Originally Posted by
BioTrends
From Bio Trends
Done by Bio Trends
Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Offense
The Titans ranked fourth against the run
and second versus the pass last year,
but don't expect their defense to match those numbers in 2009. Albert Haynesworth's absence will affect the entire stop unit. Tennessee held Willie Parker to 31 yards on 19 carries, and forced Ben Roethlisberger into two picks and four fumbles,
but that's not going to happen again.
I'm still not convinced that Pittsburgh will be able to run the ball effectively, but you could see Roethlisberger go 25-of-39 for 329 yards again - only without all of the turnovers this time.
The Titans will not be able to put as much pressure on Roethlisberger as they were able to in last year's meeting;
I know Haynesworth didn't play in that contest,
but Tennessee received an unrealistic contribution from
Jason Jones, a 280-pound defensive tackle who had 3.5 sacks.
I'm going out on a limb and saying
that's not going to happen again.
With less pressure applied on the quarterback,
you're going to see Tennessee's secondary struggle this year.
I still like Cortland Finnegan, but whomever Nick Harper
is matched up against will have a field day.
Titans Offense
I know it was just the preseason,
but the Titans couldn't run the ball effectively.
In five contests against the Bills, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Browns and Packers (not exactly the top defenses in the league)
Chris Johnson was only able to muster
77 yards on 25 carries, for a 3.1 average.
Center Kevin Mawae and right tackle David Stewart were out, so having them back will be a huge boost, but I think that's pretty much negated this week by Pittsburgh's stout run defense.
Johnson should still have a decent game catching the ball out of the backfield, but his rushing yardage will be limited by last year's No. 1 ground defense. If that's the case, Kerry Collins will have to convert third-and-long situations, which could be disastrous against Pittsburgh's stop unit.
Kerry Collins has been sharp this preseason
(276 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs),
but that was against sub-par teams like the
Bills, Buccaneers and Browns playing vanilla defense.
It would not surprise me to see the Steelers come away with
a pick-six here.
Recap
I like the Steelers for a number of reasons.
First
Betting on the host in the NFL Kickoff Classic
has been a huge money-maker;
Super Bowl champions are undefeated
in their home opener since 2004.
Second
This is a big revenge game.
The Titans thrashed the Steelers 31-14 last year.
That contest was closer than the score indicates.
It was also in Tennessee.
The Titans were missing Haynesworth,
it's my belief that Pittsburgh took them lightly.
Third
The Steelers are just the better team this year.
The Titans are not the same squad with
Haynesworth permanently gone.
There's a reason Super Bowl champions
are undefeated in their home opener
since the NFL gave them the opportunity
to host the first game of the season back in 2004.
This is also a Revenge Alert;
The Titans thrashed the Steelers last year.
The Line
Up from -4.5 to -6 in some places.
Pinnacle Sportbook 5:37 Am 9/8
Minneapolis Time
Got the Line at 5.5 Points
Week 1 NFL Pick
Steelers 27, Titans 17
Steelers -5.5
Not the Biggest Game
But Close
Luck has nothing to do with
Sports Investing !!!
Service Performances 9/7
Reply With Quote
Promotional
