Steelers Defeat Titans in Overtime, Begin Title Run With Opening Victory

The 2009 Steelers are the same team that they were in 2008. By that I mean we can all forget about some sort of revamped running game against the league's better rush defenses. The Steelers proved again on Thursday night that picking up tough yardage in the running game against a solid defense is going to be tough this coming season. The Steelers finished with just 36 yards on 23 carries and were an average 4/14 on 3rd down partly because of their inability to again move the chains on 3rd and short situations with the ground game. For the first 3 quarters on Thursday night, they looked like anything but. The Steelers passing game came alive late in the game, led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and defeated the Tennessee Titans 13-10 in overtime at Heinz Field. Roethlisberger was 33 for 43 through the air for 363 yards and one touchdown. He led the Steelers on two masterful drives, the last being a 10 play, 63 yard game winning drive that culminate in a Jeff Reed 33 yard field goal to win the game.


The Steelers offense seemed out of sync throughout the first three quarters. The running game was horrible and never gained a grip. As Roethlisberger scramble starting running back Willie Parker gained only 19 yards on 13 carries and looked cautious behind some poor offensive line blocking. The Titans defensive line seemed to seal off all of the running lanes all night. The spark seemed to come when the Steelers went to a no huddle offense. It tremendously slowed down the Titans pass rush. The line officially surrendered 4 sacks, but most were the result of Roethlisberger holding on to the ball in order to make a play. Let see how the defending champs start next week's game off, the Titans gave Pittsburgh a run for their money in this Thursday night opener.

Submitted by Sporty Chic