2009 NFL Picks - Week 1 Opening Night

Pittsburgh Steelers (-6.5) vs. Tennessee Titans

The Steelers will come into this game charged up and ready to roll. The energy level will certainly something to factor into your betting decision as the home team kick off  its Super Bowl title defense.

When the Steelers have the ball

Expect them to pound the ball early on at the interior of the Titans’ defense. Longtime standount Albert Haynesworth is now in Washington and you can expect the Steelers to test this run defense with Parker and Mendenhall early on. The goal will be to soften them up and set-up the passing game, which goes three receivers deep along with a talented TE.

While the Titans defense is stingy, particularly on CB Cortland Finnegan’s side of the ball, Roethlisberger will have success in the short passing game and might pop a deep one to Sweed at some point in the game.

Points will not be an easy thing to come by however as Fisher’s defenses are always prepared.

When the Titans have the ball

Look for Tennessee to feed Chris Johnson the ball early and often in an attempt to keep the attacking Steelers defense at bay and off Kerry Collins. But against the AFC’s top ranked run defense in 2008, this will prove futile. While Johnson’s lightning quick, the Steelers back seven can run and the best way to attack a defense like this is up the gut, something Johnson’s lack of size will prevent him from doing.

So we could see LenDale White earlier than expected as well.

Once Pittsburgh subdues the Titans running attack, look for Harrison and Co. to come after Collins and force the veteran into a few turnovers and sacks.

While it won’t be a high scoring affair, or entertaining game if you’re a fan of offense, the Steelers will feed off the energy of the crowd and win 21-13, thus covering the 6.5 point spread and putting them just below the over/under (35.5).