We know that the Steelers have earned the first game of next season, on Thursday before the opening weekend of games.

There seems to be a strong sentiment from fans to want to reprise the AFC title game, the absolutely bloodbath at Heinz Field, in that first game. 

Here's a different idea: How about the Titans?

Didn't the Titans win the AFC's top seed? And didn't they supposedly disrespect the Steekers' beloved Terrible Towels in the process?

Maybe the Titans aren't viewed as quite the same team without Albert Haynesworth and Jim Schwartz or with Kerry Collins for a second season (he can't be that good again, can he?) at the helm.

But I think this is a more appropriate matchup. Save the Ravens for a Sunday night or Monday game later in the season.

The Steelers' other home opponents do little for me in the drama category: Bengals, Browns, Raiders, Chargers, Packers and Vikings. Maybe the Vikings would represent a potential Super Bowl matchup (hmm), but don't give me that Raiders-Steelers tradition stuff. We need a good matchup now, not in 1979. 

I don't have a strong opinion on the Sunday afternoon or night or Monday night games for Week One, only because the possibilities are endless -- and whoever plays will be worth watching, I suppose. But that first game, we deserve to get a really good game, and I think it's cooler to have the conference foes (but not divisional teams) facing off with a good storyline coming in.