Pittsburgh Steals 13-10 Win In Overtime Over Titans

NFL News - September 11th, 2009 - Written by Scott

Thursday night's NFL season opener turned out to be a great way to start off the 2009 season. With 10:23 left in overtime, Pittsburgh kicker Jeff Reed nailed a 33 yard filed goal to give the Steelers a 13-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans. After losing the coin toss to start the overtime period, the Titans never saw the ball again offensively. The victory over the Titans however comes with a loss as well. Steelers' safety Troy Polamalu sprained his medial collateral ligament in his left knee and never returned to the game. This injury could sideline the star safety for 3-6 weeks. The Titans could have taken this game if Rod Bironas could have converted on two field goals he missed from inside the forty yard line during regulation.

In what was a low scoring game, the Titans could not find an answer in stopping the Ben Roethlisberger-Santonio Holmes connection. The Steeler's quarterback went 33 of 43 for 363 yards, while Holmes had nine catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. Roethlisberger also went to veteran wide receiver Hines Ward, who had impressive numbers as well. Despite having what could have been a costly fumble, he had 8 catches for 103 yards.

In what started to be a defensive dominating game for both teams, the Steelers finally got on the board with 1:22 left to go in the first half on a 34 yard pass to Holmes to give the Steelers their first lead. The Titans quickly responded with a touchdown pass from Kerry Collins to Justin Cage with :22 seconds remaining in the opening half. After a scoreless third quarter, both teams recorded field goals in the fourth to even the score at ten apiece. The Steelers had a chance to win it late in regulation after Roethlisberger found Ward on a 30 yard completion down to the four yard line. But, in an attempt to push it into the end zone, Ward was stripped of the ball and lost it on a fumble. The Steelers responded in overtime as Roethlisberger connected on three passes to set up Reed's 33 yard game winning field goal on first down to seal the victory.

Roethlisberger was the leader all night for the defending Super Bowl champions. The Steelers could not get anything going rushing during the game and the Titans defense held running back Willie Parker to just 19 yards on 13 attempts. The Titans were the last team to hand the Steelers a loss when they defeated them on December 21 of last year. Despite the loss, Titans coach Jeff Fisher feels that his team will rebound to have a very productive year.

"We had chances and opportunities but missed a field goal, had a field goal blocked," coach Jeff Fisher said. "I believe we've got a good football team in that locker room and we're going to bounce back."

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