Steelers – Titans Takeaways

Ben Roethlisberger completed 11 of 18 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown vs the Titans in what will be his only preseason appearance. Roethlisberger exited the game mid-way through the second quarter.

[hide][/hide]

Roethlisberger’s day was highlighted by a 32 yard touchdown strike to Justin Hunter who beat Titans DB Adoree’ Jackson deep for the score.

While the Steelers first-team offense minus Antonio Brown/Le’Veon looked out of sync at times and couldn’t get a running game going, the Steelers out of the no-huddle went 80 yards in just a 1:45 on their lone scoring drive in the first quarter.

The Steelers plan to run the no-huddle much more this season with Todd Haley gone as offensive coordinator. Roethlisberger and Haley often butted heads about Haley’s reluctance to run the no-huddle as much as Roethlisberger wanted.

That won’t be an issue in 2018.

MORE BUZZ

[hide]

— James Conner struggled running the football with 18 yards on 10 carries, but was effective in the passing game on check downs, a promising sign for him were Le’Veon Bell to struggle early in the season. Conner had 75 total yards from scrimmage in the first half, including 6 receptions for 52 yards.

— JuJu Smith-Schuster was targeted 8 times by Roethlisberger and there’s a clear comfort level between the two. Smith-Schuster had 6 catches for 46 yards but could have had a much bigger half if not for two drops.

— James Washington who has starred of late in practices, had no catches in the first half and was targeted twice by Roethlisberger. Washington left the game due to an abdominal injury.

— Trey Griffey, the son of Ken Griffey Jr, saw some action when Roethlisberger was in at QB. He caught a 6 yard pass from Roethlisberger.

SCRUTINIZED DEFENSE HAS PROMISING DAY

The Steelers first-team defense shutdown Marcus Mariota and the Titans in posting a shutout in the first half.

Vince Williams, Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt all recorded sacks and first-round Terrell Edmunds, the lowest graded rookie per Pro Football Focus through two preseason games (Edmunds has actually had a solid camp) showed the athleticism that has made the Steelers so high on him in picking off Mariota in the second quarter with coverage of Taiwan Taylor and then going 30 yards on the return.
[hide] [/hide]

The Titans big boys had a dismal day.

Mariota was 5/8 for 43yards with an interception and was sacked twice. Mariota missed a wide open Corey Davis for a would-be touchdown on the Titans opening drive.

RB Derrick Henry was limited to 12 yards on five carries.

The Steelers front-seven was excellent at getting pressure and Bud Dupree had a promising game as the Steelers had him in a role where was lining up in several different spots.[/hide]