The offense was held to 168 total yards, only 35 on the ground, and it converted only two third downs. The defense was pushed all over the field and gave up 202 rushing yards, while allowing Tennessee 78 offensive plays. But four Titans turnovers led to four Chris Boswell field goals and somehow the Steelers beat Tennessee, 19-13, to remain alive in the AFC North chase for the playoffs.
Boswell kicked a 36-yard field goal after a Minkah Fitzpatrick fumble recovery in the second quarter. Ben Roethlisberger scored his first touchdown in three years on a one-yard plunge in the third quarter and after entering the fourth quarter down, 13-10, the Steelers got a Joe Haden fumble recovery that led to a 28-yard Boswell field goal, a Joe Schobert interception off a tipped pass that Boswell converted into a 46-yard field goal, and a TJ Watt fumble recovery that resulted in Boswell’s game-winner, a 48-yard field goal.
The Steelers then stopped a Titans drive on a fourth-down tackle by Haden as time was running down. Haden tackled Tennessee’s Nick Westbrook-Ikhine short of the Steelers’ ten yard line, but a bad spot by the officials gave the Titans hope, before a measurement came up just shy of the first down.
Coach Mike Tomlin was grateful for the turnovers.
Roethlisberger passed Phillip Rivers for fifth all-time in passing yards, trailing only Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning, but he knows the Steelers offense let the team down yesterday.
Haden had a big game in his return after missing four games with a foot injury. He says the 7-6-1 Steelers are actually a pretty good team all-around, despite their struggles on both sides of the ball.
Schobert says the defense creating turnovers was the key.
The Steelers have a tough matchup at Kansas City on Sunday, with kickoff at 4:25.
Elsewhere in the AFC North, the Bengals took over first place with a 15-10 win over Denver. The Ravens went for the two-point conversion and the win at the end, and for the second time in three weeks, they failed, falling to Green Bay, 31-30. The Browns were postponed Saturday against the Raiders and will play tonight at 5:00.
The schedule tonight also features the Vikings at the Bears. The covid-affected Week 15 concludes tomorrow night with Washington at Philadelphia, and the Seahawks at the Rams.
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