The Pittsburgh Steelers have allowed a whopping 36 explosive passing plays of 20 yards or more through their first 10 games of the 2014 season, but Monday night they will face a team in the Tennessee Titans that has struggled to produce such plays.
In the Titans first nine games played this season, they have only managed to register 21 plays of 20 yards or more through the air and only three of those went for touchdowns.
Monday night against the Steelers, the Titans could also be without tight end Delanie Walker and that would be a huge blow as he has produced five of the 21 explosive plays through the air this season. Walker is currently trying to fight back from a concussion and he has yet to practice this week.
Against the Jets this past Sunday, the Steelers defense only gave up one explosive play, a 67-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Michael Vick to wide receiver T.J. Graham. That was the only game this season that they have given up less than two such plays and had their offense not turned the ball over four times, they more than likely would’ve won the game.
Titans rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger has a strong arm, so he is more than capable of throwing the football down the field Monday night. He is, however, only 2-of-7 passing on throws 20 or more yards down the field so far this season in his limited playing time.
If the Steelers don’t turn the football over and also prevent Mettenberger from going deep more than just a few times Monday night, they should come away with their seventh win of the season.
