The Steelers found themselves in a familiar spot last night – trailing in the fourth quarter – but they responded with an 11-play, 92-yard drive that ended with Diontae Johnson catching a three-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Pickett for their third fourth quarter come-from-behind win of the season, 20-16 over the Tennessee Titans. Kwon Alexander sealed the win with a goal-line interception of Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis with six seconds left.
Pickett was 19-of-30 for only 160 yards passing but no interceptions. Jaylen Warren ran for 88 yards and Najee Harris had another 69 yards rushing, including a 10-yard touchdown run on the Steelers’ first possession.
The Steelers overcame their typical mistake-filled game, committing ten penalties, but they sacked Levis four times, twice by Alex Highsmith, and once each by TJ Watt and Markus Golden.
Coach Mike Tomlin says it was a big win.
Kenny Pickett, with offensive coordinator Matt Canada joining him on the sidelines instead of calling the game from the coaches’ box, says the Steelers offense is slowly getting better.
Running back Najee Harris says the offense can get better, and can use the rest from the extra time off after playing on a Thursday night.
Coach Mike Tomlin benched starting right tackle Chuks Okorafor for most of the game, starting first round draft choice Broderick Jones instead. Okorafor took responsibility for the move, saying it was disciplinary, for something he said on the field during last week’s loss to Jacksonville. He played one snap as a tackle-eligible last in the game.
The Steelers lost linebacker Cole Holcomb with a serious knee injury in the first quarter. Holcomb was tied with Minkah Fitzpatrick for the team lead in tackles coming into the game. Fitzpatrick missed the game with a hamstring injury. Defensive tackle Montravious Adams injured an ankle in the game and did not return.
The Steelers host the Green Bay Packers on November 12th.
