Saints: What are the Chances...?

The Saints are a one-point favorite over the Steelers and have a significant home field advantage, courtesy of a very loud Superdome. New Orleans also possesses the type of offense that is capable of giving the Steelers big problems, and I expect to see Drew Brees throwing the ball early and often in an effort to test Pittsburgh's pass defense. Still, it wouldn't surprise me if the Steelers pulled off an upset tonight. After all, Ben Roethlisberger may put up big numbers himself in the Superdome's controlled conditions. And Pittsburgh should relish hunting the defending Super Bowl champion, a change of pace from being in the role of the hunted.

I'm giving the Steelers a 55 percent chance of winning tonight. For what it's worth, What are the Chances...? is 4-2 in 2010 and 52-22 all-time.

Timmons named the 2nd biggest dud among 2007 rookies

In the new issue of Pro Football Weekly, Steelers' first-round draft choice Lawrence Timmons is listed as the 2nd biggest dud of this year's rookie class. Only Robert Meachem, a WR drafted 27th overall by the New Orleans Saints, has been more disappointing. Click here to read the list of duds.

Finally...the 2007 Season Begins

For those of you living in a cave, the Steelers' 75th season begins on Sunday with the AFC-NFC Hall of Fame game versus the New Orleans Saints at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, OH. Kickoff is at 8 pm (ET) and the game will be nationally televised on the NFL Network.

Head coach Mike Tomlin conducted a pre-game press conference on Friday, Aug. 3, at 11:30 am on the campus of Saint Vincent College. Be sure to check out steelers.com for the full transcript.