MVN: Most Valuable Network

The Pittsburgh Steelers face off against the Tennessee Titans this weekend in a matchup that should decide who the #1 seed is in the AFC heading into the playoffs.  Both the Steelers and the Titans have already clinched the top two spots in the AFC, and the byes that go along with them.  Truth be told, this could be looked at as the first playoff game between the two teams, and could send an interesting message with the true playoffs looming.

Pittsburgh comes rolling into the game having defeated the New England Patriots, the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens in consecutive weeks, which put them into position to potentially steal the #1 seed from the Titans.  The Titans are coming off a poor performance against the Houston Texans that saw them lose their second game of the season.  Injuries to their two best defensive linemen, as well as Kerry Collins struggles, have left the Titans with several questions to answer as they head into the playoffs.

Not a good time to face the Steelers.

With many questions to answer, Steel Tradition and MVN's Total Titans exchanged interviews to address the top four questions each had for the other team, as well as predictions for the outcome of the game.

Here's part one of the interview, with me asking the questions with Total Titans' scribe Drexel Perry...after the jump... 

STEEL TRADITION: Without Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch on the line, how will the Titans' defense change, and what will the Titans do to put pressure on Ben Roethlisberger?

TOTAL TITANS:  The Titans have been adequate without the services of their energizer bunny, Kyle Vanden Bosch. Role players such as David Ball and Jacob Ford have been able to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks during KVB's absence. He's seen better days, but Jevon Kearse can still get after the quarterback on occasion.

However, the loss of Haynesworth may serve as the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. Last season, during a three-game stretch when Albert was injured, the Titans surrendered a ton of rushing yards.

In addition to his run-stopping abilities, blocking Big Al requires extra attention, which opens things up for the rest of the Titan defensive line to make plays.

Against Pittsburgh, Iexpect the Titans to continue to depend mostly on the ability of their front four to get pressure on the opposing quarterback. As you've mentioned in your answers, Jim, the Steeler offensive line is far from dominant, so I envision guys like Tony Brown, David Ball, Jevon Kearse and Jacob Ford putting decent pressure on Ben.

However, as I alluded to a couple of paragraphs ago, Haynesworth's absence will be felt the most on run defense.

Steel Tradition Rebuttal:  The Titans are 3-13 lifetime without Haynesworth, and this is the worst possible game for the NFL defensive player of the year candidate to be missing.  Perry is right in stating that the Titans are going to be hurting without Haynesworth.

Still, being a Steelers fan, and having dealt with defensive line injuries all year, I am skeptical about commiting to a sure thing this week on the offensive side of the ball.

That said, the Steelers offensive line played probably their best game last week against a tenacious Ravens' defense.  They should be more than adequate enough to fave the 4-3 Titans defense without their top two lineman.

STEEL TRADITION: Kerry Collins is struggling over the past couple of weeks.  Does he have any chance against the Steelers defense, and if he doesn't, might we see Vince Young in this game?

TOTAL TITANS:  Collins has had his share of troubles as of late. Against Houston last week, KC failed to connect with open wide receivers and if one or two of those throws are made, your probably looking at the Titans being 13-1 instead of 12-2.

Against a talented Steeler defense, I'm not expecting Collins to be a world-beater. His role should be to merely manage the game, avoid mistakes and make key passes. Of course, this is easier said than done against your D.

This game reminds me a lot of the Titans-Ravens matchup earlier in the year. In that contest, Collins struggled mightily, but came up big when his team needed him the most as he completed a touchdown pass to Alge Crumpler in the 4th quarter of the Titans' 13-10 win over the Ravens.

As for Vince Young, barring injury, I doubt if you'll see him on Sunday.

Steel Tradition Rebuttal:  The Steelers' defense is much better than the Ravens.  I'm not saying that they can't be beaten, they certainly can, but I certainly don't see a scenario in which the Titans move the ball down the field in the fourth quarter with Collins, to beat the Steelers.  Of course, we all know that turnovers can happen, so if it's a close game, it should be interesting.

STEEL TRADITION: Give Steelers' fans three reasons why you think the Titans offense can move the ball against the Steelers top ranked defense.

