NFL Open Thread: Steelers vs Titans
posted at 1:00 pm on December 21, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Today features two great games between the four top NFL teams, and we should expect epic battles in both cases. The Steelers are coming off a great come-from-behind win in Baltimore that clinched their division and a first-round bye, and now they can all but cinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs by beating the Tennessee Titans on the road today. The Titans lost against the Texans last week on a questionable decision to go on fourth down rather than kick a long field goal, but either way they played one of their worst games of the season. Last week, I was only off by a point on my prediction for the Steelers, and this week I’m predicting a 24-9 victory for Pittsburgh.
Tonight, the surprising Carolina Panthers take on the New York Giants at the Meadowlands in the feature game at 8:30 pm ET. Carolina has won three in a row and seven of their last eight, while the Giants are coming off two straight losses against division opponents. Carolina will win again tonight and knock the Giants out of their home-field advantage, 31-17.
Other notable picks:
- New Orleans visits Detroit, otherwise known as the Big Easy of the NFL. Detroit loses 28-21 and sets themselves up for selection as the worst team in the history of the NFL.
- I’ll pick my upset of the day with Seattle upending the Jets in Seattle. Why? Mostly because I promised Jazz Shaw I’d quit picking New York teams to win, but I think Seattle has one surprise left in them and the Jets might be vulnerable.
- Atlanta and Minnesota are almost perfectly matched against each other, but the Vikings have improved over the last few weeks and are playing at home. I’ll go with the Vikes by three in overtime, 34-31.
Update: Yikes. The Steelers really ran out of gas today. They’re going to need to rest up some of their starters next week at home against Cleveland.
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Good one. Titans are not to bad of a team. Hmmmmmmmm, Still I have to root for the Steelers! Don’t know why but I love the Steelers. Is it their name? GO GO GO Steelers!!!!
sheebe on December 21, 2008 at 1:07 PM
STEELERS look great and this may be the first time a team with a 12 & 2 record is considered a dog.
How about them Cowboys?
Money can’t buy me love.
Ha Ha Ha
IlikedAUH2O on December 21, 2008 at 1:08 PM
GO TITANS GO!
/ducks and runs …
Buckaroo on December 21, 2008 at 1:10 PM
I’m right there with ya.. those are my old Oilers!!
And last week my new Oilers, the Texans, played a hard game against them and won!
Why is it that this game is blocked in my area? This is a title fight and I should be watching it on my TV instead of the NFL website!
Texas Gal on December 21, 2008 at 1:15 PM
GO TITANS GO!
/ducks and runs …
Buckaroo on December 21, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Hey! no need to duck and run! I do like the Titans also. But, kind of loyal. This is what makes HA unique. We all have different taste. But the taste goes together. :))
sheebe on December 21, 2008 at 1:17 PM
Thank you for not cursing either of the New York teams to defeat by selecting them. Now the Jets and Giants can go on to win their respective games. I shall once again dream of New England and Miami finding a way to lose, but it’s just not likely.
Jazz Shaw on December 21, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Jazz Shaw on December 21, 2008 at 1:20 PM
New England Patriots Rock!!!! I love them! Miami is a great team also. I never knocked most teams. We have some talented teams. And they are all over the States. I just love Foot Ball. Many talented teams out there.
sheebe on December 21, 2008 at 1:24 PM
People who reside in Minnesota should not be allowed to root for the Black and Gold. They should root for the purple uniformed pansies who reside in their stinkhole of a state. Go to hell, Minnesota, and go Steelers.
Percy_Peabody on December 21, 2008 at 1:28 PM
As a life long Giant fan, I want to thank you, Ed, for not jinxing my team by predicting a win. I also think you are way underestimating the Titans. My predictions:
Titans 28 Steelers 17
Giants 35 Panthers 14
By the way, this is one of those rare occasions when I’m in complete agreement with Jazz Shaw. LOL
simkeith on December 21, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Can’t stand the Steelers. Go TITANS (and whomever else is playing them!).
SouthernGent on December 21, 2008 at 1:43 PM
YES! Another fumble by The Roth…bwahahahaha
SouthernGent on December 21, 2008 at 1:48 PM
rooting for a tie
BobH on December 21, 2008 at 1:48 PM
Hellz yeah! TD for Titans…10-0!
SouthernGent on December 21, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Out here they are televising the New England Arizona game, with occasional cutaways to the Pittsburgh game. I suppose it’s a credit to the Patriots that they’ve managed to rack up 21 points already in the middle of a near blizzard. Arizona just looks lost in the snow on both sides of the ball.
