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Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that follows the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers. The Six-Time Super Bowl Champions are a franchise whose tradition dictates a standard of excellence, and their fans expect nothing less year in and year out. Those very same ideals translate to the ultimate Pittsburgh Steelers Game Day Preview, a guide that all Steelers fans read weekly to learn everything they need to know about their team and weekly opponent!
Mike Drakulich, the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams providing all NFL fans with The PSN Game Commentary, Score Prediction, Broadcast Information, and a complete breakdown of each team.
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) vs Tennessee Titans (3-4)
NFL Week 9
Vegas line: Pittsburgh -2.5
Game-time: Thursday, November 2nd, at 8:15 PM
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Field: Kentucky Blue Grass
Weather at kickoff: 43 and clear. Winds out of the South at 5 MPH.
The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary
There was a time when the Pittsburgh Steelers were once one of the most feared teams in the league. Teams knew no matter what, they were in for a physical battle both offensively and defensively.
The Steelers were also known for their standards, especially equating success with making the playoffs and contending for Super Bowls.
Those days feel like a distant memory.
Now it feels as if the team, and their fans are satisfied with merely finishing above .500.
The Steelers offense has been one of the worst in team history the past three seasons, yet nothing is ever done about it.
The very definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Ben Roethlisberger, Mitch Trubisky, and Kenny Picket have all been under center for the Steelers.
All have failed miserably under offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Yet Thursday night, he’ll be in the box still employed.
The team truly has no idea what they have in last year’s first round pick in Kenny Pickett, and they won’t until they hire a competent coordinator.
Only God knows when that will occur.
Until then, it’s status quo, as the Steelers (4-3) take on the Tennessee Titans (3-4) this Thursday night at 8:15 at Acrisure Stadium.
How this game goes is anybody’s guess, but the offense will have Pickett at quarterback, despite leaving the game vs Jacksonville Sunday with a rib injury.
How well the offensive line will perform in protecting their quarterback and trying to open holes for the rushing attack is another huge question mark.
Diontae Johnson has made a big difference since returning from injury, but he also had two huge drops last week, the first of which could’ve resulted in a touchdown if he makes the catch instead of the ball bouncing off his hands.
It was a difficult catch, but great receivers make that play.
George Pickens was also an afterthought in the game, being targeted only five times, compared to 14 for Johnson.
The running game was nonexistent.
Everyone on offense has to elevate their game if the team expects to get back on track and bounce back from a lousy loss to the Jaguars.
The defensive line will get a huge lift from the return of Cam Heyward.
Heyward can only help a run defense that has been gashed all season, giving up 137.1 yards a game, ranking 27th in the league.
“We are all excited,” said linebacker Alex Highsmith. “It’s going to be huge for us on the field, but also overall leadership wise having his presence around is going to be huge.”
Unfortunately, the team will be missing free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, a huge loss for a secondary not performing up to task either.
The defense will try to dampen the hot start by rookie QB Will Levis, who in his Titan’s debut threw for 238 yards and four touchdowns.
Not a bad way to start a career.
Levis’ main weapon is wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who has 31 receptions, and was the recipient of three of those TD passes last week.
The Titan’s biggest threat on offense is undoubtedly running back Derrick Henry, the bruising back with a rare blend of speed and power leading the Tennessee rushing attack. Henry has run for 526 yards and three touchdowns.
Expect a typical Steelers game, one with plenty of times you will want to throw a brick through your television, and times where you’re asking where the hell has that play been all game?
This game comes down to who makes the least mistakes, and with a rookie QB that the league now has some game tape, I think the defense can draw up some formations that will hamper Levis and keep him from having another big outing. The biggest concern will be keeping Henry and the Titan’s running game from carving them up carry after carry
Heyward’s return should help immensely.
Could the team choke again and suffer another miserable loss?
Well, yeah, as anything is possible with this team, but my gut feeling says that this one will go down to the wire with the Steelers escaping with the win and improving to 5-3 in a hard fought game.
