Ben Roethlisberger and his Steelers teammates are looking to beat the Titans at home. (Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE)
Tennessee Titans (0-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, at Heinz Field – TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
*Keys to the game: Steelers S Troy Polamalu has three career picks against the Titans and said he’s as healthy as he has been in several years. Polamalu is critical to stopping Tennessee’s ground game and owns great autonomy in coordinator Dick LeBeau’s scheme. Titans QB Jake Locker’s receiving corps is deeper with Kenny Britt (knee) back in the mix and TE Delanie Walker ready to go. The Steelers lost No. 2 cornerback Keenan Lewis (Saints) in free agency, leaving them susceptible against spread formations. The Steelers are stressing improved pass protection for QB Ben Roethlisberger. He has three wide receivers he trusts but security blanket TE Heath Miller (ACL) won’t play until October. Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders have breakaway ability but the rookie Markus Wheaton ultimately may be the Steelers’ best receiver. He’ll get every opportunity to replace Mike Wallace as the team’s deep threat against a Titans pass defense that struggled mightily in 2012.
*Matchup to watch – Steelers running game vs. Titans defense: Felix Jones hasn’t lived up to the billing as a first-round pick in 2008, but he brings more explosiveness than the Steelers have had since Willie Parker. Isaac Redman is another option, but he’s not a feared back in Pittsburgh’s outside zone blocking scheme.
*Player spotlight – Steelers OLB Jason Worilds: Coach Mike Tomlin plans to use rookie Jarvis Jones in a rotation and will even pull LaMarr Woodley off the field to keep his pass rushers fresh. Worilds is on the spot to get to the quarterback as James Harrison’s replacement.
*Fast facts: The Steelers were first in the NFL in total defense last season but minus-10 in turnover margin. … Pittsburgh has the NFL’s longest winning streak in openers — 10 games. … Titans head coach Mike Munchak has been with the Titans’ organization 32 consecutive years since he was drafted in 1982. … Roethlisberger needs 156 yards passing to become the first Steelers quarterback to reach 30,000.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Pittsburgh wanted to roll out prized rookie RB Le’Veon Bell and a beefed-up running game, but it’ll be the tried-and-true recipe of Ben Roethlisberger and a healthy defense pushing the Steelers past the Titans.
*Our pick: Steelers 28-20
