The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Tennessee Titans this afternoon in what could very well be Ben Roethlisberger’s final afternoon game at Heinz field with the Steelers. He will still have a primetime game at home against the Cleveland Browns in week 17.
The Steelers will be as healthy as they have been in a while returning TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith from injuries in last Thursday’s loss as well as Joe Haden after missing the last month with a foot injury.
Montravius Adams, who had been starting at nose tackle, was added to the covid list this week, so Carlos Davis could very well see his first action of the season.
As always, be sure to refresh the page throughout the game for curated tweets, live updates, and more. Also, check out the comment section at the bottom of the page where fans gather to discuss the game in real time.
Steelers Inactive Players
DT Isaiah Buggs
ILB Buddy Johnson
QB Dwayne Haskins
TE Kevin Rader
RB Anthony McFarland Jr.
Titans Inactive Players
CB Jackrabbit Jenkins
LB Joe Jones
LB David Long Jr.
OL Daniel Munyer
G Rodger Saffold III
DL Larrell Murchison
DT Teair Tart
The Steelers started out with the ball after losing the coin toss. The first play of the game was a nice 16 yard completion to Diontae Johnson. The next two plays were not successful, a run and pass to Najee Harris. On 3rd down, Ben went back shoulder to Chase Claypool who very nearly pulled it in, but the defenders were able to jar the ball loose.
Pressley Harvin III’s first punt of the day was good for just 27 yards, so the Titans will start with the ball on their own 30.
On the Titans’ first offensive play, Chris Wormley got in there for a sack and a loss of 8 yards. Dontrell Hilliard got the handoff on 2nd down for a gain of 3. On the first 3rd down of the game for the Steelers defense, they allowed a screen pass to go for 7, but it was well short of the line to gain. The Titans go three-up, three-down and punt to start the game.
James Washington came in for Chase Claypool to start the drive. Something to keep an eye on throughout the game. On 1st down, Ben Roethlisberger’s pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage. Ben had to scramble on 2nd down out of the pocket. He tried to throw downfield on the run, but the ball came up well short of James Washington. On 3rd, Diontae Johnson on a crosser, bounced outside and went backwards from his initial progress.
Pressley Harvin’s punt was 51 yards, returned for 55 yards. Block in the back on the Steelers, so the Titans start with excellent field position on the Steelers 25.
On first down, DOnt’a Foreman ran off right tackle for 6 yards. A quick comeback route with Arthur Maulet in coverage was good for 5 yards on 2nd down.
On 1st, Hilliard got the handoff up the middle for two yards. On 2nd Tannehill’s pass fell incomplete in the middle, Devin Bush had a chance to intercept the pass, but dropped it. The whole defense visibly lamented the drop. On 3rd, Jeremy McNichols made a nice move to get the extra yardage to pickup a fresh set of downs and nearly score. He was hurt at the end of the play.
The Devin Bush dropped interception comes back to bite the Steelers as Tannehill gets in with the QB sneak. 7-0 Titans.
Chase Claypool back on the field with James Washington out. Mike Tomlin is looking for the hot hand, but risks not letting either get in a groove. On 1st down, Najee Harris stuffed at the line of scrimmage. On 2nd down, Ben pulls the RPO to pass, but gets sacked by the slot corner coming in. 3rd and 14, Ben tried to set up the screen to Najee Harris and missed him. Pressley Harvin will punt again.
Harvin shanked the punt again, travelling only 32 yards. The stadium is starting to boo him. The rookie is getting his “welcome to the NFL” moment.
The Titans take over at their own 47, right around midfield. On 1st down, Tannehill found Westbrook-Ikhine for 12 yards. Fitzpatrick hit him right away, but he was able to hang on.
Cameron Heyward jumped offsides and was called for encroachment. 1st and 5, Hilliard off right tackle for 3 yards. 2nd and 2 goes for just one yard to set up 3rd and 1. The Titans convert on a Foreman run for 8 yards.
Just outside the redzone now, the Hilliard drops the ball on a screen. 2nd and 10, Hilliard took it 9 yards to set up another 3rd and 1. The Titans are in the red zone. Tannehill ran out of the pocket and scrambled for 2 yards and the first down.
