The Titans hope they can stop the surging 49ers while also getting back into the win column on Thursday Night Football for Week 16.
It’s not always about which opponents any team winds up playing over the course of the season.
It’s about when you play them. More importantly, how well they’re playing.
This is precisely the case for the Tennessee Titans hosting the San Francisco 49ers for Thursday Night Football in Week 16. Tennessee has lost three of its last four games, including a disappointing 16-13 loss on the road at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.
In all three of those recent losses, head coach Mike Vrabel’s squad has scored a mere 13 points per game.
Meanwhile, the Niners enter the contest riding high after winning five of their last six, thrusting themselves towards a Wild Card berth in the NFC playoff picture, while Tennessee has seen its grasp on the No. 1 seed in the AFC slip away.
Still, Thursday night games can be weird, and it’s always a challenge for the road team, particularly for one like San Francisco that has to travel two time zones east.
That said, while some injury elements are looking OK for Vrabel and Co., others are not.
Titans injury report vs. 49ers Week 16
Arguably the best news for Tennessee this week is the fact wide receiver Julio Jones (hamstring) appears to be a full-go for Thursday night, and he’ll look forward to taking advantage of a weak San Francisco secondary.
Additionally, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, fellow wideout A.J. Brown (chest) might be activated off injured reserve, too:
From @GMFB: The #Titans may get WR AJ Brown (chest) back on Thursday if practice continues to go well, while the #Bucs are signing RB Le'Veon Bell. pic.twitter.com/1s8KTFHPqu
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 22, 2021
Still, the following players are listed on the team’s Week 16 injury report, which isn’t overly promising:
- OT Taylor Lewan (back): OUT
- LB David Long Jr. (hamstring): OUT
- DL Larrell Murchison (knee): OUT
- OG Rodger Saffold III (shoulder/illness): OUT
Two starting linemen being out doesn’t bode well against 49ers EDGE Nick Bosa, who is tied for second in the NFL with 15 sacks on the season.
Titans vs. 49ers odds, spread, over/under & betting pick Week 16
The oddsmakers over at WynnBET originally named the Niners as high as 3.5-point road favorites, but the line has closed a bit since then with San Francisco now being at -3. Jones being cleared to go probably has a lot to do with that.
Tennessee’s moneyline currently stands at +145, whereas the 49ers are at -165.
The over/under is 44.0.
Recent history suggests Tennessee is going to struggle scoring points, although Jones versus that 49ers secondary is an advantage quarterback Ryan Tannehill and Co. will look to exploit. As long as it’s not negated by Bosa and the Niners pass rush, of course.
Considering the whirlwind of offensive struggles, though, we might have to tweak our prediction in favor of a San Francisco win, 21-17.
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What cannel is the Titans game On Week 16?
NFL Network will broadcast the nationally televised prime-time Thursday Night Football bout, which kicks off on Dec. 23 at 8:20 p.m. ET from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Kevin Burkhardt will be calling the game with Greg Olsen doing color commentary, and Pam Oliver will be on the sidelines.
Titans vs. 49ers live stream
For fans who can’t tune into the live television broadcast, fuboTV offers a free seven-day trial for first-time users to stream the game on preferred devices.
Titans next game and schedule
Tennessee has to be paying close attention to the scoreboard, and pulling off a win in Week 16 would go a long way towards climbing higher in the standings.
Perhaps the two games after Thursday night, combined with that mini bye week, will help matters a lot as the team looks to close out its 2021 regular-season campaign:
- Week 17 vs. Miami Dolphins: Sunday, Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 18 @ Houston Texans: Sunday, Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. ET