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Game Overview

Arch rivals from the AFC are going to meet in a crucial tilt of teams that are trying to get back in the AFC playoff picture. The Pittsburgh Steelers will go on the road to take on the Tennessee Titans.

The Steelers at least looked remotely healthy for a half of football or so in last week’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles. RB Rashard Mendenhall came back to the fold and gave some life to a running game that had been completed drab, while both LB James Harrison and S Troy Polamalu came back after missing games with various injuries. A strained calf muscle is going to take Polamalu back out of action as quickly as he got back into it, and yet another linebacker, LB LaMarr Woodley is going to be out for at least a week as well with a hamstring problem. The Pittsburgh defense did look good last week against the Eagles, but it was a few dangerous plays away from not surviving the game. It could be attributed to great defense, or it could just be considered bad offense for Philly if you’re a pessimist. Rank us amongst the pessimists, as the Steelers just haven’t looked all that great for the most part in the 2-2 start to the campaign.

Much has been made over the fact that the Titans are just a 1-4 team this year. The blame has largely been placed on the offense and its inability to run the football in all but one game this year, and RB Chris Johnson is taking most of the heat. He still won’t be benched, but perhaps the time is here, especially since he is likely due for another 20-yard performance against a solid defense, to give someone else a shot to tote the rock. QB Jake Locker had struggled, and he was replaced due to his injured shoulder by QB Matt Hasselbeck, who has been a turnover machine. TE Jared Cook has missed some games, as has WR Kenny Britt, though both might finally be full-time participants this week. The real problem though, is the league’s worst defense. This unit has allowed at least 30 points in all five games this year, and that just isn’t acceptable. The whole unit from top to bottom has been miserable in virtually every spot imaginable, save for the one 4th and 1 play that won the game in overtime against the Detroit Lions.

Prediction

Still, there’s a reason that home teams keep winning and covering so many of these Thursday night games. There is a big advantage built in here for the Titans, as that day to travel is huge. Tennessee does really seem to be that bad, and it shows, but we’re just not all that impressed with the Steelers. Maybe they win the game, but it doesn’t feel like it is going to be that easy. Pittsburgh 20 – Tennessee 17