Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Preview and Odds
The Tennessee Titans visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night. The Titans and Steelers have a rivalry that goes all the way back to the early 1970s when the Titans were the Houston Oilers and both were part of the old AFC Central Division.
History
In 1978 and 1979 the Earl Campbell and Dan Pastorini led Oilers, coached by Bum Phillips (father of Texans coach Wade Phillips) played the Steelers of Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, Mean Joe Greene and Jack Lambert in two consecutive AFC Championship Games, both won by the Steelers. The Steelers then went on to win both Super Bowls following those two contests which gave them four World Championships in a six-year span.
The rivalry intensified somewhat in 1987 when Steelers coach Chuck Noll nearly came to blows with Oilers coach Jerry Glanville. Noll felt Glanville's team was intentionally trying to hurt his players. (A bounty program?) Noll and the Steelers got even in 1989 when they upset the Oilers in the playoffs, a loss that coast Glanville his job.
A 1996 game between the two teams resulted in a couple of fights over late hits by the Oilers. Quarterback Mike Tomczak and punter Shayne Edge took exception to what they felt were cheap shots by the Oilers and some fighting ensued.
In 2002, the Titans benefitted from a controversial running into the kicker call to win a 34-31 decision in the AFC Playoffs.
In 2005, the Steelers beat the Titans 34-7 in the season opener as Willie Parker ran for 161 yards.
In 2008, the Titans beat the Steelers 31-14 then further insulted the Steeler Nation by stomping on one of the "Terrible Towels" that Steelers fans wave during the games.
The rivalry will be renewed on Thursday Night on the NFL Network.
Our Pick
SportsInteraction.com has the Titans +5.5 -110 or +200. The Steelers are -5.5 -110 or -240. Over/under on this one is 42.
The Titans have stumbled out of the gate and have been terrible on defense. They are the first team in NFL history to allow over 30 points in each of the first five games. They are fortunate not to be 0-5. They managed to upset the Detroit Lions in an overtime shootout for their only win of the season.
The Steelers are 2-2. They won their last game over the Philadelphia Eagles 16-14 in a tough inter-conference match-up. The Steelers also have a win over the Jets this season.
5.5 points does not seem like enough points. Also 42 points don't seem to be enough with the Titans porous defense. Therefore we suggest taking Pittsburgh - 5.5 and the over.
