| | | |
PITTSBURGH
TENNESSEE |
|
|
46
| 27
Final
24 |
|
|
| | |
|
| |  | |
| 475 | PITTSBURGH | -5.5 | -6.5 | | 476 | TENNESSEE | 47 | 46 |
|
|
|  | |
|
| | | |
|
|
| All Games | 6-4 | +0.4 | 5-5 | 6-4 | 26.1 | 15.3 | 407.1 | (6.3) | 1.5 | 23.9 | 11.3 | 347.0 | (6) | 1.3 | | Road Games | 2-3 | -1.4 | 2-3 | 1-4 | 16.6 | 5.6 | 369.6 | (5.8) | 1.8 | 21.0 | 11.4 | 311.6 | (5.6) | 1.0 | | Last 3 Games | 2-1 | +0.9 | 2-1 | 2-1 | 35.7 | 20.0 | 459.0 | (6.8) | 2.3 | 25.7 | 15.7 | 351.7 | (6.1) | 1.3 | | Grass Games | 6-2 | +3.1 | 5-3 | 6-2 | 30.2 | 18.4 | 426.0 | (6.4) | 1.0 | 24.1 | 10.7 | 359.0 | (6.2) | 1.6 |
|
| |
|
|
| Offense (All Games) | 26.1 | 15.3 | 23.0 | 32:44 | 27-111 | (4.2) | 26-38 | 68.7% | 296 | (7.7) | 65-407 | (6.3) | (15.6) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 23.1 | 12 | 20.8 | 30:24 | 27-112 | (4.1) | 23-36 | 63.0% | 252 | (7) | 64-365 | (5.7) | (15.8) | | Offense Road Games | 16.6 | 5.6 | 21.0 | 31:28 | 26-130 | (5) | 24-38 | 64.4% | 240 | (6.4) | 63-370 | (5.8) | (22.3) | | Defense (All Games) | 23.9 | 11.3 | 20.3 | 27:16 | 24-107 | (4.4) | 21-34 | 61.4% | 240 | (7.1) | 58-347 | (6) | (14.5) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 22.1 | 10.3 | 20.5 | 30:52 | 28-114 | (4) | 21-35 | 60.0% | 237 | (6.8) | 63-351 | (5.6) | (15.8) | | Defense Road Games | 21.0 | 11.4 | 18.2 | 28:32 | 27-113 | (4.2) | 18-28 | 63.8% | 199 | (7.1) | 55-312 | (5.6) | (14.8) |
|
| |
|
|
| Stats For (All Games) | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | -0.2 | 13-6 | 43.6% | 1-0 | 62.5% | 2-36 | (17.8) | 2-15 | (6.9) | 8-66 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 14-6 | 40.5% | 1-0 | 45.4% | 2-42 | (23.8) | 17-2 | (8.6) | 7-55 | | Stats For (Road Games) | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.8 | -0.8 | 13-6 | 43.9% | 1-0 | 25.0% | 2-43 | (21.4) | 3-14 | (4.9) | 7-56 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.3 | | 12-4 | 35.5% | 1-1 | 87.5% | 3-66 | (23.5) | 2-17 | (9.6) | 7-58 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.4 | | 13-5 | 37.9% | 1-0 | 46.6% | 2-57 | (24.6) | 14-2 | (6.9) | 6-54 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.0 | | 12-4 | 35.5% | 1-1 | 100.0% | 2-29 | (17.9) | 2-19 | (9.4) | 6-62 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| All Games | 2-7 | -5.2 | 2-6 | 3-6 | 16.0 | 8.7 | 308.7 | (5.7) | 1.4 | 24.8 | 11.2 | 368.7 | (5.6) | 1.2 | | Home Games | 1-3 | -2.6 | 0-3 | 2-2 | 17.5 | 10.2 | 335.0 | (6.2) | 1.0 | 24.7 | 11.5 | 403.0 | (5.6) | 1.0 | | Last 3 Games | 0-3 | -3 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 13.3 | 6.7 | 257.3 | (5.1) | 2.0 | 23.3 | 8.7 | 356.0 | (5.6) | 0.7 | | Grass Games | 2-4 | -2.2 | 2-3 | 2-4 | 18.8 | 10.2 | 330.2 | (5.9) | 1.0 | 21.3 | 9.2 | 368.0 | (5.6) | 1.5 |
|
| |
|
|
| Offense (All Games) | 16.0 | 8.7 | 16.9 | 27:46 | 23-97 | (4.3) | 19-31 | 59.7% | 211 | (6.7) | 54-309 | (5.7) | (19.3) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 21.9 | 10.6 | 20.5 | 30:59 | 27-117 | (4.3) | 22-36 | 62.2% | 245 | (6.8) | 63-361 | (5.7) | (16.5) | | Offense Home Games | 17.5 | 10.2 | 15.5 | 25:46 | 20-84 | (4.2) | 21-34 | 61.5% | 251 | (7.4) | 54-335 | (6.2) | (19.1) | | Defense (All Games) | 24.8 | 11.2 | 23.2 | 32:14 | 32-136 | (4.2) | 21-34 | 63.5% | 232 | (6.9) | 66-369 | (5.6) | (14.9) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 23.4 | 11.2 | 20.8 | 30:29 | 29-123 | (4.3) | 21-34 | 63.0% | 240 | (7.2) | 63-363 | (5.8) | (15.5) | | Defense Home Games | 24.7 | 11.5 | 26.0 | 34:14 | 35-172 | (4.9) | 23-37 | 61.9% | 231 | (6.3) | 72-403 | (5.6) | (16.3) |
