NFL Week 9 Sunday Night Football: Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Rams Betting Preview: Titans Will Be Tested in Primetime

Sunday Night Football this week is expected to be very entertaining, as the Tennessee Titans head West to take on the Los Angeles Rams. The Titans are 7.5-point underdogs, thanks in large part to a key injury sustained last week. But the Titans still have plenty of weapons that could help them put a scare into the Rams or potentially beat them outright.

Tennessee Titans

Last week, the Tennessee Titans scored an important victory in the AFC South competition over the Indianapolis Colts. After falling behind by 14 points early, the Titans came back and took the lead in the fourth quarter before winning the game with a field goal in overtime.

But Derrick Henry suffered a foot injury in that game, which will require surgery and cost him the rest of his season.

Without Henry being available for the Titans, the Titans will need quarterback Ryan Tannehill to step up in a big way. Tannehill had been able to deliver for the Titans against defenses that always had to worry about the best running back in the league.

Without Henry being a threat that defenses have to respect, teams like the Rams should be able to give more focus to Tannehill, AJ Brown, and the rest of the Titans' passing attack.

Los Angeles Rams

A week ago, the Los Angeles Rams went to Houston and demolished the Texans in a game that was never in doubt. That was the second game in a row that the Rams won after entering as a double-digit favorite.

And while the Rams are only favored by around a touchdown this time around, they are still expected to come out and get the job done in light of the Derrick Henry news for Tennessee.

The explosive offense of the Rams is expected to thrive against a Titans defense that has already had trouble against several solid offenses, including the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.

Matthew Stafford has the Rams leading the NFL in yards per play gained this season, as his arm strength and downfield vision have really opened things up for the Rams on offense. But Stafford is dealing with a sore back, which could hamper the Rams depending on the severity of the injury.

Keys to the Game

For the Titans, creativity on offense will be the biggest key to this game. Without Derrick Henry to run the football, Tennessee will need to find other ways to move the ball beyond the passing that they will be expected to do.

Playaction and misdirection plays will be important for the Titans in this game to set up Tannehill with easy completions in the passing situations that should be abundant here.

The biggest key to this game for the Rams will be to continue to play their game without losing focus. The Rams lost at home to the New York Jets last year during a season where the Jets had the second-worst record in the league. They have to be careful not to overlook the Titans in a game where Tennessee is dealing with the loss of its best player.