By nearly every metric, prediction or Vegas spread, the San Francisco 49ers should wholly upend the two-win Tennessee Titans when both teams square off at Levi's Stadium in Week 15.
The Niners, coming off their bye, should be rested and fresh for a relatively easy assignment, meaning the focus should merely be on fundamentals and not allowing rookie quarterback Cam Ward and Co. to hang around in the game late en route to an improbable trap-game upset.
Even for Tennessee, a victory would be fool's gold, as it'd likely cost any realistic shot at the No. 1 overall pick in next April's NFL Draft.
That said, San Francisco has to be awfully wary of one serious threat who could rewrite the perceived narrative of Sunday's contest.
Running back Tony Pollard.
49ers win easy if they contain Titans RB Tony Pollard
Granted, the 28-year-old Pollard hasn't exactly been the difference maker for an otherwise inept Titans offense. But that's more of a statement directed toward his offensive supporting cast than it is at him.
On the year, Pollard has 743 rush yards on 175 attempts with four touchdowns, averaging a respectable 4.2 yards per carry, while his 171 receiving yards add an additional layer to his potency. And all signs are pointing to him cresting the 1,000-yard plateau for the fourth consecutive season.
Looking back at that 161-yard, two-touchdown performance against a quality Cleveland Browns defense last week, San Francisco at least has to be wary of Pollard's threat.
A banged-up 49ers defense remains suspect against the run, too, allowing an average of 4.2 yards per carry while missing key run-stopping options like linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa to season-ending injuries.
Ideally, Tennessee would force a low-scoring game to attempt an upset, and one of the best means to do so is by maintaining control of the ground.
Pollard would be the instrument. The Niners' top option is to make sure he falls short at doing so.