Looks like we’ve got a real defensive battle going on so far in Pittsburgh, but as per my agreement with Ed, I will still predict a slim win by the Steelers in an upset.
Jazz Shaw on December 21, 2008 at 1:54 PM
Patriots cheat. Cheating cheaters.
(haha no, I’ll never let that go)
Jets over Seahawks, 27-20
J! E! T! S!
JetBoy on December 21, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Shocker. A field goal by the Titans.
JeffinOrlando on December 21, 2008 at 2:03 PM
The “New England Cheaters” are 9-0 in snowstorm games.
Don’t look now, but Detroit just scored a TD on the Saints-it’s 14-7 New Orleans.
Del Dolemonte on December 21, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Patriots cheat. Cheating cheaters.
(haha no, I’ll never let that go)
Jets over Seahawks, 27-20
J! E! T! S!
JetBoy on December 21, 2008 at 2:00 PM
LOL!! morning JetBoy! Good to see you!
sheebe on December 21, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Go ahead, kick us while we are down! I bet you liked to pull the wings off butterfly’s when you were a kid too ;-)
conservnut on December 21, 2008 at 2:16 PM
I love the NFL and well-coached and well-played football no matter what team is playing but I’ve been a Steelers’ fan since Super Bowl IX in 1975 when they thoroughly dominated the Vikings. I had never seen a defense dominate the way they did that day. What a class organization – three head coaches in almost 40 years, all winners. Contrast that with my hometown team, the Detroit Lions. One playoff victory in 51 years, decades of futility, numerous head coaches and GMs.
Having said all that, I now live in the Nashville area but haven’t drank the Titan Kool-Aid yet. Steelers have been incredible in the second half the past couple of weeks so I have to say Steelers 24-20.
PatMac on December 21, 2008 at 2:26 PM
That was sweet watching the Cryboys (South America’s team) lose their last game in their unfinished dome. That had to hurt, right Bryan?
Sorry Ed, but the Oilers are going to beat your Steelers and the NY Bretts will not lose to the Hawks.
Man this bites when the Pack is out of it. Even worse playing a night game. NBC and ESPN really stink doing NFL.
oakpack on December 21, 2008 at 2:26 PM
PatMac on December 21, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Sorry bout your Lions, but until they get rid of all the old Ford clingons in the front office, they will never win anything.
oakpack on December 21, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Really! We are stuck down here watching the Cheaters beat the hell out of the Cardinals. Oh well, at least it is a snow game.
conservnut on December 21, 2008 at 2:35 PM
I absolutely loved the Ravens beating the Cowgirls last night. Now we just need to be Jacksonville next week and we’re in the playoffs. No home games, though, so it’ll have to be gutsy wins on the road if we’re going anywhere.
Rookie of the Year: Flacco
Coach of the Year: Harbaugh
Yeah, I’m a homer. So sue me!
nukemhill on December 21, 2008 at 2:38 PM
I’m watching all the games with Directv. It’s the only way to make sure I see all the Pack games. I can’t tell you what a joy that has been this year. Really……I can’t.
oakpack on December 21, 2008 at 2:41 PM
hey sheebe! *waves*
ESPN especially. Cripes, they more than stink.
JetBoy on December 21, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Titans are showing good D. NOT! 2 more FG’s and we will be in the lead! Woohoo!
JeffinOrlando on December 21, 2008 at 2:53 PM
This is totally OT but this is in response to a post from a couple of days ago. This makes that video totally work.
Ceroth on December 21, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Ceroth on December 21, 2008 at 2:59 PM
I’m sorry. It won’t let me link.
Ceroth on December 21, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Don’t be talkin about OT when there’s a Pennsylvania QB involved. They tend to get a little cofused.
oakpack on December 21, 2008 at 3:17 PM
We play an ugly workmanlike, boring game of football…..
but we love Coach Fisher and the TITANS.
Go Titans.
mylegsareswollen on December 21, 2008 at 3:18 PM
You know a game has sunk past the point of boring when the network cuts to a shot of their color commenter guy shoveling snow on the sideline while there’s a play going on.
New England 44, Arizona 0
Jazz Shaw on December 21, 2008 at 3:22 PM
I love the Titans but the conservative play drives me NUTS! I can’t watch the game so I am watching the play by play on line. Fits well with the way they play.
