Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tennessee Titans
Monday Night Football finds us in Nashville for this game when the Steelers visit the Titans, who are on a 3 game losing skid, in what seems should be an easy win for Pittsburgh at first glance. But lets not forget the trap game they last played against the lowly Jets lol. Lots of the public were pounding Big Ben and his crew in what seemed like was going to be a slaughter. I placed a small wager on NY just for the simple fact that you could almost read the writing on the wall. Ben went from throwing 12 TD's in two games to just 1 in that matchup. Oh yeah, he threw 2 int's as well.
Now lets snap back to reality and look into the teams. Pittsburgh does lead the league in total offense but will need to step up their running game and this could be their opportunity to do just that. Bell should be able to pick up the pace in this one taking a page out of the Ravens play book as their RB, Forsett had a great game against Tennessee last time out. I still look for the Steelers to have a good passing attack here too behind the play of Brown. Antonio is number one in the league for receiving yards and receptions.
The Titans will probably struggle against the stingy, Dick LeBeau coached, Steelers defensive play. They'll be coming at you from all directions and will keep rookie QB, Mettenburger, on his toes and confused all night long. He's only led his team to 23 combined points in his 2 starts this season. Even though their gunslinger is completing over 63% of his passes, he may be in trouble not having one of his favorite TE's to throw to. Delanie Walker went out last week with a concussion. To make matters worse, McClusker is questionable at the running back position with a knee injury and even if he does get to play, that will play a factor hobbling around nursing a sore body part. Bad news for an offensive attack that ranks almost last in total offense already. Cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson (back), defensive lineman Sammie Hill (hamstring) and running back Leon Washington (hamstring) all are listed as questionable. Zach will have to rely heavily on rookie RB Bishop Sankey here to help him out, but you can surely expect Pitt to be keying in on him.
Past stats show the Titans winning and covering the past two years. I guess that is a ray of hope they have to hang onto. Pittsburgh is not without players being hurt or out for this game either. DB Troy Polamalu (knee) and LB Ryan Shazier (ankle) are both doubtful while S Shamarko Thomas (hamstring) is questionable.
I can see the Steelers establishing the run game early in this one. I think Bell has a monster game. If this happens, it will open up the passing game when Ben does want to throw and I think Brown has a huge game because of that as well. I think Pitt's defense pressures Mettenburger into throwing more interceptions as he has 3 already to go along with his 3 TD's. If the Titans lose the turnover battle, they are doomed for sure. I think this will be a little too much to ask for trying to get Mettenburger to put up a W in this one. He struggles to get the ball out of his hands quick enough on his throws and doesn't make the best of reads against defenses either. That extra time holding onto the ball will allow for multiple sacks on him and probably force a fumble or two. The Steelers have already accounted for 8 sacks in their past couple of games this month.
I think I'll let my hard-earned money ride on the shoulders of Big Ben and the boys in this one. I mean Roethlisberger has been to 3 Super Bowls, and is the only quarterback in history to throw for 500 yards twice! Even if he has to resort to a complete run game, the Titans have allowed the last two running backs they have seen rush for over 100 yards and 2 touchdowns each. So with all that being said, here are my plays and best of luck!
5 units Pittsburgh Steelers -5.5
1 unit Pittsburgh/Tennessee Under 46.5
1 unit Parlay Pittsburgh -5.5, Under 46.5
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