NFL Football
2009-09-10 - Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
Preview
The defending SuperBowl Champions make the traditional opening game of the new season as they entertain the Titans here at Heinz Field. The Steelers come into the season with not too many distractions in terms of personnel but did have the controversial issues surrounding QB Ben Roethlisberger to contend with.
Nate Washington is one of the players that has moved on since the SuperBowl triumph, although 19 of the 22 players have returned this season. Washington has ironically gone to the Titans but will not be back at Heinze Field through an injury.
Pittsburgh had a solid 6-2 record at home last season in the regular season as they won the AFC North with their 12-4 record. They were an impressive 10-2 against fellow AFC teams in the regular season.
Tennessee are another team that comes into the new season with renewed optimism as most of their players have also returned from last season. However, they did have a big loss when Albert Haynesworth decided he will move on, leaving a huge gap in the defence.
The Titans had an amazing start to the season and even managed to top off the Indianapolis Colts last season in the AFC South. However, after winning their first 10 games, they faltered in the final stretch, going 3-3 in the regular season before losing to Baltimore in the playoffs.
Tennessee were a strong team on the road last season, going 6-2 and finishing the season with a 13-3 record, the best in the AFC. They had a 9-3 record against other AFC teams and will be boosted in the knowledge that they beat Pittsburgh at home last season.
Another interesting side note for this game is the tension between the sides. Tennessee, especially Lendale White, made a mockery of the 'terrible towels' associated with Pittsburgh and while the incidents have been played down as emotions running wild, many in Pittsburgh have not forgotten. And that includes the fans in the stands and the players in the changing rooms.
Head to Head
Tennessee have actually won 4 of the last 5 meetings between the sides including a 31-14 blowout last season at home.
These 2 sides did meet in the opening game of the season at Heinze Field 4 years ago, and Pittsburgh won easily 34-7.
Prediction
Pittsburgh made a lot of errors in their last meeting with Tennessee and I cant see that happening again. They will have more room to run without the presence of Albert Haynesworth and I feel they have the stronger offence.
The Titans do not have the same offensive skills as the Steelers, but they do have 2 strong running backs. Their success will depend on whether these 2 have the same success as the last meeting in Tennessee at the back end of last season.
This should be a strong game to start the season off and I think I will go against the big man Gooner, and pick Steelers to take the game and cover the 6 point spread.
The Pick :
Pittsburgh Steelers 24-16 Tennessee Titans
