Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 7, 2013 Following their 8-8 finish last season, Ben Roethlisberger figures to have his work cut out for him as he attempts to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers back to the playoffs. Without a go-to workhorse in the backfield and possibly two of his top receivers from 2012, Roethlisberger will try to help the Steelers win their 11th straight home opener Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. While Pittsburgh started last season with a promising 6-3 record, things began to fall apart when Roethlisberger went down with a sprained shoulder and rib injury in Week 10. The Steelers couldn't recover, dropping five of seven down the stretch to miss the postseason for the first time since 2009. Roethlisberger completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 2,287 yards and 17 touchdowns with only four interceptions before suffering the injury. One of those contests came in Tennessee on Oct. 11, when he went 24 of 40 for 363 yards with one TD and one pick in a 26-23 loss. Roethlisberger, however, wasn't quite as effective after sitting out three games, completing 56.4 percent for 978 yards and nine scores with four INTs over the last four contests. Pittsburgh's all-time leading passer now will try to stay healthy and help the franchise avoid missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since a three-year drought from 1998-2000. "I like our preparation," coach Mike Tomlin told the team's official website. "We are focused on what is going to be required for us to do to win this weekend. We're going to take a business-like approach to it like we did in the preseason." Roethlisberger will have less to work with, though, following the departure of deep threat Mike Wallace to Miami and a knee injury to leading receiver Heath Miller that has him questionable for the opener. Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown, who combined for 110 catches, 1,413 yards and six touchdowns last season, will be Roethlisberger's top targets until Miller's return, while rookie Markus Wheaton also figures to see time. They'll face a Tennessee defense that hopes to be much improved after bringing in former New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. After serving a suspension last season for his part in the Saints' bounty scandal, Williams has been assigned to fix a unit that allowed a league-worst 29.4 points per game in 2012. The Titans, who look to end a four-year playoff drought after going 6-10 last season, also made improvements to the offensive line by adding guard Andy Levitre, center Rob Turner and first-round draft pick Chance Warmack in an effort to help Jake Locker put together a breakout third season. Locker, who missed five games - including the win over Pittsburgh - because of a separated left shoulder, completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 2,176 yards with 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He struggled late in the season, averaging 147.0 passing yards while posting a QB rating of 65.6 over his last three games. The Titans, however, should have a deeper receiver corps for Locker to work with after bringing in Kevin Walter from Houston and drafting Justin Hunter in the second round. Kendall Wright led the team with 64 catches as a rookie in 2012 and deep threat Kenny Britt is expected to make more of an impact as he recovers from knee surgery. "We want to take it to the next level,'' Britt said. "We don't want to be one of them mediocre teams out there not making the playoffs every year." A big season from running back Chris Johnson, whose 312 touches in 2012 were his fewest since his rookie season, would certainly help the offense find its rhythm. Johnson ran for 1,243 yards and six touchdowns in 2012, but averaged 60.2 yards while scoring twice over his final five games. He seeks his first 100-yard rushing game in six tries against Pittsburgh, though he rushed for 91 yards on 19 carries in last year's victory. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley returns to the Pittsburgh defense and safety Troy Polamalu appears to be recovered from the calf injury that cost him nine games in 2012, though James Harrison has moved on to Cincinnati. The Steelers led the NFL with 275.8 yards allowed per game last season but forced just 20 turnovers - the eighth fewest in the league. Tomlin named Isaac Redman the starter in their banged-up backfield despite Redman missing the final two preseason games while recovering from a neck injury. The team also cut last season's leading rusher Jonathan Dwyer, while second-round pick Le'Veon Bell is working his way back from a sprained right foot. "We know what Isaac is capable of,'' said Tomlin, whose squad hasn't lost a home opener since 2002. "He's answered the bell for us in the past and we expect him to do it in a big way moving forward starting this weekend.'' Redman ran for 410 yards and two scores last year and played well in the loss to Tennessee, catching four passes for 105 yards. The Steelers have won three straight at home over the Titans. Copyright 2013 by STATS LLC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.AirMcNair. 1,232 Posted September 7, 2013 Steelers should be a one dimensional offense and with Gregg Williams dialing up exotic blitzes, we might have some hope with CJ raping everyone running behind this o-line and just asking Locker not to fuck it all up. But then again we're the Titans Steelers 27 Titans 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NFL-Lady 1 Posted September 7, 2013 For my Bengals, gotta go for the TITANS to WIN this one... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KempBolt 498 Posted September 7, 2013 (edited) 21 14 I expect Pitt to continue to play excellent defense. Edited September 7, 2013 by KempBolt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted September 7, 2013 Let's see what this new offensive line can do for the Tits. It could be a real long game otherwise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KempBolt 498 Posted September 7, 2013 Let's see what this new offensive line can do for the Tits. It could be a real long game otherwise. I think they'll be great up front this year in Tennessee, but Lebeau finds a way and the Steelers are at home. