The key to developing any young quarterback is veteran leadership in the wide receiver’s room. That is why the injury to DeAndre Hopkins is so disappointing for the Tennessee Titans. Hopkins injured his knee in practice this week and he is expected to be out for at least the next four weeks
At 32-years-old, the injury has the potential to limit Hopkins when he returns to the field. It also has the potential to stunt the growth of second-year quarterback Will Levis, who leaned on Hopkins last season when he became the primary starter in Week 8. Hopkins went over 100 yards twice with Levis, and six of seven touchdowns came when the rookie was under center. Hopkins also averaged nine targets a game with Levis at quarterback.
Tennessee Postseason Odds
Last season, the Titans were 6-11 at season’s end, and bookmakers aren’t very bullish on them improving much. The over/under on regular season wins in Tennessee is 6.5. As you have probably guessed, that makes them a safe bet to miss the playoffs. Missing the postseason in 2024 will pay -650, while a trip to the playoffs for the first time since 2021 pays +425.
With the emergence of the Houston Texans and the excitement of a healthy Anthony Richardson with the Indianapolis Colts, the Titans are a longshot to win the AFC South. A bet on Tennessee pays +1000, which puts them well behind the rest of the division.
An AFC win pays +8000, which is the third-longest odds in the conference. At +15000 to win the Super Bowl, only four teams in the NFL have longer odds.
Offensive Award Odds
Tennessee didn’t take an offensive skill position player until the sixth round, so they don’t have any contenders for Offensive Rookie of the Year. They decided to rebuild their offensive roster via free agency, signing wide receivers Tyler Boyd and Calvin Ridley. Neither player is high on the list of Offensive Player of the Year candidates, but you can get +10000 on Ridley to win the award, tying him with players like Amari Cooper and Travis Kelce.
Boyd is all the way down the list at +25000, behind Hopkins, who is paying +20000.
Tony Pollard has replaced Derrick Henry as the team’s primary running back, and Pollard is paying +7500 to win OPOY.
None of the Titans are serious MVP candidates. Levis is at +15000, tied with quarterbacks Bo Nix and Derek Carr, Hopkins is paying +40000, and Pollard and Ridley are tied at +50000.
Defensive Award Odds
The big off-season acquisition for the Titans on defense was cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. He was a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, and he is paying +10000 to win Defensive Player of the Year. Jeffrey Simmons has been one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL since he was drafted in 2019, and the two-time second team All-Pro is paying +15000 to win DPOY.
The Titans took offensive tackle J.C. Latham in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and selected Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat with their second pick. The Outland Trophy winner is paying +6000 to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Tennessee took linebacker Cedric Gray in the fourth round, and he’s paying +10000 to win DROY. Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. was a fifth-round pick, and he’s at +12000 to win DROY.
Tennessee also changed head coaches in the off-season, saying goodbye to Mike Vrabel and hello to former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. He is +2000 to win Coach of the Year.
With over 25 years of experience as a distinguished sports writer for renowned platforms such as Fox Sports and ESPN, Kyle Garlett is a sports betting specialist who has been at the forefront of documenting the global surge in sports betting and online gaming. Based in Denver, Colorado, Kyle hosts an NFL betting YouTube show and podcast. Kyle also has two sports books published by HarperCollins.
Kyle graduated the Azusa Pacific University in 1996 with a B.A. Degree in Communication and Journalism.
