Steeler Nation doesn’t just reside in the surrounding areas of Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. It is a world-wide army that lives and dies with the team that calls Pittsburgh it’s home. The six-time Super Bowl champions always strive for excellence, and their fans expect nothing less.
This is the preview that all fans of the black and gold come to find everything they need to know about the Steelers and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation) of Steelers Wire brings you inside the huddle for both teams, providing a weekly game story, the Steelers game plan to victory, score prediction, game day information, a detailed breakdown of each team, and up to date team injury reports. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff. The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform.
Steelers defense prepares for physical game vs Titans and Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry isn’t your typical NFL running back. His size suits him more for playing, say, linebacker, instead of attacking defenses with his legs and physicality.
At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, Henry is a beast that many defenses don’t enjoy facing.
Earlier this season, he tossed aside Josh Norman like a rag doll while attempting to tackle him.
“This is like Bud Dupree running the football,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. “It’s like trying to tackle a guy like Bud, except he is faster.”
When the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Nashville this Sunday to face the equally undefeated Tennessee Titans, Henry will be the focal point of the game. Both teams are 5-0 and this game is the rescheduled contest that was postponed from week four.
Henry leads the NFL with 588 yards, and has found the endzone six times.
“It’s really astounding that a back his size is capable of going to the house just about every time he touches it,” continued Tomlin. “Over the course of the last 10 or 12 games, dating back to last year, this guy has a highlight reel of big runs unlike which I have never seen over that type of a time span.
“A lot is written and said about his size, his stiff arm, his power and those things, and all of those things are true. The damage that he does when he gets in open space, that he’s able to couple those attributes with sprinter’s speed, is just ridiculous.”
Tomlin, like just about everyone when describing Henry, is amazed by a guy that size who also has speed you never see from someone that big.
“He’s just got sprinter speed to go with some of the other unique attributes that we discussed,” Tomlin said. “You see it. You see everybody’s secondary over the course of the last couple of years chasing this guy and very few people closing the distance. Despite his size, when he gets in open space, you’ve got real home run-hitter issues when he gets in your secondary.”
Most sane people avoid going after someone who can inflict such pain upon others. Pittsburgh’s defense won’t be one to back down.
“There are people that are intimidated by him,” Tomlin said. “There are tangible things to be intimidated by. You can see DBs having issues with that. Hopefully, we minimize the amount of time our guys are in those circumstances, and hopefully, when our guys are in those circumstances, they do what they have to do.”
Should the Steelers slow down the Titans rush attack, Tennessee is just as capable throwing the ball under the resurgent Ryan Tannehill.
“He’s having a great time, and they are winning,” defensive end Stephon Tuitt said. “He’s making great passes, doing great reads. He’s got a good back. You can tell he’s having a general good time, and he’s on a good team. You can see him radiate in that success because of that.
“It’s going to be our job to separate them from that flow that they’ve got going and have a great defensive performance down there.”
Tannehill is more than likely wary of what the Steelers defense is capable of doing to quarterbacks they chase relentlessly. In two out of the five games played, the enemy QB has failed to make it through the entire game against them. Drew Lock and Baker Mayfield both were nursing injuries instead of lining up under center the full game.
“It’s definitely going to be a challenge for us to protect up front,” Tannehill told Titans reporters on Wednesday. “We’re going to have to anchor down up there and really do our jobs in order to have the time to get the ball off.”
Game Notes: Both guard David DeCastro and WR Diontae Johnson will be back this week after missing last week’s game vs Cleveland.
Prediction
This is a game that may remind you of some of the slugfests of the late 80’s and early 90’s. Or just the way teams from the AFC North play ball weekly. Lest we forget, the Titans once were in the same division as the Steelers, that being the Oilers back in the day, but ending when they became the Titans when moving to Nashville.
This should be Pittsburgh’s bye week, but the original game was postponed thanks to the Titans breaking COVID protocols, leading several players and staff to become infected and basically robbing the Steelers of a true bye week, and forcing them to play the final 13 games with no break. Though they may not say it publicly, you can believe Pittsburgh players will be using it as motivation to bury the Titans on Sunday for the inconvenience of it all.
Both teams are playing great, but the Steelers have the better team from top to bottom, especially defensively, and that is where this game will be decided. Ben Roethlisberger and his offense will outshine Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, and the Tennessee offense. This will be a nasty hit filled game that will be fun to watch, but when the clock strikes zero in the 4th quarter this Sunday at Nissan Stadium, it will be… Steelers 31 Titans 20.