|
| |
|
|
| Stats For (All Games) | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.4 | -0.2 | 12-4 | 29.9% | 1-0 | 42.9% | 2-45 | (21.5) | 2-12 | (7.3) | 8-72 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 13-5 | 39.0% | 1-0 | 43.3% | 2-52 | (23.7) | 16-2 | (8) | 7-56 | | Stats For (Home Games) | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 12-4 | 31.9% | 1-0 | 25.0% | 3-56 | (20.5) | 2-22 | (9.9) | 6-52 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.2 | | 13-5 | 39.0% | 1-0 | 33.3% | 2-35 | (22.4) | 2-16 | (6.5) | 6-47 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 1 | 0.6 | 1.6 | | 13-5 | 39.9% | 1-0 | 46.7% | 2-54 | (25.3) | 18-2 | (8.2) | 6-49 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | | 15-7 | 47.5% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 1-26 | (20.8) | 2-14 | (6.3) | 5-42 |
|
| | Average power rating of opponents played: PITTSBURGH 17.7, TENNESSEE 19.4 |
| | |
|
|
| 9/21/2014 | @ CAROLINA | 37-19 | W | 3 | W | 43 | O | 34-264 | 22-30-190 | 0 | 10-42 | 29-41-307 | 2 | | 9/28/2014 | TAMPA BAY | 24-27 | L | -7 | L | 44.5 | O | 27-85 | 30-41-305 | 1 | 20-63 | 21-43-287 | 1 | | 10/5/2014 | @ JACKSONVILLE | 17-9 | W | -6 | W | 46.5 | U | 28-111 | 26-36-261 | 1 | 15-56 | 22-36-187 | 2 | | 10/12/2014 | @ CLEVELAND | 10-31 | L | 2.5 | L | 46.5 | U | 32-138 | 21-42-221 | 1 | 38-158 | 8-17-210 | 1 | | 10/20/2014 | HOUSTON | 30-23 | W | -3 | W | 44 | O | 25-76 | 24-34-252 | 1 | 30-132 | 21-32-261 | 3 | | 10/26/2014 | INDIANAPOLIS | 51-34 | W | 4.5 | W | 48 | O | 32-117 | 40-49-522 | 2 | 10-63 | 26-45-385 | 2 | | 11/2/2014 | BALTIMORE | 43-23 | W | -2 | W | 47.5 | O | 25-55 | 25-37-321 | 1 | 18-63 | 30-45-269 | 2 | | 11/9/2014 | @ NY JETS | 13-20 | L | -4 | L | 47 | U | 17-36 | 30-43-326 | 4 | 36-150 | 10-18-125 | 0 | | 11/17/2014 | @ TENNESSEE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/30/2014 | NEW ORLEANS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12/7/2014 | @ CINCINNATI | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12/14/2014 | @ ATLANTA | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 9/21/2014 | @ CINCINNATI | 7-33 | L | 6 | L | 45 | U | 28-149 | 17-34-177 | 2 | 31-116 | 17-26-184 | 1 | | 9/28/2014 | @ INDIANAPOLIS | 17-41 | L | 7 | L | 46 | O | 16-85 | 14-28-176 | 3 | 41-105 | 29-41-393 | 1 | | 10/5/2014 | CLEVELAND | 28-29 | L | 1 | T | 44 | O | 30-149 | 21-32-261 | 0 | 36-175 | 21-37-285 | 1 | | 10/12/2014 | JACKSONVILLE | 16-14 | W | -4 | L | 42.5 | U | 24-70 | 17-28-220 | 0 | 23-82 | 32-46-297 | 2 | | 10/19/2014 | @ WASHINGTON | 17-19 | L | 6 | W | 46 | U | 22-76 | 17-26-160 | 2 | 26-100 | 21-28-251 | 2 | | 10/26/2014 | HOUSTON | 16-30 | L | 3 | L | 43 | O | 13-36 | 27-41-290 | 2 | 40-212 | 19-35-193 | 0 | | 11/9/2014 | @ BALTIMORE | 7-21 | L | 10 | L | 44.5 | U | 22-67 | 16-27-143 | 2 | 34-151 | 16-27-161 | 0 | | 11/17/2014 | PITTSBURGH | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/23/2014 | @ PHILADELPHIA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/30/2014 | @ HOUSTON | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12/7/2014 | NY GIANTS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12/14/2014 | NY JETS | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| |  | PITTSBURGH: The Steelers tried to implement a zone-blocking scheme last season under offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr., but they never completely implemented it after center Maurkice Pouncey's season-ending knee injury in Week 1. Ex-Titans head coach Mike Munchak was brought in to finish the job. Le'Veon Bell will be a three-down workhorse in the one-cut system, one that will likely utilize a lot of inside zone plays. LeGarrette Blount will fit the system as a one-cut power runner, though he won't be an option to relieve Bell on passing downs. Rookie Dri Archer will get some grabs on passing downs.