Devin Bush in coverage on 1st down to force the incompletion. The pitch to the right side of the offense was held to one yard. Isaiah Loudermilk was in on the stop. Hilliard got just 4 of the 9 yards he needed on 3rd down. Marcus Allen made the nice tackled trailing in coverage. The field goal is good. 10-0 Titans.
The stadium is not going to be kind to the offense if they fail to get anything going on this drive. Already a two possession game, this is now urgent. Ray-Ray McCloud returned the kickoff to the 29.
On 1st down, Diontae Johnson got the ball on an end around for 10 yards.
On the next 1st down, Najee Harris got the ball for 3 yards up the middle. Diontae Johnson with a 6 yard reception set up 3rd and 1.
END OF 1ST QUARTER 10-0 TITANS
Joe Haden sitting on the sideline with Ahkello Witherspoon back in. Maybe some concerns with his foot?
On 3rd and 1, Trai Turner was called for a false start. The Titans shifted right before the snap and it pulled Turner into a false start. 3rd and 6, Najee Harris gets the short pass good for just 3 yards. Pressley Harvin’s punt was a little better, but still not great netting 40 yards.
Isaiahh Loudermilk shed his lineman to make the tackle for a gain of two on the ground on 1st down. On 2nd down, Foreman got the ball again, this time for 3 yards. 3rd and 5 coming up. Arthur Maulet punched out the ball and Minkah Fitzpatrick recovered. Joe Schobert pressured Tannehill to force the quick throw. Steelers offense must respond with this great field position.
The Steelers using some trickery again, Chase Claypool on the reverse end around for 12 yards. Chuks Okorafor called for a false start. Najee Harris got the ball on 1st and 15 and scrambled around for no gain. Ben was hit hard on the play, but no flag. Pat Freiermuth caught the ball and fought his way for a gain of 11 yards. On 3rd, Ben went deep to McCloud, but it was well covered. The Chris Boswell field goal is good. 10-3 Titans.
The Steelers were bailed out by a drop on what would have been a back breaking touchdown pass to Westbrook. Foreman ran on 2nd down for 6 yards. 3rd and 4, Hollister complete over the middle tackled by Devin Bush, but good for the first down.
D’Onta Foreman wide open on the curl near the right sideline, took the ball for 10 and a new set of downs.
On 1st down, McNichols ran the ball for 3 yards. On 2nd, McNichols again for 7 yards and a first down.
McNichols is walking the team down the field, again for 9 yards to set up 2nd and 1. On 2nd, Tannehill went deep again to Westbrook. Ahkello Witherspoon in tight coverage with Minkah Fitzptarick in the area as well. Incomplete. 3rd and 1, Foreman found just a big enough hole to pick up the 1st.
On 1st, Foreman took the swing pass for 9 yards. Steelers are losing the early downs badly. Foreman was able to pick up the first down gaining 2. The refs picked up a holding penalty they had thrown.
Taylor Lewan was called for holding on a deep incompletion on 1st down. Ahkello Witherspoon was good in coverage, though it didn’t end up mattering. On 1st and 20, Hilliard was stuffed for no gain by TJ Watt. On 2nd, Rogers caught the bubble screen and ran for 13 yards.
TWO MINUTE WARNING
The Titans are up 7 and get the ball back at the top of the 2nd half. The Steelers must hold them to a field goal, at worst. On 3rd and 7, Tannehill found Firkser for 11 yards and the first down.
On 1st and goal, Ahkello Witherspoon in coverage on Julio Jones, incomplete. 2nd down, a false start moves the Titans back. Cameron Heyward sacked Tannehill on 3rd down for a loss of 10. The Titans field goal is good. 13-3 Titans.
With 00:18 remaining, the Steelers may just opt to take a knee. On 1st down, Pat Freiermuth caught the ball in the middle of the field for 14 yards. The Steelers called a timeout with 00:08 remaining. Freiermuth in the middle of the field for 7 more yards. The final timeout was called at 00:05, and the Titans end up calling a timeout as well to scheme for the final play.
Ben Roethlisberger found James Washington for 19 yards deep to the right. Washington got out of bounds with 00:01 remaining. This is a 56 yard Chris Boswell attempt. The kick is no good.
END OF HALF 13-3 TITANS.
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