Titans vs. Ravens Recap: Ravens Hold On as ML and Alt Spread Cash

The Ravens beat the Titans 24-18 in a game that was decided before halftime and got tight late. Baltimore scored on four of its first-half drives, including a 98-yard touchdown march, and took a 24-7 lead into the break. The second half was a different story: the Ravens did not score again, and Tennessee closed to six with a touchdown and two-point conversion at 1:12 of the fourth quarter. Two DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Ravens ML (-700 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: We saw a wide talent gap. Tennessee came in 0-3, scoring 12.3 points a game (30th) and ranking 31st in yards, while Baltimore was averaging 30.7 points at home. The main line sat at -11.5. - What happened: Baltimore won 24-18. Lamar Jackson completed 15 of 20 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns, one to Zay Flowers from 19 yards and one to Mark Andrews from 3. Tyler Loop added a 64-yard field goal as the first half ended. - Worth watching: A -700 price only makes sense as a small piece of a bigger plan, since the payout is thin. The read on the Titans offense mostly held: they had 7 points at the half and needed a late touchdown drive to make it close.

Ravens -4.5 (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED - Our read: With the main line at -11.5, this alt kept seven points of cushion. We wanted that room because Baltimore was patching its line around LT Ronnie Stanley (questionable) and C Ethan Pocic. - What happened: The Ravens won by 6, clearing -4.5 by 1.5 points. The Titans' late score, a 3-yard pass from Cam Ward to Wan'Dale Robinson plus Ward's two-point pass to Gunnar Helm, cut it close. Baltimore was held scoreless after halftime, and its 11-play drive in the fourth ended with a field goal try that was no good. - Worth watching: This is exactly why we buy points on big favorites. Baltimore did not cover -11.5, but the alt cashed. When a favorite's line is getting patched, taking the cushion even at -170 to -200 is worth a look again.

How the game played out

Tennessee gave the ball away twice in the first half, an interception on its opening drive and a lost fumble late in the second quarter. Baltimore scored a touchdown after the first and a field goal after the second, and led 24-7 at the half. After the break, the Ravens punted on four straight drives before the field goal try came up empty, and their 13 penalties for 131 yards kept the Titans hanging around. Tennessee's 10-play, 76-yard drive for a field goal in the third and its 70-yard touchdown drive in the fourth made the final look closer than the first half did.

Trends to watch

• Baltimore's discipline: 13 penalties for 131 yards, compared with five flags for 32 yards by Tennessee. The Titans picked up 6 first downs by penalty. Flags like that can swing a spread.
• Third downs were rough for both offenses. Each team converted 2 of 10, and that kept both punters busy.
• Carnell Tate caught 9 passes for 145 yards on 12 targets for Tennessee. He was Cam Ward's clear top option, though he also had two fumbles, one lost.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. New to buying points? Read up on alt lines and the moneyline, or find more recaps on the NFL hub.