Clash of the Cappers – 2016 Week 5

By Josh Mansilla (@Manzilla36)

Throughout the 2016 NFL season, NFL handicapper Josh Mansilla will be providing his weekly plays, along with a brief write-up on how he sees the games playing out. We’ll track his picks alongside those of our other capper, Dan Urda, to see who best assisted our readers throughout the season. Dan’s picks for Week 5 can be found on this week’s podcast.

Season Records

Josh Mansilla: 3-1

Dan Urda: 10-13

Titans +3.5

We had a nice bounce back last week with the Bengals -7.5 getting it done easily at home, 22-7 over the Dolphins. That game looks even closer on paper than it was, as Cincinnati settled for 5 field goals.

This week we are taking the Titans +3.5 against that very same awful Miami defense we faded last week. The Dolphins were out-possessed last week almost 2-1, as the Bengals controlled every aspect of that game. Although I do not expect things to be that lopsided this week, I do think Tennessee’s offense will be able to move the ball and control the clock.

Marcus Mariota has been waiting for a break-out game and I think that’s exactly what is going to happen here. Mariota is a young, developing quarterback who should be helped by the fact that Miami only has 1 interception through the first 4 weeks. I think the Titans have the advantage at many positions, and their strong running game behind DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry should help set-up the passing attack to pick apart a questionable Miami secondary. Running the ball and not turning it over is a good recipe for winning on the road in the NFL.

I usually do not like fading teams with extra preparation heading into Sunday (with Miami having played last Thursday), but I believe the uncertainty with Hurricane Matthew has distracted the Dolphins more so than Tennessee. Take the Titans here as they look for their second road win of the year, 27-17.