Tonight is the moment we've all been waiting for: Kickoff of the 2009 NFL regular season. As they've done the last few years, the NFL opted to open on a Thursday with a matchup between two of the league's premier teams. Some people like this idea(such as Gabe). Other people don't care for it as much(such as Dave). That. however, is another story for another day. With kickoff in less than 3 hours, we will unveil our first pick of the 2009 NFL regular season(with the spread, of course, because any pansy can just pick a winner. I'm talking to you, Bob Costas!). So here's our take on tonight's Steelers-Titans clash, with the other games coming later in the week.
Titans(+6) at Steelers
Dave: Titans-I think the Steelers will win the game, I just think it will be closer than two field goals. The Steelers aren't the type of fast-paced offense that lights up the scoreboard and the Titans are still fearsome enough on D to keep it close. Plus, these are two teams that are led by their running games, which will chew up an enormous amount of clock. With former Steeler-turned-new-Titan Nate Washington expected to be limited, if he plays at all, tonight, that's one less option for QB Kerry Collins to utilize incase they want to air it out. Plus, there's the vengeance factor after the Titans stomped it out on the Terrible Towel in last year's season finale(a WWE-style heel move....cue Gabe making fun of me for the wrestling reference), which will only motivate the defending champs even further as they defend the title in front of a home crowd. I like Pittsburgh by a field goal.
Gabe: I'm taking Pittsburgh to win, and cover. The last time they played the Steelers got smoked. It was also the only game they lost out of their last 10, on their way to winning the Super Bowl. The loss combined with the towel stomping will have Pittsburgh motivated. Tennessee lost Albert Haynesworth to free agency so their defense is much less stout. Kerry Collins is old and has no one to throw too - I'm not buying into Kenny Britt just yet, no matter how much my WWE-loving, Rutgers-homer, colleague wants me to. Tennessee's offense is run first, run second, and if they can get away with it, run third. Pittsburgh's defense will make it hard for Tennessee to score. I expect Santonio Holmes to emerge and Pittsburgh to have a more explosive offense and put up some points this year. I'll take Pittsburgh to win by 10.
Gabe: I'm taking Pittsburgh to win, and cover. The last time they played the Steelers got smoked. It was also the only game they lost out of their last 10, on their way to winning the Super Bowl. The loss combined with the towel stomping will have Pittsburgh motivated. Tennessee lost Albert Haynesworth to free agency so their defense is much less stout. Kerry Collins is old and has no one to throw too - I'm not buying into Kenny Britt just yet, no matter how much my WWE-loving, Rutgers-homer, colleague wants me to. Tennessee's offense is run first, run second, and if they can get away with it, run third. Pittsburgh's defense will make it hard for Tennessee to score. I expect Santonio Holmes to emerge and Pittsburgh to have a more explosive offense and put up some points this year. I'll take Pittsburgh to win by 10.
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