TOTAL TITANS:  Chris Johnson: He's an explosive player who needs to get the ball out in space. Hammering him into the line of scrimmage isn't going to work against Pittsburgh, so hopefully, the Titans will showcase their scintillating rookie in a variety of different ways this weekend. Maybe he can do to your defense what Tashard Choice was able to accomplish a couple of weeks ago.

Taking advantage of Big Ben's mistakes: Big Ben's a good QB but as you know, he's more than capable of throwing an interception or two. If the Titans can force Ben into mistakes, especially in his team's part of the field, moving the football would be a whole lot easier for the Titans as a result of a potentially shorter journey to the endzone.

WR's must win one-on-one matchups: As the case with most Titan opponents, I expect the Steelers to key in on Tennessee's running game. As a result, the Titan wide receivers should see their share of one-on-one matchups.

Though a bit inconsistent (an understatement) Justin Gage is a big guy who can make plays down the field. When he does catch the football, he's averaging 18.9 yards per grab.

I'd like to see Gage get a deep throw or two in his direction Sunday.

Steel Tradition Rebuttal:  I worry about Chris Johnson the most.  The biggest surprise I've had during a season in which the Steelers' defense has proved time and time again to be the best in the league was when rookie running back Tashard Choice put up 88 yards against Pittsburgh.  Interesting, right...88 yards, and that's my biggest worry.  Top it off with the fact that it was on 23 carries, and that the Steelers slammed the door on him when it counted, and it puts it in perspective.

Still Chris Johnson is everything Drexel stated.  He's explosive, and combined with LenDale White, they are most definately the most dangerous piece to the Titans offense.  If they can find a way to break through the Steelers' defense and control the clock, than this could be a dangerous game for the Steelers. 

The Steelers don't have to play the run.  Of course, we aren't #1 against the run by accident.  This is the rare defense whose base defense covers both the run and the pass, and they are tops in the league doing both.  It should be an interesting matchup.

I worry less about Ben's mistakes because I do believe the Titans' defense is considerably less without Vanden Bosch and Haynesworth.  No, I'm not saying the Steelers' line is like the line of the 70's.  I do think it's improved, and can handle decent defenses for most of the game.  If Ben is Ben...he won't make the mistakes, which are usually caused by pressure.

I'm not worried about Justin Gage, or the Titans receivers.  No, not because they aren't any good (they are inconsistent, for sure), but because Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden are both having pro bowl-type years, without the exposure.  They match the Titans receivers well.  I also see the Steelers safeties smothering the tight ends.  I just don't see the Titans doing much of anything against this defense.

Of course, if they think that, than anything could happen.

STEEL TRADITION: You mentioned Hines Ward in my interview questions. He'll likely be covered by All-Pro Cortland Finnegan, which should be an entertaining match-up. I'll ask you the same question of Finnegan that you asked me of Ward: he a dirty player, or a helluva competitor?<

TOTAL TITANS:  I think I'll go with the latter: Finnegan's a helluva competitor. The 5'10" Finnegan is chihuahua-like as he pesters receivers that are usually bigger than him.

I love his tenacity, even if it does cross the line at times (last week's spearing penalty). However, like Ward, he's one of those guys that you love if he's on your side and hate with a passion if your going against him.

Finnegan vs. Ward should be a war between two passionate players who love the game of football.

Steel Tradition Rebuttal:  I couldn't have said it better myself.  This should be a fun matchup between two tenacious competitors.

STEEL TRADITION: Who will win the matchup, and why...

TOTAL TITANS:  I'm expecting a rather low scoring contest between two well-coached, physical football teams. Losing Haynesworth will be a tough obstacle for the Titans to overcome and I expect the Steelers to have some success running the football.

If the Titans can force Big Ben into a mistake or two while avoiding the turnover bug when they have the ball, I can envision a close Titan victory.

Titans 16 Pittsburgh 13

I do agree that the score should be low, but will have to agree to disagree on the final, and who wins. More on that in my second part of the interview in which Drexel asks me some questions. Tune in to Steel Tradition later tonight for part 2, or you can check it out already posted at Total Titans. Should be a good game, no matter which side you find yourself on. Any game with Jeff Fisher on the other sideline is going to be one to look forward to. Fisher certainly understands the rivalry that the Titans used to carry with the Steelers as the Houston Oilers. No, the Steelers and Titans don't play twice a year any more, but you can bet that the players will carry it on the field on Sunday. Tune in to Steel Tradition later for part 2.