncomfortable for much of the game. It’s what both the Green Bay Packers and 49ers were able to do, and the Titans will have their share of success against a bad offensive line, even if it isn’t what they do best.

The Seahawks don’t look like the team that’s won a playoff game in five straight years. Russell Wilson has less protection than usual, and he’s missing open receivers. Seattle barely defeated the worst team in the NFC, and Sunday might not be close if their offense doesn’t show any improvement.

Why the Seahawks could cover the spread

Seattle will have trouble scoring points until further notice. That doesn’t mean they can’t still win games on the strength of their defense, which might be the NFC’s best.

The Seahawks allowed the fewest points in the league every year from 2012-2015, and they ranked third in 2016. Seattle looks to be well on their way to another top-three finish in 2017, having allowed just 26 total points in two games. The Seahawks didn’t let San Francisco find their way into the end zone last week, and they limited Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to just 17 points at Lambeau Field.

Scoring on Seattle at full strength is hard enough. Tennessee will try to do it when a couple of their top offensive weapons are dealing with injuries. Corey Davis, who the Titans took with the No.5 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, is out with a hamstring injury. Running back Demarco Murray is questionable after he left last week’s game with hamstring tightness.'

Marcus Mariota has what it takes to be a top-10 quarterback this year, but he hasn’t gotten off to a fast start. He’s posted a 78.7 passer rating with just one touchdown pass, and Seattle is in a class ahead of both Oakland and Jacksonville.

As far as the offense goes, Seattle should surpass their season-high of 12 points in Tennessee. It seems the Seahawks have found their No.1 running back in Chris Carson. Wilson managed to make enough plays behind a bad offensive line last year to get Seattle into the second round of the playoffs. He’s got what it takes to play well Sunday.

Prediction

As high as the expectations were for Tennessee to start the season, they’ve still got to prove that they are among the AFC’s best teams. They failed their first test by losing at home against Oakland, and beating Seattle could be just as difficult.

Sunday should be a reminder that Seattle remains a Super Bowl contender, despite their holes on offense.

Seattle over Tennessee, 19-16