The Tennessee Titans (3-4) and Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) will square off at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday night to kick off Week 9 of the 2023 NFL season.
The Steelers have had the Titans’ number in recent years, with Pittsburgh winning each of the last four matchups between these franchises.
Further stacking the deck against Tennessee, the Titans are winless on the road this season with an 0-3 mark, and they’re also 0-4 away from Nissan Stadium if you include the London game.
Adding to that, Tennessee hasn’t won in Pittsburgh since 2013, losing each of their last two games on the Steelers’ home turf.
This game will feature two promising young signal-callers in Kenny Pickett, who is injured but expected to play, and rookie Will Levis, who is coming off a sensational debut in Week 8.
Sportsbooks have the Steelers listed as the favorites over the Titans for this game, but our staff sees things differently. Here are our picks and predictions for Week 9.
Our records
Shaun Calderon: 1-6
Mike Moraitis: 0-7
Ryan Sikes: 1-0
Shaun finally got his first “W” of the season in Week 8 while Mike remains winless and pathetic with his picks this season. A late entrant this season, Ryan was successful with his first pick last week.
Shaun Calderon's pick
The Titans are coming off a potential momentum-swinging win last Sunday that could catapult them back into relevancy for the rest of the year if they’re able to stack two consecutive victories together for the first time this season.
I think this is an awesome opportunity for this team to finally get its first victory away from Nissan Stadium, and I think they’ll find a way to get it done by a narrow margin.
Final score prediction: Titans 23, Steelers 21
Ryan Sikes' pick
Getting the ball out quickly will be key for Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis in his second NFL start. The Steelers are one of the most blitz-happy defenses in the league, sending pressure at a 38.7 percent clip.
Hopefully Levis and DeAndre Hopkins can continue to build off last week against a Steelers defense allowing 245.4 passing yards per game, the ninth-most in the NFL.
Similarily, Pittsburgh is allowing 137.1 rushing yards per game, so Derrick Henry could find some success, as well, and perhaps he can break a long run, also.
I like the Titans to leave Pittsburgh with their first win in the Steel City since 2013.
Final score prediction: Titans 28, Steelers 20
Mike Moraitis' prediction
Expecting Will Levis to have another performance like the one he had last week is expecting too much, especially in a tough road matchup in prime time.
Levis will come back down to earth in this one, partly thanks to his offensive line struggling against a good pass-rush led by superstar edge rusher, T.J. Watt.
Thankfully, the Steelers’ offense has struggled mightily this season, and things might be even worse if Kenny Pickett isn’t 100 percent.
Levis shows enough flashes to keep us excited and put the Titans over the top when combined with strong showings from the defense and run game.
Final score prediction: Titans 20, Steelers 17
