The Tennessee Titans wanted to head into the playoffs with a
little momentum. Thanks to a dominating performance over the Pittsburgh
Steelers, they’ll have much more than that.
Kerry Collins threw for a touchdown, Chris Johnson and LenDale White ran for a
score apiece, and the Titans routed the Steelers 31-14 in a showdown of the
AFC’s best teams. Tennessee clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage
throughout the playoffs.
Coach Jeff Fisher called this the Titans best game this season.
“This was not a statement game by no means,” Fisher said. “It was a momentum
game. We needed to build momentum for the playoffs and the bye week by playing
well and winning the game. The bonus is the second game here at home.”
Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck, who celebrated by stomping on a Terrible Towel
at the end, was much more succinct.
“It sets the tone for the playoffs in the AFC,” he said
The Titans improved the NFL’s best record to 13-2 with their 15th win in 17
games. But they were coming off a loss to Houston in which they failed to score
a touchdown for the first time this year and were up against the NFL’s stingiest
defense...
Video: The Tennessee Titans
secured home field advantage throughout the playoffs after beating the
Pittsburgh Steelers 31-14. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms break down the game
Kerry Collins passed to Justin Gage to the right for 34
yard gain (Rob Bironas made PAT)
0 - 10
5:40
PIT
TD
Ben Roethlisberger passed to Santonio Holmes to the
right for 31 yard gain (Jeff Reed made PAT)
7 - 10
3rd Quarter
9:41
PIT
TD
Ben Roethlisberger passed to Hines Ward down the middle
for 21 yard gain (Jeff Reed made PAT)
14 - 10
5:05
TEN
TD
Chris Johnson rushed to the left for 21 yard gain (Rob
Bironas made PAT)
14 - 17
4th Quarter
14:57
TEN
TD
LenDale White rushed to the right for 1 yard gain (Rob
Bironas made PAT)
14 - 24
0:16
TEN
TD
Michael Griffin intercepted Ben Roethlisberger for 83
yards (Rob Bironas made PAT)
14 - 31
Team Statistics
PIT
TEN
First Downs
22
15
Passing
18
9
Rushing
3
6
Penalty
1
0
Third Down Efficiency
5-13
3-14
Fourth Down Efficiency
0-0
2-2
TOTAL NET YARDS
374
323
Total Plays
69
61
Average Gain Per Play
5.4
5.3
NET YARDS RUSHING
71
117
Rushes
24
31
Average Per Rush
3.0
3.8
NET YARDS PASSING
303
206
Completions-Attempts
26-40
20-29
Yards Per Pass Play
6.7
6.9
Times Sacked
5
1
Yards Lost to Sacks
28
10
Had Intercepted
2
0
PUNTS
5
7
Average Punt
44.0
39.7
PENALTIES
3
4
Penalty Yards
17
45
FUMBLES
5
1
Fumbles Lost
2
0
TIME OF POSSESSION
30:51
29:09
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
The Pittsburgh Steelers
guaranteed a first-round bye and
home playoff game with a
division-clinching road win in
their last game. With another
victory away from Heinz Field
this week, they likely won't
have to play a road game again
this season. The AFC's No. 1
playoff seed will effectively be
on the line Sunday in Nashville,
where the injury-plagued
Tennessee Titans can wrap up the
conference's top spot or the
Steelers can put themselves on
the brink of doing the same with
a sixth consecutive win...Preview
Prediction: The
Titans' defensive line is in shambles after the loss of Pro Bowl tackle Albert
Haynesworth (strained knee) and end Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin) until the
playoffs. Pittsburgh has roared to the top of the power rankings while enduring
the toughest schedule among the leaders. The Steelers have topped the Ravens and
Cowboys in back-to-back weeks. This week will be another hard fought week of
brutal defense. Steelers 13 - Titans 10
Video Preview: The
Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a gutsy win over the Baltimore Ravens and now
they face another tough matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Charley Casserly
and Jason Horowitz have the preview.
19.7
19.5