Prediction: Steelers 20 Titans 17
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: Amazon Prime Video (Local: WPXI-TV channel 811 on Xfinity)
- Announcers: Al Michaels (play-by-play) Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) | Kaylee Hartung (field reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Craig Wolfley (analyst) | Max Starks (sideline) Missi Matthews (sideline)
National Radio: N/A
- Announcers:
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
NFL Links
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 4-3 (2nd in AFC North)
Last Game: Jacksonville 20 Steelers 10
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
- 17th Season with Steelers
- Overall regular-season record: 167-96-2
- Playoff record: 8-9 (Qualified for playoffs 10 times)
Team Links
- Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Schedule
STEELERS OFFENSE
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 16.1 (29th)
- Total yards per game: 292 (31st)
- Passing yards per game: 212.3 (25th)
- Rushing yards per game: 79.7 (28th)
QUARTERBACK
Kenny Pickett | #8
Pickett has yet to become the quarterback the Steelers envisioned him, but until he is given an actual offensive coordinator, no one will ever truly know what his capabilities are.
Passing Yards: 1,330| TD Passes: 5 | INT’s: 4 | Sacked: 17
Rushing Yards: 22 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Back-up: Mitch Trubisky | #10
Passing Yards: 156 | TD Passes: 1| INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 2
Rushing Yards: 18 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Najee Harris | #22
Harris hasn’t come close to living up to the hype of being a #1 pick, but who can blame him being behind one of the most inconsistent offensive lines in the league? Harris used to be a threat out of the backfield when #7 was here, but hasn’t been utilized in the same manner since Roethlisberger retired.
Rushing Yards: 313 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 94 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaylon Warren | #30
Warren always finds a way to hit the hole and get positive yardage, and has become a weapon catching passes out of the backfield.
Rushing Yards: 175 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 26 | Receiving Yards: 184 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Anthony McFarland* | #26
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 11 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Diontae Johnson | #18
Johnson has accounted for 16 receptions since in two games, but had two drops last week against Jacksonville.
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 212 | Receiving TD’s: 0
George Pickens | #14
Pickens leads the team with 28 receptions for 522 yards. For some reason, he was an afterthought in the loss to the Jaguars.
Receptions: 28 | Receiving Yards: 522 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Allen Robinson II | #11
Robinson hasn’t made much of an impact as the team thought he would when signed in the off-season.
Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 144 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Calvin Austin III | #19
The shifty receiver could be utilized in a variety of ways in a competent offense, but…
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 162 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TIGHT ENDS
Pat Freiermuth* | #88
To say Freiermuth has been under utilized is… well, the understatement of the season. Unfortunately, Freiermuth reinjured his hamstring in practice, and has been placed on IR.
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 53 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Conner Heyward | #83
Heyward makes the most of his opportunities when called upon.
Receptions: 12 | Receiving Yards: 89 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Darnell Washington | #80
The world awaits “Mount” Washington to be utilized in the Steelers passing attack.
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 10 | Receiving TD’s: 0
*Injured/Out
STEELERS DEFENSE (Base 3-4)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 21.0 (18th)
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 382.5 (30th)
- Passing yards allowed: 245.4 (24th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 137.1 (27th)
- Sacks: 22 (11th)
- Interceptions: 7 (9th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DT: Cam Heyward | #97
Tackles: 0 | Sacks: 0
NT: Montravius Adams | #57
Tackles: 21 | Sacks: 0
DE: Larry Ogunjobi | #99
Tackles: 21 | Sacks: 2
LINEBACKERS
OLB: T.J. Watt | #90
Tackles: 18 | Sacks: 8.5 | INT: 1 | TD: 1
ILB: Cole Holcomb | #41 or Kwon Alexander | #54
Tackles: 53 | Sacks: 0 Tackles: 39 | Sacks: 1
ILB: Elandon Roberts | #50
Tackles: 39 | Sacks: 1.5
OLB: Alex Highsmith | #56
Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 2.5 | INT: 1 | TD: 1
SECONDARY
CB: Joey Porter, Jr. | #24
Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Damontae Kazee | #23
Tackles: 30 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0:
SS: Keanu Neal | #31
Tackles: 35 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
CB: Patrick Peterson | #20
Tackles: 20 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
STEELERS SPECIAL TEAMS
PLACEKICKER
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 9-9
Field Goals: 12-13
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 3-3
- 30-39 yards: 1-1
- 40-49 yards: 4-4
- 50+ yards: 4-5
KICKOFF RETURNER
Anthony McFarland, Jr.* | #26
Average: 30.3 | TD Returns: 0
Godwin Igwebuike | #48
Average: 25.5 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Calvin Austin III | #19
Average: 4.9 | TD Returns: 0
Scouting the Tennessee Titans
Overall record: 3-4 (3rd in AFC South)
Last game: Tennessee 28 Atlanta 23
Head Coach: Mike Vrabel
- 6th Season with Titans
- Overall regular-season record: 51-38 | 51-38 with Titans
- Playoff Record: 2-3
Team Links
TITANS OFFENSE
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 18.9 (22nd)
- Total Offense per game: 321.9 (22nd)
- Passing yards per game: 206 (27th)
- Rushing yards per game: 115.9 (13th)
QUARTERBACK
Will Levis | #8
Levis made his NFL debut last week and went off for four touchdowns, leading the Titans to a 28-23 win over Atlanta. Now he’ll try to continue his hot start against a vulnerable Pittsburgh secondary that will be missing Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Passing Yards: 238 | TD Passes: 4 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 2
Rushing Yards: 11 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Malik Willis | #7
Passing Yards: 74 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 4
Rushing Yards: 21 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Derrick Henry | #1
Henry is one of the most bruising backs in the league, with a rare blend of power and speed. Henry is 5th in the NFL with 526 yards rushing.
