Steelers vs. Titans Thursday Night Football highlights: Kwon Alexander INT seals win
A short week to prepare for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense on the road is a difficult assignment for any quarterback, let alone one making his second career NFL start.
Tennessee Titans rookie Will Levis performed admirably, but his team’s play wasn’t enough on “Thursday Night Football,” as the Steelers (5-3) walked away with a 20-16 victory.
Demonstrating some gunslinger moxie, Levis finished 22-for-39 with 262 passing yards. His lone interception came with six seconds remaining, when Kwon Alexander picked him off in the end zone to end the Titans’ chances of a last-second victory.
The Steelers took the opening drive of the game 78 yards, with running back Najee Harris punching in a 10-yard touchdown run to give Pittsburgh an early lead. Tennessee (3-5) responded by scoring the next 10 points; Derrick Henry (17 rushes, 75 yards) stretched with his body perpendicular to the ground to make it a 10-7 ballgame in the second. Nick Folk’s third field goal of the game, this one from 48 yards out, made it 16-13 with 19 seconds left in the third.
Diontae Johnson (seven catches, 90 yards) scored his first touchdown in nearly two years (Week 17, 2021) from three yards out to cap a 92-yard drive for Pittsburgh with 4:02 left in the game. It was the seventh game-winning drive for Steelers’ second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, who was 19 of 30 for 160 yards.
Levis and the Titans advanced the ball to the Pittsburgh 19-yard line in the game’s waning moments, but couldn’t make one more play. — Chris Bumbaca
Steelers vs. Titans highlights
Kenny Pickett threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson with 4:02 remaining as the Steelers slipped past the Titans.
Winners and losers from Steelers' win over Titans
WINNERS
Diontae Johnson finally enters end zone: Johnson caught his first touchdown since Week 17 of the 2021 season. Prior to Thursday night, Johnson’s last touchdown catch came on a pass from former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger.
The Steelers wide receiver reached pay dirt on a short 3-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Pickett with just over four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter that proved to be the difference in the game.
The Steelers' wide receiver made multiple big plays. On the go-ahead touchdown drive, Johnson had a nice 32-yard catch along the sideline to get the Steelers in scoring position. The wideout finished with a game-high seven catches, 90 yards and a touchdown.
Johnson was hampered by a hamstring injury early this year. The Steelers need him and George Pickens to be the primary playmakers on the outside.
Jaylen Warren, Najee Harris backfield combo: Warren continues to be a solid change-of-pace back for the Steelers.
Warren had a nice run where he cut against the grain and scampered 22 yards to Tennessee’s 1-yard line. The Steelers ended up scoring the go-ahead touchdown a few plays later.
Warren had a career-best 88 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Harris produced 16 carries, 69 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The Steelers gained 166 yards on the ground in the victory. They averaged 5.5 yards per carry.
Alex Highsmith, T.J. Watt cause pressure upfront: Highsmith and Watt are one of the best pass rush tandems in the NFL. They were both disruptive and caused a lot of problems for the Titans' offensive line.
The pass rushers combined for eight tackles, three sacks, three tackles for loss and seven quarterback hits.
Steelers LB Kwon Alexander records game-winning interception: The Titans were driving down the field for a potential game-winning touchdown. On third-and-5 from the Pittsburgh 19-yard line with 11 seconds left, Will Levis was picked off in the end zone by Alexander.
Alexander’s interception sealed the game for Pittsburgh.
The game-winning interception was the only turnover of the game. The linebacker also had two tackles in the win.
Titans seem to have found their QB in Will Levis: Even in a loss, Levis made enough plays to earn the Titans’ starting quarterback job for the rest of the season.
In his first game on the road, Levis was poised and made enough plays to give the team confidence going forward.
The rookie quarterback finished 22-of-39 passing for 262 yards and had one interception.
LOSERS
Titans' third down efficiency: The Titans went 3-13 on third downs. Tennessee’s offensive line struggled on third down throughout the contest.
Penalties: There were nine combined accepted penalties in the first quarter. According to the Amazon broadcast, the nine combined accepted penalties in the first quarter were tied for the most in any quarter this season.
