Tennessee Titans Game Rewind: Titans at Steelers (2013)

The Tennessee Titans (2-7) will be hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) on this coming Monday Night Football slate. The Titans have won the last two meetings between the two teams. If we can’t beat the Steelers Monday night, let’s recall a time when we did.

2013: Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers

In the 2013 matchup, the Steelers hosted the Titans at Heinz Field for a Sunday afternoon season opening game. Pittsburgh scored a safety in open kickoff of the game. The Titans’ defense then produced one of their best performances of the season, holding the Steelers to those two points for the next 43 minutes of play.

A huge defensive stand  in the Steelers’ opening drive, helped the Titans’ defense set the tone of the game. Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had his offense rolling, as the Steelers drove down field to the Titans’ six yard line. Roethlisberger connected six passes from the shotgun formation on the drive. Then, Steelers’  running back Issac Redman fumbled the ball in the Titans’ endzone, in pursuit for the go-ahead touchdown.  The fumble was recovered by linebacker Moise Fokou. This play completely shutdown the Steelers’ offense, and shifted the momentum towards the Titans.

Linebacker Zach Brown led the Titans with an amazing day, recording 8 total tackles and two sacks. Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey and defensive end Derrick Morgan also got their hands on Roethlisberger,  with a combined 3 sacks. Titans’ cornerback Alterraun Verner  picked off Rothlisberger mid-way through the second quarter, which would lead to the Titans’ first scoring drive of the game.

The pair of Chris Johnson and Shonn Greene successfully powered through from mid-field to the Steelers 3-yard line, setting up a touchdown run up the middle by fullback Jackie Battle. It would be the only touchdown for the Titans in the game. They went into halftime leading the Steelers, 7-2.

Former Titans’ kicker Rob Bironas proved to be the hero of the game. Bironas connected a 26-yard field goal in the third quarter, extending the Titans’ lead to 10-2. In the fourth quarter, Bironas connected a 44-yard and a 27-yard field goal, making the lead 16-2. He was 3-for-3 on the night.

If you haven’t noticed, I have not mentioned about Jake Locker. Who would of guessed he would have a mediocre game? Locker was quiet, but he wasn’t atrocious. He finished 11-of-20, 125 yards, 0 TDs, and 0 INT.

The Steelers first and only successful drive came late in the game with under four minutes left. Rothlisberger rallied the Steelers from their own 25-yard line, connecting multiple passes, and finding their way to the Titans four yard line. He completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery, and after the extra point, it was a one possession game with 1:23 left. The Steelers attempted an onside kick, but was unsuccessful. The Titans then kneeled their way to victory. We won, 16-9.