The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Tennessee Titans in Week 15 in what could be considered a must-win game. At 6-6-1, Pittsburgh likely needs to go 3-1 at worst the rest of the way to make the playoffs. One of those games is against the Kansas City Chiefs, which is almost certainly a loss for the Steelers. So, their postseason push kicks off with the Titans. In the game, it will be the Steelers secondary who hold the keys to victory.
Pittsburgh Steelers Secondary Key to Crucial Week 15 Victory
(Almost) Clean Bill of Health
For the first time in several weeks, the Steelers secondary might be at full strength for their Week 15 game. Joe Haden left the team’s Week 10 game with an injury and hasn’t played since. Finally, Haden might have turned the corner. He was a full participant in Friday’s practice but is officially listed as questionable for the game. Despite not getting any younger, Haden has been Pittsburgh’s most reliable cornerback when he has been on the field this year. His return to the lineup would be a welcome one.
If Haden is able to play, it provides the Steelers secondary with some flexibility. He of course would hold down one of the outside cornerback positions for every defensive snap. Across from him would typically be Cameron Sutton. However, Sutton is coming off a miserable performance in the Steelers Week 14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Ahkello Witherspoon, on the other hand, was Pittsburgh’s best cornerback in that game. If Witherspoon keeps playing well, he could assume the other boundary cornerback position, while Sutton could play some in the slot, where he does his best work. Mike Tomlin and Keith Butler would enjoy the extra versatility.
Tennessee Will Be Throwing
The Titans injury report is not one that fans will like to see. Numerous starters will be missing on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they will be without guard Rodger Saffold, and rotational interior lineman Aaron Brewer is listed as questionable. Further, fullback Tory Carter, who has played double digit snaps in Tennessee’s past two games, is out. All signs point to the Titans having to throw the ball a healthy amount in this game. Even with the Steelers poor run defense, their defensive line should be favored in the trenches given Tennessee’s injuries.
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If the Titans are throwing a lot, that should play into the Steelers favor. Ryan Tannehill has thrown 13 interceptions on the year, so he is capable of making mistakes. Tennessee’s best wide receiver, A.J. Brown, has of course been injured for weeks, leaving Julio Jones as the offense’s top weapon. A combination of an effective pass rush and the return of Haden should well-equip the Steelers to not get beat in the passing game. The Titans may be the better team if both sides were fully healthy, but they are far from healthy right now. Pittsburgh has everything they need in front of them to win this game and start their late season playoff push on the right foot.
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