Tennessee Titans vs San Francisco 49ers Picks and Prediction for Thursday August 13 2026
The Tennessee Titans visit the San Francisco 49ers for an NFL preseason matchup at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Thursday, August 13, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET, with WKRN-TV News 2 and the Titans Preseason Television Network providing regional coverage in Tennessee. The Titans are 2.5-point favorites, San Francisco is available at +2.5, and the total is set at 37.5. Tennessee is approximately -142 on the moneyline, while the 49ers are priced around +120. Football bettors can find additional analysis throughout the season by visiting our free NFL picks.
This matchup carries an interesting coaching connection. Tennessee hired former San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as its head coach during the offseason, and Saleh now makes his Titans debut against his former team. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan has confirmed that he intends to coach from the sideline after spending much of training camp recovering from injuries suffered in a July automobile accident.
Tennessee Begins the Robert Saleh Era
Tennessee enters its first season under Saleh after finishing 3-14 in 2025. Although winning an exhibition game will not be the primary objective, a new coaching staff generally has more systems and personnel to evaluate than an established staff. Saleh must assess how quickly his players have adapted to the defensive structure he previously used in San Francisco.
Cam Ward enters his second season as Tennessee’s established starting quarterback. Ward passed for a franchise rookie record of 3,117 yards in 2025 and ended the season by throwing multiple touchdown passes in four consecutive games. His preseason workload has not been confirmed, but the Titans could give him a short appearance as he adjusts to new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
Mitchell Trubisky is positioned as the primary backup and brings extensive starting experience. He has also worked with Daboll previously, which should make him comfortable with the terminology and basic concepts of the offense. That familiarity is especially valuable during a preseason opener, when reserve units receive limited preparation time together.
Will Levis and Hendon Hooker complete a crowded quarterback room. Levis missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing shoulder surgery and will use the preseason to prove that he remains a viable NFL quarterback. Hooker has appeared in only three regular-season games but possesses useful mobility and will be competing to earn a roster or practice-squad position. Tennessee should have an experienced quarterback directing the offense during every stage of the game.
San Francisco Relies on an Established System
The 49ers begin their tenth season under Shanahan after recording 12 regular-season victories in 2025. San Francisco possesses considerably greater organizational continuity than Tennessee, although the defense is transitioning from Saleh to new coordinator Raheem Morris. The preseason opener offers Morris his first opportunity to evaluate how the reserve defenders execute his system against an outside opponent.
Brock Purdy remains firmly established as San Francisco’s starting quarterback and is unlikely to require extensive preseason work. The 49ers will open their regular season in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams, giving Shanahan another reason to protect important starters while preparing for an unusual travel schedule.
Mac Jones is positioned as the primary backup behind Purdy. Jones has extensive regular-season starting experience and has already spent a year in Shanahan’s quarterback-friendly offense. His ability to execute play-action concepts and distribute the ball accurately gives San Francisco a dependable option once Purdy leaves or if the starter is held out entirely.
Kurtis Rourke is the most intriguing developmental quarterback in the rotation. He spent his rookie season learning the offense and now has an opportunity to demonstrate that he can become a long-term backup. Adrian Martinez supplies additional preseason experience and a running dimension that can help compensate for protection problems behind a reserve offensive line.
San Francisco’s established offensive structure should make the transition between quarterbacks relatively smooth. Shanahan’s system creates defined reads and opportunities after the catch, allowing reserve passers to operate without consistently attempting difficult throws. However, injuries at several positions could lead the 49ers to protect more established players than usual.
Tennessee Titans vs San Francisco 49ers Picks and Prediction
- Pick: San Francisco 49ers +2.5
San Francisco is the preferred side as a home underdog. The 49ers possess an established system and two dependable quarterbacks in Jones and Rourke behind Purdy. Jones should be capable of moving the offense against Tennessee’s reserve defense, while Rourke has already spent a full season learning Shanahan’s terminology and passing concepts.
Tennessee has strong quarterback depth, particularly with Trubisky familiar with Daboll’s offense. However, installing new systems on both sides of the ball creates additional opportunities for communication errors, penalties, and missed assignments. The Titans may require more time to operate smoothly than a San Francisco team retaining its head coach and overall offensive framework.
Saleh’s familiarity with Shanahan’s offense strengthens Tennessee’s preparation, but the reverse is also true. San Francisco understands Saleh’s defensive principles and should know which areas to test. Taking 2.5 points with the home team provides value in a game that could be decided by a late field goal.
- Pick: Under 37.5
The under is the preferred total. Purdy and Ward are unlikely to receive extensive playing time, leaving most of the game in the hands of reserve quarterbacks and developing offensive linemen. Both teams should also emphasize the running game as they evaluate depth throughout their backfields.
Tennessee is installing Daboll’s offense, while San Francisco may use a limited playbook to avoid revealing meaningful regular-season concepts. Trubisky and Jones are capable veteran backups, but both should be asked to manage the game and protect the football rather than produce an aggressive downfield passing attack.
The later stages could become even more conservative when Rourke, Martinez, Levis, or Hooker enters. Penalties and protection mistakes are also likely to interrupt possessions during the first preseason game. San Francisco can win or remain within the spread without the teams combining for 38 points.
Final Score Prediction: San Francisco 49ers 20, Tennessee Titans 17