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FOOTBALL

The NFL season officially kicked off yesterday in a grueling battle
between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans.  Heading into
the game, experts didn’t really know who the victor would be. Both
teams had such strong defenses from last season, and didn’t appear to
lose a step heading into this one.  Then again, the Steelers did have
the home field advantage.

The game was a 0-0 stand for most of
the first half, with a lot of ugly turnovers from both teams.  Then,
near the close of the 2nd quarter, Steelers quarterback Ben
Roethlisberger found his new favorite wide receiver, Santonio Holms, in
the end zone.  7-0 Steelers.  But, Steelers fans couldn’t celebrate
long, because with only a minute left in the 2nd half, Titans QB Kerry
Collins hit rookie Kenny Britt for a 57 yard pick-up.  Then, on the
very next play, Collins found Justin Gage in the end zone for a
touchdown.  And we headed into the second half tied at 7.

The
3rd quarter was ugly as well, but the Titans took a 3 point advantage
from a 45-yard Rob Bironas field goal.  Then, towards the end of the
4th quarter, Roethlisberger drove the Steelers down the field again
against a Titans defense that was starting to collapse.  They were
playing a four-man rush (trying to sack the quarterback).  Well, that
only works if they actually put pressure on the quarterback. 
Otherwise, it leaves the offense’s wide receiver wide open.  But the
Steelers offensive line was so strong, that the Titans couldn’t do
anything, and thus allowed the Steelers to march down the field.  And
with under a minute to play, Roethlisberger hit Hines Ward for a
beautiful play that would send Ward into the end zone for a TD —
EXCEPT, he fumbled the ball at the 5 yard line.  For one of the best
Steeler receivers in history, this was a huge error.  And that would
send the game into overtime.

Fortunately for the home team, the
Steelers won the coin toss, and Roethlisberger just did what he does
best — comeback.  This guy has 18 4th quarter comebacks in his
career.  And because of the Titans poor defense, Big Ben just did his
thing.  He then hit rookie Mike Wallace for a big gain that would put
the Steelers at the Titans 17 yard line.  And… that was that.  Jeff
Reed kicked the game winning field goal, and the defending Super Bowl
champions start the season 1-0.  When asked how they felt about it, Big
Ben and Hines Ward said that last season was last season, that they
don’t consider themselves defending champs, that they are now focused
on doing the whole thing again.  These guys are for real.  And next
week, they head to Chicago to play the new-look Bears.  Pittsburgh 13,
Tennessee 10.