Sunday's NFL STAR SELECTION
Tennessee +7 over PITTSBURGH
Ben Roethlisberger puts his perfect regular season record on the line Sunday when Pittsburgh plays host to Tennessee. “Big Ben†went 13-0 as a starter during the regular season in 2004, but his fairy story failed to have a happy ending as the Steelers suffered a 41-27 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in the AFC championship game.
Pittsburgh’s QB will certainly be on the spot in this game, as he will not have the services of RBs Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley, leaving the starting chores to Willie Parker. Also, Roethlisberger no longer has his favorite wide receiver, Plaxico Burress, who signed with the New York Giants. It was a certainly a struggle for Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense in the preseason. Perhaps a sophomore slump is already underway, as the signal caller failed to lead a touchdown drive and completed just 16-of-36 passes for 145 yards and two interceptions.
It is expected to be a rebuilding season for the Titans, who are coming off a last-place finish in the AFC South Division. Due to salary cap woes, the Titans released wide receiver Derrick Mason, cornerback Samari Rolle, defensive lineman Kevin Carter and tackle Fred Miller. The Titans do have former co-MVP Steve McNair back this season. The veteran quarterback contemplated retirement after playing in just eight games last season due to a sternum injury, but he is back, fit and healthy. McNair should go a long ways in keeping this team in games this season.
We also can’t under-estimate the coaching of Tennessee’s Jeff Fisher. If anyone can get this young team to be competitive quickly, it’s Fisher. He has done well going up against the Steelers’ Bill Cowher, as the Titans have 10 of the last 12 games in this match-up, and have won each of the last 3 games, scoring 30+ points in each contest.
Pittsburgh is notoriously slow out of the gate, especially when not facing a division foe. Since 1993, the Steelers are 0-8 ATS in their first home game when taking on non-division competition. Look for Tennessee to hang around, as Pittsburgh is unable to pull away, allowing the Titans to get at least an ATS win.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: PITTSBURGH 27 TENNESSEE 24 (OT)