It is Divisional Round weekend of the NFL 2021 Playoffs with the top seeds entering the postseason for the first time. This second week of the playoffs gets underway with the leaders from the AFC in action when the Tennessee Titans host the Cincinnati Bengals.
This looks to be a really exciting matchup with some of the best offensive players in the game on show, but both sides have shown sneaky good defence at times as well so this has all the makings of being an intriguing encounter.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans were excellent in the regular season. They will know that everyone was waiting for them to fail after Derrick Henry sustained a broken foot after eight matches but they have gone 6-3 without him and really adjusted to life without their kingpin offensive player. Their offense has still delivered the goods but their defence has really stood up in his absence and that bodes well for them in this one – defences win championships after all!
I’m not a favourite of the teams who get the bye because rustiness can set in but I think the Titans will have appreciated it because they have got Henry back and while he might need a week to get up to full speed, the longer this one goes on you still suspect he’ll make an impact on the game. If the Titans defence can continue to limit the big play damage as they have been in the last couple of months or so then Tennessee could well be hosting the AFC Championship game next week.
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Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals know that they are on the road for the remainder of the season and while that will be a test for Joe Burrow, the fact that he held his nerve last week to end that playoff hoodoo for the Bengals suggests he certainly isn’t going to be fazed by the possibility of that. You could make the argument that the Bengals have nothing to lose in this match now but I hate that school of thought. They are three wins from ultimate glory so they have plenty to lose.
There was a sense that the Las Vegas Raiders played into the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals last week, especially in that final drive when they didn’t go near their best player, but the Bengals deserve credit for holding on and that will serve them well here you would imagine. The key will be whether Joe Burrow can get the big plays to Ja’Marr Chase early in this game and get the Bengals in front. If they can then playoff wins could be like London buses.
Betting
Those who know me will know I hate backing sides off a bye but the fact that the Tennessee Titans get Derrick Henry back makes me think that if one can be backed it is them. Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals did brilliantly to get the job done under the pressure of history last week but I think this will be a much tougher test and I suspect he might be found wanting a little, not least because he might not get much help from a defence which is without a few defensive linemen which is the last thing you need when opposing Derrick Henry.
I’m a little surprised that the Titans are only having to cover 3.5 points because they have been the best side in the AFC this season and if they can play from the front and force the Bengals hand I think they’ll have some joy. If they can get in front then they control the clock through Derrick Henry and deny Cincinnati time on the field to keep up with them. I think the Titans can show their class and head to the AFC Championship game in style.
Tips
Back Tennessee Titans (-3.5) to beat Cincinnati Bengals for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with Coral
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