Point Spread: Steelers Modest Favorite Over Titans, But Number Should Have Them Scared

The Tennessee Titans are 2.5-point underdogs on Thursday night at Pittsburgh, and that's the fourth time this year that the point spread has landed on that number. So far the Titans are 3-0 straight up in that situation. Here's now both teams have fared against the numbers this season.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — For the seventh time in eight games, the Tennessee Titans are underdogs when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday night. The Titans are 2.5-point underdogs. The over/under is 36.5, according to the FanDuel gambling website.

But they should be weary.

The Titans have been a 2.5-point three times so far this season — and they've won straight up anyway all three times.  Those were all at home though, so that's certainly a factor.

Tennessee has beaten the Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons as underdogs. In their four losses away from home, they've covered only once, in the season opener in New Orleans.

They looked good last week in beating the Falcons, with rookie quarterback Will Levis throwing four touchdown passes in his NFL debut. 

Here's what both teams have done against the point spread this season:

Titans vs. the number in 2023

• WEEK 1: Lost at New Orleans Saints 16-15 as a 3-point underdog. The total (31) went far under the 41.5-point line. Record: 0-1. Against the spread: 1-0. Under Total Record: 1-0.
• WEEK 2: Won at home against the Los Angeles Chargers 27-24 in overtime as a 2.5-point underdog. The total (51) went over the 45.5-point line. Record: 1-1. Against the spread: 2-0. Under Total Record: 1-1.
• WEEK 3: Lost at Cleveland Browns 27-3 as a 3.5-point underdog. The total (30) went far under the 38.5-point line. Record: 1-2. Against the spread: 2-1. Under Total Record: 2-1.
• WEEK 4: Won at home against the Cincinnati Bengals 27-3 as a 2.5-point underdog. The total (30) went under the 40.5-point line. Record: 2-2. Against the spread: 3-1. Under Total Record: 3-1.
• WEEK 5: Lost at Indianapolis Colts 23-16 as a 2.5-point favorite. The total (39) went under the 43.5-point line. Record: 2-3. Against the spread: 3-2. Under Total Record: 4-1.
• WEEK 6: Lost in London to the Baltimore Ravens 24-16 as a 4.5-point underdog. The total (40) went under the 44.5-point line. Record: 2-4. Against the spread: 3-3. Under Total Record: 5-1.
• WEEK 7: Bye.
• WEEK 8: Won at home against the Atlanta Falcons 28-23 as a 2.5-point underdog. The total (51) went far over the 35.5-point line, which was the lowest of the year, by far. Record: 3-4. Against the spread: 4-3. Under Total Record: 5-2.

Steelers vs. the number in 2023

• WEEK 1: Lost at home to the San Francisco 49ers 30-7 as a 2.5-point underdog. The total (37) went under the 40.5-point line. Record: 0-1. Against the spread: 0-1. Under Total Record: 1-0.
• WEEK 2: Won at home against the Cleveland Browns 26-22 as a 2.5-point underdog. The total (48) went over the 39.5-point line. Record: 1-1. Against the spread: 1-1. Under Total Record: 1-1.
• WEEK 3: Won on the road 23-18 against the Las Vegas Raiders as a 2.5-point underdog. The total (41) went under the 43.5-point line. Record: 2-1. Against the spread: 2-1. Under Total Record: 2-1.
• WEEK 4: Lost on the road to the Houston Texans 30-6 as a 3-point favorite. The total (36) went under the 41.5-point line. Record: 2-2. Against the spread: 2-2. Under Total Record: 3-1.
• WEEK 5: Won at home against the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 as a 4.5-point underdog. The total (27) went far under the 38.5-point line. Record: 3-2. Against the spread: 3-2. Under Total Record: 4-1.
• WEEK 6: Bye.
• WEEK 7: Won on the road 24-17 against the Los Angeles Rams as a 3.5-point underdog. The total (41) went under the 43.5-point line. Record: 4-2. Against the spread: 4-2. Under Total Record: 5-1.
• WEEK 8: Lost at home 20-10 to the Jacksonville Jaguars as 2-point underdog. The total (30) went far under the 40.5-point line. Record: 4-3. Against the spread: 4-3. Under Total Record: 6-1.