When the Steelers host the Titans to open NFL Week 9 on "Thursday Night Football" (8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video), it will be an interesting battle of two young quarterbacks. Tennessee rookie Will Levis will try to build on his sparkling rookie home debut vs. the Falcons, while second-year Steelers' QB Kenny Pickett will try to rebound from being knocked out vs. the Jaguars after injuring his ribs.
The Steelers have strong pressure players in their defensive front-seven, while the Titans are more tailored to stuff the running game. Pickett will hope to throw well to help his team win, while Levis will look to avoid making mistakes and keep it going with a banged-up DeAndre Hopkins (toe), Derrick Henry, and others.
Here's looking at how this tight, expected low-scoring matchup should play out on TNF.
Titans vs. Steelers odds, spread, over/under
(All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)
Spread: Titans +2.5 (-105) | Steelers -2.5 (-115)
Over/Under: OVER 36.5 (-110) | UNDER 36.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Titans +130| Steelers -155
The line has been at a field goal or less since the initial spread was released. There was some uncertainty at quarterback early, but Levis was quickly announced as the starter for the Titans, and Pickett (ribs), for whatever he's worth, said early in the week that would play for the Steelers. It's a toss-up game for sure, which means a slight home lean to the Steelers.
MORE THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best props | Start-sit | Hopkins update
Should you bet the Steelers against the spread vs. Titans?
The Steelers have something the Falcons didn't in Week 8: A real pass rush. T.J. Watt and Alex Smith will be key to the game up front with the best defensive back, Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring), not playing. That front gets a boost from the expected return of disruptive defensive lineman Cameron Heyward.
Levis will feel the heat to keep from burning the Steelers downfield, and Pickett gets a chance to attack a weaker secondary with a better overall wide receiver group. The key will be getting the Titans into a negative game script to keep the Steelers' run defense from wilting vs. Derrick Henry. Neither offensive line is that good, but the Titans' pass protection crumbles more.
Our Pick: Steelers -2.5 (-115)
Should you bet the Titans-Steelers OVER?
There are enough holes on both defenses behind tough fronts to think there will be a handful of big pass plays executed by both teams. Both QBs are helped by some skill position talent, and they'll like the matchups for their top wideouts. The Titans should run better than the Steelers to keep them in the game until Pickett makes the game-winning pass to either George Pickens or Diontae Johnson.
Our Pick: OVER 36.5 (-110)
Final score prediction: Steelers 23, Titans 17