Through his first two seasons with the Steelers, offensive coordinator Todd Haley has emphasized the importance of getting the ball out of Ben Roethlisberger's hands quickly in order to limit the hits he absorbs. They utilize relatively shorter timing routes to set up catch-and-run situations. Antonio Brown is used as a moving chess piece and will continue to be heavily featured. Markus Wheaton gives them a field stretching presence, while tight end Heath Miller and veteran slot man Lance Moore'they use three receivers often'will be traditional possession receivers. Haley continues to go to the air inside the 10 often, though Pittsburgh lost its top two red-zone threats (Jerricho Cotchery and Emmanuel Sanders). Look for Miller to see an expanded red-zone role, with Darrius Heyward-Bey possibly working his way into the mix.
The Steelers defense took a step back in 2013, placing tied for 27th in turnovers and tied for 25th in sacks. They helped themselves in the draft with OLB Ryan Shazier and DE Stephon Tuitt, and also signed FS Mike Mitchell, but Dick LeBeau's unit is still lacking playmakers and run-stoppers to return to their Steel Curtain glory days. | | TENNESSEE: New head coach Ken Whisenhunt and offensive coordinator Jason Michael both spent last season with the Chargers, Whiz as offensive coordinator and Michael as tight ends coach. They had great success with a committee backfield last season, and the Titans' roster is set up for a similar approach. Offensive line coach Bob Bostad comes over from Tampa, and both he and Whisenhunt have overseen both zone and gap schemes. They'll likely mix it up here as well. Rookie Bishop Sankey is likely the leader of the committee, a three-down back capable of grinding between the tackles. Sankey and Shonn Greene figure to split time equally in the red zone.
Whisenhunt helped turn Philip Rivers' career around last season by emphasizing getting the ball out quickly. The Titans are expected to take a similar tact with injury-prone Jake Locker, using shorter drops and more looks for backs and tight end Delanie Walker to create match-up problems. Kendall Wright will likely lead the team in receptions again, working as a Z-receiver and in the slot as more of a catch-and-run guy. Nate Washington and Justin Hunter are both field stretchers, but Locker will likely take fewer deep shots this season. Tennessee will use two tight ends often, with Craig Stevens serving as more of a blocking specialist. Hunter and Walker are the best red-zone targets.
The Titans defense is moving in the right direction with new defensive coordinator Ray Horton and the addition of former Broncos LBs Shaun Phillips and Wesley Woodyard. Having the second-easiest schedule in the NFL is a big plus. But this unit is still below average in nearly every facet, especially in the red zone (T-29th in NFL). |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (PITTSBURGH-TENNESSEE) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Adds detail on Titans TE Walker.)
