Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans: Steelers Hold Off Titans in 20-16 Win
In a highly anticipated Thursday night game to kick off Week 9, the Pittsburgh Steelers emerged victorious with a 20-16 win over the Tennessee Titans. The game showcased an exciting showdown between Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett and Titans rookie Will Levis.
Game Recap
With just over four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Pickett connected with wide receiver Diontae Johnson for a 3-yard touchdown, securing the win for the Steelers. The victory keeps the Steelers in the race with the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North title, while Levis’ record as a starter falls to 1-1.
Key Plays
Linebacker Kwon Alexander sealed the victory for the Steelers when he intercepted Levis’ pass in the final seconds. This marked Levis’ first career interception in the NFL. Johnson’s touchdown catch was his first in 22 games, adding to the excitement of the game.
Steelers’ Performance
The Steelers’ victory did not come easy, as they faced a tough Titans defense and struggled to establish their ground game. However, Pickett showed resilience and improvement throughout the game. Despite playing with a ribs injury, Pickett completed 19 of 30 passes for 160 yards, with no turnovers. His game-winning throw to Johnson traveled a game-high 23 air yards, displaying his arm strength and precision. The Steelers’ ability to come back from a deficit after three quarters has been a notable trend this season, with four comeback wins, the second-most in the Super Bowl era.
Breakout Performance: Broderick Jones
The Steelers’ surprise starter at right tackle, Broderick Jones, played a key role in the team’s success. Despite primarily practicing and playing at left tackle, Jones delivered a strong performance, aiding in the Steelers’ season-high 167 rushing yards. His contribution helped running back Najee Harris achieve a 25-yard run, the longest of the season for the Steelers. The team’s averaging 5.5 yards per carry, a significant improvement over their average of 3.6.
Troubling Trend: George Pickens
Wide receiver George Pickens has had three incredible catches ruled incomplete in the last three games due to a failure to get both feet down. His lack of awareness cost the Steelers a potential touchdown in this game. However, Pickens has shown a history of making receptions near the boundaries, with 11 catches within 2 yards of a boundary in his last two seasons. The Steelers will need to address this issue to maximize their scoring opportunities.
Titans’ Performance
Despite the loss, Titans rookie Will Levis showcased his potential as the team’s starting quarterback. Despite facing consistent pressure from the Steelers’ defense, Levis displayed elite arm strength and poise in the pocket. He made several impressive throws, including a well-placed pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Levis’ chemistry with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been a standout this season, with Hopkins performing significantly better when Levis is on the field.
Game Plan Shortcoming
During a crucial drive, the Titans’ playcalling on third and fourth downs fell short. Opting for an inside run on third down resulted in no gain, forcing a fourth down. The subsequent playcall consisted of long-developing routes, preventing a successful conversion. The Titans will need to review their playcalling strategy in critical situations.
Bold Prediction
We predict that Levis will have his first 300-yard passing performance in the upcoming game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers’ defense has struggled against the pass, allowing an average of 256 passing yards per game. Levis’ ability to throw deep passes combined with improved protection from the offensive line should lead to a successful performance.
Upcoming Games
The Steelers will face the Green Bay Packers on November 12 at 1 p.m. ET, while the Titans will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the same time.
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