Titans vs. Broncos line: Tennessee a risky favorite

The Tennessee Titans come into 2020 largely intact and mostly overlooked as far as contending for either an AFC South or AFC title despite having made it to the championship game a season ago. If Ryan Tannehill can extend his performance over a full season, he will have earned his generous offseason contract and likely be among the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL.

The Titans opened as an underdog for their Monday night opener in Denver, notably due to the challenges of playing at altitude early in the season before players have achieved game-level conditioning. But the line flipped as a few notable Bronco injuries were announced.

Denver will look to build on the late-season success of young QB Drew Lock, although this Titans defense will be his most difficult test to date in terms of opponents faced. To make matters even harder for Lock and the Broncos, they will be without their defensive leader Von Miller, who suffered a season-ending injury in camp. Breakout WR Courtland Sutton and DE Bradley Chubb also might be unavailable in this contest.

The steam on the Titans is completely warranted in my opinion, but laying 3.5 points in these conditions requires a very favorable view of Tennessee’s strength. Passing on this as a game selection but will look for opportunities to back the Broncos in the second half if the situation presents as the altitude effects set in for Tennessee.