Rushing Yards: 526 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Receptions: 15 | Receiving Yards: 138 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Tyjae Spears | #32
Spears makes a great compliment to Henry in the Titans rushing attack.
Rushing Yards: 198 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 6 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
DeAndre Hopkins | #10
Hopkins leads the Titans with 31 receptions and exploded for three touchdown catches last week with Will Levis under center,
Receptions: 31 | Receiving Yards: 504 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | #15
Westbrook-Ikhine doesn’t do much in the Tennessee passing game, but has still found the endzone three times..
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 201 | Receiving TD’s: 3
Chris Moore | #11
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 140 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Treylon Burks | #16
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 92 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Kyle Phillips | #18
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 30 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Chigoziem Okonkwo | #85
Okonkwo is 2nd on the team with 21 receptions.
Receptions: 21 | Receiving Yards: 145 | Receiving TD’s: 0
*Injured/out
TITANS DEFENSE (Base 4-3)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 20.0 (13th)
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 339.4 (22nd)
- Passing yards allowed: 232 (20th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 107.4 (16th)
- Sacks: 21 (12th)
- Interceptions: 2 (32nd)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Jeffrey Simmons | #98
Tackles: 25 | Sacks: 4.5
DT: Teair Tart | #93
Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0
DE: Denico Autry| #96
Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 5
LINEBACKERS
OLB: Harold Landry III | #58
Tackles: 22 | Sacks: 4
ILB: Jack Gibbens | #50
Tackles: 52 | Sacks: 1
ILB: Azeez Al-Shaair | #23
Tackles: 73 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 0
OLB: Arden Key | #2
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 2.5
SECONDARY
CB: Sean Murphy-Bunting | #0
Tackles: 31 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
SS: Amani Hooker | #37
Tackles: 38 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Elijah Miolden | #24
Tackles: 26 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
CB: Kristian Fulton | #26
Tackles: 32 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
TITANS SPECIAL TEAMS
PLACEKICKER
Nick Folk | #6
Extra Points: 12-12
Field Goals: 16-16
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 5-5
- 30-39 yards: 5-5
- 40-49 yards: 3-3
- 50+ yards: 3-3
KICKOFF RETURNER
Tyjae Spears | #39
Average: 16.3 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Kyle Phillips | #18
Average: 5.8 | TD Returns: 0
STEELERS vs TITANS HISTORY
Series History: Began in 1970
Overall Record: 48-32
- Home: 28-12
- Away: 20-20
- Postseason: 3-1
Streak: Steelers won the four games.
Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 19-13 (Dec. 19, 2021)
Last postseason meeting: Titans Win, 34-31 (Jan. 11, 2003)
INJURY REPORT (11/1/23)
Pittsburgh Steelers
IR: TE Pat Freiermuth (Hamstring), RB Anthony McFarland
Out: FS Minkah Fitzpatrick (Hamstring)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: CB Levi Wallace (Foot)
Tennessee Titans
Out: T Chris Hubbard (Concussion), QB Ryan Tannehill (Ankle), CB Roger McCreary (Hamstring), S Mike Brown (Ankle)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: WR DeAndre Hopkins (Toe)
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
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