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted September 7, 2013 Yeah I think the Steelers can find a way to apply pressure, so without that offensive line going full ham, the Titans won't be in this game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted September 7, 2013 Titans RT David Stewart (calf) is expected to play in Sunday's season opener against the Steelers. Stewart missed Friday's practice for the second straight day with a calf issue and is listed as questionable on the Week 1 injury report. Akeem Ayers (ankle) is also expected to play after returning to practice Wednesday. Zaviar Gooden (high-ankle sprain) has been ruled out, while starting fullback Quinn Johnson (quad) was placed on injured reserve. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted September 8, 2013 24-10 Pittsgurgh... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted September 8, 2013 (edited) I'm waiting to see this Titans offensive line and Chris Johnson's performance. However they are going against the Steelers defense and even with the perception of their age, I haven't seen them slow down yet so I'm not betting against them. 24 10 Edited September 8, 2013 by dutchff7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 8, 2013 Steelers declared TE Heath Miller (knee) inactive for Sunday's Week 1 game against the Titans. Miller was given a token "doubtful" tag. The reality is that he's not expected back until sometime in October, leaving the Steelers without a pass-catching tight end. Le'Veon Bell (foot) is also inactive. Isaac Redman will start and is a good bet for 15+ carries against a soft Titans' front seven. The rest of the Steelers' inactives: QB Landy Jones, CB Antwon Blake, C/G Cody Wallace, NT Hebron Fangupo and ILB Vince Williams. Titans RT David Stewart (calf) is active for Sunday's Week 1 game against the Steelers. The calf Stewart strained during practice this week is good to go, meaning the Titans are very healthy heading into the opener. They'll dress just four receivers, a sign they're very confident in the health of Kenny Britt. The Titans' inactives: WR Michael Preston, WR Justin Hunter, LB Zaviar Gooden, C Brian Schwenke, T Byron Stingily, DE Kenyuta Dawson and DE LaVar Edward. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted September 8, 2013 Fuck Isaac Redman. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.AirMcNair. 1,232 Posted September 8, 2013 I haven't seen the Titans D look this good in a very long time. The secondary had some lapses, but seemed to have fixed most of the problems with adjustments. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted September 8, 2013 This o-line is really painful to watch. Actually everything is painful to watch today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted September 8, 2013 I have no words. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted September 8, 2013 Just a few thoughts. Our o-line and running game are fucking horrible. Our leading rusher had 19 yards and I think we had around 1 YPC. We ain't going nowhere with that shit. Stephens-Howling should get the most time on the field but with his right knee problems, we'll see Redman and Felix Jones more I somehow missed Pouncey getting injured but I hope he's ok. We don't need another important player injured. Troy Polamalu is a fucking beast. Period. Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner are also beasts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted September 8, 2013 So maybe I was wrong about the Steelers? I dunno, it seems to be a trend, I think they suck and they win super bowls, I think they're good and they stink like donkey ass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DBR96A 87 Posted September 9, 2013 It's taken five years, but I think people are finally beginning to realize just how little help Ben Roethlisberger gets from the rest of his offense. The only other reliable players he's had with him on offense since 2008 are Heath Miller, who didn't play today, and Maurkice Pouncey, who was injured four minutes into the game. With that said, unlike the last few years, I think the root of the problem with the offensive line for the Steelers right now is inexperience rather than incompetence. Not counting this season, the five offensive linemen who started today have combined for 11 seasons in the league, and 22.8 starts per career, which amounts to about a season and a half of starts. Only one of them (Ramon Foster) is over 25. And now, with Pouncey out for the season, Kelvin Beachum at C makes the average age of the offensive line even younger, and their combined experience even less. And it wouldn't be a Steelers football game without catastrophic injuries. Larry Foote and LaRod Stephens-Howling join Pouncey on the list of season-ending injuries. Here's hoping Beachum makes an adequate C, and that Heath Miller comes back soon. I'd also like to see Jerricho Cotchery targeted more than he has been, because Emmanuel Sanders didn't impress me today. In short, fuck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KempBolt 498 Posted September 9, 2013 21 14 I expect Pitt to continue to play excellent defense. 16 9 Well, Pitt did continue to play excellent defense. It just didn't matter. Tennessee was able to lean on their defense and come out with a win. I watched the 3rd Titans preseason game this year with my buddy and told him I thought Jurrell Casey looked much improved as a pass rusher. Looks like that's carried over into the regular season. If that continues to be the case, then you're talking about a top 5 DT in this league because he's already one of the best run stuffers you'll find anywhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
