What’s up Karma Nation! We are back with another season of my Showdown Throwdown article. We had success last year targeting these showdown slates so here’s to another profitable year! Make sure if you haven’t to subscribe to our NFL Core Plays. Showdowns are fun but make sure you get in on all our prop plays for these showdown slates. I usually run a prop cash play then GPPs for showdowns.
Vegas Lines
The Titans are a 3.5 point favorite tonight against the Texans. With a 40.5 point game total.
This is the first Monday Football Game of the season, it shouldn’t be as exciting as last Thursday’s game with a total of 2 less touchdowns according to Vegas.
Quarterbacks
Ryan Tannehill: We all know the Titans as the running heavy offense anchored by Derrick Henry in the backfield, but Ryan Tannehill had an amazing season last year. According to PFF Tannehill was the highest graded passer last season while throwing 22 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He gets a tough matchup against the Broncos tonight but one of the pluses is that he will not be dealing with Von Miller, he is hurt and most likely not going to see the field for the rest of the season. Miller had 77 pressures and 58 hurries top 5 in those categories among all edge rushers. This should help him have a much easier time today than usual.
Drew Lock: We have heard a lot about him this offseason after taking over the starting job from Flacco midway through last season. There is a ton of hype around this potential future star in the league. The Titans allowed the 13th most fantasy points to QBs all last season, but what the Titans did excel in is turning the ball over. They forced 14 interceptions last season. Against a young QB we could see him turn the ball over a ton, decreasing his fantasy value. He also may be without his young top WR with Sutton expected to be limited if he even plays.
Runningbacks
Broncos Backs: The Broncos added Melvin Gordon to their back field this off season. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a preseason to really see how this back field would mesh. Gordon received a big contract so you would think they would give the majority of the carries to Gordon. We could see a similar role as in LA last year, but Lindsay has had two great seasons in Denver and as the better back don’t expect him to just go away. Lindsay will have a big role tonight.
Derrick Henry: There is not much to say about Derrick Henry other than he is a stud running back and if you expect the Titans to win this game. Henry will have a big role tonight. The broncos struggled all year against the run and I’m expecting them to struggle tackling him tonight. As a favorite to win the game, the Titans game script should lead too more rushes. In Denver the defense will be struggling to with stamina on these long drives we see from the Titans.
Battle of the young Tight Ends
Both of these guys are looking to make a statement this year as both are entering a season with high expectations. Smith is going a whole year with no Delanie Walker. Walker missed part of the year due to injury now we will see Smith with a complete season as the starter. With the off season chatter we are also expecting a big increase in usage from Fant who only saw 40 targets last year.
