Titans vs. Steelers: NFL Week 15 betting odds, preview, and pick

We are in the final quarter of the NFL season and that means it is short spread season.

Let’s take a closer look at one such short-spread matchup, as we predict the outcome between the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15.

The Titans are 9-4 straight up on the season and coming off a shutout of the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars. They are 8-5 against the spread, second in the AFC playoff standings, and lead the AFC South.

The Steelers are 6-6-1, coming off a Thursday night defeat at Minnesota, and now sit 11th in the AFC playoff standings. They are just 5-8 against the spread and a disappointing 2-5 ATS at home.

The Titans are 1.5-point favorites, and the total is set at 41.5.

Titans injuries creates variance

The Titans have been solid against the spread this year despite suffering the most injuries of arguably any team in the NFL. It is a testament to their depth and grit, and to head coach Mike Vrabel’s ability to lead the roster he’s given any particular week.

The lack of injury luck does not help the Titans’ long-term outlook, however, as their most desired starting lineup fails to get on the field.

It may cost them in this matchup, as well, as several notable injuries are likely to impact the Titans’ chances against a tough Steelers defense. Running back Derrick Henry is obviously a huge loss, and his absence is baked into this point spread.

Perhaps of equal loss is wide receiver A.J. Brown, who is a big-bodied option that has been one of Ryan Tannehill’s favorite targets for the last several years.

The defense is even more banged-up. Players at all three levels are expected to miss the game, including former Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree.

The Titans are just slightly healthier than they were entering their Week 13 bye, and a relatively easy 20-0 win against the Jaguars didn’t hurt their situation, but they look like a group that is merely trying to get healthy in time for the playoffs and not push any more of their players onto the injury report.

While several replacements have stood in nicely, the success they had in the early part of the season doesn’t look sustainable and may have the Titans a bit overrated in key metric categories.

Titans and Steelers betting trends

• Titans are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games as a road favorite
• Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following an ATS loss
• Steelers are 33-16-2 ATS in their last 51 games as an underdog
• The Under is 8-3 in the Steelers’ last 11 games as a home underdog
• The underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last five games between these teams

Steelers are more desperate

The Steelers have nearly been written off by the general fanbase as they struggle offensively with an aging Ben Roethlisberger at the helm, but their season isn’t quite dead yet.

With the AFC North having no clear dominant team, there is still a path to the playoffs for this proud franchise.

The Steelers defense is third in sack percentage, and while they can’t seem to stop the run this year, the Titans without Henry aren’t as formidable an opponent on that front.

Look for the Steelers to bring the most pressure they have all year against a Titans offense that doesn’t have their sledgehammer running back or No. 1 receiver, and for the Steelers to pull off a big win at home in a game they absolutely need to win to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Score prediction: Steelers 20, Titans 17

NFL Week 15 pick: Steelers +2