ESPN Chalk's Vegas experts are here to provide analysis and best bets for all Week 2 games, including the Tennessee-Detroit matchup on Sunday.
Note: Odds courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Friday morning.
Home page for all Week 2 games
Matchup: Tennessee Titans at Detroit Lions
Spread: Opened Detroit -4; now Detroit -6
Total: Opened 47; now 47.5
PickCenter public consensus pick: 67 percent Detroit
Public perception: The Lions came through for bettors last week (and they were the No. 1 pick in the Westgate SuperContest), so it makes sense the public is jumping back on them in this battle of otherwise non-public teams.
Wiseguys' view: This line opened Detroit -4 at the Westgate, and the sharps jumped on the cheap number (most books offshore and in Vegas, including William Hill and CG Technology, opened at 5.5), but support slowed when it reached 6.
Dave Tuley's take: My first impression is that this line is too high and that the Lions shouldn't be favored by this many points. I would normally be all over the underdog in this situation (especially since Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee offense should have more success against the Detroit D than it did against Minnesota), but I'm given pause by the fact the Lions went into Indianapolis and dominated the Titans' superior divisionmate.
Besides, the NFL Vegas Rankings we're part of at ESPN Chalk have the Lions 2.5 points better than the Titans on a neutral field, so we agree this line should be more than a field goal, and there's not much difference between -3.5 and -5.5. At +6, I like the Titans but not enough to make it a best bet.
The pick: Lean to Titans +6
Erin Rynning:
The Titans looked poised to turn their fortunes around last week, taking a 10-0 lead over the Vikings at halftime. Unfortunately, the Tennessee franchise that desperately lacks the ability to close games reared its ugly head in the second half as it allowed two defensive scores to Minnesota. Still, the Titans played the Vikings extremely well, and the Minnesota defense will be highly ranked this season. The Titans will be much better than their 3-13 record last season with the development of Mariota in his second year. They'll have an opportunity to play more downhill on offense against a weaker Lions defense.
Give the Lions credit for producing 39 points last week against the Colts, but Indy's defense simply isn't good, and it's also banged up. Look for the Titans to control the ground game and clock in this contest, sliding inside the point spread.
Pick: Tennessee
Mike Clay:
Projected score: Detroit 24, Tennessee 22
The pick: Tennessee and the under