Defense, Special Teams Carry Steelers Over Titans 19-11

The Steelers defense stepped up to force seven turnovers in the wake of an injury to quarterback Dennis Dixon and the special teams accounted for all 19 points, as Pittsburgh was able to grind out a 19-11 win over Tennessee at LP Field. Jeff Reed kicked four field goals and rookie Antonio Brown returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown, while the defense hounded the Titans' two biggest offensive threats in Chris Johnson and Vince Young. Young accounted for three of the turnovers on two interceptions and a lost fumble before being benched for the fourth quarter and replaced by the ageless Kerry Collins, who was intercepted on the first series and lost a fumble on his third possession. Johnson, the NFL's 2009 Offensive Player of the Year, was bottled up and held to 34 yards on 16 rushes and also fumbled. Rashard Mendenhall helped carry the load late for the victors, wearing down the Titans defense to the tune of 69 yards on 23 carries for Pittsburgh (2-0), which also won ugly in a season-opening 15-9 triumph over Atlanta in overtime.

Source: Sports Network

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