NFL Week 3 Predictions: Andrew Lawrence’s Packers vs Titans Best Bet

NFL Week 3 – Green Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans
Where: Nissan Stadium (Nashville, TN)
When: Sunday, September 22nd at 1:00 PM EST
Watch: FOX

Betting Odds

Spread: Tennessee Titans -2.5 Z
Over/Under: 38.0

The Green Bay Packers will head to Nashville, Tennessee, to take on the winless Titans in a battle at Nissan Stadium at 1 o’clock on Sunday. There are a lot of question marks surrounding this game, with major contrasts in offensive and defensive proficiency. In the short season so far, there has been plenty to build on for both squads, but also, a lot of improvements are needed if either team hopes to have long-term success. Week 3 may prove to be a pivotal week come season’s end and both the Titans and Packers have a lot to play for this weekend. As evident by the line that has been set for the game, this should be a close contest and a back-and-forth affair. The team that can enforce their playstyle will come out victorious in this one. Let’s look at both squads before I tell you who I am picking.

Packers Betting Preview

The Green Bay Packers enter Week 3 sitting at 1-1 on the season after dropping their season opener to the Eagles and following it up with a 6-point victory against the Colts at home. The main thing to watch for the Packers is the availability of franchise quarterback Jordan Love. Love played most of the season opener before a knee injury in the 4th quarter forced his exit. Malik Willis took over signal-calling duties in Week 2 as Love was unable to play. The good news for the Packers is that Love has returned to practice, albeit in a limited capacity, but he is very much a game-time decision to return to the field this week. His return would be a huge boost to the passing game as the packers rushed 53 times compared to 14 pass attempts in the game against the Colts. Running back Josh Jacobs is the bell cow for Green Bay and has averaged 117.5 yards per game through two weeks, highlighted by his 151-yard effort last week. With Love under center, the Packers have a solid young receiving core. Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks allow the Packers to spread the ball around efficiently, but not a single receiver caught more than three passes during Malik Willis’ start. The game plan will look very different depending on who starts. Defensively, Green Bay has struggled to limit opponents’ yardage. They rank 27th in total yards, 26th in passing yards, and 22nd in rushing yards allowed. The bright spot has been their 3rd down defense, holding opponents to just a 26.1% conversion rate. In a game that may be low-scoring, it will be important to keep the offense on the field and control the clock on the ground.

Titans Betting Preview

The Tennessee Titans have dropped their first two games of the 2024 season, one at home and one on the road. The Titans failed to cover the spread against either the Bears or the Jets and have had some serious woes on offense. Second-year QB Will Levis has a measly 67.3 QBR and has only accumulated 319 passing yards on the year. He currently has a 2-3 TD to interception ratio and some of those turnovers have been directly responsible for losses. He is still young, but the Titans will need his play to improve quickly before the season derails. Offseason addition, running back Tony Pollard has been Tennessee’s best offensive weapon, leading them in rushing yards and receptions. The offense, while stagnant, actually ranks 13th in the NFL in rushing yards per game, averaging 135. The passing attack has been non-existent, as the Titans are averaging just 137 yards per game behind leading receiver Calvin Ridley. Deandre Hopkins has regressed significantly and has only caught two balls for a total of 17 yards. The one-dimensional nature of this offense has made it easier for opponents to stack the box and force Levis to beat them through the air. The Titan’s defense is their clear strength. They are the number one ranked defense in terms of total yards and passing yards allowed per game and are top 10 against the run. Strangely enough, they are ranked 24th in points allowed, likely due to the offense’s ineffectiveness and high turnover rate. Sustaining drives on Sunday will be their key to victory, but if they are unable to do so, this will be another loss.

Packers vs. Titans Free Picks

 
My Pick: Green Bay Packers +2.5 (EVEN) and ML (+125)

This line has bait written all over it. To the average gambler, taking a home team to win by only a field goal may look like the smart play, especially against an opponent with injury concerns. When you account for home field advantage, which the Titans have not capitalized on recently, the Packers should actually be the favorites. As I mentioned, there is a chance Jordan Love is back on the field, but even without him, Green Bay proved that they can rely on the run and move the chains. I made the mistake of picking against the Packers last week, and I won’t make it again. Tennessee will make too many mistakes and allow Green Bay to add another one to the win column.