The resurgent Tennessee Titans have a tough test when they visit M&T Bank Stadium to battle the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night. This Titans team was on the verge of starting 2-5 and letting the season slip away when quarterback Ryan Tannehill led a comeback against the LA Chargers after Mike Vrabel made the decision to bench starter Marcus Mariota.
As for the Ravens, they have found a much easier route to the postseason. Domination from the start, led by their phenomenal young quarterback Lamar Jackson. Nearly thirty teams passed on Jackson in the 2018 draft, four of which chose a different quarterback. The Jets opted for Sam Darnold when they could have nabbed the former Heisman winner out of Louisville. It seems they really should have heeded the advice of Larry David.
There are several injuries to monitor for this game, namely on the Ravens side of the ball in tight end Mark Andrews and top running back Mark Ingram. In the scenario that either or both players are hobbled, Baltimore will still be fine given that these are their two deepest positions.
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8:15 PM ET
Tennessee Titans (10-7, 6-3 Away) @
Baltimore Ravens (14-2, 7-1 Home) BAL -10 , O/U 46.5
Mark Andrews ($9,200 / $13,800 Capt.)
Mark Andrews has been dealing with a knee issue and now a gimpy ankle for weeks. If he can get healthy by Saturday then lock him into the captain spot. Averaging a TD per game over his last seven, Andrews remains the top option in Lamar Jackson’s ball-hogging offense.
Lamar Jackson ($13,600 / $20,400 Capt.)
It can be a risky move to designate Lamar Jackson as the captain in these showdowns. Jackson almost has to be in your lineup, however if he’s captain-ed no money remains for anybody else. If both Mark Andrews and Mark Ingram are limited due to their injuries the right play might be to captain Lamar and substitute WR Willie Snead or TE Nick Boyle for Andrews. I have often found myself inserting Jackson into my lineup just to root for the guy. His 2019 season was the most exciting year a QB has had in my lifetime.
Ravens Defense ($5,800 / $8,700 Capt.)
The staunch Ravens defense has given up more than twenty points on only one occasion in the second half of the season: a 42-21 drubbing of the New York Jets. But the stat of most import is the fact they have forced the seventh most turnovers in the NFL. Despite the fact that the Titans are in the bottom half of league rankings in coughing up the football, I predict an amped Ravens team to make some big plays.
Hayden Hurst ($2,400 / $3,600 Capt.)
You may be sensing a theme here: I’m very high on the Ravens tight ends this week. Believe it or not, Hayden Hurst is third on the team in reception yards. In a scheme with very few footballs to go around, Hurst is the most consistent two-or-three catch per game guy in the NFL. The Titans also surrendered the fourth most fantasy points to TEs in 2019.
Ryan Tannehill ($10,200 / $15,300 Capt.)
The league leader in QB rating has been one of the most consistent players in the league this year (WildCard game aside). Tannehill will get two or three touchdowns per game, and between ten to forty rushing yards. Additionally, he has played in only a single game wherein he turned the ball over multiple times.
The success of this lineup is dependent upon a Ravens blowout. It would not surprise many if the game total ends up being in the fifties, especially if this weather holds up as has been forecasted. Expect Tannehill to play catch-up all night. Running for his life, spreading the ball around and hopefully getting chunk yardage late. My prediction: Ravens trounce the Titans 38-20.
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