The 9th rendition of 2021’s NFL Sundays concludes with a cross-conference clash. The Tennessee Titans travel west to take on the Los Angeles Rams. With both teams leading their division and riding 4-game win streaks, only 1 team’s momentum can continue. Before I give you my play of the game, be sure to check out our expert’s predictions for sides and totals.
The big news for this game will be the absence of Titans all-everything running back, Derrick Henry. Likely out for the regular season, Ryan Tannehill and the Titans offense will have to explore life without the focal point of their offense. While Henry’s injury will have major ramifications on this game, my favorite player prop of the game actually shifts the focus to the Rams running back.
Darrell Henderson (LAR) over 16.5 receiving yards (-115)
Line available at DraftKings at time of publishing.
The third-year running back has acquitted himself quite nicely as the RB1 in place of the injured Cam Akers. Obviously a threat on the ground, the former college receiver has also shown he’s more than capable when catching the ball as well. Henderson has racked up 141 receiving yards in 7 games, and has notched at least 17 yards in each contest, with the exception of last week.
Six of Henderson’s 16 catches have gone for at least 13 yards, leaving him capable of going over this line with minimal opportunities. The Rams dynamic passing attack force opposing defenses to focus on their talented receiving corps. This typically leaves room for Henderson to leak out into space.
The Titans began the season as a sieve to opponent’s wide receivers. In an effort to tighten that up recently, Tennessee has been playing more two deep coverage, allowing for quarterbacks free to check down. Against the plus offenses of the Chiefs and Colts in their past 2 games, the Titans have allowed 13 receptions to running backs, representing a 22% catch share.
I expect the Titans to deploy a similar defense against the Rams, in an effort to slow down Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and company. Overall, the Titans have allowed 7 opposing running backs to reach at least 17 receiving yards already this season.
It’s a crowded passing attack, but this line is just too low for Henderson, who has run a route on 62% of Stafford’s attempts. I have the Memphis product’s receiving yards projected in the mid-20s.
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