Defense should key Steelers’ cover
A destructive weapon against the run, safety Troy Polamalu is the motor of a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that ranked second to none in the NFL last season.
The Steelers closed the curtain by winning the Super Bowl, and they open the regular season tonight as 6-point home favorites over the Tennessee Titans. The total is 35.
It was a Ben Roethlisberger touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes that sealed Pittsburgh's championship. But Polamalu and the defense carried the team for most of the season.
Vegas Insider handicapper Mark Franco said he expects defense to be the Steelers' key to covering against the Titans, who rely on the running of Chris Johnson and LenDale White to set up quarterback Kerry Collins and a conservative offense.
"If the Steelers are stopping the run, that's going to force Collins into some mistakes against Polamalu and that aggressive secondary," said Franco (Francosports.com). "The Steelers are just too good at stopping the run, and I look for them to play with more desire in this opening game."
Pittsburgh has at least one trend in its favor. The Super Bowl champion is 7-1-1 against the spread to open the next season.
Franco said revenge is not a major factor, but the Steelers do have a score to settle after losing 31-14 at Tennessee in Week 16.
The Steelers' running game never took off last season, ranking 23rd in the league, but Franco said that aspect should improve with a better offensive line to open holes for Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore.
Tennessee went 13-4 straight up and 12-5 against the spread last season, including 6-2 ATS on the road.
"Everything went right for the Titans last year, but I will be looking to play against them this season," Franco said.
Pittsburgh, 15-4 straight up and 11-8 ATS, posted a 6-4 spread record in 10 games as a home favorite.
The public has bet the Steelers up slightly from 51/2-point favorites, and Week 1 favorites have attracted more play across the board.
One of the biggest moves is on Cincinnati, a 41/2-point home favorite over the Denver Broncos. The Bengals opened as 1-point favorites.
Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said Cleveland, Kansas City, Oakland and St. Louis will be unpopular underdogs.
With the focus on quarterback Brett Favre, Minnesota is a 4-point road favorite over the Browns. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are 13-point underdogs at Baltimore, the Rams are 81/2-point underdogs at Seattle and the Raiders are 91/2-point home 'dogs to San Diego.
"As a book operator, we're going to have a hard time finding people who want to bet the Browns, Rams, Raiders and Chiefs," Kornegay said. "I can tell you the general public won't bet those teams."
The Hilton has proposition bets posted on four games: Tennessee at Pittsburgh, Chicago at Green Bay, Buffalo at New England and San Diego at Oakland.
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907
