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NFL futures, 2 Tennessee Titans bets: Don't expect miracles 
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

NFL futures, 2 Tennessee Titans bets: Don't expect miracles 

Our team-by-team previews are working backward based on the worst Super Bowl odds, and already we're at our third AFC South team in the Tennessee Titans. There's reason to think they may be the worst of the bunch in 2023.

Titans high-level odds

  • Wins: Over 7.5 (+110) | Under 7.5 (-130)
  • To Win Division: +425
  • To Win Conference: +5500
  • To Win Super Bowl: +8000

After three straight playoff berths, Tennessee faltered in 2022, finishing 7-10 and ending the year on a seven-game losing streak.

That negative momentum could certainly persist in the new calendar season. It will be interesting to see how the Titans value what they have, and how they weigh short-term success against long-term returns.

As is so often the case, that conversation begins at the quarterback position. Ryan Tannehill will be 35 when the season begins and has been average at best the past few seasons. The Titans drafted Malik Willis in the third round last year and grabbed Will Levis in the second round of this year's draft after the Kentucky QB surprisingly slipped out of the first.

Do the Titans trot out the Tannehill and Derrick Henry combo again and hope to recapture some magic, or do they try out Levis or Willis and see what they have in the cupboard? My guess is the latter, which would conceivably make 2023 a bleak one in terms of competitiveness.

The offensive line is a problem, which we'll address in a bit, but the defense does have a handful of key contributors. Jeffery Simmons is one of the league's best defensive linemen, and Denico Autry and Harold Landry have shown they can get to the quarterback.

Two futures bets to make on the Tennessee Titans

To Finish 4th in AFC South (+245 DK)

Found under 'Division Specials'
I'm of the belief this is going to be a rough season in Tennessee, culminating with a basement seat in the AFC South. Jacksonville is the best team in this division, likely to take the top spot. Both Indianapolis and Houston have made additions this offseason that should see them each improve on their four- and three-win seasons, respectively. That leaves Tennessee as the team most likely to see its stock tumble.

It starts at quarterback. Ryan Tannehill is declining, and Malik Willis and Will Levis both figure to be projects at QB. Derrick Henry still seems like a trade candidate to me, and the issues are multiplied when you take a look at the offensive line.

You cannot succeed without strong play in the trenches, and that was the Titans' biggest weakness last year. Their pass blocking was a major issue in 2022, and they lost both Taylor Lewan and Nate Davis this offseason. While Tennessee rightfully focused on offensive line at the top of this year's draft with Peter Skoronski, he shouldn't be expected to lift this unit by himself from Day One.

The defensive line has some nice pieces, but the secondary had plenty of leaks in 2022, allowing the fourth-most yards per pass attempt. I'm fading Tennessee this year.

Treylon Burks 120+ receiving yards in any regular season game (+380 DK)

Found under 'Team Specials'
Whether it's Tannehill, Willis or Levis, Treylon Burks is going to see plenty of targets in 2023. Burks, the 18th overall pick in the 2022 draft, is the top option this offense has in the passing game.

Burks showed flashes last year, with his best game being a 7-catch, 111-yard day in November. Burks averaged 13.5 yards per catch in limited work, which was a top-25 mark among pass-catchers that saw 50+ targets.

Burks will always be tied to AJ Brown in Tennessee, seeing as the premier pick the Titans acquired for Brown was spent on Burks. At some point, the young wide out from Arkansas needs to break out, and 120+ yards feels manageable should he get 17 games to crack it.

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