The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins both lost during Week 1 of the preseason, so who will emerge victorious during Week 2?
The Buccaneers fell to the Miami Dolphins, 26-24, without Tom Brady. Brady will remain out for Week 2 as part of a planned preseason absence for the seven-time Super Bowl champ.
Meanwhile, the Titans will try to bounce back from an ugly 23-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Will they be able to capitalize against the short-handed Buccaneers at home?
Let’s explore with our Tampa Bay vs Tennessee best bets and predictions for their preseason clash on Saturday, Aug. 20.
Buccaneers vs Titans Odds
The Titans come in as slight favorites on our NFL odds, which makes sense given that they’re at home and Brady isn’t playing. The total is on the lower side compared to other Week 2 games at Caesars Sportsbook, which is likely a byproduct of Brady’s absence, as well.
Buccaneers vs Titans Implied Score
Titans 22, Buccaneers 19.5
The books are forecasting a close game where Tennessee comes out on top. After Tampa Bay lost a close game sans Brady in Week 1, the expectation is that this game will follow a similar script.
Buccaneers vs Titans Pick of the Day
Read more on this Buccaneers vs Titans bet below.
Buccaneers vs Titans Matchup
As noted, Tampa Bay will be without Brady again in Week 2, leaving Kyle Trask and Blaine Gabbert to handle the quarterback duties. Trask played nearly the entire game in Week 1 and performed well against a solid Dolphins defense, so he should be in line for another productive outing against a much weaker Titans secondary.
Tennessee’s offense will likely feature a lot of rookie quarterback Malik Willis, who held his own against the Ravens’ rugged defense. He’ll need to step up and get more help from his teammates, however, if the Titans are going to be competitive in Week 2.
Buccaneers vs Titans Prediction
Buccaneers 21, Titans 17
Tampa Bay looked surprisingly good without Brady in Week 1, as Trask and Gabbert completed 30 of their 38 pass attempts for 314 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The Buccaneers’ offense stalled in the fourth quarter, however, going scoreless and ultimately losing the game.
With a stronger finish this time around, Tampa Bay should be able to take care of business in Tennessee against an inferior Titans team. Willis has another tough matchup ahead of him and Tennessee’s offense seems likely to struggle again versus a formidable defense.
No Brady, no problem for Tampa Bay.
Buccaneers vs Titans Bet Tips
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is 7-10 in the preseason, including 1-3 in Week 2. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has a losing preseason record, as well, at 4-8, including 1-2 in Week 2.
Buccaneers vs Titans Best Bets
Buccaneers Moneyline (+120) at Caesars Sportsbook
The Titans looked completely overmatched against the Ravens in Week 1, and Baltimore wasn’t even playing Lamar Jackson. The Buccaneers are arguably a better team than the Ravens (even without Brady) and are poised to give Tennessee’s defense fits with their aggressive passing attack.
The Titans should play better in Week 2, but not good enough to beat a more talented Bucs squad. Back Tampa Bay to win at plus odds as our NFL pick of the day.
Under 41.5 Total Points (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
While Brady’s absence shouldn’t be too much of an issue for Tampa Bay’s offense, it does limit the ceiling on how many points they can score.
Meanwhile, Tennessee’s offense floundered in the preseason opener, getting shut out in three of the four quarters against Baltimore. Things should improve on that front in Week 2, but expect the Buccaneers’ defense to hold them in check, as well, and cash the Under.
