The Tennessee Titans could not have asked for anything more than what their defense gave them in the 19-13 Week 15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tennessee’s unit put the clamps on the Steelers all game long, allowing just 168 yards of total offense, including 35 on the ground. The pass-rush also sacked Ben Roethlisberger three times, one of which came from Bud Dupree.
Most weeks that effort, combined with 19 points allowed, would be more than enough to win a game, but that was not the case on Sunday.
That’s because the Titans’ offense was inept and handed the Steelers the ball in Tennessee territory three times, leading to three field goals. Pittsburgh also capitalized on Tennessee’s fourth turnover with another three points.
Without those turnovers, the offense’s awful showing would have been enough to win thanks to how great the defense played.
The Steelers’ lone touchdown drive was aided by a few penalties, which was the only blemish for this unit overall. One could point to the zero turnovers as another issue, but the defense was so good on Sunday that it didn’t really need them.
It’s too bad the Titans can’t get their offense going or else this team would be a major force. Hopefully things can get back on track with the returns of A.J. Brown and Derrick Henry. Brown is eligible to return off IR in Week 16.
Honorable mentions: RB D’Onta Foreman and WR Chester Rogers
Foreman was sensational for the Titans on Sunday. He accounted for 109 of the Titans’ 201 rushing yards. Foreman, who ran hard and showed great effort despite battling an injury, single-handedly carried the Titans down the field on their final drive before it was stalled.
We also want to give a shutout to Rogers, who notched a 55-yard punt return in the first quarter that set the Titans up for their lone touchdown of the game. Tennessee probably doesn’t find pay dirt on Sunday without it. Rogers also had multiple big catches to move the chains throughout and finished with four catches for 30 yards.
