#Ryan Tannehill makes Titans the pick

TITANS (+3.5) over Ravens; Under 54.5

Only in an NFL season like this could we give significant credence to a (virtually literally) defenseless outfit such as Tennessee without a more generous head start, but here we are. The Ravens’ defense failed to subdue the Titans in a track meet in late November in Nashville, Tenn.

We became enamored of QB Ryan Tannehill while he was still flying under the radar, quietly doing quality work for a lesser edition of the Dolphins … but since he has settled into his present role with the relentless, aggressive Titans, he has raised his profile markedly and is no longer a state secret.

The Ravens are carrying a substantial burden of wiseguy endorsement, no doubt (they’ve long been a favorite of that cadre), but better teamshave allowed have been ablebetter teams to score four touchdowns or more against this defense — including the Chiefs, Eagles, Steelers and Browns, as well as the aforementioned Titans. But exposure of any number exceeding a straight +3 on this underdog has continued to attract meaningful support at this point in time.

These Ravens have long been a popular outfit, and a Baltimore win would not be shocking … but the Ravens haven’t flashed sustained good form against multiple quality sides since September, barring their win at Indianapolis. Take the points.

Pick: Titans , 27-24

SAINTS (-10) over Bears; Under 47.5

Don’t misconstrue — we don’t regard this fat favorite as anything resembling a mortal lock, given the handicap — but Chicago has been a consistent disappointment (even given the Bears’ frustrating defense) when games boil down to Mitchell Trubisky stepping up in big spots, battling against better sides.

The hosts have to be thrilled that this game was scheduled for Sunday rather than Saturday, given the delicate condition of powerhouse RB Alvin Kamara. Presuming Saints RB Alvin Kamara will be good to go and passes his COVID-19 tests with the grace of the added recovery time, unsure the Bears will be able to cope with the multiplicity of the Saints’ scoring threats.

Still, the Bears could make a game of this, especially given the underrated and overlooked effectiveness of their special teams. They’ve already demonstrated as much on their home field, losing by a mere field goal in their midseason engagement. This is likely Drew Brees’ last roundup, and however deep he leads these Saints into the postseason, can’t envision his enduring a defeat this early, given his bountiful supporting cast.

The Saints are on the upswing, facing a foe they know they can handle and will likely never enjoy as favorable a sustained chance to garner the franchise’s second set of Super Bowl rings as they’re being presented with in this instance. This is a proper spot for New Orleans’ opportunistic defense to be on its best behavior. The Bears’ only chance here would seem be within the structure of a minuet, rather than a gallop.

Pick: Saints, 28-13

Browns (+6) over STEELERS; Under 47.5

Given a stuffed wild-card schedule which granted byes only to the No. 1 conference seeds, you’re seeing bizarre situations. The beleaguered Browns haven’t been able to practice prior to Friday, given virus issues. An overriding Steelers consideration is their lopsided offensive pass/run play ratio, which broadly invites opposing defensive gurus to treat any Pittsburgh rushing “threat” as an afterthought.

The Browns’ narrow escape against these Steelers last week in Cleveland may have been facilitated by Pittsburgh giving some regulars the week offin a game the Steeltowners didn’t need. The market has stoutly and relentlessly driven this Steelers number onward and upward … understandable, given the inherent schedule setup, which provided the Steelers’ instant revenge opportunity. Also a factor are grave Cleveland O-line issues, a circumstance which is certainly going to present Browns QB Baker Mayfield with sustained concerns.

This would appear to be the most challenging game on the Sunday card in terms of settling on a side at market, due to uncertain availability of specific talents. Obviously, the Browns don’t have a good recent history against Pittsburgh, and their lengthy absence from postseason play is not a positive … but the price is right.

Pick: Steelers, 23-20