Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans 2021 preview with odds, predictions for Week 6

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans are the next team up on what’s been a mini redemption tour for the Buffalo Bills the past three weeks.

The Houston Texans have fallen off since they eliminated the Bills in a 2019 Wildcard Round playoff game, but the Bills dropped a 40-0 beatdown on them in Week 4. Last week was the ultimate revenge game. Buffalo blew out the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in a rematch from last year’s AFC Championship game.

Next up are the Titans, who beat the Bills, 42-16, in Week 5 last season. The two AFC contenders collide on Monday Night Football at 8:15 p.m.

The two teams were supposed to play on a Sunday last year but the game was postponed to Tuesday because of a Covid outbreak for the Titans. Bills receiver Stefon Diggs said there were plenty of distractions last year but it’s a good reminder that loss of focus can lead to miscues.

“We had a couple things that didn’t go our way. Most focused on the right now then last year because there was a lot of stuff going on like Covid - I could give you a million excuses,” he said. “I got a couple for you but I’m not a big excuses guy. They outplayed us and they played a better game. We’re just trying to execute at a high level and come out and play in this one.”

The Titans face a completely different Bills defense that’s been the best unit in the NFL through five weeks. Buffalo leads the NFL in points allowed per game (12.8), turnover differential (+11), and total takeaway (15). Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill is playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in football and has been sacked more times (20) than any quarterback in the league.

The Bills are much healthier this time around against the Titans, too. They were without linebacker Matt Milano and cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Levi Wallace last season. Defensive tackle Star Lotulelei was also not available last season after opting out due to Covid. Milano missed last week’s game against the Chiefs but will return this week. Buffalo doesn’t have a single player with an injury designation for this game.

That’s good news for the Bills defense. It’ll need all hands on deck to deal with Derrick Henry. Bills coach Sean McDermott said it’ll require a good game plan against Henry.

“He’s good outside. He’s good inside the tackles. He’s fast and he pulls away from (defensive backs) when he has the ball in his hands,” McDermott said. “So (we have to have a plan) in making sure we understand not only how he runs, but also how to get him down.”

Tennessee acquired All Pro receiver Julio Jones in the offseason but he’s been banged up. He’ll return this week and could play just his second game with co-star A.J. Brown. But Brown was a late addition to the injury report with an illness and is questionable.

For the Bills on offense, it’s going to be about continuing what’s worked so well the past few weeks. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen has thrown 12 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions and has been making the big plays down the field. He was so good against the Chiefs that receiver Emmanuel Sanders joked he was going to go out and trade in his “Air Jordans” for some “Air Allens,” after Allen’s highlight-reel hurdle.

Bills rank in the Top 10 in total offense, passing offense and rushing offense so far in 2021.

BILLS vs. CHIEFS

Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. (ET) on Monday at Nissan Stadium

TV: ESPN

RADIO: WGR 550 AM (Buffalo), WROC 950 AM (Rochester), WKTV 105.5 FM (Syracuse)

Line: Bills by 5.5 (Over/under at 53.5)

Predictions

Tannehill has just 6 touchdown passes in five games and faces a defense that’s getting pressure at the fifth-highest rate (28.6%) this season. The Bills should be able to make big plays against this Titans defense and cruise to another primetime win. - Parrino

SCORE: Bills 28, Titans 14

The Bills defense limited the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs offense to just 20 points. The Titans could have a full arsenal with Derrick Henry, A.J. Brown and Julio Jones. That attack should have some success against the Bills. Offensively, the Bills will look to take advantage of Titans defense that has struggled to stop the run (564 yards, 7 TDs allowed) and will be without their top cornerback (Kristian Fulton). - Ryan Talbot

SCORE: Bills 31, Titans 17

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Talk about the Bills

Be sure to check out and subscribe to “Shout! The Buffalo Football Podcast” with beat writers Matt Parrino and Ryan Talbot.

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