Week 16 of the NFL kicks off with the San Francisco 49ers (8-6, 5-2 away) battling the Tennessee Titans (9-5, 5-2 home) in an interleague matchup with both teams jockeying for a playoff spot. The 49ers are coming off a 31-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, while the Titans fell 19-13 to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.
Thursday night’s kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. EST inside Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. San Franciso is a 3-point road favorite, and the over-under total is at 44 points.
What to Know – San Franciso 49ers
The 49ers have won two in a row and five of their last six games. San Francisco can’t lock up a playoff bid on their own this week, but a win keeps the 49ers’ playoff chances high.
San Francisco’s offense is peaking at the right time, averaging 28.8 points per game over the last five weeks and generating 378.5 yards of total offense. The 49ers’ defense holds opponents to 22.4 points and allows an average of 341.7 yards of offense per game.
The return of George Kittle to the lineup has been a catalyst for the offensive improvement for the Niners. Kittle led the team is receiving in last week’s 31-13 victory over Atlanta, hauling in six receptions for 93 yards.
Jeff Wilson Jr., filling in for the injured Elijah Mitchell, carried the ball 21 times for 110 yards and a touchdown. Deebo Samuel added four catches for 60 yards and six rushes for 29 yards and a score.
This year, San Francisco is 7-7 against the spread, bug 5-1 over their last six games. The 49ers are 1-7-1 ATS in their previous nine games against the Titans.
What to Know – Tennessee Titans
Tennessee had the AFC South wrapped by around Halloween, but the loss of Derrick Henry set the offense back, and now the Titans are in a fight for not only the division but their playoff hopes.
The Titans score 24.1 points per game, backed by an offense that produces 365.8 yards of total offense. On defense, Tennessee surrenders 22.1 points and 348.1 yards of total offense.
Tennessee outgained Pittsburgh 318-168 yards in last week’s 19-13 loss but turned the ball over four times and ended 1-4 in scoring inside the red zone. D’Onta Foreman was a bright spot for the Titans’ offense, rushing for 108 yards on 22 carries. Foreman has now eclipsed 100-yards on the ground in two of the last three games.
The Titans sport an 8-6 record ATS on the year, but just a 1-4 record over their last five. Tennessee is 4-1 over their last five games against teams from the NFC West division.
The Pick is In
These two teams are heading in opposite directions of each other as we near the completion of the NFL regular season. Tennessee’s offense is floundering with Henry and wide receiver AJ Brown, while the Niners’ offense continues to improve.
It is always difficult to side with an away favorite in a pivotal matchup like this, but the depleted Titans’ lineup is concerning. San Francisco continues to ride the momentum they’ve gained over the last few weeks to pick up a key road win on a short week.
Betting Pick: San Francisco -3