The Titans and Steelers were called for a total of 17 penalties. — Tyler Dragon
Interception seals Steelers' win
Will Levis and the Titans were driving down the field for a game-winning touchdown. On third-and-5 from the Pittsburgh 19-yard line with 11 seconds left, Levis was picked off in the end zone by Steelers linebacker Kwon Alexander.
Alexander’s interception sealed the game for Pittsburgh.
The game-winning interception was the only turnover of the game. — Tyler Dragon
Titans WR Treylon Burks carted off
Titans teammates gathered around Treylon Burks, who remained down following an incompletion down the left sideline.
Burks tried to haul in a fourth-down pass attempt deep downfield from Will Levis but was out of bounds. As he went to the ground, the back of his helmet hit the ground with force. Burks did not get up, and a cart came onto the field to help him off while the training staff tended to him. He did a thumbs up while being carted off the field.
Burks had full movement in all of his extremities, per Amazon Prime Video's Kaylee Hartung.
Burks had two catches for 23 yards in the contest. — Chris Bumbaca
Steelers 20, Titans 16: Diontae Johnson finally gets a TD catch
Diontae Johnson went all of 2022 without scoring a touchdown.
He won’t be able to say the same for 2023.
Hampered by a hamstring injury for most of the season, Johnson had eight catches for 85 yards this week. Kenny Pickett kept going to him against the Titans, with seven catches. The seventh was the most important for Johnson — and the Steelers. The 3-yard touchdown, his first since Week 17 of 2021, put the Steelers on top 20-16 with 4:02 left in the game. Johnson is up to 90 yards on the game.
In crunch time, the Steelers needed to go 92 yards to pull ahead of the Titans.
Jaylen Warren thought he scored a touchdown, but his foot stepped out of bounds just before his reach extended over the goal line. The Steelers needed three plays and a Tennessee penalty to finally find the end zone. — Chris Bumbaca
Titans holding on to three-point lead entering fourth quarter
Both teams traded field goals in the third quarter.
With under four minutes to go in the third period, Titans running back Derrick Henry had a 23-yard catch and run to put Tennessee in field goal position. The Titans connected on a 48-yard field goal four plays later to take a 16-13 advantage.
Tennessee had three first downs and 42 total yards in the third quarter. Pittsburgh produced a 75-yard drive that resulted in three points in the penultimate quarter.
The Steelers currently possess the football entering the final period. — Tyler Dragon
Titans 16, Steeles 13: Tennessee jumps back out front
Once again, a Steelers penalty kept a Titans drive alive.
A Will Levis pass attempt on third-and-5 was incomplete, but a penalty on Pittsburgh’s Patrick Peterson gave Tennessee a first down. Derrick Henry rushed for 11 yards on the next play and two plays later, he and Levis connected on a screen through traffic that Henry took 23 yards into Steelers territory.
Nick Folk’s 48-yard field goal salvaged the possession and put the Titans back in the lead with 19 seconds left in the third quarter. — Chris Bumbaca
Steelers 13, Titans 13: Tight game in Pittsburgh
The Steelers went on a 15-play, 75-yard field goal drive to tie the game at 13 apiece with a little over five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Pittsburgh nearly took the lead midway through the third quarter when QB Kenny Pickett passed to George Pickens in the back of the end zone, but the wideout was unable to get his second foot down inbounds.
As a result, the Steelers had to settle for a 30-yard field goal by kicker Chris Boswell.
Boswell’s made both of his field goal attempts on Thursday night. — Tyler Dragon
Titans 13, Steelers 10: Tennessee takes lead into halftime
Titans rookie QB Will Levis led the team to three scoring drives in the first half as Tennessee is holding onto a 13-10 lead at halftime.
The Titans' Nick Folk successfully made a 36-yard field goal after an eight-play, 57-yard drive to end the second quarter.
Levis has 153 passing yards in the first half. He’s completed 12 of 17 passes.
The Steelers scored on their opening possession, but their offense hasn't found much success since its first series.
Running back Najee Harris has Pittsburgh’s only touchdown. Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has three tackles, one sack and two QB hits in the first half.
The Steelers were penalized five times in the first half. Tennessee was called for four penalties. — Tyler Dragon
Steelers 10, Titans 10: Pittsburgh ties up game
The Steelers scored their first points since the opening series.
