The TennesseeTitans brought a power run game to Acrisure Stadium on Thursday night but the Pittsburgh Steelers had their own ready and in the end, it was the combination of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren that proved to be just enough to squeak past the Titans 20-16.
Harris and Warren ran all over the Titans defense and both guys played with a level of energy we’d only seen in small doses all season. The offensive line also gets a lot of credit as the addition of Broderick Jones to the starting lineup gave this group new life. Meanwhile, the passing game was off. Kenny Pickett missed far too many throws including an easy touchdown to wide receiver Calvin Austin and got bailed out by wide receiver Diontae Johnson who had a tremendous performance.
The Steelers defense came up big despite the injuries. Defensive tackle Montravius Adams and linebacker Cole Holcomb were both knocked out of the game but it was an interception by Holcomb’s replacement, Kwon Alexander, that ended the game and sealed the win for the Steelers.
Edge rushers Alex Highsmith, T.J. Watt and Markus Golden all got sacks with Highsmith getting two and five quarterback hits. This was what Pittsburgh needed to overcome grossly inconsistent play from the secondary.
The Steelers now get a mini-bye week before welcoming the Green Bay Packers to town on November 12. Pittsburgh is now 5-3 and in second place in the AFC North.
