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Broncos at Titans: Game preview, odds, prediction

By Russell S. Baxter

Dec 4, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) runs the ball in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Denver Broncos won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) runs the ball in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Denver Broncos won 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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The defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos and their stellar defense will get one of their toughest tests of the season at Nashville.

It’s not over quite yet. The Denver Broncos still have a shot at a sixth consecutive AFC West title. But the team needs to continue to win. And that won’t be easy this weekend against a much-improved Tennessee Titans club in the playoff mix as well.

Last Sunday, Gary Kubiak’s club came away with a hard-earned 20-10 win at Jacksonville that saw the defending Super Bowl champions total only 206 yards of offense. But that determined defense came up with three takeaways, one of those a pick six (by cornerback Bradley Roby) at the expense of Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles.

Odds

Line: Titans (-1)

Over/Under: 43.5

Von Miller (NFL-high 12.5 sacks) and his Denver teammates will find the Tennessee offense more of a challenge. Titans’ signal-caller Marcus Mariota has thrown two or more TD passes in eight straight games and 10 out of 12 contests. And only Dallas’ rookie Ezekiel Elliott (1,285) has more rushing yards than running back DeMarco Murray. The latter has totaled 1,043 yards on the ground this season.

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It’s extremely tempting to pick the upstart Titans to get the job done and get above the .500 mark one more time. But just when you begin to think that the Broncos are sliding, their opportunistic defense finds a way. Murray could have a big day against a Denver defense that continues to have its problems against the run. But look for Wade Phillips to show Mariota a few things that he’s yet to see in his young career. The Broncos’ defense comes up with another touchdown return that will eventually prove to be the difference in the game.

Pick: Broncos 23, Titans 20

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