Pittsburgh offense vs. Tennessee defense

	STEELERS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	6
	Pass	29
	Tot. Yds.	26
	Scoring	17
	Int's allowed	9
	Sacks allowed	17
	TITANS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	13
	vs. Pass	24
	Total yds. allowed	18
	# of Ints.	7
	# of Sacks	29
	Turnover differential	+1

Just when you think that Steelers' QB Kordell Stewart has settled in to the team's offense, he has a performance like last Sunday's against the Cleveland Browns. Stewart finished the game 15-32 for 137 yards and two interceptions -- the most damaging interception coming as the Steelers were trying to run out the clock for the win. The good news for the Steelers is that they are playing on the road this week. Stewart has led his team to a 4-1 road record with a QB rating of 87.3 in road games.

This week, Stewart will be challenged by a Titan defense that has shown the ability to pressure the passer without forcing its cornerbacks to play on an island, and is one of the more effective units in the league at stopping the run, ranked 12th overall.

For the Steelers to have success running the football, OC Dermonti Dawson (or his back-up Roger Duffy) and FB Jon Witman need to lock up Tennessee MLB Eddie Robinson, who is one of the better run-stopping backers in the league. This will allow Pittsburgh RB Jerome Bettis to take on the Tennessee safeties -- a match-up that Bettis will more often than not win.

Pittsburgh should also look to establish the short to middle range passing game early on with WR's Hines Ward and Courtney Hawkins. Titan CBs Denard Walker and Samari Rolle are young and play a lot of man-to-man coverage, so the short passing game could make them susceptible to pump fakes and deep routes later in the game.

Although Pittsburgh's coaching staff is trying to mold Stewart into a more polished, pocket passer, he is still a big play threat when he tucks the ball away and runs with it. That being said, expect Titan coach Jeff Fisher to put MLB Eddie Robinson into spy mode in passing situations to minimize the damage that Stewart can do. Two weeks ago in San Francisco, the 49ers were unable to get any pressure on Stewart, and he burned the secondary repeatedly as a result.

The Titans need to get in Stewart's face early and often this week, and rookie LDE Jevon Kearse is in a good position to be the guy. Kearse will be matched up against ROT Anthony Brown, who has held up well all season against lesser foes. Kearse has been dominant at times this season, and uses a combination of speed and power to keep opposing tackles off balance. Coach Fisher's 4-6 defense is one that will put a lot of guys on the LOS and challenge Stewart to make plays.

Another area where the Titan defense has an opportunity to control the game is in the interior. The Steelers have been unable to get healthy, with OC Dermonti Dawson and LOG Alan Faneca slowed by injuries. RDT Jason Fisk could have a big day, particularly if Dawson can't go for the fourth straight week.

Offensive coordinator Les Steckel has executed a conservative game plan since McNair returned from a neck injury two weeks ago, and eventually needs to start opening things up if the Titans are going to be an effective offensive football team. McNair should look downfield more often this week, as the Steeler corners have been burned on deep passes several times this season.

One of the reasons Tennessee has not been throwing the ball downfield as of late is that teams are beginning to jam the Titan WR's at the line of scrimmage and Yancey Thigpen and Kevin Dyson have had a difficult time getting into their routes. Expect the Titans to try and open up their offense this week to give McNair more options downfield.

The Steeler defense played pretty well against the Browns last week except for one play when Cleveland WR Kevin Johnson got behind the defense for a big play and a touchdown. The unit was solid against the run, and needs to be again this weekend as they will see a lot of Titan RB George. MLB Levon Kirkland needs to be on his game, get off his blocks and make plays against the Tennessee running game, but will have a tough time this week against the Titan interior offensive line. Tennessee's OC Kevin Long and OG's Bruce Matthews and Benji Olson have controlled the middle of the field in recent weeks, allowing RB George to get a lot of yardage between the tackles. Kirkland and NG Joel Steed need to have solid games to force George outside where Steeler LOLB Jason Gildon and ROLB Carlos Emmons can use their lateral quickness to force George to run east / west. It is when George squares his shoulders and starts running north / south that he becomes a truly devastating ball carrier.

The Steelers catch a break this week because Tennessee TE Frank Wychek is playing for the third straight week with a partially torn MCL. Wychek has been an effective weapon in the middle of the field, but with a bad wheel, Kirkland, who plays well in space, should be able to take him out of his game.