Titans look to fight off feisty Steelers; Steelers vs. Titans preview
Both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans are looking to build on impressive week-one victories. The Steelers won 15-9 in overtime over the Atlanta Falcons without Ben Roethlisberger, while the Titans blew out the Oakland Raiders 38-13. The Titans
will now face a tougher test at home against a stingy Pittsburgh defence and an offence with more versatile weapons.
These two teams are very physical and this game will likely be decided in the trenches. Expect both teams to establish a running game as the Steelers are still without Roethlisberger and the Titans have Chris Johnson. Dennis Dixon will get the start for
Pittsburgh again while Vince Young will look to build on an impressive performance last week.
The Titans main focus will be to run the ball. Johnson is seeking his 13th straight 100-yard outing against one of the nastiest defences you’ll find in the league. Johnson will likely need a few breaks so expect Javon Ringer to get his share of
carries as well. If Johnson can break a few big runs, then that may be all the Titans need. Johnson will face a big test from linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley. Some good news for Johnson is that starting nose tackle Casey Hampton is unlikely to
play Sunday due to injury. Stopping Johnson will have to be the Steelers’ top priority defensively.
“We have to hit him as a team,” Woodley said. “We constantly get to him, and when the running back’s taking hits from big guys, they slow down a little bit.”
Tennessee will need some production from their passing game especially if Johnson is contained. Young was 13-of-17 last week for 154 yards and two touchdowns but he will have to throw more this week. Young mainly used his tight ends and his running backs
as his targets against the Raiders. In fact the only wide receiver to catch a ball last week was Nate Washington who caught three passes for 88 yards and scored on a 56-yard touchdown pass from Young. The Titans must utilize their wide outs, including Kenny
Britt and Justin Gage. Young will still look to tight end Bo Scaife and Johnson in the passing game but will need production from everyone. Young will also have to avoid turnovers, as the feared Troy Polamalu will be waiting in the secondary to make big hits
and intercept Young. Young will have to use all his weapons including his legs. He’ll have to take off and run for yardage at least a few times to throw off the Steelers.
The Steelers offence will feature Rashard Mendenhall, as Dixon is still inexperienced. Mendenhall faces a tough test in Tennessee’s improved defence. The defensive line has looked very dominant and they have a lot of depth up front. Linebackers Stephen Tulloch
and Will Witherspoon will also be gunning for Mendenhall.
Dixon also will have to cope with an improved secondary and a solid pass rush. The Titans generated four sacks last weekend against Oakland. Dixon may have to use his mobility, as he is capable of making plays with his legs much like Young. Dixon has some
reliable receivers in Hines Ward and Mike Wallace so he can definitely look to them often. He also has a reliable tight end in Heath Miller. The key for Dixon will just be to avoid turnovers and keep moving the ball.
This game will be very physical and scoring will be hard to come by. The Titans’ offence has plenty of weapons and will have to use all of them, not just Chris Johnson. The Steelers will have to run the ball well and Dixon has to avoid too many mistakes
or the Titans will make him pay for it. This game would be very tough to call in normal circumstances but due to the absence of Roethlisberger the Titans have the edge. The Titans also have home field advantage, which will only help them. Expect a close game
that will ultimately be decided by a few big plays from the Titans’ offence. That will be enough to pull off the win, as Dixon will find it hard to orchestrate some big drives. The Titans have a huge opportunity to start 2-0 and should be able to pull it off
at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm Eastern time from LP Field in Nashville.
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