NFL / Andy Richmond / 09 September 2009 / Leave a comment

Andy Richmond previews the betting ahead of the season opener - a real grudge match which pits AFC rivals the Steelers and Titans against each other

"Pittsburgh return all but two starters from last year, the same number as the Titans.
Both teams will have familiar faces on the field, and they also play a similar brand of football - relying heavily on their tough defences."

It's fair to sat that there is more than a little history between these two - highlighted by the disrespectful behaviour displayed by the Titans LenDale White in their Titans 31-14 defeat of the Steelers last year - many thought that would be a rehearsal for the AFC Championship Game but that never materialised as the Titans crashed out to the Ravens before the rematch could happen.

History will show that it was the Steelers who went to claim their sixth Superbowl.

Pittsburgh return all but two starters from last year, the same number as the Titans.
Both teams will have familiar faces on the field, and they also play a similar brand of football - relying heavily on their tough defences.

Those defences will put pressure on both quarterbacks and you can expect mistakes from both Rothliesberger and Collins as pressure comes. Establishing the running game will be key to both sides and with this being the first game for the Titans post-Albert Haynesworth, I would give the edge to the more settled Steelers. Pittsburgh's unit was instrumental in that Superbowl success but it will be tough handling the Titans running game which retains that one-two punch with White and Johnson - they gained a combined 2,000 yards rushing last year. If the Steelers can take care of this duo then the Titans are far from formidable through the air especially with Collins at quarterback.

Since the NFL began the season on Thursday with the Kickoff game, the home team has won six of seven times. The Steelers won in their only appearance in the annual Thursday night opener at home against the Dolphins in 2006 and the Steelers have not lost a season-opener since 2002.

Recommendation: Tough opener but try a 1 point bet on the Steelers to overcome a 5.5 handicap at [1.98]

Tags: AFC North, AFC South, LenDale White, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans