The pressure is right where Steelers coach Bill Cowher does not want it to start the season. This game rests on Ben Roethlisberger's shoulders as both Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis are injured. Bettis is definitely out and Staley is doubtful to play. Third-stringer Willie Parker (who?) gets the start. The Steelers rolled last year due in large part to the strength of their running game. When they were forced to throw to win, they couldn't do it. The Titans have noted that fact and will make Pittsburgh throw here. Not good for Big Ben who, playing with the starting offense, looked weak in the preseason. Part of the issue for them will be the loss of Plaxico Burress. They still have Hines Ward but he'll be seeing a lot more double-teams that he did in the past. The Steelers also relied heavily last year on their defense. But their anchor, Joey Porter is questionable for this game due to a knee injury. This is good news for the Titans offense, led by new offensive coordinator Norm Chow - an offensive mastermind worthy of the title. He'll have McNair, the emerging Drew Bennett, and a healthy Chris Brown humming here on offense. All this points to a high-scoring game in which Tennessee puts up quite a fight to keep it close. One star on the Titans +7 and one star on the OVER.
This pick was released to clients on July 12, 2012 at 5:46PM ET.
NFL
Tennessee at Pittsburgh
September 11, 2005
1:00 PM Eastern
1 unit on Tennessee +7 (-110) (risk 1 to return 1.91)
Result:
LOSS
LOSS
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