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Streaking Steelers clobber Titans

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 30, 2001

PITTSBURGH -- More and more, the Steelers are looking like a Super Bowl threat.

Jerome Bettis scored two touchdowns and quarterback Kordell Stewart had his best game of the season, throwing for 232 yards and a score as AFC Central-leading Pittsburgh routed the Tennessee Titans 34-7 Monday night.

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress, a disappointment since the Steelers selected him in the first round of the 2000 draft, had a breakout game, catching six passes for 151 yards and using his 6-foot-6, 229-pound frame to consistently outmuscle Titans cornerback Samari Rolle.

Stewart's short rollout gave Pittsburgh a 34-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. His 2-yard run was set up when Derrick Mason fumbled the kickoff after Kris Brown's 27-yard field goal gave Pittsburgh a 27-7 lead.

Mike Logan forced the fumble and John Fiala recovered it at the Tennessee 30.

Two plays later, Stewart hit Burress with a 28-yard pass to the 2 as the quarter ended. Stewart scored on the first play of the quarter.

Eddie George, Tennessee's struggling running back, was held to 13 yards on 10 carries and played sparingly in the second half. Team officials said he had a hyperextended left knee.

The Titans got the second-half kickoff, but the drive stalled and Craig Hentrich was forced to punt. Hank Poteat returned the kick 31 yards, giving the Steelers the ball at own 48.

After Bettis ran for 2 yards, Stewart threw long to Burress, who wrestled the underthrown ball away from Rolle for a 43-yard gain to the Titans 7. Bettis scored untouched on the next play.

The Titans scored their only touchdown on the first play of the second quarter, with Steve McNair throwing a 4-yard pass to Frank Wycheck.

Bettis scored on a 1-yard run at 8:41 of the first quarter to give the Steelers a 7-0 lead.

After McNair's touchdown to Wycheck finished a 10-play, 62-yard drive, Stewart answered with a 3-yarder to Hines Ward capping a 6-play, 36-yard drive.

The Titans drove to the Steelers 30 on their next possession, but Joe Nedney missed a 48-yard field goal.

The Steelers moved to the Titans 29 with 54 seconds left as Brown lined up for what appeared to be a 47-yard field-goal attempt. Instead, Josh Miller, the holder, pitched to Brown, who sprinted for the first down.

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