We’re getting down to end of the season and Sunday’s game between the Steelers and Titans should be one of the best games of the season.  This is a highly anticipated game and the weather conditions are looking perfect.  Below are the game particulars and our prediction. We are 8-0-1 in our last 9 predictions.

                                                           GAME INFO

Date: Sunday, Dec 21, 2008
Kickoff:  1:00 PM ET
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) vs Tennessee Titans (12-2) 
Location: LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

THE LINE (subject to change)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the Underdog (+2).  The Under/Over is 34

THE MATCHUP
The Pittsburgh Steelers have already clinched the AFC North Crown.  They are 11-3 overall and 6-1 on the road.  They have scored 302 points in 14 games while giving up only 192 - that leads all of the NFL.

The Tennessee Titans also have clinched their division - the AFC South.  The are 12-2 overall and 6-1 at home.  They have scored 344 points while giving up only 197 in the 14 regular season games this year

AGAINST THE SPREAD (ATS)
The Steelers are 8-6 ATS overall, 5-2 ATS away, 5-1 ATS as the underdog and 5-1 ATS as an away underdog

The Titans are 11-2 ATS overall, 5-1 ATS at home,8-2 ATS as the favorite and 4-1 ATS as a home favorite

PREVIEW
Kerry Collins is just a mediocre QB with a rating in the mid-60s. He doesn’t throw many interceptions but he doesn’t throw many TDS either.  The Titans will have a key part of their defense  out on Sunday.  Their Pro Bowl bound Defensive End Albert Haynesworth is out.  The Steelers are averaging over 100 yards on the ground and that number should increase with Haynesworth out. 
 
PREDICTION (ATS)
Pittsburgh Steelers 17  Tennessee Titans 14.
Although the Titans are playing at home and are 8-1 ATS as a favorite, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense will be the difference in the game.  The Steelers also have the edge at the QB position - Ben Roethlisberger over Kerry Collins.
Another key factor is the Titans Pro Bowl bound defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is out.  This will give the Steelers running attack the ability to grind the ball on the ground. It will result in the Titans over committing to the run. Roethlisberger will take advantage and sneak in some deep passes.

The Denver Broncos invade Cleveland to take on the Browns. The last meeting between the two was back in 2006 that resulted in a 17-7 win for the Denver Broncos.

Tonight, the Cleveland fan favorite, quarterback Brady Quinn, out of Notre Dame, will get his first career start. He is replacing starter Derek Johnson, who made the Pro Bowl in 2007 but has been lead the Browns to a disappointing 3-5 start.

In head to head competition, the Broncos own the Browns, winning 7 in a row. They lead the series 19-5, that includes playoffs meetings.

Last week the Cleveland Browns lost at home to the Ravens, giving up 17 unanswered points in the 4th quarter. Denver also lost last week, 26-17 at home to the Miami Dolphins. But the Broncos are still in a first place tie with the Indianapolis in the AFC South.

You can bet the “Dog Pound” will be abuzz tonight, as Brady Quinn gets his first start. The Browns (3-5) are in the 3rd place in their conference behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. They have four top-10 teams the rest of the way. If they lose tonight, it’s sayonara for the Browns.