RECAP

Ben was a little rusty, "nervous" as he put it at the beginning of the game or the Steelers might have been up 7-0 on the first drive of the game. Ben had Mike Wallace, the rook, wide open on the right side of the field and had he put a little more on it, the speedy Wallace would have been in the endzone before you could say TD. Wallace needs a nickname, by the way. By the end of the game Ben was back to Super Bowl form completing a string of passes, missing only one.

Stefan Logan showed why a roster spot was kept open for a returner by returning the opening kickoff for 39 yards. He might want to change up his returns here and there though. He tried several times to outrun the kicking team to the right side of the field. He did it successfully, but teams watch film and see tendencies. He also lost a punt and 15 yards later in the game. Pretty happy with him overall though.

Troy Polamalu was AWESOME coming up and nailing Chris Johnson on the 2 yard line for a loss at the beginning of the game. Then, that interception. Lynn Swann, who was at the game by the way, has nothing on Troy. He Skyed to get up to break up the pass, but then he reached up and grabbed the pass, LEFTHANDED; AMAZING. I think Tyrone Carter or someone else will be on the field goal team from now on. Let's just keep Troy on defense when he comes back. Unless we need somebody to play safety when Ben's kneeling down at the end of games.

Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, and Mike Wallace provided great receiver play. Holmes and Ward each topped 100 yards and Santonio scored the Steelers only TD before the end of the first half. Mike Wallace, who apparently impressed Tomlin and B.A. enough that he took over the 3rd receiver position from Limas Sweed, made a crucial catch in OT to put them in field goal position. Although Hines fumbled in field goal position at the end of regulation I think we can absolve him of that misdeed. He has made a few plays in his career to win a game or 2. Plus, any Steeler fans knows Hines well enough to know that after that fumble that Ben could throw every pass his way in overtime and he would not only catch anything near him and get them in field goal position but he would not fumble 100 out of 100 times after that.

Some would disagree, but I like how the Steelers stuck with the run, to a point. That 3rd down attempt right before the game tying field goal was pathetic. They were passing it all over the field then tried running it up the gut 2 times. It didn't work. They need to keep trying to run it, because Ben can't win them all with his arm... or can he?

It was nice to have Sepulveda back. He gave the punting game distance when needed and was accurate when needed. He also got lucky with a good roll on another.

Jeff Reed, just another game winning field goal. No big deal. I can't say this enough, re-sign this guy. Suspend the rule about extending contracts during the season. If he isn't re-signed it will cost the Steelers at some point next year. I remember when they took the hard line with Gary Anderson and he continued to be productive for another 20 years. Not really, but I don't think they should have let him go.

I hate to say it, but the Titans looked good. Their defense stuffed Willie and Rashard. Our offensive line did not run block well, and there were very few holes for those guys to run through. Willie had a few chances to get more yardage, but it looked like he hit the wrong hole, make that mousehole, because if they were there they were small. It seemed like he could have bounced it outside a few times but didn't. Remember, he played very little this preseason and I expect him to get better as the season progresses. The O Line needs to run block better, though. The pass blocking at the end of the game was excellent and Ben had all kinds of time on the OT drive.

Grades:
OFFENSE
Ben: B+
2 INTs, 1 TD, 2 game winning drives (credit him with 2 since Hines fumbled)

O-Line: C+
3 Sacks in the first half, 2 BHBTLS (new stat - Ben holding the ball too long sack), poor run blocking the whole game, pass blocking improved dramatically in 2nd half.

Running Backs: F
No holes, but you have to make holes occasionally. Long of 8 yards, stopped on 3rd and 2 in the red zone to pick up a first down.

Receivers: A+
Two 100 yard games from Hines and Santonio, a big catch from Mike W. and Heath's dependability.

DEFENSE:
Defensive Line: B+
Dependable as usual, Casey Hampton had a pressure, Aaron Smith had a pressure. Were not as effective against the run as the Titans, but still held them to 86 yards, and one was a cutback run of 32 yards by Johnson.

Linebackers: B
Never really got to Collins, but he threw the ball away everytime they got close. But, that's just as good as a sack. James Harrison continued to be held and the refs continued to ignore.

Defensive Backs: B-
Troy played amazingly while he was in. Collins played well and found the open receiver consistently. Gave up a catch and run before the half to set up the tying TD.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A
Stefan was a definite positive addition with an immediate impact on the 39 yard kickoff return. Did botch a punt return that cost them 15 yards of field position. Sepulveda was effective with distance and accuracy. Didn't allow any excessive returns. Jeff Reed is "the man."

Next up Da Bears.