Give Al Del Greco two opportunities to make a field goal, and he probably
won't miss both kicks. That is exactly what happened yesterday, as the
Tennessee Titans defeated Pittsburgh on a last second field goal to send the
Steelers home losers 9-7. For the second consecutive game against the
Titans, the Steelers had this team defeated, only to let the game slip away
in the late stages. Tennessee has now put together 13 consecutive victories
on their new home field, an NFL record for opening a new stadium. It also
puts and end to the Steelers' five game winning streak and puts the Titans
winning streak at eight. However, there is nothing to hang heads about in
this game.

How about that Pittsburgh defense? They are playing on a level where they
are now being compared to the mighty Steel Curtain from 1976. Back in that
year, the Steelers 'D put together a streak of 22 consecutive quarters
without allowing a touchdown. This current version has a streak going of 20
straight. They played magnificently yesterday in all areas of defense. The
only negative was allowing the Titans to move downfield in the waning
moments of the game to set up the winning score. Perhaps they were on the
field much too long during the game, evident of the time of possession.
39:30 for Tennessee, 20:30 for Pittsburgh. Can you imagine if we had an
offense that could produce points? We may be sitting at 8-1 right now like
Tennessee instead of 5-4. The only consolation is that the Titans play great
defense as well, but this Kordell Stewart-led offense is simply not potent
enough. Winning on defense finally caught up to the Steelers yesterday. It
simply cannot work without an offense that can't put points on the board. It
also doesn't help when you have receivers dropping the ball, as Troy Edwards
did yesterday.AGAIN! Edwards even said it himself. He said following the
game that he doesn't belong out there. At least he is man enough to admit he is not doing his job. There were other factors in the game as well: In the first half, Deshea Townsend had his hands on the ball that should have been an interception. Hank Poteat fumbled the ball back to Tennessee on a muffed punt return. Samari Role picked off Kordell Stewart on a pass that Stewart was trying to stuff into triple coverage - big mistake. Plaxico Burress may have had a long gain on one pass play but was unable to out jump his defender despite his 6'5 ½" frame. That is the reason we drafted him; for his height. Chad Scott was repeatedly getting beaten by Chris Sanders on clutch plays despite playing him tight. Tennessee wins despite 14 penalties for 155 yards. That is a factor a team must take advantage of. How are the Steelers' playoff chances looking? Currently, for a wild card spot, Pittsburgh is behind three other teams in the won-loss columns. The New York Jets at 6-3 have already lost to us. Additionally, there are three other AFC teams at 5-4. Pittsburgh also has four conference losses, all of those coming within our own division. Division title? Forget about it. No chance. The Titans would have to have a serious letdown for that to happen. Wild card or nothing it is, and the Steeler players know this. However, if they don't make the playoffs but still finish at 9-7, or 10-6, then this season cannot be considered a failure by any stretch of the imagination.

Injury update: Corey Geason injured left knee, and did not return to game,
despite making a huge catch on the play where he got hurt; Dermontti Dawson, right hamstring and did not return.

Finally, there is the way the Steelers conducted their offense with two
minutes to play. Leading 7-6, they tried for first downs by passing the
ball. Mistake? Perhaps. But according to Bill Cowher, "We were looking for a
first down. A first down is what we needed. That's what we were trying to
get." Well they practically went three and out, and gave Tennessee plenty of
time to work with.