Only two days after Week 15 concluded, we’re already onto Week 16 of the NFL schedule. The San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans meet at Nissan Stadium in Nashville to open Week 16.
This is the Christmas weekend edition of the schedule. There are two days on Christmas Day, and then a full slate of action on Sunday the day after. The 49ers and Titans aren’t a bad matchup to open the schedule.
MAJOR playoff implications on TNF. ?#FTTB | #Titans
?: #SFvsTEN — 8pm ET on @nflnetwork
?: NFL App pic.twitter.com/XaZuxeHGQO— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2021
It would have been better if Derrick Henry had been in the Titans’ backfield. That’s without a doubt what Ryan Tannehill has to be thinking as well. Tannehill has not been worthy of his new contact without Henry.
An organization shouldn’t be paying a quarterback $118,000,000 if he has to be dependent on a running back. That money demands that makes others around him better, but it’s Henry making him look better.
The Titans are coming off a physical 19-13 loss versus the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. It’s their third loss in their last four attempts. At 9-5 the playoffs still look probable for the Titans, but this doesn’t look like a confident team.
The 49ers have all of the confidence going into tonight. They’ve won five of their last six outings, and the polarizing Jimmy Garoppolo has been playing well. Talk of giving Trey Lance time evaporated quickly.
Head below for our best 49ers vs. Titans prop bets for December 23, 2021.
George Kittle Total Receptions Prop
Throwing it up to George Kittle isn’t a terrible play call for the 49ers. When in doubt, even if Kittle is double covered, chuck the ball up to him, and good things could happen. Kittle has been unstoppable over the past few weeks.
Honored and thankful! pic.twitter.com/ZkQ6Kk3EoK
— George Kittle (@gkittle46) December 23, 2021
He’s turned up the intensity and is playing in playoff mode now. Kittle has 425 yards, 28 receptions, and 3 touchdowns through his last three outings. Kittle reeled in 181 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9 receptions versus the Seahawks.
He followed up with 151 yards and a touchdown on 13 receptions. Kittle wasn’t as dangerous in his next and last outing but still had a big showing with 93 yards on 6 receptions.
Kittle has recorded 63 receptions, 850 yards, and 6 receptions on the year. Defenses have been preparing for him lately, but he’s still running them over. Expect Kittle to have at least 5 receptions on Thursday night.
Jauan Jennings Total Receiving Yards
With George Kittle and Deebo Samuel attracting all of the attention from the defense, receivers like Jauan Jennings are finding an opportunity.
Jennings opened his NFL career largely ignored over his first six games, but he’s been finding room for catches.
After failing to record at least 3 receptions in the first eight games of his career, Jennings has 3 receptions in back-to-back games.
He had 3 receptions for 46 yards versus the Bengals, and then 3 receptions and a touchdown versus the Falcons this past week.
Garoppolo has been developing a rapport with Jennings and will likely continue to look his way. He continues to believe in him more with each passing week.
Jennings should have more opportunities with the defense concerned with Kittle and Deebo. Look for him to have more than 20 yards receiving.
Deebo Samuel Total Rushing Yards
The 49ers know how to get the most out of Deebo Samuel. He’s turning into a Cordarrelle Patterson type of player, getting touches as a running back and pass catcher.
They had to look at what Patterson is doing and believed that Samuel can do that and more. Going back to his rookie season, Samuel has been used on sweeps and carries, though not at this volume.
.@19problemz has the most rush TDs (7) by a WR in a single season in NFL History.
There's still 3 games left ?
?: #SFvsTEN — 8pm ET on @nflnetwork
?: NFL App pic.twitter.com/LUf3S1tfwS— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2021
He received 14 carries with 159 yards and 3 touchdowns as a rookie in 2019. Two years later, Samuel is being used as more of a ball carrier than a receiver.
Entering Week 16, Samuel has 39 carries with 269 yards and 7 touchdowns on 6.9 yards per carry. His speed and size makes him tough to beat on the edge.
Samuel has at least 36 yards rushing in four of his last five outings. The Titans have been stingy against opposing run games, but expect the 49ers to get unique with Samuel to loosen up their defense.
I can see Samuel running for 37 to 40 yards on Thursday night.
