Steelers-Titans Preview

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• White Helps Titans Earn Top Seed In The AFC

SCOUTING REPORT

Steelers will take advantage of Haynesworth-less Titans This game features two of the best teams in the AFC, with home-field advantage for the playoffs on the line. Tennessee is reeling after losing to Houston and witnessing a scary left knee injury to its best defensive player, DT Albert Haynesworth. Pittsburgh won a street fight in Baltimore to post the AFC's second-best record, clinch a first-round bye and win the AFC North. The Steelers have the No. 1 defense in football and will head to Tennessee intent on stopping QB Kerry Collins, RB Chris Johnson and the Titans' No. 19-ranked offense. Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has had several issues along the defensive line this season and now must adjust quickly to life without Haynesworth for the next couple of weeks.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
PIT	12-4	347	223	6-2	6-2	6-0	10-2
TEN	13-3	375	234	7-1	6-2	4-2	9-3
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Pittsburgh Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Roethl... 66.6 4328 26 12 Dixon 46.2 145 1 1

Tennessee Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Young 58.7 1879 10 7 Collin... 55.1 1225 6 8

Pittsburgh Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Menden... 242 1108 4.6 7 Parker 98 389 4.0 0

Tennessee Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Johnso... 358 2006 5.6 14 Young 55 281 5.1 2

Pittsburgh Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Holmes 79 1248 15.8 5 Ward 95 1167 12.3 6

Tennessee Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Britt 42 701 16.7 3 Washin... 47 569 12.1 6

Full Player Stats: Pittsburgh | Tennessee

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	PIT	312.0
	TEN	314.0
Yards Passing	PIT	206.3
	TEN	176.2
Yards Rushing	PIT	105.6
	TEN	137.4
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	PIT	237.2
	TEN	293.6
Pass Yds Allowed	PIT	156.9
	TEN	199.8
Rush Yds Allowed	PIT	80.3
	TEN	93.9

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Tennessee leads 4-3
Sep 11, 2005	PIT 34, @TEN 7
Sep 28, 2003	PIT 13, @TEN 30
Jan 11, 2003	PIT 31, TEN 34
Nov 17, 2002	PIT 23, TEN 31
Nov 25, 2001	PIT 34, TEN 24
Oct 29, 2001	PIT 34, @TEN 7

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.

It seemed like a foregone conclusion a month ago that the Titans (12-2) would host the AFC championship game on Dec. 18. Tennessee was undefeated through Week 11, had all but wrapped up the AFC South while allowing a league-low 13.1 points per game.

The Titans, though, have come back to the pack since they were routed 34-14 at LP Field by the New York Jets on Nov. 23. After blowout wins over Detroit and Cleveland, Tennessee's shortcomings were evident again last Sunday in Houston.

Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson torched the Titans' secondary for 207 yards and a touchdown, and Tennessee never found the end zone in a 13-12 loss.

To make matters worse, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth went down late with a sprained MCL that will keep him out until the playoffs.

"I think we were on vacation this week, knowing we got a bye and whatever other good stuff happened for us last week," linebacker Keith Bulluck said. "But I know as a team we need to ... come out and play football. Pittsburgh is playing for way more than us (on Sunday)."

Hours after Bulluck's post-game quote, it became apparent that both teams have the same goal. Trailing 9-6 with under four minutes to play in Baltimore on Sunday, Ben Roethlisberger led a 12-play, 93-yard drive that culminated in a controversial touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes.

The initial call was the ball didn't break the plane of the goal line, but after a lengthy review the decision was reversed, giving Pittsburgh a 13-9 win and the AFC North title.

With a win at Tennessee and another victory at home next weekend against the woeful Browns, who the Steelers (11-3) have beaten 10 straight times, coach Mike Tomlin's team will be the AFC's top seed.

"We would love to have that No. 1 spot, and try to get the easiest path there," said receiver Hines Ward. "But in the AFC, I don't think there is any easy way."

Neither team has particularly fond recent memories of being the conference's top seed. Tennessee was 13-3 in 2000 and had home-field throughout the playoffs, but lost its first game. Pittsburgh was the No. 1 seed in 1994, 2001 and 2004, but lost the conference championship game at home each time.

The last time the Steelers have won five in a row came in 2004 -- Roethlisberger's rookie season -- when they rattled off victories in their final 13 regular-season games. None of these wins have been easy, though. Pittsburgh has rallied each time, and was losing with less than three minutes remaining in three of the victories.

With an offense that's struggled to run the ball -- the Steelers rank 23rd with 102.9 yards per game -- it's been the NFL's top defense that's made Pittsburgh so formidable.

