Don’t look now, but the Steelers defense is officially back.
After a season in 2009 when they allowed too many leads to slip away late, so far in 2010 the D has been dominant, as they have held their first two opponents to one touchdown after a 19-11 win over the Titans in Tennessee.
Sunday’s specialty was the takeaways, as the team totaled seven takeaways, three picks against Vince Young and Kerry Collins, and four fumble recoveries.
“It was a big win for us,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “You come into a hostile environment versus good people it’s going to require a lot. We were far from perfect today but the guys really hung together and gave an outstanding effort.
“We made enough plays in enough areas to get out of there. I like what the team is doing in terms of working together, fighting the adversity and uplifting each other. We still have some improving to do. We are still beating ourselves a little bit. It’s good to learn those lessons and work to improve when you are 2-0, which is what we are.”
The Titans became so frustrated with their lack of offense, they turned to the veteran Collins after Young went just 7-for-10 for 66 yards with two picks, and he also lost a fumble.
Collins didn’t do any better, as he was picked on his first series by Bryant McFadden, was sacked by Troy Polamalu on his second after a bad snap, and was hit and fumbled on his third series. The backup QB was 17-for-25 for 149 yards with a TD and pick.
Tennessee made it interesting in the end, as they got a touchdown with :58 seconds left to make it 19-11 after the two-point conversion. Then they got the onside kick, but the defense held for the last frantic Tennessee series to hang on for the win.
The Steelers offense didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard by any means, as they only crossed the goal-line once, and it was on the first play of the game on the opening kickoff when rookie Antonio Brown took a reverse and went 89 yards just seconds into the game.
The offense was held in check after Dennis Dixon got beat up by the Titans, fumbling once himself, and then after a called run in the second quarter he left the game with a knee injury.
Charlie Batch didn’t make mistakes, which was the key to the win along with the Steelers unreal defensive effort. Batch went just 5-11 for 25 yards. The run game was paced by Rashard Mendenhall, who went for 69 yards on 23 carries.
The other story of the contest was the defensive effort in holding down Chris Johnson. Not only didn’t Johnson get to 100 yards, he didn’t even get to 50. The Steelers D was so good in stopping him, he had just 34 yards on 15 carries, his long carry of the day being 11 yards.
Johnson did burn off a long run in the second quarter that would have been a Titans touchdown, but it came due to the fact that Chris Hoke was being held on the play, and the refs made the right call and made the Titans bring it back.
It is the third time the Steelers have held Johnson in check in three games, holding him less to 100 yards.
The team will stay on the road, and had better not overlook next weeks opponent, as they play a surprising 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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The Tony
September 19, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Great overall effort today by the Steelers! Batch came in and I thought was able to manage the game very well. Although he was 5-11, I counted about four balls that the Steelers should have caught, including Hines Ward in the endzone. It is truly a beautiful thing to see the Steelers Defense back!
Mike
September 19, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Troy P is a difference maker in every way. He makes plays, is instictive and most importantly makes the other 10 guys on the field play better and with more confidence. With him on the field, this defense is incredible. Timmmons is officially a stud. He closes so well. 2 more weeks to Ben is back. I thought if we could get him back and be 2-2 we would be fine. Now i am thinking 4-0 is not out of the question. Let’s get to 3 wins first though.
Adam
September 20, 2010 at 10:45 am
I was there at LP and it was great, towards the end of the game we (Steeler Nation) were rocking the stands. When you got players from the visiting team fist pumping the stands to get us loud on defense, you know we were representing. Keep it up Steelers and lets keep playing with a huge chip on out shoulders
DrGeorge
September 20, 2010 at 11:14 am
All through the winter and pre-season, while the media focused on the offense, we repeatedly emphasized here the need for the defense to return to its old form. Yesterday’s win is Exhibit A for that argument. The Steelers beat the Titans with defense, beating them so badly the Titans yanked their starting QB; forcing 7 turnovers; and humbling the leading rusher in the NFL. LeBeau deserves a ton of credit for this turnaround. Now if he can just keep everyone healthy.
A tip of the hat to Al Everett too. The Steelers special teams not only ran back a kickoff for a TD to start the game, but they continued to improve in kick coverage. You’ve got them headed in the right direction, Al. It has been a long time since the Steelers special teams could claim a place in the sun. They are rapidly getting there.
Finally, a pat on the back to Coach Kugler, who replaced two starting tackles, one during the game itself, and still held a good Titans defense at bay. Changes to the O-line, where timing is critical, are more significant than in any other unit in football. Without having the opportunity to play with the first unit during the week, J. Scott, Legursky, and Hills acquitted themselves well. When they actually get a chance to practice together as a unit, they will get even better. Coach, as we say in the hills, “you done good!”
mark
September 20, 2010 at 12:08 pm
If the passing game was even mediocre yesterday, the Steelers win 30 to 11! I am also impressed with the O-line. 4 sacks shouldnt be the measuring stick this week. Injuries and line-up changes could have had a disasterous effect, but coach Kugler has done well to keep the line playing well. This coming Sunday will be a good test for this current o-line line-up. The Bucs are playing well but should not be able to dictate in ANY faze of the game against the Steelers. If our QB situation is settled, the line should have a chance to gel and dictate the pace of the game. Right now, no-one respects the passing game, so 8 or 9 in the box will test the line. If whoever is QB on Sunday can throw effectively, the Bucs will not be able to keep up with the Steelers. The O-line has a chance to really shine this weekend.