2025 Tennessee Titans Betting Preview: Cam Ward's Impact

Greg Kajewski
8 hours ago
5 min read

After a dismal 2024 season, the Tennessee Titans are entering the 2025 NFL season with tempered expectations but intriguing opportunities for bettors. With a new quarterback at the helm, critical free-agent acquisitions, and a revamped offensive line, the Titans provide a fascinating case study for sports bettors seeking value in the NFL betting markets. Below, we’ll break down the key takeaways from their offseason moves, statistical insights, and potential betting opportunities for the upcoming season.

Outlook and Source from Lefty of The Betting Network

A Season to Forget: 2024 Recap

The 2024 Titans season was, in a word, disastrous. The team finished with a 3-14 record, frequently snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. While the Titans outgained 10 of their 17 opponents in yards per play, they managed to finish with the worst against-the-spread (ATS) record since 1999, going 2-15 ATS. One of the primary culprits was quarterback Will Levis, whose turnovers were costly - directly accounting for 44 points through pick-sixes and fumbles.

Despite the poor record, there were silver linings. The Titans ended up with the No. 1 overall draft pick, selecting quarterback Cam Ward, whose arrival brings fresh hope and a much-needed reset for the franchise.

Cam Ward: A Rookie QB with High Expectations

Cam Ward’s journey to becoming the No. 1 draft pick is a feel-good story in itself. From being under-recruited out of high school to playing at three colleges and now starting in Week 1 of the NFL, Ward embodies resilience. The Titans hope he can emulate recent rookie successes like C.J. Stroud or Jalen Daniels, but even if Ward is an average quarterback by NFL standards, his presence alone could represent a significant upgrade from last season.

Realistically, even a bottom-eight quarterback ranking from Ward could help this team exceed its projected win total of 6.5 games. However, bettors should approach his Rookie of the Year odds with caution, given his brutal early-season schedule (more on this below).

Strengths and Weaknesses Heading into 2025

Offensive Line Upgrades

The Titans have significantly improved their offensive line, a long-standing issue for the team. Key offseason acquisitions include veteran guard Kevin Zeitler and left tackle Dan Moore, both of whom bring reliability and skill to the trenches. Zeitler, despite being 35 years old, was a top-five guard last season, while Moore’s arrival allows 2024 first-round pick J.C. Laam to move back to his natural position at right tackle. These upgrades should provide better protection for Ward and open up opportunities in the run game.

The Titans hired Hall of Fame-caliber offensive line coach Bill Callahan’s son, Brian Callahan, to lead the team. With improved talent up front, expect this unit to take a step forward.

Defensive Stability

The Titans’ defense was one of the few bright spots in 2024, finishing 12th in success rate and 6th in yards per play allowed. However, they were still prone to costly mistakes, such as defensive penalties and allowing automatic first downs on third downs. The defense also benefited from facing backup quarterbacks in 2024, a trend that won’t necessarily continue this season.

Special Teams Overhaul

The special teams were historically bad in 2024, ranking dead last in DVOA (an advanced efficiency metric) and allowing multiple punt touchdowns. The hiring of John Fassel, a respected special teams coach from the Cowboys, is expected to bring much-needed improvement. Under Fassel, Dallas consistently ranked in the top 10 in special teams DVOA during his tenure.

A Closer Look at the 2025 Schedule

Strength of Schedule Insights

The Titans’ schedule is favorable overall, with their projected opponents ranking 8th easiest in terms of win totals. However, this advantage is heavily skewed toward the defense, which will face some of the league’s weakest offenses.

On the flip side, the offense has a treacherous start to the season, with Cam Ward set to debut against the Denver Broncos' top-ranked pass defense in Week 1. The early-season schedule includes road games against tough defenses, such as the Rams, Texans, and Raiders, as well as a grueling three-game road trip. Bettors should be wary of backing the Titans early in the season, as it may take time for Ward and the new offensive pieces to gel.

Situational Opportunities

Despite the tough start, there are promising spots on the schedule. For example, the Titans have a favorable stretch from Week 9 to Week 13, where they don’t leave Nashville and play three straight home games surrounding their bye week. These situational advantages could offer value for sharp bettors.

Betting Opportunities

Win Totals

The Titans’ win total is set at either 5.5 or 6.5, depending on the sportsbook. With significant upgrades at quarterback and offensive line, plus a relatively soft schedule, exceeding six wins is within reach. However, it’s worth noting that sportsbooks requiring heavy juice on the 5.5 total effectively make it closer to 6.5.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Historically, teams with abysmal ATS records bounce back the following season. Of the 16 teams since 1999 to finish 2-15 ATS, 74% exceeded their win totals the next year. This trend favors the Titans to outperform market expectations, particularly in games where public perception still views them as one of the league’s worst teams.

Player Props

Cam Ward Rookie of the Year: Given the tough defenses he’ll face early in the season, it might be wise to hold off on betting this until after Week 5.
Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE): A breakout candidate at tight end, Okonkwo displayed impressive explosiveness in 2024, ranking 4th in missed tackles forced per reception. Look for player props on his receiving yards or touchdowns.

Key Takeaways

Cam Ward is a Game-Changer: Even modest production from Ward could elevate the Titans to a six- or seven-win team, making their win total an interesting over bet.
Offensive Line Improvements: The additions of Zeitler and Moore, combined with coaching upgrades, should bolster a previously struggling unit.
Tough Early Schedule: Bettors should approach the Titans cautiously in the first six weeks due to a slate of elite defenses and challenging road games.
Favorable Midseason Stretch: Look for value in Weeks 9-13 when the Titans enjoy a home-heavy schedule.
ATS Bounce-Back: Historical trends suggest the Titans are a strong candidate to outperform their 2024 ATS record.
Special Teams Revamp: The addition of John Fassel is expected to lead to significant improvements in this critical phase of the game.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Tennessee Titans are a team in transition but offer intriguing opportunities for savvy bettors. With a rookie quarterback leading the charge, improved offensive line play, and a revamped special teams unit, there’s reason to believe the Titans can exceed their low expectations. However, patience is key, as the early-season schedule could present significant challenges.

Whether you’re a sharp bettor analyzing market inefficiencies or a casual fan looking to add excitement to your Sundays, the Titans’ 2025 season promises to be an unpredictable journey.

Outlook and Source from Lefty of The Betting Network: "2025 NFL Team Preview | Tennessee Titans | Cam Ward ROTY?" - Live Dog Lefty, YouTube, Sep 2, 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFj6WULj_KI