Steelers game plan to victory
Offense
- Big Ben time: Tennessee has a bad secondary, and that could lead to a big passing game for Roethlisberger who should have every weapon in the arsenal available, including Diontae Johnson.
- Ride with Conner: Roethlisberger could be unleashed here, but his chances of success will be even better with James Conner continuing to pound away with the ball. His versatility both running and catching passes out of the backfield makes him a game-changer for Pittsburgh’s offense.
Defense
- Out physical Derrick Henry: Yes, I know, easier said than done, but the Steelers defense never backs down from a challenge. Henry is a bruising back that wears down opposing defenses, but Pittsburgh also has a defense that lays out hits that make opposing players not want the ball. Ask Kareem Hunt, Austin Hooper, and Baker Mayfield how their bodies were feeling after the Steeler defense lit them up last week.
- Pressure Ryan Tannehill: The Titans have a bunch of weapons offensively if they ever have problems running the ball. The best way to counter that is by pounding the quarterback every time he drops back, forcing bad throws and creating turnovers.
A look at the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 5-0
Head coach: Mike Tomlin (13th Season with Steelers)
- Overall regular-season record: 138-74-1
- Playoff record: 8-7 (Qualified for playoffs 8 times)
2020 Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 Schedule
Last game: Steelers 38 Browns 7
Steelers offense
- Points per game: 31.2
- Total yards per game: 358
- Passing yards per game: 221.2
- Rushing yards per game: 136.8
Scouting report: Ben Roethlisberger is playing as good as he ever has in his eventual HOF career. Big Ben has 11 touchdowns so far and passed for 1,178 yards and just one interception.
Juju Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool lead a talented trio of wide receivers. Johnson has 15 receptions for 147 yards and a TD. Claypool is having a big rookie year with 17 catches for a team-leading 335 yards and four TDs. Smith-Schuster leads the team with 23 catches for 194 yards and three touchdowns. James Washington (17-185-1) can line up in a few spots and usually comes up with some big catches. TE’s Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald give Big Ben huge targets across the middle and down in the red zone. Ebron now has 16 catches for 165yards and a TD.
James Conner can put up numbers when he is healthy, and so far, so good. Conner has rushed for 369 yards and four scores and has 12 receptions for 83 yards. Benny Snell looks good in his 2nd year, leaner and a hint faster. He rushed for 113 yards in the opener when Conner sustained an ankle injury but has been prone to putting the ball on the carpet, something that will land you on the bench under Mike Tomlin. Anthony McFarland, Jr. has been plugged into the rushing attack and has run for 50 yards on 12 carries.
Ray-Ray McCloud has been used as an x-factor type weapon, gaining 63 yards on two carries, and has three catches for 12 yards.
This is an offense capable of putting up big numbers weekly, especially if they start finishing drives in the endzone instead of settling for field goals.
The Steelers are 4th in the NFL averaging 31.2 points per game.
Starting Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger / Back-up: Mason Rudolph
Running Backs: James Conner, Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, Jr., and Jaylen Samuels
Fullback: Derek Watt
Wide Receivers: Juju Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington, Chase Claypool, and Ray-Ray McCloud III
Tight Ends: Eric Ebron, Vance McDonald, and Zach Gentry
Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Alejandro Villanueva
Left Guard: Matt Feiler
Center: Maurkice Pouncey
Right Guard: David DeCastro / Kevin Dotson
Right Tackle: Chukwuma Okorafor
Steelers Defense (Base 3-4)
- Points per game allowed: 18.8
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 285.2
- Passing yards allowed: 219
- Rushing yards allowed: 66.2
- Sacks: 24
- Interceptions: 8
Scouting report: As good as advertised. They are fast and physical. They defend the run well and put constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks with a variety of blitzes. Cam Heyward anchors the defensive line and is a yearly all-pro. OLB T.J. Watt is one of the best defensive players in the NFL, and he is aided by Bud Dupree on the other side. Minkah Fitzpatrick leads an impressive secondary with two good corners in Joe Haden and Steven Nelson. The splash play Steelers have recorded 24 sacks so far and eight interceptions.
