Steelers shut door in 4th quarter, continue Titans’ roadway skid

PITTSBURGH– In a Thursday night video game that started Week 9 with much excitement after Tennessee Titans novice Will Levis‘ four-touchdown launching recently, the Titans and the Pittsburgh Steelers traded basket the majority of the night before Pittsburgh had the ability to score late and hold back a desperate effort by the Titans in the 20-16 win.

With 4:02 staying in the 4th quarter, Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett discovered pass receiver Diontae Johnson for the 3-yard goal. The win permits the Steelers to equal the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens (6-2) as Levis was up to 1-1 as a starter filling in for the hurt Ryan Tannehill

Linebacker Kwon Alexander had the ability to seal the win when Levis tossed his very first interception of his young NFL profession on third-and-5 from the Pittsburgh 19-yard line with 6 seconds staying.

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)

Call him Kenny Return. The Steelers’ second-year quarterback had the ability to provide the game-winner to Johnson, the pass receiver’s very first goal in 22 video games.

It’s never ever simple for this year’s Steelers group– even on a night where the run video game tape-recorded a season-high 167 backyards, and the defense held Derrick Henry to less than 100 hurrying backyards. With the win, the Steelers have an NFL-leading 4 wins when tracking after 3 quarters. The 4 resurgence wins are likewise connected for Pittsburgh’s second-most in a season throughout the Super Bowl age.

QB breakdown: Having fun with a ribs injury sustained versus the Jacksonville Jaguars simply 4 days previously, Pickett had a rough start in the very first half, finishing simply 53% of his passes. However Pickett and the offense did score a first-drive goal, simply the Steelers’ seventh opening-drive goal in the last 3 seasons and the 2nd with Pickett as the starter. After 2 three-and-outs, Pickett got better with a far better 2nd half, thanks in big part to the introduction of the run video game. Pickett ended up finishing 19 of 30 for 160 backyards, consisting of a 32-yard conclusion to Johnson on the scoring drive, and he had no turnovers. The third-down pass, which took a trip a game-high 23 air backyards, had simply a 35.9 anticipated conclusion portion, per Next Gen Statistics. Pickett balanced 4.5 air backyards per effort, the second-lowest of his profession, and he was pressed at the second-lowest rate of his profession (20%) as an outcome.

Purchase on a breakout efficiency: Broderick Jones is the Steelers’ beginning right take on. Jones, who unseated Chukwuma Okorafor, was a surprise start on a brief week– specifically considering he’s taken the majority of his associates at left take on in video games and in practice. Okorafor is the Steelers’ highest-paid offending lineman with a $13 million cap struck this season. Jones, however, was a huge part of the run video game’s success Thursday. He assisted pave a course for Najee Harris on the very first rating of the video game, and he helped Harris to a 25-yard run in the 2nd half– his longest of the season. The run video game likewise balanced a season-best 5.5 backyards per bring– well over its 3.6 average.

Unpleasant pattern: In each of the last 3 video games, pass receiver George Pickens has actually made an unbelievable catch– just to have it ruled insufficient since he didn’t get a 2nd foot down. While the very first 2 had more to do with the ball positioning on the toss, the one on Thursday cost his group a goal. Pickett completely positioned the ball in the end zone where just Pickens might get it, however Pickens’ 2nd foot struck the sideline before touching down in the end zone. There was area to drag his toe, however Pickens didn’t have the awareness to get his toe down. Rather of taking a four-point lead, the Steelers chose a basket and a 13-13 tie late in the 3rd quarter. Pickens went into the night with 11 receptions within 2 backyards of a limit the last 2 seasons, many in the league according to NFL Next Gen Statistics. — Brooke Pryor

Up next: vs. Green Bay Packers (Nov. 12, 1 p.m. ET)

Tennessee Titans (3-5)

The Titans dropped a heartbreaker for their 8th straight roadway loss and 4th of the season. The Titans were not able to consist of the Steelers’ run video game, led by Harris– who had 15 brings for 72 backyards and a goal– and Jaylen Warren— 10 brings for 85 backyards.

Although it was a loss, Levis made a case to be the starter for the remainder of the season. Regardless of dealing with a relentless pass rush, Levis offered the Titans a possibility to win however fell simply brief.

QB Breakdown: Levis provided to his receivers in spite of the pass rush barreling down on him regularly. His elite, simple and easy arm strength was on screen, specifically on his finest toss– a layered pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine off his back foot as the defense surrounded him. It’s clear that he’s comfy and positive performing offending organizer Tim Kelly’s system, even in a rowdy arena like Acrisure Arena.

Most significant hole in the tactical plan: The Titans took control of at their 38-yard line down 4. Pass receiver Treylon Burks got 5 backyards on an end-around and Derrick Henry‘s 1-yard run made it third-and-4. Kelly chose to call a within go to Tyjae Spears, and it chose no gain to establish a 4th down. Regardless of the truth Pittsburgh’s pass rushes had the ability to pester Levis all video game, the next playcall used long-developing paths and a deep incompletion to Burks.

Appealing pattern: The Levis to DeAndre Hopkins mix has actually been cash for the Titans. Hopkins, who ended up with 60 backyards on 4 receptions, played 12 halves without Levis this season. He had at least 50 getting backyards in simply among them. In just 4 halves with Levis, Hopkins has actually had at least 50 getting backyards in 3 of them. Hopkins didn’t capture a goal in 6 video games before Levis began, however he now has 3.

Strong forecast: Levis will have his very first 300-yard death efficiency next week versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa is 28th in the league, quiting 256 passing backyards per video game. Kelly will have more time to call up deep death plays given that he will not have Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith getting instant pressure like Thursday. Levis has actually stood out at tossing deep passes (3 goals with 50 or more air backyards), so anticipate to see him airing it out versus the Bucs.— Turron Davenport

Up next: Up next: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Nov. 12, 1 p.m. ET)