Titans @ Steelers TNF Game Review

The Steelers are 5-3 following a big 20-16 win over the Tennessee Titans.

One of the talking points to start the game was that Matt Canada had taken to the sideline for the first time in his Offensive Coordinator career. Another point of note from the offense was that rookie Broderick Jones had moved to starter at Right Tackle, while Dan Moore remained in his role at Left Tackle. With the Steelers lack of offensive production so far this season, any changes would likely be good ones, and from the opening drive that looked to be the case. An Allen Robinson catch on 3rd down prevented yet another 3 and out to start the game for the Steelers, and it got even better as plays from Warren, Heyward, and Johnson marched the Steelers down the field to the 10-yard line. Najee Harris then ran it in from 10 yards out to give the Steelers their first opening drive points of the season, as well as their first opening drive touchdown in almost a year. The Titans looked to respond instantly as Will Levis, who threw 4 touchdowns in his first ever NFL start just four days prior, entered the field. Calling it a sloppy drive for the Steelers’ defense would be an understatement. On the second play of the series, TJ Watt was called for a roughing the passer penalty, albeit a soft one. Rookie Joey Porter Jr. was finally starting for the Steelers after impressing so far this season. It was a drive to forget for the rookie though, as he had 3 penalties on the drive, one of which on a 3rd down which took away an Alex Highsmith sack. Despite the poor discipline, though, the Steelers forced a filed goal, with TJ Watt getting a sack despite Titans’ backup tackle Petit-Frare ripping Watt’s helmet off during the play. That marks 9.5 sacks for the all-pro edge rusher this season. Matt Canada overall called a good game for the Steelers. Kenny Pickett, however, was not playing at his best, missing George Pickens underneath on 3rd down for what would have been a big gain. As the Titans got the ball back, they found themselves backed up on their own 5-yard line after two more penalties for fouling TJ Watt. On 1st and 23, though Levis stayed composed in his own endzone and found Hopkins over the middle. Cole Holcomb, who was covering Hopkins on the play suffered a nasty injury and was carted off. Hopefully it is nothing too serious for Holcomb, who has been a solid addition to the defense this year.

As the 2nd quarter got underway, all fans would be hoping for less penalties after a 1st quarter filled with flags. The quarter started perfectly for the Steelers as they continued to bully the Titans’ offensive line, with Alex Highsmith getting to the rookie Levis. The Steelers got the ball back, and again it was Pickett who was the cause of his own downfall. With speedster Calvin Austin deep down the middle of the field, Pickett underthrew him on 3rd down, and it was back-to-back 3 and outs for Pittsburgh. Had Pickett hit Austin in stride, it likely would have been six more points. The Titans took full advantage of Pickett’s struggles as they overcame several o-line injuries to put together a long touchdown drive which included a big 3rd and 13 throw to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who found himself wide open on the right sideline. The drive finished with a Derrick Henry touchdown run, after a second effort got him in the endzone despite the Steelers meeting him at the line of scrimmage which was the 2-yard line. Now trailing 10-7, the Steelers offense needed some momentum and they put together a nice drive, which was admittedly helped by a soft roughing the passer call. Two big Jaylen Warren runs took the Steelers inside the 10-yard line following the roughing call, but the redzone offense continued to be an issue. After two plays for minimal gains, the Steelers had a 3rd and goal at the 6 but another penalty, this time for too many men in the huddle, moved them back to the 11. Even so, there was still a chance at a touchdown, but Pickett couldn’t place the ball well enough for Robinson to bring in his first touchdown of the year. While not a routine throw, Pickett will know he should have made it. In a game where the Steelers’ quarterback missed two touchdown throws, the score was tied at 10 each. Will Levis continued to impress as he took the Titans down the field at the end of the half to set up a field goal which gave Tennessee a 13-10 lead at halftime.

