Matchup to Watch
A key matchup in Thursday’s opener will be Pittsburgh center Justin Hartwig versus Tennessee DT Jason Jones.
There has been a lot of talk that the Steelers will test the Titans interior D-Line with Albert Haynesworth gone.
Last year Haynesworth didn’t play in the Titans rout of the Steelers 31-14.
DT Jason Jones started in place of Haynesworth and recorded 3.5 sacks on the afternoon.
Jones blew up a number of running lanes and pressured Roethlisberger all afternoon from the interior.
Justin Hartwig was over-matched and the same for LG Chris Kemoeatu.
Willie Parker rushed for 31 yards on 19 carries against the Titans and a main reason for the lack of running game was because of Jones and the push the Titans D-Linemen were getting.
If the Steelers have any hope of establishing the run, Hartwig will have to get the best of Jones this time around.
