NFL Week 16: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans

With big postseason stakes on the line, the power-run offense of the Titans takes on the No. 1 defense of the Steelers.

Titans vs. Steelers Overview:
The Tennessee Titans had a chance to secure home-field advantage for the NFL Playoffs against rival Houston Texans, but the boys from Nashville were unable to snag what should have been an easy victory. The Pittsburgh Steelers barely edged out archrival Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North title in one of the toughest races in recent memory. Being the biggest game of the year for both franchises, Tennessee Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers tickets give fans great seats to see an old-school battle of ball control and punishing defense.

Tennessee Titans Offense:
“Smash and Dash” is the nickname given to the running-back tandem of LenDale White and Chris Johnson, and the pair carry the Tennessee Titans offense. LenDale White is a huge power back with surprising agility while Chris Johnson is the fastest player in the NFL. The pair forces teams to create two entirely different game plans and can confuse any defense. The Tennessee Titans’ superb offensive line is anchored by veteran C Kevin Mawae and young LT Michael Roos. QB Kerry Collins usually manages the game well and loves TE Bo Scaife in the flats.

Tennessee Titans Defense:
The tough front seven of the Tennessee Titans is missing its two biggest pieces with DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch being out until the playoffs. DT Tony Brown is a monster himself and will still be a force on the line along with DEs Jevon Kearse and Dave Ball. OLB Keith Bullock earns his captain’s “C” on every play and can go from sideline to sideline with brilliant speed. CB Cortland Finnegan is a fantastic cover guy but really loves to hit opponents in the mouth. Safeties Michael Griffin and Chris Hope are the best deep tandem in football.

Pittsburgh Steelers Offense:
The Pittsburgh Steelers platoon two quick RBs in “Fast” Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore. They may not be dynamically different like “Smash and Dash,” but fans with Pittsburgh Steelers tickets know that the pair can rack up a ton of yardage on the ground or through the air. QB Ben Roethlisberger has taken command of the team and has gained a wealth of knowledge about making reads and getting the ball away quick after dealing with offensive-line injuries. WRs Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes will be the two top receivers on the field and have earned the love of fans with Pittsburgh Steelers tickets by making clutch catches.

Pittsburgh Steelers Defense:
Fans with Pittsburgh Steelers tickets are also naturally fans of defense as the Steel City has always produced great defense. The No. 1 ranked defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers is on a record pace, and the 3-4 set is discombobulating offenses like never before. NT Casey Hampton uses his girth to clog running lanes and allow ILBs Lawrence Timmons and James Farrior to smother running backs. OLBs LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison have combined for 26.5 sacks. Pittsburgh Steelers tickets will feature SS Troy Polamalu, who makes the whole defense work with his versatility in the secondary.

Tennessee Titans Strategy:
Against the inferior defense of the Houston Texans, the Tennessee Titans could not establish the run and lost the game due to this. If the Tennessee Titans want any hope of beating the No. 1 defense, it will be with “Smash and Dash”, not Kerry Collins. The Pittsburgh Steelers are No. 2 against the run so the going will be tough. Getting NT Casey Hampton doubled and pushed back will be the top priority as moving the human wall will open up lanes for the backs. The running game will also keep LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison from coming after Kerry Collins.

The lack of DT Albert Haynesworth means that more blitzes will be needed to compensate for the lack of talent in the middle. Chris Hope and Michael Griffin will be able to come up into the box thanks to great corner play on the outside. The Pittsburgh Steelers like to use the speed of their running backs on tosses and screens so staying at home and playing contain is a necessity for the Tennessee Titans front seven. CB Cortland Finnegan will need to jam speedy WR Santonio Holmes at the line to prevent him from stretching the defense.

Pittsburgh Steelers Strategy:
The injury to DT Albert Haynesworth against the Houston Texans was an early Christmas present for fans with Pittsburgh Steelers tickets as it makes the game much easier for their favorite team. Without the presence of their two best defensive linemen, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a real chance to take control of the line of scrimmage. The usual style of ball control may take a backseat to Ben Roethlisberger however. If the Pittsburgh Steelers can build an early lead, then they can force the Tennessee Titans to turn to Kerry Collins. Santonio Holmes deep on play-action will be a money play all game.

Defensively, the Pittsburgh Steelers will want to take away Chris Johnson and LenDale White early. Not only will that take away the biggest strength of their opponent, but it will force them to use their greatest weakness – the passing game. The Tennessee Titans have no talent at the WR position, and Kerry Collins does not have the ability to beat the No. 1 defense in football. With Lawrence Timmons blitzing from the interior, LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison rushing from the outside, and Troy Polamalu deep, fans with Pittsburgh Steelers tickets know that the chances for sacks and turnovers are incredibly high.

Titans vs. Steelers Outlook:
Rarely in the modern NFL do two teams come into a game with matching philosophies, but the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers mirror each other in many ways. With great defenses and running attacks, each loves to dominate with their big uglies and pound teams with the rock until both sides spit out a few teeth. Each team’s secondary also flies under the radar as there are numerous DBs with Pro-Bowl talent that go unrecognized thanks to talented front sevens. Fans with Tennessee Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers tickets will be getting their pass to see football from a bygone era of gridiron action.

The injury to Albert Haynesworth and the loss to the Houston Texans push the Tennessee Titans to a weaker standing than the Pittsburgh Steelers. With their best player and main run stopper gone, the line of scrimmage will be the domain of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The pass rush of the Pittsburgh Steelers against the mediocre Kerry Collins is another big advantage as the veteran will be crushed early and often by the devastating 3-4, like he was against the New York Jets. Fans with Pittsburgh Steelers tickets will see their team clinch the first-round bye in the NFL Playoffs. Order Pittsburgh Steelers tickets from OnlineTickets.com today!