It’s the Friday before a Tennessee Titans regular season game, which means it’s time to round-up expert picks for their contest against the New York Giants in Week 1.
The start of the regular season is finally here, which means there are reasons for hope for every team in the NFL because everyone has the same record.
The Titans are looking to build off a 12-win season that saw them win a second straight AFC South title and secure the No. 1 seed in the conference despite fielding an NFL record 91 players due to injury.
However, the campaign didn’t end the way Tennessee would’ve liked, as they were bounced from the playoffs by the eventual AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals in the Divisional Round.
Meanwhile, the Giants are just looking to find their footing after five straight losing seasons. Big Blue has renewed hope now that Dave Gettleman and Joe Judge are gone in favor of Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen.
Looking ahead to Week 1, the Titans are 5.5-point favorites over the Giants, per Tipico Sportsbook, but how do experts see this contest going? Let’s find out with our Week 1 expert picks round-up.
USA TODAY
USA TODAY’s Week 1 picks:
Jarrett Bell: Titans
Nate Davis: Titans
Safid Deen: Titans
Tyler Dragon: Titans
Parker Gabriel: Titans
Mike Jones: Titans
Lorenzo Reyes: Titans
ESPN
ESPN’s Week 1 picks:
Stephania Bell: Titans
Matt Bowe: Titans
Mike Clay: Titans
Jeremy Fowler: Titans
Domonique Foxworth: Giants
Dan Graziano: Titans
Jason Reid: Titans
Laura Rutledge: Titans
Sam Wickersham: Titans
Damien Woody: No pick
CBS Sports
CBS Sports’ Week 1 picks:
Pete Prisco: Titans
Jason La Canfora: Titans
Will Brinson: Titans
Jared Dubin: Titans
Ryan Wilson: Titans
John Breech: Titans
Dave Richard: Titans
Jamey Eisenberg: Titans
MMQB
MMQB’s Week 1 picks:
Albert Breer: Titans
Mitch Goldich: Titans
Gary Gramling: Titans
Conor Orr: Titans
John Pluym: Titans
Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report’s Week 1 picks:
Gary Davenport: Giants
Greg Ivory: Titans
Ian Kenyon: Titans
Kris Knox: Titans
Maurice Moton: Titans
Wes O’Donnell: Giants
Brent Sobleski: Titans
Sporting News
Vinnie Iyer – Titans 20, Rams 13:
In a battle of teams nicknamed for their magnitudes, there’s a chance both will come up small. The Giants are an offensive wild card as some positives from Brian Daboll’s coaching staff and Saquon Barkley’s health are matched by some new questions with their offensive line, wide receivers and quarterback. The Titans are also sorting out plenty with big blocking and receiving changes while Ryan Tannehill tries to avoid a playoff hangover.
This game screams low-scoring, given how effective both defenses are built to be. Side with Jeffery Simmons and friends coming through more at home, even without edge-rushing leader Harold Landry.
Bill Bender – Titans 28, Giants 20:
The Giants open the Brian Daboll era, and the offense needs to be better after averaging 15.2 points per game last season. Saquon Barkley is in a prove-it year, but yards will be tough against the Titans’ defense. Tennessee controls the home opener around Ryan Tannehill and a healthy Derrick Henry.
NFL.com
Gregg Rosenthal – Titans 30, Giants 13:
I worry about the Giants’ defense. Their edge rushers (Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari) are already banged up. Their secondary is as thin as any in football, and their coordinator, Don Martindale, loves to leave his cornerbacks on an island. The Titans might not field an explosive attack, but they have years of experience on both sides of the ball, while the G-Men are just starting a rebuilding year.
Overall expert tally
Titans: 36
Giants: 3
