The Tennessee Titans will reunite with several old friends when the Atlanta Falcons descend on Nissan Stadium in Week 8.
Former Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will be making his first trip to Nashville since taking the Falcons’ head-coaching gig in 2021.
He’s joined by several other former Titans, including tight ends Jonnu Smith and MyCole Pruitt, outside linebacker Bud Dupree and quarterback Logan Woodside.
The Titans are at a crossroads going into this contest, as the team must decide whether or not to be sellers at the trade deadline, a process they may have already begun after the Kevin Byard trade.
A win could force the Titans in the opposite direction, although the team should be selling no matter the outcome of Sunday’s game.
Oddsmakers and the vast majority of experts out there believe the Falcons will win, but what does our staff think? Find out now as we share our predictions and picks for Week 8.
Our records (are bad)
Shaun Calderon: 0-6
Mike Moraitis: 0-6
Ryan Sikes: 0-0
Ryan rejoined Titans Wire this week, so he’ll be a new addition to our picks and predictions article. Shaun and I have been awful at picking Titans games, plain and simple, so you might want to fade us.
Shaun Calderon's pick
This entire season, the Titans have done the exact opposite of what I predict, so at this point, if they lose tomorrow, I’m just going to predict they lose every game going forward.
In all seriousness, I think this will be a close battle throughout the entire game. The Falcons are motivated to stay atop the NFC South, while the Titans desperately want to keep their season alive.
In the end, I think the Titans do just enough to come out on top in a low-scoring contest.
Final score prediction: Titans 17, Falcons 13
Ryan Sikes' pick
Will Levis gets his first NFL start in place of the injured Ryan Tannehill out of the bye week. While head coach Mike Vrabel indicated both Malik Willis and Levis will see time, I think the latter has a good showing against the Falcons’ defense.
Willis will see minimal time as the Titans roll to a close but comfortable win at home. Look for Levis to lean on Derrick Henry and the safe throws to efficiently move the ball.
Final score prediction: Titans 24, Falcons 19
Mike Moraitis' pick
If you’re looking for a game with a lot of offense, this isn’t the one.
Not only are the Titans and Falcons two of the lower-scoring teams, but they both have major question marks under center, and especially the Titans, who are set to start either a struggling Malik Willis or rookie Will Levis. I think it’ll be the latter.
Levis will show some flashes, but won’t have enough success against a tough Atlanta defense that is good against the pass and run. Desmond Ridder will struggle, also, but he gets Atlanta down the field for a game-winning field goal late to secure the victory.
Final score prediction: Falcons 16, Titans 13
