When the Chiefs (5-2) host the Titans (5-2) in the penultimate game of NFL Week 9 on “Sunday Night Football” (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), there will be early seeding implications behind the Bills (6-1) in the AFC playoff race.
The Chiefs are coming off a bye after ripping the 49ers. The Titans, after losing their first two games, have reeled off five consecutive wins. Both teams have already lost to the Bills, so this is a matchup for No. 2.
Andy Reid and Mike Vrabel continue to coach their teams well.
Here’s everything to know about betting on Chiefs vs. Titans in Week 9, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for “Sunday Night Football.”
NFL WEEK 9 PICKS: Against the spread | Straight-up predictions
Chiefs vs. Titans odds for Sunday Night Football
- Spread: Chiefs by 12.5
- Over/under: 46.5
- Moneyline: Titans +425, Chiefs -600
The spread has been rather large in the Chiefs’ favor given the Titans still do have a chance to get Ryan Tannehill back and have the same record. Tennessee also has a good recent history in this matchup vs. Mahomes.
Chiefs vs. Titans all-time series
The Chiefs still lead the series 30-25. Going back to 2016, however, the Titans have shockingly won five of the past six meetings. The Chiefs won the one that counted most, 35-24 in the 2019 AFC championship game. Before Vrabel was hired, the Titans came back to upset the Chiefs in the 2017 wild-card round.
Three trends to know
—61 percent of spread bettors believe in the Titans playing the Chiefs tough again and covering on the road.
—68 percent of over/under bettors think the total is too low and believe the game will see 47 points or more.
—The Titans are 5-2 against the spread but only two of their games have gone over. The Chiefs are 3-4 against the spread with three of their games going over.
Three things to watch
Tannehill or Malik Willis?
Tannehill is a game-time decision with a chance to return after missing the Texans game while also battling an illness in Week 8. Otherwise, the rookie Willis, who attempted only 10 passes on 13 dropbacks as Derrick Henry ran all over Houston, will need to throw more to help the Titans score enough to beat Mahomes.
Henry vs. the Chiefs’ run defense
The Titans have given up only an average 89.2 yards rushing per game, No. 2 in the league. The Chiefs are surprisingly No. 3, allowing on average 92 yards rushing per game. But they did give up a big game to the Raiders’ Josh Jacobs. The Bills and 49ers also ran well on the Chiefs. The red-hot Henry should keep it going to keep his team in the game.
Mahomes vs. the Titans’ secondary
Tennessee has survived defensively with some timely big plays and stops, powered by a strong group up the middle, including Jeffery Simmons up front and Kevin Byard cleaning up on the back end.
Stat that matters
20-3. That’s Reid’s unbelievable and well-documented record when his teams play after a bye, going back to his days with the Eagles. The Chiefs tend to bring out new offensive and defensive wrinkles to play better and take care of business post bye.
Chiefs vs. Titans prediction
Kansas City will solve Tennessee in the regular season this time. The Chiefs won’t bother forcing the run here while the Titans will be judicious with the pass. Look for Henry to run well early to keep it within reach while the Chiefs take control and put enough distance between the teams late.
Chiefs 27, Titans 20