JeffinOrlando on December 21, 2008 at 3:25 PM
If you are not a Steelers fan then you are probably teh ghey, and if you are teh ghey then you are probably liberal.
Ergo, anyone who is not a Steel fan is a ghey liberal.
Are you a Steel fan or not?
‘Nuff said.
Bishop on December 21, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Don’t care either way about the Steelers. Go Titans.
ddrintn on December 21, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Shocking final from Motown: Saints 42, Lions 7
Drew Brees had 351 yards passing for 2 TDs. The Lions were so bad, the Saints went the entire game without having to punt.
Del Dolemonte on December 21, 2008 at 4:00 PM
You are sorely mistaken. Suck it, Steelers.
Also sorely mistaken.
SouthernDem on December 21, 2008 at 4:01 PM
go titans! (says the lady from nashville!)
unmeritedfavor on December 21, 2008 at 4:03 PM
w00t!
Go
OilersTitans!Texas Gal on December 21, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Well, that didn’t work out too well. Here’s hoping that things play out a bit better in Seattle. Five inches of snow out there, unusual for Seattle. The Jets win the coin toss and away we go.
Jazz Shaw on December 21, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Steelers look like a good team today, but somewhat less than extraordinary. I think my Titans aren’t as good as their record, but neither are the Steelers.
ddrintn on December 21, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Look at the bright side. The Lions are only one game away from a perfect season!
Well my prediction on the Titans-Steelers game wasn’t too far off. We’ll see how good my crystal ball is for the Giants later.
simkeith on December 21, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Oh well, as a devoted Steeler fan, we hate losing but realize that you cannot win them all. Good game Titans. See you in the playoffs.
Zorro on December 21, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Ok, since the Titans cheated to beat the Steelers, we now need to concentrate on the Vikings winning.
Bishop on December 21, 2008 at 4:15 PM
I will have to admit though that the Steelers have had a much tougher schedule this season than the Titans have had. We’ll see how it all shakes out next month.
ddrintn on December 21, 2008 at 4:15 PM
eh, am still in shock over Dallas getting their heads kicked in by the stinkin Ravens. Two lucky runs and the Ravens take a game. I know one thing, although the Ravens won, some of them will be on icepacks for a little while. As for Dallas,they need to act like they want to win maybe a little more, or at least Romo does.
johnnyU on December 21, 2008 at 4:38 PM
You said “suck it”?
Wow you are a class act. /sarc
Jamson64 on December 21, 2008 at 4:47 PM
The Giants were doing pretty good until they shot themselves in the…er…thigh. HAHAHAHA!
Go Panthers!
mike_NC9 on December 21, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Jets out to a slow looking start. Up by 3 but Seattle has gotten down in scoring range twice and we’re dodging bullets with two Seahawks’ fumbles recovered by New York. Must get the ground game moving.
Jazz Shaw on December 21, 2008 at 5:02 PM
I still have a fond spot in my heart for that first Tampa Bay Bucs team. They hard a perfect first season too, although it was a shorter season back then. They also carried it into the following season for a few games.
When they finally won a game, “Tonight Show” guest host Bill Cosby built his whole opening monologue on two words-”Tampa Bay!”.
Del Dolemonte on December 21, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Ahhh….
NashvilleRick on December 21, 2008 at 5:30 PM
In fact Tampa Bay started their history with an 0 and 26 record over the first two seasons. Their first victory came on the road against (who else?) the New Orleans Saints.
That first Bucs win resulted in the firing of Saints coach Hank Stram.
Del Dolemonte on December 21, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Shawn Hill overcame three interceptions to toss 2 touchdown passes in the final 4 minutes as the San Francisco rallied from a 16-3 deficit to win 17-16 at St Louis.
Sure it’s against the lowly Rams, and the 49ers are going to miss the playoffs for the sixth straight year. But interim head coach Mike Singletary is turning things around. After starting 2-5, their record under Singletary is 4-4. (In two of the losses, both on the road against division leaders, the 49ers fell just yards shy of victory in the final minute.)
If Singletary gets the job, watch out for the 49ers in 2009.
aunursa on December 21, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Slow start, and slow all game so far. My friggin’ Jetties are pulling the inevitable end ‘o season flop again. *sigh*
JetBoy on December 21, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Flop is the word with 6:46 left, unless the D can wake up and force a three and out and at least tie it up. Not looking good at all, and with a loss today it’s pretty much over.
