The Steelers are fighting for their playoff lives as they get ready to host the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field.
The Pittsburgh Steelers look to upset the AFC South division leader, the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. It is going to be a tough challenge after a devastating loss to the Minnesota Vikings last Thursday. They were able to dig themselves out of a massive hole only to be let down again.
It was a tough game that saw Pittsburgh get destroyed via the Vikings running attack and play action that followed. It was an ugly game all around but it showed this team’s mentality of going down swinging. They could’ve given up being down 23-0 at halftime but they were able to put an effort together that almost got them into overtime. Losses are still counted no matter how you lose and that game might’ve put the nail in the coffin for this club.
They now turn their attention to the Titans, who are playing well despite some injuries. Derrick Henry has not played for a majority of this season but the Titans have been able to keep the running game going as they boast one of the best in the NFL. This will be a very difficult matchup for the home team to overcome on Sunday.
The Steelers defense has not been playing well in any aspect besides some pass rushing. Their turnover margins are down significantly and they can’t help their stale offense get shorter fields. The main concern is the run defense and their lack of play there. It has been a constant issue and that is an uncommon trend for the black and gold when you look at the team’s history.
Steelers vs. Titans: Who the experts are taking in Week 15
The three sites used as experts this week include sportingnews.com, cbssports.com, and collegefootballnews.com. All three have submitted their picks and predictions for this week’s 15 matchup between these two ball clubs.
College Football News
This site brings together a team of experts and has a selection of each game during that week. This week they have nine writers’ picks and one consensus selection for a total of 10.
Seven out of the 10, including the consensus pick, has the Steelers winning this game. That is a surprising number considering how the favored team played last week.
Sporting News
Sporting News has the Titans winning this game by a score of 28-24. Their reasoning behind this prediction is the differences in the Titan’s strength to defend against the run and attack with their offensive rushing ability.
That will make the Steelers offense one-dimensional, while the defense has to stay on long-drawn-out drives that kill the clock and add points on the board. They did mention that this is the type of game the black and gold win with their backs up against the wall, but it will be a tough upset to complete.
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is the last expert to weigh in their prediction for this week’s game. They predict the Titans beating the Steelers in a low-scoring game, 19-16. That would be a closer game than maybe some experts pick before the week is over. They expect this to be a playoff-like game where the Titans squeak out a win.
Final Prediction: Steelers 23, Titans 31
It has been a struggle for the Steelers to win meaningful games this year. They are an average team that has been lucky to win some games that mattered in 2021. They have been able to get to this point to have a shot at the playoffs and they determine their own fate.
These last four games will allow them to have control of their destiny. If they win these next four then they will likely go into the playoffs, win one or more and they will not be in the post-season. This team is not playing good enough football right now to expect them to win this game or many more after it. It will be a challenge just finishing this year with an even record of 8-8-1.
This game might end with a close score but expect the same result as last week’s game. The Titans have a potent run-first offense and that will allow for explosive plays through the air. Add in the fact that Ryan Tannehill can run too, this Steel Curtain will look more like aluminum foil trying to stop a boulder.
This is a playoff-caliber team that will be coming into Heinz Field on Sunday and they will show why they are. It will be up to their hosts to eliminate their running game and get after Tannehill.
The Pittsburgh offense will have to play very well to get this team a shot at winning the game as well. Tennessee has one of the best run defenses in the league and that will make Ben Roethlisberger and the offense one dimensional. This will be another tough loss at home for this squad.
The Steelers continue to struggle to find any consistency in 2021. This issue will continue to show experts making picks against them until this habit is broken.