Titans-Steelers Thursday night: NFL betting odds, picks, tips - ESPN

Week 9 gets started as the Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5, 36.5) host the Tennessee Titans on «Thursday Night Football.»

So what can we expect from a betting standpoint on Thursday?

Betting analysts Tyler Fulghum, Eric Moody, Seth Walder, Anita Marks andAaron Schatz are here to provide their thoughts.

Note: Odds by ESPN BET.

Schatz: That's a very low total, and the Titans' defense hasn't been particularly strong this year. Even the Pittsburgh defense is «only» ninth in DVOA. The Steelers have been a very fast-paced offense as well, although the Titans offense is always slow. I think the spread is fairly accurate but I like the idea of going with OVER 36.5 in this game.

Fulghum: Very nice performance by Will Levis in his NFL debut, but that game was at home. Now he'll have to travel to a hostile environment in Pittsburgh for his first true road game. I like the Steelers -2.5 to bounce back with a win and cover. The Steelers QB situation is obviously a concern, but the Titans' pass defense is very beatable. It's very likely going to be a low-scoring game with Mike Vrabel and Mike Tomlin involved, but I want to bet against Levis to regress to the mean after his outrageous debut performance.

Marks: Steelers (-2.5) and UNDER 36.5. I don't see the Steelers defense losing at home to a rookie quarterback getting his first road start. Having two weeks to prepare for the Falcons at home is a much different animal than hitting the road to face the Steelers defense. The Steelers are 8-3 ATS their last 11 games, and the Titans are 0-6 SU in their last six road games. Pittsburgh is in a three-way tie for second place in the AFC North — this game matters! Both of these defenses are solid, and their offenses have issues scoring points.