Titans at Steelers: Underdog and VividPicks Pick'em Picks

Matt Brown
by Matt Brown | Published: October 31, 2023

The 3-4 Titans may have found something in newly promoted starting QB Will Levis. They travel to Pittsburgh to take on the 4-3 Steelers on Thursday Night Football. While betting on both teams’ WR1s, expect Najee Harris to disappoint on the ground against a Titans defense allowing a league-best 2.7 YPC.

WR DeAndre Hopkins (TEN) OVER 50.5 REC YDS

It certainly will be difficult to predict the outcome of this Thursday night battle between a rookie quarterback making his second career start in Will Levis against either hurt Kenny Pickett or healthy Mitch Trubisky.

Last week, the Levis to Hop combination was one for the books, combining for 128 yards and three scores on just four connections. The Steelers have had their fair share of issues guarding star wideouts down the field, allowing 211 yards to the position thus far.

While we won’t expect a three-score game from the veteran wideout, look for Levis to give him at least ten targets which could easily send DHop over 50 yards for the 5th time this season.

TE Chig Okonkwo (TEN) UNDER 25.5 REC YDS

One of our offseason targets, it’s time to hit the fade button on Okonkwo. After a disastrous start to the season with Tannehill, Chiggy might need some time to earn targets with newly promoted QB Levis in order to become a viable fantasy play or prop bet.

With the Steelers allowing 2.7 catches and 23 YPG to TEs, Okonkwo would have to catch a long ball in order to hit this bet.

In a game where he might see under 70% of snaps, fade Okonkwo until later this season once he gets more reps with the new Titans quarterback.

RB Najee Harris (PIT) UNDER 46.5 RUSH YDS

Najee has only hit this mark three times thus far against plus matchups in the Rams, Texans, and Raiders. Between a tough matchup (TEN allows league-best 2.7 YPC to RBs) and the emergence of backup running back Jaylen Warren (50% of snap share), Harris’s lack of explosiveness and negative matchup makes this “over”  bet tough to trust.

Whether a hurt Pickett or healthy Trubisky is on the field, this should turn into a Jaylen Warren game out of the backfield fairly quickly as Najee has kept declining in production.

WR Diontae Johnson (PIT) OVER 57.5 REC YDS

While the quarterback situation will be something to monitor on Wednesday night and through Thursday, Diontae Johnson should be a playmaker to trust on the Steelers.

The WR1 for Pittsburgh has been targeted 20 times and hit this “over” in his two fully healthy games this season and while George Pickens is more of a boom/bust player, Diontae is a steady play in Week 9 no matter who’s under center.

The Titans allow the 5th-most yards to wideouts and with Levis showing his gunslinging ability last week, don’t be shocked if the Steelers look Johnson’s way as they play from behind at certain points.

K Chris Boswell (PIT) OVER 1.5 FG MADE

While Tennessee's rush defense has been stout, their pass defense has allowed some huge performances from QBs and wideouts, which leads us to why Chris Boswell might be the best bet of the night.

Boswell has hit this mark four times this season, with his three “unders” coming against plus defenses in the 49ers, Rams, & Jags. While Najee and Warren should have difficulties getting their rush game activated, we believe Trubisky or Pickett will be able to move the ball, flipping field position with ease, while struggling in the red zone.

Boswell has hit six field goals in his previous two matchups with the Titans.

Matt Brown

With an unwavering passion for sports betting and daily fantasy sports, Matt brings a wealth of knowledge in football, hockey, and baseball to the team at Hello Rookie. His innovative insights are shaped by his extensive academic background, boasting a B.S. in Aeronautical Computer Science and a M.S. in Project Management. Matt's unique blend of sports enthusiasm and technical expertise drives his cutting-edge contributions to the platform.

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