Pittsburgh got into the red zone, but on third and goal Kenny Pickett’s pass to Allen Robinson fell incomplete. The Steelers had to settle for a short 29-yard field goal by kicker Chris Boswell to tie the game at 10-10.
The Steelers have 85 total yards in the first half.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson leads the team with four catches for 46 yards. — Tyler Dragon
Titans 10, Steelers 7: Tennessee takes its first lead of game
The Titans went on an 11-play, 73-yard touchdown drive after forcing a Steelers punt.
During Tennessee’s scoring possession, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had a 17-yard catch and running back Derrick Henry tallied six carries, including a tough 2-yard touchdown run to give the Titans a 10-7 lead midway through the second quarter.
Hopkins has three catches and 51 yards, and Henry’s produced 10 carries, 45 rushing yards and a touchdown in the game. — Tyler Dragon
Steelers LB Cole Holcomb carted off field
Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb suffered what appeared to be a severe leg injury during the first half of Thursday night's game against the Titans.
He was ruled out with a knee injury.
Holcomb joined the Steelers as a free agent in the offseason after playing four seasons for the Washington Commanders. Holcomb — a fifth-round selection in the 2019 NFL draft out of North Carolina — had started all eight games this season for the Steelers. — Jim Reineking
Titans-Steelers have most penalties of any quarter this season
The yellow is flying in Pittsburgh. And it’s not just the Terrible Towels.
The game between the Steelers and Titans had nine accepted penalties in the first quarter. This number is the most in one quarter in the NFL season so far, per the Prime Video “Thursday Night Football” broadcast.
There were five called on the Steelers for 45 yards, including roughing the passer on TJ Watt, and four called on the Titans for 28 yards, including back-to-back offensive holding calls.
Last week, Pittsburgh struggled with flags and receiver Diontae Johnson said the referees cost the team the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. An offensive holding call wiped out a field goal right before halftime and head coach Mike Tomlin was seen on the sidelines visibly frustrated. — Victoria Hernandez
Steelers 7, Titans 3: Tennessee responds with field goal
Four penalties were called on the Steelers defense during the Titans’ first drive, but Pittsburgh was able to keep Derrick Henry and company out of the end zone.
The Titans had to settle for a 36-yard field goal by kicker Nick Folk to end their first series.
Titans rookie quarterback completed three of five passes during Tennessee’s opening possession. — Tyler Dragon
Steelers 7, Titans 0: Pittsburgh marches down field on opening drive
The Steelers won the coin toss, elected to take the football and proceeded to march down the field for a touchdown.
The Steelers were efficient running and passing the football on a 10-play, 78-yard touchdown drive that was just under five minutes.
Pittsburgh’s scored the game’s first TD on a Najee Harris 10-yard run to the end zone.
Kenny Pickett went 5 of 7 passing in the Steelers first series. The team gained 21 yards on the ground and 62 yards through the air during their first drive. — Tyler Dragon
What time does Titans vs. Steelers start?
Kickoff for Titans vs. Steelers is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET on Nov. 2.
How can I watch Titans vs. Steelers?
Titans at Steelers will be streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and will be broadcast in local markets only.
LeBron James picks Titans to beat Steelers
LeBron James impressed fans with his NFL picks on Instagram, starting back in Week 4 and giving predictions for every slate of games through Week 7.
He’s since slowed down as his own season has started, but ahead of the Steelers-Titans matchup, Dez Bryant reached out to the scoring king on X (formerly Twitter) and asked for his pick.
James picked Tennessee to win the road game as rookie Will Levis makes his second NFL start. The Los Angeles Lakers star pointed out that All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is out with a hamstring injury, which he took into consideration.
“I’m going Titans bro! I think Will Levis keeps it going. No Mincah hurts Pitts!” he said. — Victoria Hernandez
T.J. Watt closer in on older brother
Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt is in exclusive company. Watt’s played in 94 career games, but his 86 career sacks are the third most in a players first 100 career games. Watt only trails his brother, J.J., who had 87.5 sacks and Hall of Famer Reggie White who had 105 sacks in their first 100 games. — Tyler Dragon
DeAndre Hopkins' catch streak
Titans veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has at least one catch in all of his 152 career games, the longest streak among active players.
