Steelers force 7 turnovers in 19-11 win over Tennessee

Pittsburgh 19 – Tennessee 11

Rookie Antonio Brown scored on an 89-yard kickoff return to open the game, and the Pittsburgh Steelers forced seven turnovers in defeating the Tennessee Titans 19-11 Sunday and improving to 2-0 on the season.

The Steelers dominated play and led 19-3 until 58 seconds left in the 4th quarter when the Titans scored and converted a 2-point conversion to make it 19-11.

The Steelers offense managed just 7 first downs and 127 total yards but it didn’t matter as Pittsburgh came up with four sacks, three interceptions and rattled quarterback Vince Young who threw two interceptions and lost one fumble before being replaced.

Running back Chris Johnson was limited to just 34 yards on 16 carries, averaging 2.1 yards per carry.

LaMarr Woodley, Bryant McFadden and Troy Polamalu each had interceptions for Pittsburgh. Woodley added a sack, while James Harrison had 2 sacks on the afternoon and 11 tackles. Defensive end Brett Keisel also had a sack.

The key to Pittsburgh’s resurgence on defense could be a healthy Troy Polamalu on the field and an upgraded secondary with the return of Bryant McFadden but dominant play from inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons through two games has given the Steelers another unique playmaker roaming the field and a likely pro bowl player.

Timmons was tremendous again this afternoon, leading the Steelers with 15 tackles in the game. The 4th year linebacker has 26 tackles through two games which is a team high.

Offensively the Steelers were stagnant. Dennis Dixon (4-6, 18 yards, 28 rushing yards ) hurt his left knee and was replaced in the second quarter by Charlie Batch who went 5 of 11 for 25 yards.

The running game wasn’t very effective either as Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 69 yards on 23 carries.

The story of the game was the Steelers defense which snapped Chris Johnson’s 100-yard rushing streak at 12 straight. The NFL’s rushing champ had a chance to move a game away from the league record of 14, held by Barry Sanders. The Steelers seven forced turnovers were the most in 13 years.

Jeff Reed kicked four field goals in the win.