The Steelers’ defense started the 2nd half perfectly as they forced a 3 and out. The offense looked to be in a groove as well as Harris broke free for a 25-yard run on the second play of their drive in what was a rare successful day for the Steelers on the ground. If you take away Pickett’s kneel down to end the game, they totalled 167 yards on 5.76 yards per run. On a drive that lasted over 8 minutes, and had 15 plays, yet again it was the redzone where Pittsburgh let themselves down. Despite a 3rd down penalty helping them at one point, it had been a solid, methodical drive from the Steelers, and on 3rd and 3 from the 12-yard line of the Titans it looked as if George Pickens had ended the drive perfectly, reeling in a catch in the endzone. After review though, Pickens clearly stepped out with his right foot despite having plenty of room to work with. Pickens is capable of making incredible catches, but this was a big mistake, and he should have put 6 points on the board for the Steelers but instead it was 3. Once again, no blame could be put on Matt Canada for that drive not ending in a touchdown. The same goes for Pickett as he placed the ball perfectly in Pickens’ hands. The game was tied at 13. The Titans’ drive that followed looked like it might end in another 3 and out, but Patrick Peterson was called for illegal contact on Hopkins on 3rd down. The correct call, and the Steelers’ penalty woes continued. The big play of this drive for Tennessee was a Henry 23-yard run. The Steelers contained the future hall of famer relatively well in this matchup, but this run put the Titans well into field goal range. Once again, though, the Steelers’ defense continued to bend but not break, forcing a field goal after a pass to Tyjae Spears went backwards 8 yards. Tennessee now led 16-13. The next two drives were punts from each team. Once again, the Steelers’ defense was stepping up when it mattered most, just like the Rams’ game. The offense, however, hadn’t found that extra gear yet. Then came Pickett and the offense’s best drive of the day. Starting on their own 8-yard line, the Steelers established the run early in the drive with Harris and Warren taking them just short of mid-field. Then, on 3rd and 6, with 5:44 left in the game, from his own 45-yard line, Pickett once again showed that he turns up in the 4th quarter, as he found Diontae Johnson down the right sideline with a beautiful throw for 32 yards. 1 play later it looked as if Jaylen Warren might have gone for a 23-yard touchdown run but he was out at the 1-yard line. Following a Harris run for no gain, and a false start penalty on James Daniels, it looked as if it was the same old Steelers’ redzone offense as they lined up for a 2nd and goal from the 6-yard line. That wasn’t the case though as Kenny Pickett found Diontae Johnson, who reeled in his first touchdown since January 2022 against the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs, when Big Ben was throwing him the ball. What a moment for Johnson, and for the Steelers, who regained the lead. Now it was up to the defense, and once again they did their job, stopping the Titans on 4th down as Levi Wallace forced an incomplete pass intended for Treylon Burks. Burks suffered a scary injury and was carted off after the play. Our thoughts go out to him, and we wish him a speedy recovery. After what was a scary moment for the Titans and their teammate, they did very well to carry on playing at a high level as they forced a 3 and out from the Steelers’ offense on a drive where one first down would have killed the game. Although there were some positives from the offense this game, the execution still wasn’t good enough, and it is still hard to see them killing off a game without the help of the defense. The Titans had one more shot with 1:44 left, and 1 timeout remaining. Will Levis had shown all game he wasn’t fazed, and took the field facing a hostile crowd, and a pass rush that had been causing havoc all game. A sack by Alex Highsmith set up a 2nd and 18 for the Titans but Levis stayed composed, giving his team a chance as he dumped the ball off to Chigoziem Okonkwo for a gain of 11 yards. Following an incomplete pass on 3rd down though, it looked as if the drive and the game would end early for Tennessee as on 4th and 7 Levis missed Hopkins over the middle. But, despite what seemed like good coverage by rookie Porter, a holding penalty was called to give the Titans a first down. It seemed a harsh call given they were both being physical, but Tennessee had a first down, nonetheless. Despite the penalties, Porter held his own against Hopkins. Penalties are something that will leave his game as his career progresses. The Titans’ drive stayed alive and Levis took them into Pittsburgh territory as he found Chris Moore over the middle for 29 yards. Levis clocked the ball, and with 26 seconds remaining, he had a big chance to win his team the game on the road in Pittsburgh in his second NFL start. Okonkwo gained 12 more yards and once again the Steelers defense was going to have to make a play deep in their own territory. It looked as if they had done so, but backup defensive back Darius Rush dropped a game-sealing interception and the Titans’ hopes were still alive. Two plays later though, on another shot to the endzone, Kwon Alexander came down with the ball for the Steelers and sealed the game for the home side.

Once again, it wasn’t pretty, and once again Pittsburgh was outgained in yards. But, for the 5th time this season, the Steelers had won. In every game this season, the Steelers’ opponent has gained more yards than them. Mike Tomlin’s team are the first team to have a positive record with that being the case after 8 games. On the one hand you could say they are lucky. On the other you could say they find a way to win, and when it all clicks, they will be very tough to beat. Whatever side you land on, though, it can’t be denied that this team have a real shot at being in the playoffs. Kenny Pickett certainly needs to make improvements and start making big throws not just in the 4th quarter, but in the first three. Matt Canada called a strong game, and while he isn’t perfect, he has improved as the season has gone on. Also, it seems beneficiary for the team to have him on the sidelines. The defense was sensational in the second half. They may have been going up against a rookie quarterback but giving up just 3 points in one half is impressive whoever you are playing. Levis is also no joke as he looked impressive against a Steelers’ front that was running riot against a banged up offensive line.

With the Packers at home in week 10, the Steelers have a good chance at being 6-3 when they head to Cleveland in week 11. With this team, though, there are no guarantees, and there are certainly improvements that need to be made all over the field, particularly when it comes to penalties, which Mike Tomlin emphasised in his post-game press conference.