Playing in his first season in Tennessee, Hopkins currently leads the Titans in both catches (31) and receiving yards (504) this season. — Tyler Dragon
Titans vs. Steelers inactives: As expected, Ryan Tannehill is out
Rookie Will Levis will make his second career NFL start as Ryan Tannehill continues to deal with an ankle injury. Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had been listed as questionable (toe) on injury reports, but will play against the Steelers.
The Steelers' six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Cam Heyward will play for the first time since the season opener. The Steelers activated Heyward off injured reserve after he underwent groin surgery in September after tearing an adductor muscle in the first half of a Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is out after suffering a hamstring injury during Week 8.
Titans' inactive players:
OL Chris Hubbard
QB Ryan Tannehill
CB Roger McCreary
WR Colton Dowell
LB Caleb Murphy
DL Jaleel Johnson
Steelers' inactive players:
QB Mason Rudolph (third QB)
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
OT Dylan Cook
NT Armon Watts
NT Breiden Fehoko
Titans vs. Steelers predictions
Lorenzo Reyes: Titans 18, Steelers 17
This is a tough one to call, as both offense have struggled to find consistency. On a short week, with both these teams building their identities on physical play, the under is rather tempting, as low as it actually is. But with Will Levis giving Tennessee a boost, I’m going to tentatively back them here.
Tyler Dragon: Steelers 21, Titans 17
Rookie QB Will Levis rejuvenated the Titans offense in his first NFL start. But Levis’ first start was at home against the Falcons. This time, Levis is on the road versus a Steelers defense led by TJ Watt. Pittsburgh is going to be a tough environment for a rookie making just his second start.
Safid Deen: Steelers 17, Titans 13
Will Levis was outstanding in his NFL debut last week. But facing the Steelers' defense, at home, on a short week, won’t bode well for the Titans rookie. The Steelers will have just enough offense to beat the Titans on Thursday night.
Victoria Hernandez: Steelers 19, Titans 17
Will Levis had a great NFL debut, but this Steelers defense will be ready to contain the rookie and give Kenny Pickett enough of a cushion in the home game to bounce back from a tough loss.
Jordan Mendoza: Titans 18, Steelers 17
Is Will Levis the spark Tennessee needed? While he doesn’t have a game like last week against a strong defense, the momentum from last week and Derrick Henry carry the Titans into a close win in Pittsburgh.
➤ USA TODAY Sports' experts' picks for NFL Week 9
Titans vs. Steelers odds
The Steelers enter Thursday as three-point favorites, according to BetMGM NFL odds.
NFL Week 9 picks, predictions and odds
Titans vs. Steelers: A history lesson
The Titans and Steelers franchises have been going head-to-head ever since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, with the two teams spending three decades as rivals in the old AFC Central. Of course, the Titans were the Houston Oilers for much of that timeframe.
The Steelers hold a 48-32 all-time series edge (including playoffs), and have won the last four and seven of the last nine against the Titans. The Steelers have dominated the series in Pittsburgh, going 28-12 at home against the Titans at the confluence of the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers.
The two franchises also have met four times in the postseason. The Titans defeated the Steelers, 34-31, in an AFC divisional playoff during the 2002 season. In the late-1970s, the Steelers and Houston Oilers faced off in back-to-back AFC championship games, with Pittsburgh winning both encounters en route to winning four Super Bowls in a six-year span during the decade. — Jim Reineking
Steelers shine in 2023 NFL coaches diversity report
Coaches of color make up just over two-thirds of the Steelers' coaching staff, which leads the league in coaching diversity for a second consecutive season. By percentage of on-field coaches who identify as coaches of color, Pittsburgh's staff is 10 percentage points more diverse than the Seattle Seahawks, who rank second this year.
NFL trade deadline day winners and losers
Neither the Titans nor the Steelers were active during Tuesday's trade deadline, but other teams attempted to burnish their 2023 championship prospects.
Who are the highest paid NFL players at each position?
We have a complete list at every position:
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Thursday Night Football highlights: Steelers-Titans score, top plays
