Duel Opinions: What are the keys to beating the Titans?
Each week the Steel City Underground staff will put their brilliant minds to task in order to come up with their keys to the game, or, those players, coaching decisions, or situations which could determine the outcome of the game.
Terry Fletcher
The Titans game will be a challenge on a short week not just because of the four days only lead up but the fact that Tennessee is also on a four-game winning streak like the Steelers. Momentum is key when playing with a beat up secondary (Joe Haden and Mike Mitchell likely out with injuries for this game). Former Steelers and current Titans defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will try and capitalize on the weaknesses he knows from his long tenure in Pittsburgh as well.
The main keys to the game for me here would be S Sean Davis having a game of his life shutting down the wide receivers as well as their potent run game without much veteran help and Ben being able to work his no-huddle magic into a four-touchdown game. I think it’s going to take a high-scoring game to beat Marcus Mariota, who is a very mobile and capable quarterback.
Brian E. Roach
The biggest key to this game is going to be the pass rush. The Titans gave up 4 sacks against the Bengals but had been able to protect him fairly well prior to that (8 times). With injuries in the secondary, and the fact that likely “next man up” Coty Sensabaugh is an ex-Titan, and they are well aware of his limitations and weaknesses.
As a result, the pass rush will be crucial in assisting the Steelers in pass defense. Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt especially will be critical in trying to get pressure with 4 guys. If the Steelers have to resort to blitzes, the fact that ex-Steelers defensive coordinator, Dick LeBeau is the current Titans DC, should have the Titans offense ready for them. If the Steelers can get to Mariota, they can win the game, if they can’t, it will likely be a tough night for the Black and Gold.
Tommy Jaggi
Last week, my key to the game for the Steelers was execution on the offensive side of the ball. After putting up just 9 points in the first 3 quarters against a porous Colts defense last week, my key to the game remains the same in this contest against the Titans.
Both teams are coming off a short week to play Thursday night. What’s troubling, however, is that the Steelers had two weeks to prepare for the Colts and they still came out flat. This time, they had just four days between games to face a 6-3 team. Defenses typically aren’t as good on short weeks, so the Steelers may be able to get going early. As long as they don’t come out flat offensively like they did last week, the Steelers should be favored in this matchup.
Joe Kuzma
I got picked on pretty badly for calling Ben Roethlisberger a potential weak link last weekend, but I’m going to stick with Big Ben as my key to this game. Once again, another weak pass defense lies in front of the Steelers, but this time, there are no excuses.
They’re playing at home, in primetime: both scenarios are ones Roethlisberger excels at. I think the defense has done enough with splash plays and limiting the opposition to where it lies in the offense to be able to score points to win. We saw glimpses of that late in Indy, and I believe that’s the key to dismantling the Titans on Thursday night.
Tina Rivers
The Steelers defense needs to put the heat on Mariota and keep him in the pocket. When the Bengals were successful doing so (until they folded like an accordion in the 4th quarter), Mariota struggled to find receiving targets that could hold on to the ball. Tight end Delanie Walker, his top target, is dealing with two injuries that could set up Ryan Shazier with a turnover if Mariota or Walker get sloppy. Stop the run to force the Titans to throw. Period.
Offensively, the Steelers need to use their no-huddle and play action to keep the Titans defensive front from limiting Roethlisberger’s ability to find open targets. Up-tempo drives with a mix of Le’Veon Bell and James Conner (throw in Roosevelt Nix) should keep Tennessee’s defense from dialing in.