*Steelers-Titans Preview* =========================
By BRETT HUSTON STATS Senior Editor
At their peak, the Pittsburgh Steelers have shown off an offense so explosive it's looked capable of making them one of the NFL's elite teams.
At their worst, they've played beneath the low level of some pretty dreadful competition.
A week after laying their latest egg against one of the NFL's worst teams, the Steelers get a crack at another one Monday night as they visit the Tennessee Titans.
Pittsburgh (6-4) had its best rushing day in eight years with 264 yards in a 37-19 win at Carolina in Week 3, then lost at home to Tampa Bay the following Sunday in a result that remains the Buccaneers' lone victory.
Ben Roethlisberger took his turn as the star in wins over Indianapolis and Baltimore to cap the Steelers' 3-0 midseason homestand, throwing six touchdown passes in back-to-back weeks as Pittsburgh put up 94 points, but once again the shelf life on Pittsburgh's positivity was short.
The Steelers fell behind 17-0 after one quarter last Sunday against the Jets, and Roethlisberger's lone TD pass came with just 1:16 left in a 20-13 loss to a New York team that was 1-8 coming in.
"It's the NFL, if you don't show up ready to play your type of game, you're going to lose," wide receiver Lance Moore said. "Our last game was a perfect example of that. We're hot. We came in high and mighty and a team came in and played better than us."
Struggling against some of the league's lightweights has been a somewhat alarming trend since Mike Tomlin's arrival in 2007, particularly away from home. Pittsburgh has played nine road games in the second half of its schedule against teams with a sub-.300 winning percentage, and the Jets loss was its sixth in those contests.
The Steelers have a minus-15 turnover differential in those games.
"The ability is there, it's just about going out and doing it," defensive end Cam Heyward told the team's official website. "We have to have our focus and mindset on the Titans this week. We can't forget what happened, but we have to move past it. We have to move in the right direction and clean up the stuff that put us in trouble this past week."
Pittsburgh's early hole against the Jets continued another noteworthy road trend. Since the start of last season, the Steelers have been outscored 88-26 in the first quarter away from Heinz Field. They've held an 85-56 edge in the first 15 minutes at home.
Tomlin's team has allowed an NFL-high 36 points on its opponents' first offensive possession, but the Titans (2-7) have only come away with one field goal the first time they've had the ball.
Tennessee looked great in the first quarter last Sunday at Baltimore before reverting back to the form that's seen it score the league's fewest points. The Titans had 142 yards and a 7-0 lead after 15 minutes but were held to 68 yards on 30 plays the rest of the way in a 21-7 loss.
"Early in the first half we did a lot of good things to kind of counteract their guys," rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger said. "We just got to continue to ... play like that for 60 minutes."
Mettenberger hasn't been bad in his first two starts, completing 63.2 percent of his passes with three TDs and two interceptions, but he'll want to focus on getting the ball out sooner against Pittsburgh. Baltimore switched to primarily zone coverage after its banged-up secondary struggled in man, and Mettenberger was sacked five times over the final three quarters while struggling with his reads.
"You try to have an internal clock, that lets you know when it's time, but with the defensive linemen that they have, the clock goes a lot faster," Mettenberger said. "I know I need to play a lot smarter. This is a quarterback driven league and I have to play better."
Mettenberger's task could be tougher without tight end Delanie Walker, who leads the team with 512 receiving yards but is questionable after being carted off against the Ravens with a concussion. Walker was cleared to practice this past week, but must be checked by an independent neurologist before he can play.
The Steelers have eight sacks in two games this month but have allowed four of the five QBs they've faced on the road to post a passer rating of at least 109.3, though the outlier also happened to be a rookie from the AFC South. Pittsburgh pressured Blake Bortles into a pair of interceptions in a Week 5 win at Jacksonville, improving to 18-2 against rookie signal-callers since Dick LeBeau returned as defensive coordinator in 2004.
Opening more holes in the running game could be just as significant in boosting that record as confusing Mettenberger. The Steelers have run for just 91 yards on 42 carries in their past two games, and haven't scored on the ground since Week 3.
Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount might find the Titans' defense slightly more accommodating. Tennessee has allowed an AFC-worst 4.53 yards per carry since October, including 363 yards and four touchdowns in its last two losses.
The Steelers were held to 31 yards on 15 carries as Bell missed a 16-9 Week 1 loss to the Titans last season.
Game Notes: |
| | Last Updated: 10/6/2024 7:49:05 PM EST. |
|
|
| |
|