The Tennessee Titans open the 2026 preseason on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, and the betting market has already picked a side. Tennessee is a 5-point favorite at Levi’s Stadium, and that number has grown since the line first posted. The movement is the real story of this Thursday night matchup. The public money and the sharp money appear to be pulling in opposite directions. Below we break down the spread, the total, and where the value hides in a preseason opener that also marks a homecoming for new Titans head coach Robert Saleh.
Last Updated: August 13, 2026
Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers — Time & How to Watch
| Where | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara CA |
| When | Thursday, August 13 – 9:00 PM ET |
| TV | NFL Network (KPIX 5 Bay Area / WKRN Nashville) |
Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers Betting Preview
Tennessee arrives with a fresh voice in charge. Robert Saleh takes over as head coach after spending the 2025 season as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator, so his preseason debut comes against the staff he just left. The Titans are coming off a 2-12 finish, and the rebuild leans on second-year quarterback Cam Ward, who started all 17 games as a rookie. New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll runs the offense. Tennessee also has eight 2026 draft picks in camp, including fourth-overall receiver Carnell Tate. The plan is to play the young roster for much of the night.
San Francisco takes the opposite approach. Kyle Shanahan has signaled that few starters will see meaningful snaps, and healthy veterans such as Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw are not expected to play much. Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and Nick Bosa headline a roster built to win now, but preseason Week 1 is about evaluation, not results. The 49ers handled the Titans 37-24 last December, though that regular-season meeting tells us little here. For more preseason handicapping, see our Hall of Fame Game prediction.
Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titans | -5 (-120) | -245 | U 40 (-105) |
| 49ers | +5 (+100) | +205 | O 40 (-115) |
Odds accurate as of August 13, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest NFL Odds – Futures – Props
Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Titans | 32% | 68% | 49ers |
See the latest NFL Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Titans vs. 49ers Prediction — Can the Road Favorite Cover a Growing Number?
The line is the tell here. Tennessee opened as a 2.5-point favorite, and the number has since climbed to 5. Meanwhile, the public is loading up on the home side. Roughly 68 percent of spread tickets sit on San Francisco plus the points. When the ticket count leans one way but the line moves the other, that reverse move usually points to heavier, sharper money on the opposite side. In this case, that side is Tennessee.
The situational case backs the move. Saleh wants to make a strong first impression, and the Titans intend to play their young starters for multiple series and could play them in the second half. San Francisco, by contrast, plans to rest many of its first-string players. A team pushing its regulars and draft picks for four quarters could hold an edge late against backups. Still, there is a real case for the points. Five is a big number in a game with a total of just 40, and preseason scoring is choppy and unpredictable. Backup quarterbacks stall drives, and one outlier score can swing a cover. The home side also carries the crowd and the public behind it.
The sharper signal wins out for us. The line moved toward Tennessee for a reason, and the Titans’ commitment to starter snap volume fits a late cover.
The Pick: Titans -5 (-120)
Titans vs. 49ers Prediction — Will Two Deep Defenses Keep the Scoreboard Quiet?
The total has traveled in the other direction. It opened at 37.5 and has been bet up to 40. That climb shows some appetite for points, and it is easy to see why. Tennessee wants to run lots of plays and evaluate young skill talent, and the two sides held joint practices earlier in the week, so there is familiarity there. However, preseason Week 1 openers tend to grind. Play-calling is often basic, backup quarterbacks miss throws, and both rosters carry defensive talent that can smother second-string offenses. Buying the under at an inflated 40 gives the number back to us after the market pushed it up.
The risk is clear. If either young offense finds rhythm, a couple of long drives and a non-offensive score can clear 40 in a hurry. We accept that variance and side with the slower, sloppier profile of an exhibition opener.
The Pick: Under 40 (-105)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
One more market is worth a note before kickoff. Tennessee’s moneyline sits at -245, which is a steep price to lay on any preseason game, let alone one decided by backups. The same lean is available at a better number through the spread, so the -5 at -120 is the cleaner vehicle. San Francisco at +205 is a live home-dog flier for bettors who want outright value, since the 49ers only need to win the game on their own field to cash that ticket. We are not chasing it against our side, but it is a defensible standalone play.
To recap, this card gives us two plays. We back Tennessee -5 (-120) on the spread and the under 40 (-105) on the total. Both lean on the same read: sharper money nudging the Titans while a backup-heavy opener keeps the scoreboard modest.
NFL Titans vs. 49ers FAQ: Thursday August 13, 2026
What time does the Titans vs. 49ers game start?
The Titans and 49ers kick off at 9:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It is the preseason opener for both teams and the first of three exhibition games on each club’s schedule this August.
What channel is the Titans vs. 49ers game on?
The game airs nationally on NFL Network. In the Bay Area it is carried locally on KPIX 5, while Nashville viewers can watch on WKRN News 2. Out-of-market fans can stream the broadcast through an NFL+ subscription.
Where are the Titans and 49ers playing?
The Titans and 49ers play at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, San Francisco’s home venue. The 49ers host the preseason opener, with Tennessee traveling west after the two teams held joint practices earlier in the week.
Who won the last meeting between the Titans and 49ers?
San Francisco won the most recent meeting 37-24 on December 14, 2025, at Levi’s Stadium. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes as the 49ers pulled away. That was a regular-season result, so it carries limited weight for a preseason opener.