Titans vs. 49ers prediction: Who has the edge?

Who has the edge between the Titans (8-5) and 49ers (3-10) on Sunday (3:25 p.m. CT, CBS) at Levi’s Stadium?

Offense - 49ers

It’s difficult to give the nod to the Titans coming off their decrepit showing at Arizona, even though they’re averaging more points per game than the 49ers. Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota has thrown multiple interceptions in three of the past four games, and the rushing offense has struggled, as well. The 49ers, meanwhile, are on a two-game winning streak since handing the reins to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Bruising running back Carlos Hyde, who is effective as a receiver out of the backfield, will provide a challenge, as well.

Defense - Titans

Tennessee has the superior defense, a top-10 unit overall and top-five against the run. The rushing defense took a hit with the loss of lineman DaQuan Jones to a torn bicep, but the Titans tied a season high with eight sacks against the Cardinals while holding their opponent out of the end zone for the second time this season. The Niners are allowing an average of more than 350 yards per game, among the worst in the NFL.

Special teams - Titans

Niners kicker Robbie Gould ranks among the most accurate in the NFL, having made 30 of 32 field-goal attempts this season. He's hit all three from longer than 50 yards. Ryan Succop is 26-of-32 and has struggled from long range. Titans punter Brett Kern is having a career year. The 49ers rate among the least effective teams in the league on kick returns and are middle of the pack on punt returns, but are worse than the Titans in both regards. The Titans have the second-worst kickoff coverage unit in the league, in terms of average yards allowed, but have played better of late.

Coaching - Titans

Kyle Shanahan is in his first season as coach of the 49ers, after serving the previous two seasons as offensive coordinator of the Falcons. It's been one to forget. Mike Mularkey has the Titans on the cusp of their second consecutive winning season, despite their recent struggles, and they remain in control of whether they win the division and make the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Intangibles - 49ers

The 49ers are undefeated in two games since Garoppolo took over as the starting quarterback, and they are playing at home and for pride. That means they’ll be loose and ready to go. The Titans, meanwhile, face a pressure-packed situation. This is a must-win game after their disastrous loss against the Cardinals, which knocked them from first place in the AFC South. They’ve been on the road all week, living out of hotel rooms and practicing at Arizona State. Have they figured out their offensive issues?

Predictions

Jason Wolf

Titans 17, 49ers 16: This is a game the Titans must have to keep their season from entering a tailspin. DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry should be able to find success against the Niners’ 25th-ranked run defense, taking the pressure off Mariota.

Joe Rexrode

Titans 23, 49ers 19: The prospect of a four-game swoon to end the season and miss the playoffs was easy to envision after the Titans' 12-7 stink bomb at Arizona. It will be very real if they lose this one. But the guess here is they respond, upgrade from abysmal to pedestrian on offense and get back to winning close games over bad teams.

Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @JasonWolf and on Instagram and Snapchat at TitansBeat.