Published Dec 12, 11:02am ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Dec 12, 11:02am ET
Grok AI
Updated Dec 12, 11:02am ET
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| San Francisco 49ers | -13 (-104) |
| Tennessee Titans | +13 (-116) |
The Week 14 win was over the Browns, but it's unfair to be dismissive of the Titans' second win of 2025 by portraying it as "just the Browns."
Cleveland's defense has been excellent this season and the Titans put up 31 points against them. Rookie QB Cam Ward was 14 for 28 and 117 yards, throwing 2 TDs. Running back Tony Pollard ran for 161 yards on 25 carries with a long of 65.
Tony Pollard 65-yard TOUCHDOWN.
— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025
TENvsCLE on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/UZ9c5ifvfN
Their defense made Shedeur Sanders look good as the polarizing rookie completed 23 of 42 passes for 342 yards and 3 TDs.
But, again, they won.
The Titans are the worst team in the league. Still, it is an attractive job and there will be coaches lining up to interview for head coach this offseason. They have Ward, the 2025 1st overall pick in the NFL Draft. They're in line to get a top-3 pick in the 2026 draft. And they've never been shy about spending money to try and win.
They have little chance in San Francisco but for a freak upset.
ALSO SEE: Cardinals vs Texans Week 15 Odds & NFL Pick (Dec 14)
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB | INJURED |
| Kevin Zeitler, G | INJURED |
| Dan Moore Jr., OT | INJURED |
| Shy Tuttle, DT | INJURED |
| James Williams Sr., LB | INJURED |
| C.J. Ravenell, DE | INJURED |
| Lloyd Cushenberry III, C | INJURED |
| Calvin Ridley, WR | INJURED |
Amid all the injuries and off-field drama that seems to have become as much a part of the 49ers' lore as Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, and the West Coast offense, they are 9-4 with a puncher's chance at the top seed in the NFC.
Of course, they will need some help. To make this unlikely scenario a reality, their NFC West rivals, the Rams and Seahawks, must lose at least two games the rest of the way. The 'Niners need to run the table.
But with Nick Bosa and Fred Warner* lost for the season, having been without QB Brock Purdy for multiple games, the ongoing madness surrounding Brandon Aiyuk, and their revolving door of kickers, that they are in this position to begin with is an accomplishment.
*Warner is pushing his rehab hard with an eye on being ready if the 'Niners make it to the Super Bowl.
āI hear all the chatter on the internet and everywhere 'Is Fred gonna make it back for the playoffs?', Hey, I guess time will tell. Never say never (with a laugh). We shall see.ā
— Coach Yac š£ (@Coach_Yac) December 11, 2025
ā Fred Warner
š„: @GOATfarmmedia | @RealOnesGFS pic.twitter.com/FA9RfUnfq3
That doesn't mean they're going to go very far in the playoffs.
They're coming off a bye with Tennessee coming in, so they are heavily favored.
The offense is, of course, centered on Christian McCaffrey. But without Aiyuk and having been without George Kittle for several weeks early in the season, it opened the door for unheralded Kendrick Bourne and Jauan Jennings to establish themselves. They would not be in this position were it not for Mac Jones filling in for Purdy.
San Francisco's overall team numbers are unimpressive. They're -4 in takeaway differential, are 25th in rushing yards per game, and are 25th in defensive passing yards per game. But they're 6th in passing yards per game, and 12th in defensive rushing yards per game.
The best-case scenario here is that they build a big enough lead early that they can get Purdy and McCaffrey out of the game.
McCaffrey has been dealing with an illness and is listed as questionable.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Fred Warner, LB | INJURED |
| Nick Bosa, DE | INJURED |
| Brandon Aiyuk, WR | INJURED |
| Tatum Bethune, LB | INJURED |
| Kyle Juszczyk, FB | INJURED |
| Christian McCaffrey, RB | INJURED |
| Yetur Gross-Matos, DE | INJURED |
| Kurtis Rourke, QB | INJURED |
| Sam Okuayinonu, DT | INJURED |
In Week 15 Titans-49ers, the 'Niners are heavy favorites against one of the worst teams in the NFL.
This isn't complicated. With Tennessee playing out the string and San Francisco trying to keep its hopes alive to get the top seed in the NFC, expect 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan to try and blow the Titans out as soon as possible.
The 49ers will win this game easily, covering the heavy spread.
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Pick
San Francisco 49ers -13
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