The Tennessee Titans will be opening their 2009 season at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Heinz Field this Thursday night at 8:30 pm ET.  This match-up of the Titans and Steelers will be the first game of the 2009 NFL season.  In their match-up last season during the 16th week, it was one of the Titans best and most important games as they dominated the Steelers from the second quarter on, and secured the number one seed in the AFC.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Titans scored 31 points and won the match-up 31-14.  After that huge win, the Titans struggled in their week 17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and ran into the Baltimore Ravens’ defense in the AFC Divisional Round, losing 13-10 to a late field goal.  Unfortunately for the rest of the NFL, that loss to the Titans was the Steelers last loss of the season as they went on to win Super Bowl XLIII.

The Titans are looking to take down the Super Bowl champs, but with the loss of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth the Titans will have their hands full with the Steelers running attack:  Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall.  The aging Kerry Collins hopes to continue his great quarterback play from last year and has a former Steeler, Nate Washington, as his number one receiver.  Lendale  White and Chris Johnson will be looking to attack the Steelers defense on the ground.  This looks like it will be an exciting close match-up, but being the first game of the year look for both offenses to struggle.  It will be a defensive battle and with the Steelers having a slight edge on defense I predict the Steelers will win 16-10.  Check out blogger Smash’s detailed preview of this opening match-up at the main locker - www.bloglockers.com