49ers vs. Titans: TNF betting odds, preview, and pick

Two teams in the thick of the playoff race will clash in an inter-conference battle in Week 16, as the San Francisco 49ers visit the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football.

Niners stay hot at home

Following a 3-5 start to the season, San Francisco has hit its stride to win five of its last six games.

On Sunday, the 49ers improved to 8-6 on the season, after they demolished the Atlanta Falcons, 31-13, at Levi's Stadium.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo turned in a respectable performance, as he went 18-of-23 passing for 235 yards and a touchdown, while Jeff Wilson Jr. starred in the run game and finished with 110 yards and a score on 21 carries. 

The Niners combined for 162 yards on the ground and ran for three scores, including one by wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who has rushed for a touchdown in the last five games.

The defense also stepped up against Atlanta in the red zone and prevented the Falcons from scoring a touchdown on 13 plays from the 10-yard line or closer, as well as five plays from the 1.

Defensive end Nick Bosa recorded a sack in his sixth straight contest to bring his total for the season to 15.

The Niners currently own the sixth seed in the NFC standings and rank third in the NFC West.

Titans desperate for a turnaround

Since a six-win streak in the first half of the season — which included victories against the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, and Los Angeles Rams — the Titans are in the midst of an alarming downward spiral.

In the last four games, Tennessee has managed one win, against 2-12 Jacksonville, and fell to 3-11 Houston in Week 11, which snapped the aforementioned win streak.

Sunday's tilt with the 7-6-1 Pittsburgh Steelers marked Tennessee's third loss in four games, as the Titans struggled with turnovers to push their total to 13 in a four-game span.

Three of the Titans' four giveaways on Sunday came on consecutive drives in the second half, which included a lost fumble and an interception by quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

The veteran QB threw for just 153 yards and failed to record a passing touchdown. He also lost wideout Julio Jones in the second quarter, after the injury-plagued receiver tweaked his hamstring.

Tennessee's rushing attack was a bright spot, as it combined for 202 yards, with 108 of those from D'Onta Foreman.

The Titans controlled the clock for 39:08 and converted eight of 18 third downs, but ultimately fell 19-13 to Pittsburgh, who amassed just 168 yards of total offense.

49ers and Titans betting trends

• Tennessee is 1-3 straight up in its last four games
• San Francisco is 5-1 SU in its last six games
• Tennessee is 2-0 against the spread as a home underdog in 2021
• San Francisco is 4-2 ATS as a road favorite in 2021
• The Under is 5-2 in Tennessee's seven home games this season
• The Over has hit in three of Tennessee's four games following a straight-up loss

Turnovers will haunt Tennessee

Thursday's battle will present an interesting mismatch for San Francisco, as one of the league's most run-happy offenses faces a defense ranked second in rushing yards allowed (86.9).

Tennessee is far weaker against the pass, so Garoppolo will need to step up in primetime to push his offense down the field.

However, the key difference maker in Thursday's contest will be the 49ers' defense.

The Niners have averaged two turnovers and four sacks apiece in each of their last three games, and will make life miserable for Tannehill and his hobbled offense. 

The Titans' best chance at a win is to move the ball on the ground, but that won't come easy against a Niners stop unit that has held five of its past six opponents to 86 rushing yards or fewer.

Score prediction: San Francisco 24, Tennessee 17

NFL Week 16 pick: San Francisco -3.5