Jazz Shaw on December 21, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Nice call Ed. The Seahawks played one of their most complete games of the year. And they did it with the JV offensive line and their back-up quarterback. Surprise, surprise, the Hawks secondary gave the D-line enough time to sack Favre several times. It should snow every game in Seattle.
I am so disappointed that the weather prevented me from getting out of my house and to the game. Bummer. I wanted to be there for Holmgren’s last home game. Damn!
Excuse me now, I have to go shovel the global warming off the walk and driveway.
Mallard T. Drake on December 21, 2008 at 7:01 PM
With a moniker like that, you should be ashamed. Stinkin Ravens eh? Ha! That Cowboy team is over-rated. And I suppose you could keep playing with an injury like Derrick Mason did. Wonder how T.O. would do if he were hurt like that! He’d probably cry about how he isn’t getting any (insert your own whine) anyway.
Exactly right! Also, 5 Ravens to only, ahem, 3 Steelers are going to the Pro Bowl.
Speaking of them Steelers, sure felt good watching them get the pants beat off them today! They didn’t deserve the W against the Ravens. We were beating them!
JohnnyD on December 21, 2008 at 7:02 PM
The NFL? Is that thing still around?
keep the change on December 21, 2008 at 7:18 PM
I’d just like to point out that, 7-8 record and all, the Chargers now have a shot at the playoffs. Thank you Buffalo.
Hardly where San Diego fans expected to be, but I’ll take it.
(Here’s hoping that Farve sticks to his usual routine of not going to the Pro Bowl, so the guy who, I dunno, LEADS the NFL in passer rating can go. No Rivers in the Pro Bowl? Puh-lease.)
Hawkins1701 on December 21, 2008 at 7:29 PM
The NFL is the best. Beats run and gun NBA. Put me to sleep MLB (though I love my Reds). WTF is MLS.
You probably spend Saturdays watching bowling.
Jamson64 on December 21, 2008 at 8:02 PM
I didn’t get to listen or watch the rest of the game after the first score of the second half – but obviously they got something together. The conservative play still drives me nuts. Home field advantage until they lose. I pray they score more touchdowns than field goals in the post season.
JeffinOrlando on December 21, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Nothing wrong with being a homer, but Matt Ryan of the Falcons is the rookie of the year. Not even close.
ddrintn on December 21, 2008 at 9:12 PM
HAHA! Buttscratcher? ButtScratcher!
Titans FTW
leetpriest on December 21, 2008 at 9:12 PM
Well, one of the highlights I saw on SportsCenter was a Titans player stomping on a Terrible Towel. Not classy, or smart either, considering they may be seeing the Steelers again. I’m a Titans fan, but a Jeff Fisher team just doesn’t do things like that.
ddrintn on December 21, 2008 at 9:15 PM
No problem with the Lions, they broke my heart for the last time in 1983 when Eddie Murray, one of the best FG kickers of all time, missed a 40 yard chip-shot in the last 10 seconds to lose against the 49ers in only their second-playoff game in 26 years. Their only other playoff game prior to that was in 1970 and they lost to the Cowboys by the unlikely score of 5 to 0! That’s right, five to nothing! Hard to beat that for futility. So this season is what I expect from them each year and they vary rarely fail to disappoint.
I moved away from Detroit in 1982 and have had football success in other cities. I was living in Cincinnati when they were in the Super Bowl in 1989, I was in Chicago in the early 90s when Ditka was still coaching the Bears into the playoffs and I moved to Dallas at the beginning of their third 1990s Super Bowl season in 1995. Now I’m in my first year in Nashville and the Titans are # 1 in the AFC. I think all the Lions need is for me to move back to Detroit for the Lions to improve.
PatMac on December 21, 2008 at 9:21 PM
*whispers* Hey, Pat. The weather’s real nice in San Diego…. ;-)
My Ravens have won a Superbowl. I’ve been Chargers fan since ‘71, and would love to see them take a title home.
nukemhill on December 22, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Doggone you, Ed! You jinxed ‘em! ;)
Not to worry. The Panthers are Super Bowl bound.
Mr. Wednesday Night on December 22, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Well, we now have ‘Terrible Towelgate‘.
I was at the game. The place was infested with Steelers fans, waving those silly yellow snotrags. I’m glad Lendale White gave the towel it’s due.
Will that enrage the Steelers? Heh. Bring ‘em on.
Serr8d on December 22, 2008 at 9:13 AM
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