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'TNF' preview: How low will Titans-Steelers go?
Points could be at a premium when the Titans (3-4) and Steelers (4-3) play on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. Per OddsChecker as of Wednesday, the over-under is 36 points, the lowest figure for Week 9 games.
Here's what to watch for in what's expected to be a defensive tussle.
WHEN TITANS ARE ON OFFENSE
Will Levis: What will the rookie for an encore? Levis was excellent for a quarterback making his NFL debut in Week 8, a 28-23 win over the Falcons. He finished 19-of-29 for 238 yards and four touchdown passes, leading an offense that was an eyesore with Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis at QB to its highest point total (28) of the season.
T.J. Watt: One problem for Levis this week is he won't be going up against a Falcons defense that lacks an elite playmaker like Watt. He's been as good as any defender this season, arguably one of the most valuable players in the league. Watt has 8.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and an interception in seven games. The Titans might be in better shape with Levis at quarterback, but don't be surprised if Watt causes him to look considerably worse in his second start.
DeAndre Hopkins: If he can play, the Titans veteran wide receiver will try to take advantage of a matchup against a weak Steelers secondary. However, he has been limited in practice with a toe injury. The Steelers rank 29th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers, and Hopkins is coming off his best game in Tennessee (four receptions, 128 yards and three touchdowns) in Week 8.
Tyjae Spears: Derrick Henry's name appeared in trade rumors at the deadline, and while he ultimately didn't change teams, Titans rookie running back Spears was a big reason many thought Henry could be moved. Henry is the unquestioned leader in the backfield with nearly four times as many carries as Spears, but Tennessee's third-round pick out of Tulane has shown promise when given the opportunity.
Spears has 34 carries for 198 yards, and his 5.8 yards per attempt is more than the average for Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson, two backs drafted in the first round. Henry (ankle) has been limited in practice this week. If available, he should get the bulk of the carries against Pittsburgh, but look for Spears to leave his imprint on the game, too. The Steelers rank 27th against the run and allow 4.5 yards per attempt.
WHEN STEELERS ARE ON OFFENSE
Kenny Pickett - Pickett told reporters Tuesday he is "playing for sure" against the Titans after leaving Week 8's 20-10 loss to the Jaguars with a rib injury. The second-year quarterback hasn't looked good this season. However, it's impossible to know how much he's responsible for when he's saddled with the league's worst offensive coordinator in Matt Canada. The Titans have a strong pass rush that is coming off a six-sack performance against the Falcons, but they rank last in interceptions. That means it will likely be up to Tennessee's front seven — and Canada — to make Pickett look bad.
George Pickens: Pickens saw his lowest target share of the season in Week 8 with teammate wide receiver Diontae Johnson (hamstring) in action for the second consecutive week. As poor as the team's offensive performance was against the Jags, it might be wise for the Steelers to get the ball in Pickens' hands more often. He's the team's leading receiver with 28 receptions for 522 yards and three touchdown catches. The Titans allow the highest catch rate (73.3 percent) to wideouts, potentially setting Pickens up for a big game.
Running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren: The Titans are sound in rush defense, holding four of their seven opponents below 80 yards. They can be exposed against good running teams, which the Steelers are not. Running backs Harris and Warren are coming off a dismal game against the Jaguars, rushing a combined 12 times for 32 yards.
For the season, the Steelers are 28th in rushing (79.7 yards) and 29th in yards per carry (3.4 yards). Despite the struggles, Pittsburgh is best when it can feed its backs. Warren, in particular, must have a decent game. He averaged 6.2 yards per touch in Pittsburgh's four wins and 3.6 in losses. Harris, meanwhile, averages 3.5 yards per touch in wins and 5.5 in losses.
Titans red-zone defense: Tennessee's defense ranks second in red-zone touchdown percentage (34.6 percent), only allowing nine touchdowns in 26 attempts. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh ranks 24th offensively, scoring five touchdowns in 11 red-zone attempts (45.5 percent).
Per RotoWire, Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth, placed on injured reserve on Oct. 21 (hamstring), has the team's highest percentage of receptions in the red zone (30.8 percent). Tennessee is the only team that hasn't allowed a touchdown to a tight end this season, so even if he were healthy, Pickett would fare better targeting receivers Johnson and Pickens.
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