The Steelers lead the league in rush defense, pass defense and total defense, and could become the first team to finish No. 1 in all three categories since the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles. Led by Pro Bowlers James Harrison, James Farrior and Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh also has the No. 1 scoring defense (13.7 ppg).

The Steelers haven't allowed 300 yards all season, and if they can hold Tennessee below that, they'll surpass the 1973 Los Angeles Rams for the longest streak to start a season since the NFL merger in 1970.

"We step up to challenges. We've faced a bunch of hot offenses and hot quarterbacks, and they take it personal," Tomlin said. "They respond to challenges. We have a unique group."

The Titans allow 14.1 ppg, right behind the Steelers, but with Haynesworth out and star defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch also sidelined until the playoffs, backups Jason Jones and Dave Ball will have to step up.

Tennessee has the AFC's top rushing attack with Chris Johnson, the conference's second-leading rusher, and LenDale White. But against a Pittsburgh defense that gives up 3.2 yards per carry, the pressure may fall onto quarterback Kerry Collins.

Collins has seemingly been a perfect fit for a team with a run-oriented offense and solid defense, but when he's had to make plays over the past few weeks, he's struggled. Collins has completed 51.8 percent of his passes with three interceptions in his last two games.

"Guys gotta help Kerry out there," tight end Bo Scaife said. "We have to catch balls and run the right routes, and we can't just put it on him, you know. We all have to do better."

If Pittsburgh needs additional incentive to avoid a potential trip back to Nashville for the AFC championship game, it just needs to look at its history there.

Since the franchise moved to Tennessee in 1997, the Titans have won six of seven at home against the Steelers. Pittsburgh's most recent visit came in the 2003 divisional playoffs, a 34-31 overtime loss.

Wickersham: The future of the NFL

Seth Wickersham looks at the labor dispute that is hanging over the NFL and what the future may hold for the league.

Scouts Inc.: AFC offseason needs

You can think of this as the ultimate primer for the NFL offseason, or at least the AFC offseason: Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. breaks down all the squads in the AFC and tells you their top three needs to address, be it via the draft or free agency.

Owners talk labor situation; status quo reigns

NFL owners have met for several hours to discuss the labor situation, although it appears they are no closer to reaching an agreement with the players' union for a new collective bargaining agreement.

Pasquarelli: Practice-squad player contributing to Colts' cause

Taj Smith won't suit up for Super Bowl XLIV, but he's played an important role in the Colts' defensive preparations, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Polamalu, Kemoeatu out against Packers

As expected, the Steelers will be without All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu on Sunday against Green Bay, and coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that left guard Chris Kemoeatu also will miss the game.

Ward helping out young receivers

Wide receiver Hines Ward watched the play unfold in the Steelers indoor practice facility during OTA's and then walked over to first-year running back Stefan Logan and shared a little bit of advice.

Steelers' rookie tries to overcome obstacle

Mike Tomlin knows a thing or two about motivating players. So it probably shouldn't come as any surprise that the Steelers coach regularly tells rookie center A.Q. Shipley, "Man, those arms are looking short." The length of Shipley's arms is a big reason why 225 players were selected before the Moon Area High School graduate in April.

Steelers players brighten some spirits

John Harris is a sports columnist for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached via e-mail or at 412-481-5432. An excited Heather Miller of Bedford got a chance Wednesday to meet her favorite football player, Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton, as part of her Make-a-Wish Foundation request.

Steelers' LB Davis seeking his seat on bus

The BMOC of UCLA has been MIA in Pittsburgh. Linebacker Bruce Davis went from what he called a "rock star" in college football to almost rock bottom with the Steelers.

Mundy impresses Steelers with smarts, skills

Twenty-nine has significance for Steelers safety Ryan Mundy beyond the fact that it is his uniform number.

Vince Young: play me or let me go

If the Titans don't want him to play, Vince Young is ready to move on. The No. 3 pick of the 2006 NFL Draft told a Baltimore television station Monday that he wanted to become the starting quarterback for the Titans - regaining the job he lost last season to Kerry Collins in dramatic fashion - or find another team.

Quarterback steps out of bounds again

Will Vince Young ever get it? Just when you believe the Titans' backup quarterback is beginning to absorb the big picture of what it takes to be an NFL quarterback, he gives you reason to doubt him.

Titan sharpens focus after eye surgery

Titans cornerback Nick Harper could blame his hands for not having more interceptions last season, but the bigger problem was his eyesight.

McNair says he believes Young is maturing

Steve McNair touched on a variety of subjects at his eighth annual football camp at Goodpasture Christian School on Friday.

Nick Harper overcomes age, vision to stick in Titans' secondary

Titans cornerback Nick Harper could blame his hands for not having more interceptions last season, but the bigger problem was his eyesight.