Steelers vs Titans - Primetime Breakdown



Look For Ben and the Offense
To Light It Up in Nashville


A short week means cramming alot of information into not so many posts (compared to if I had a full week to work).  So without further ado, here are the nuts and bolts of the Steelers vs Titans on Thursday night football.

Steelers Offense vs Titans Defense
- Titans D = Not Good - The Tennessee Titans defense used to be legit.  Remember when Chris Hope and Javon Kearse were the dominant playmakers of the unit?  I think Hope is still there as a safety, but this Titans defense is shoddy at BEST!  They are allowing over 400 yds of offense a game, as well as averaging 36 points allowed per game.  Those are staggering numbers, and that bodes well for a Pittsburgh offense that can be lethal when clicking on all cylinders.

- Steelers O Shows Balance - The Steelers offense showed that they can have a running attack along side their lethal passing game.  With Rashard Mendenhall back in the fold, and allowing Redman to be the #2 back (where he belongs), the Steelers now have a double threat on the offensive side of the ball.  When you have the ability to run and pass, it makes things alot harder on a defense.  Look for the Steelers to stay balanced on Thursday Night.

- Titans Secondary vs Steelers WRs - This is a matchup that the Steelers HAVE to win.  The Titans have given up big plays and tons of yardage on defense, especially through the air.  I still stand by the fact that I feel the Steelers have the best WR core from top to bottom in the NFL.  Thursday Night that could be on display for the nation to see.  Look for big plays and the quick passing offense to be affective and used often vs the shoddy Titans D.

- Big Ben Breaking Records? - Ben Roethlisberger has the ability to pass Terry Bradshaw for most yards passing in team history.  He only needs 354 yards to achieve the greatest record for a Steelers QB statistically.  We all realize the game is different now, compared to when Terry played, but Ben Roethlisberger is slowly proving that when it comes to the QB position he DESERVES to be #1 in almost every statistical category.  Ben says the only thing that matters is Superbowl Rings, and Terry still has him beat there, 4-2.  Question is, do you think Ben will one day surpass TB in the "ring" category as well?  By the way, look for Ben to pass Bradshaw at Cincinnati, not on Thursday Night...just call it a hunch.

Steelers Defense vs Titans Offense
- Titans Lose Backup RB Ringer - Injuries aren't just something that have plagued the Steelers Defense.  No, the Titans Offense has been hit by the bug as well.  Their starting QB, Jake Locker, has a hurt shoulder, and now their backup RB Javon Ringer is out for at least 8 weeks with a shoulder injury as well.  Throw the fact that their best WR Kenny Britt still hasn't played a down this season, and its safe to say they are limited on the offensive side of the ball.  What the Steelers need to do is make the Titans one dimensional by taking Chris Johnson out of the game, and forcing Matt Hasselbeck into making plays throwing the ball...

- Without Woodley and Polamalu will the Steelers be OK? - Against the Titans? They should be okay, but against other AFC competition, maybe not.  Woodley is the guy that will be missed more, if you ask me.  Troy has only played 5 quarters this entire season, so I feel the team is getting accustomed (and Dick Lebeau is planning differently) to playing without Troy.  The backups can't be Troy, so why run defensive schemes that were made for him without him in there?  This is where Woodley and a healthy James Harrison come into play.  If they are both on the field at the same time, it could be dangerous.  Not to mention that Jason Worilds had his best game of his career last week vs the Eagles. 

- Pass Rush Get to Hasselbeck - Matt Hasselbeck is not known for his mobility.  He likes to stand in the pocket and get rid of the ball quickly.  If the Steelers have shown anything the past 4 games, it is that they can be beat by the quick passing attack of the opposition.  If the secondary can force Hasselbeck into his 3rd and 4th reads, there is a good chance the Steelers pass rush will get to him and bring him down.  Look for the Steelers defense to get some sacks against the Titans and their shaky OLine.

- Avoid the Big Play - Say what you want about injuries to the Titans' offense, but they are still capable of making big plays.  Nate Washington (remember him?  Ol' #85) still has the burst to get behind the secondary, and we know that Chris Johnson has the ability to take on to the house on any given day.  If the Steelers defense can avoid giving up the big play and play sound defense, I don't see there is anyway that the Titans walk away winning this game.

Intangibles
- Steelers 2-7 all time in Nashville - The Steelers don't have a great record in Nashville since the Titans moved from Houston.  I can still remember the playoff loss in the divisional round when Dewayne Washington was called for an extremely BOGUS roughing the kicker call when Rob Beronus (or however you spell his name) said after the game "I should get an Oscar for that performance."  That still eats at me to this day, but the Steelers can't be worried about the overall record there, but the fact they haven't won a road game all season.  Time to get the first one on Thurs Night.
- Prediction - If you want my prediction for the Thursday Night Game, check out the podcast (which should be posted above this post) and see if I will put my money where my mouth is!

Enough talk...time to play!  Go STEELERS!