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The last time they meet was last year on week 16, the Titans routed the Steelers, 31-14 to secure home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Which didn’t make any difference because the Titans didn’t made a good postseason game… On their records the Titans have won four of the last five matchups, this is including the memorable 34-31 overtime win in the divisional round of the 2002 playoffs. In total, the Steelers lead the overall series, 41-30 including the postseason games.

We will have to take a look to the new Titans defense without Haynesworth. In the five games that Albert Haynesworth (who signed with Washington in the offseason) did not start from 2007-08, Tennessee was just 1-4 and gave up an average of 27 points. On the bright side, that one win came against the Steelers last year and Pat Kirwan says that victory may have contributed to Tennessee’s decision to let Haynesworth walk.

Pittsburgh fans have been waiting for this game since last season. During their win against the Steelers last year, a pair of Titans players (LenDale White and Keith Bulluck) stomped on the Terrible Towel. As if Steelers fans needed more reason to be fired up than it being the season-opener.

Willie Parker’s ability to stay healthy: An ailing hamstring kept Parker out of all the preseason games. This after a year in which he missed five games due to injury. The Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says Parker will be the team’s primary running back and the Steelers offense is far more effective when he’s at his best.

Since the NFL began the season on Thursday with the Kickoff game, the home team has won six of seven games. The Steelers won in their only apperance in the annual Thursday night opener at home against the Dolphins in 2006. … Tennessee did not lose its first game last season until Week 12. … The Steelers have not lost a season-opener since 2002.