Defensive End: Cam Heyward
Defensive Tackle: Tyson Alualu
Defensive End: Stephon Tuitt
Left OLB: T.J. Watt
Left ILB: Robert Spillane
Right ILB: Vince Williams
Right OLB: Bud Dupree
Cornerback: Joe Haden
Strong Safety: Terrell Edmunds
Free Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick
Cornerback: Steven Nelson
*Nickle: Mike Hilton
Special Teams
Scouting report: Chris Boswell is solid as ever at place kicker. Ray-Ray McCloud is making a name for himself, averaging 27.5 yards per kickoff return, and 12.4 per punt return. Diontae Johnson was the return man on punts but missed most of the past two games.
Placekicker: Chris Boswell (FG: 7-7 Extra Points: 17-18)
Punter: Corliss Waitman
Kickoff Returners: Anthony McFarland, Jr. and Ray-Ray McCloud
Punt Returner: Diontae Johnson and Ray-Ray McCloud
*Injured
A look at the Tennessee Titans
Overall record: 5-0
Head coach: Mike Vrabel (3rd season with Titans)
- Overall regular-season record: 23-14 / 23-14 with Titans
- Playoff record: 0-0 (Qualified for playoffs 0 times)
Tennessee Team/Individual Statistics
Last game: Titans 42 Texans 36 OT
Titans Offense
- Points per game: 32.8
- Total Offense per game: 423.2
- Passing yards per game: 265.4
- Rushing yards per game: 157.8
Scouting report: Ryan Tannehill has found a home in Nashville. After early career struggles, he has become a leader for the Titans. Tannehill has thrown for 1,370 yards, with 13 touchdown passes to just two interceptions. He’s only been sacked five times.
Corey Davis, Adam Humphries, and A.J. Brown are a talented trio of receivers for the Titans. Humphries leads the team with 21 receptions. Davis has 15 catches for 206 yards and a score. Brown has contributed 17 receptions for 179 yards and three TD’s. Tight ends Jonnu Smith and Anthony Firkser are heavily involved in the passing game, with Smith leading the team with 234 yards receiving off of 19 catches, five of which ended up in the endzone.
Derrick Henry is the machine that runs the Titans offense. The bruising back has rushed for 588 yards and six touchdowns.
Overall, the Titans have an excellent offense that spreads the ball around it’s vaunted rushing attack. Their 32.8 points per game average is 2nd in the NFL.
Starting Quarterback: Ryan Tannehill / Back-up: Logan Woodside
Running Backs: Derrick Henry and Jeremy McNichols
Wide Receivers: Corey Davis, Adam Humphries, A.J. Brown, Kalif Raymond, and Cameron Batson
Tight Ends: Jonnu Smith, Anthony Firkser, and Geoff Swaim
*Injured
Titans Defense (Base 3-4)
- Points per game allowed: 25.2
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 409.8
- Passing yards allowed: 272.8
- Rushing yards allowed: 137
- Sacks: 7
- Interceptions: 6
Scouting report: The Titans have an excellent offense, and they need it it, as the defense leaves quite a bit to be desired. Tennessee is giving up over 25 points per game, and are 26th in giving up 409.8 yards per game to opposing offenses. They have issues getting to the enemy quarterback, only recording seven sacks in five games. That is 28th worst in the league.
Ben Roethlisberger could be in line for a big afternoon as the Titans give up 272.8 yards per game through the air, ranking 28th in the NFL.
Game Day Information
Venue: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN.
Field: Tifsport Bermuda Sod
Game-time: Sunday, October 25th, 1:00 pm
TV: CBS (Local on KDKA-TV)
- Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play) Charles Davis (analyst) Evan Washburn (reporter)
Local radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE & WBGG 970 AM
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Tunch Ilkin (analyst) Craig Wolfley (sideline) Missi Matthews (sideline)
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Weather at kickoff: 64 and cloudy. Winds S 5 mph.
Vegas line: Tennessee -1.5
NFL Standings / NFL Scoreboard
Steelers vs Titans/Oilers history
Steelers are 46-32 overall vs Titans
- Series History: Began in 1970
- At home: 27-12
- On the road: 19-20
- Neutral Site: 0-0
- Postseason: 3-1
- Streak: Steelers won the last two games.
- Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 40-17 (Nov. 16, 2017)
- Last postseason meeting: Titans Win, 34-31 OT (Jan. 11, 2003)
Injury report (10/23/20)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Out: LB Devin Bush (Knee)
- Doubtful: FB Derek Watt (Hamstring)
- Questionable: CB Mike Hilton (Shoulder)
Tennessee Titans
- Out: None
- Doubtful: None
- Questionable: WR A.J. Brown (Knee), T Isaiah Wilson (Illness)
