Steelers (5-0) at Titans (5-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: Steelers by 1 1⁄
2
Titans’ keys to victory: Against the Steelers’ elite run defense, Tennessee is going to have to move the ball primarily through the air and look to take advantage of an exploitable pass defense. However, Pittsburgh has a formidable pass rush. On defense, the Titans have to limit the Steelers on the ground and force QB Ben Roethlisberger, who hasn’t been that sharp, to beat them through the air.
Steelers’ keys to victory: Attack through the air. Tennessee has struggled to defend passing attacks. On defense, Pittsburgh must continue to be stout against the run to limit RB Derrick Henry, who is capable of taking games over. The Steelers need to get pressure on QB Ryan Tannehill to make him uncomfortable, or else he could pick apart the secondary.
Matchup to watch: Steelers’ outside linebackers vs. Titans’ offensive tackles. The Steelers have stud pass rushers in OLBs T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree, so the Titans are going to have a tall order in keeping Tannehill upright, especially with LT Taylor Lewan out for the season. If the Titans can’t keep Tannehill’s pocket clean, they are going to have a tough time moving the ball at all with the Steelers sporting one of the league’s best run defenses.
Who wins? The Titans won’t be able to keep the Steelers’ elite pass rush in check, nor will they be able to move the ball on the ground with any success. Pittsburgh shouldn’t have much of an issue moving the ball on offense against Tennessee’s suspect defense.
Steelers, 27-17