It’s a fresh start this year for the Tennessee Titans, with a new-look coaching staff and a revamped roster, and they get their first preseason test as they host the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday.
First-time head coach Brian Callahan is expected to turn the Tennessee starters loose for chunks of the preseason schedule with the need to mesh so many arrivals on both sides of the ball. But don’t look for a similar approach from the visitors, who take the field for the first time since their Super Bowl heartbreak.
My 49ers vs. Titans predictions and NFL picks delve into what we can expect in this August 10 matchup.
49ers vs Titans prediction
My best bet
Titans -5.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
At the risk of stating the obvious, these two teams are in very different places with the new season less than a month away. The San Francisco 49ers know exactly who they are, as they’re bringing back their stars for another crack at the big prize, and we’re not likely to see much of their veteran core during the preseason.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans are in an experimental phase, having moved on from Mike Vrabel, Derrick Henry, and Ryan Tannehill, among others. Unlike San Francisco, I expect Tennessee to use the preseason slate to see how their reshaped roster fits together, starting with this opening contest.
It’s no surprise to see the Titans as home favorites here in the latest NFL odds, and I like the value of the -5.5 line.
All the signs point to Brian Callahan sending out his starters for a few series, or possibly the full first quarter. These are going to be really meaningful snaps for the hosts, who have some key camp battles to resolve, particularly in their receiving corps after DeAndre Hopkins’ knee injury.
Whether it’s Will Levis, Mason Rudolph, or Malik Willis under center, the Titans should be handing out ample snaps to the pass-catchers fighting to earn a supporting role in the offense. That includes Treylon Burks and Kyle Philips, who are coming off disappointing years but could show their upside against a third-string San Francisco defense.
With Kyle Shanahan keeping his key men in bubble wrap until the real games begin, it’s probably going to be a mix of Brandon Allen and Josh Dobbs at quarterback for the 49ers. That’s a competitive combination but they’ll be working with backups and on-the-bubble roster players. Even first-round pick Ricky Pearsall has been hampered by a shoulder injury in training camp.
I see the visitors struggling to move the chains, and San Francisco is particularly banged up in the backfield. Christian McCaffrey is out with a calf injury while Elijah Mitchell is also set to miss this first preseason outing.
Ultimately, it feels like this game means more to a Tennessee team that’s searching for a new identity and needs to cash in on these opportunities to see how the pieces fit together. I’m picking the Titans to get off to a fast start and cover this spread.
49ers vs Titans odds
49ers vs Titans live odds
49ers vs Titans opening odds
- Spread: San Francisco +4 (-110) | Tennessee -4 (-110)
- Moneyline: San Francisco +165 | Tennessee -200
- Over/Under: Over 37 (-110) | Under 37 (-110)
49ers vs Titans betting trend to know
The Under is 11-5 in the Titans’ last 16 games. Find more NFL betting trends for 49ers vs. Titans.
49ers vs Titans game info
| Location: | Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN |
| Date: | Saturday, August 10, 2024 |
| Kickoff: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NFL+ |
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