The NFL regular season is finally here, and the season is kicked off with the Tennessee Titans visiting the Super Bowl champs, the Pittsburgh Steelers. These two teams were the two top seeds in the AFC last season and are expected to be among the best in the conference again this season.

Although the Steelers look pretty much the same, the Titans have a new look. This includes the acquisition of former Steelers wide receiver Nate Washington and the loss of All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who went to Washington as a free agent.

The Steelers are looking for revenge against the Titans, who beat them in the regular season 31-14 and made controversy when several players stomped a Terrible Towel. But this season, things should go differently for the Steelers.

The Steelers offense will have a healthy backfield with Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall and the dynamic duo of Tennessee’s backfield, LenDale White and Chris Johnson, will try to pick up where they left off last season. Meanwhile, the Titans offense will struggle with an inexperienced receiver corp, especially if Nate Washington’s hamstring injury prevents him from playing, and the Steelers still have to worry about offensive line play, especially since starting right guard Darnell Stapleton is out for the year. However, quarterback play will determine which offense will be more successful. Can Kerry Collins continue the magic he started last season? History suggests that he will struggle, which could be good news for backup Vince Young but very bad news for the Titans. And Ben Roethlisberger, having won two Super Bowls in four years, has proven to be an elite QB and will more than likely set out to have a big game.

Edge: Steelers

On defense, the Steelers will be without inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons, but Tennesse will also sorely miss the departed Haynesworth and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who is now the head coach of the Detroit Lions. The Steelers have arguably the best linebacker corp in the NFL, but the group in Tennessee is pretty good too.The real question for the Titans is can Jason Jones fill the void that Haynesworth left and if this will have any impact on a secondary that was one of the best in the league last season. Expect the Titans defense to be strong, as it usually is, but the number one defense from a season ago will be better.

Edge: Steelers

These are two great defenses battling each other, but expect the Steelers offense to make some big plays and exploit a Tennessee defense that will be tired due to the inability of the offense to stay on the field.

Projected final score: Steelers win 20-6