After mostly struggling for four weeks, this one was a breath of fresh air. The Titans look to be a solid team and the Steelers just blew them out of the water. Ben Roethlisberger tossed 3 touchdown passes in the first half and this one was pretty much over at halftime. The Titans scored a late touchdown agains the Steelers defensive reservers to make the final score a bit closer than the game actually was.
Roethlisberger threw 2 touchdowns to Hines Ward and one each to Mike Wallace, David Johnson and Heath Miller. Despite playing with a sprained foot, Roethlisberger was on target with his throws all game. While the offensive line kept Roethlisberger clean all game, the best development was the return of a dominant and playmaking Pittsburgh defense. After Chris Johnson gashed them a few times early, the defense settled down and dictated the game. The Steelers sacked Matt Hasselbeck three times and pressured him often. LaMarr Woodley had a nice interception after the Titans recovered a surprise onside kick in the 3rd and were threatening to make the game interesting again.
Hats off to the Steelers coaches too. It’s funny how a line that actually blocks people can make Bruce Arians look like he might know what he’s doing. The Steelers had a few brilliantly designed misdirections and reverses on offense and mixed up the run and pass nicely. Special teams coach Al Everest, though, was the shining star of the coaching staff. He called a fake reverse on the Steelers first kickoff return of the game and Antonio Brown took the ball out to midfield, changing momentum after teh Titans jumped out to an early lead. The Steelers also executed a brilliant fake punt early in the 2nd quarter where Daniel Sepulveda completed a 33-yard pass to Ryan Mundy. The Steelers did have a punt blocked late in the game, but the contest was over at that point.
Lots of talk will happen this week about the return of Max Starks, who played great at LT. It’s important to note, though, that Starks was going up against mostly mediocre pass rushers and Jonathan Scott has faced Terrell Suggs, Dwight Freeney and Mario Williams so far this season. I think it’s best to hold off judgment on Starks for a few more weeks, but so far, so good.
The Steelers travel to Arizona next week. play host to the Jaguars next Sunday.
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