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PITTSBURGH –** The Titans face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night at Heinz Field.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
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Marcus Mariota**
The Titans quarterback has looked more like himself of late. Following a month of scaled back play-calling and limitations, Mariota has been on the move, and made more plays. He ran for more yards against the Bengals (51) than he did his previous three starts combined (14). Mariota still couldn't escape four sacks last week, however, so the Titans will have to do a better job protecting him against a tough Steelers defense.
Topple Big Ben
I'm flipping it here, and stressing the importance of harassing Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is a big man, and hard to corral. This week, Titans defenders talked about the importance of gang tackling him, and getting him to the ground. The Titans don't want Roethlisberger, who has been sacked just 11 times this season, getting comfortable. Allowing Roethlisberger to keep plays alive to find his dangerous receivers downfield would be painful to see as well.
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Dick LeBeau's return**
The last thing the Titans defensive coordinator wants in his return to Pittsburgh is a lot of fanfare, and you can be sure he won't bring any attention to himself as he returns to the city that loves him so much. As DC of the Steelers for so many years, LeBeau enjoyed making life miserable for opposing offenses. Well, his plan Thursday night will center on trying to slow down the Steelers, and keep the Terrible Towels from waving.
Adoree' Jackson
The rookie cornerback pretty much does everything for the Titans. Jackson has not only turned into a solid player in the defense, he also returns punts and kicks, and he now lines up in the offense. Jackson played seven snaps against the Bengals, and he made an impact when he was in there, whether he touched the ball or not. Jackson ran for 30 yards on three carries, but when he was a decoy, others on offense took advantage of the extra space he helped create. Will the Titans use him on offense for the third week in a row?
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Running game**
DeMarco Murray scored three touchdowns last week, and his 42 rushing yards were part of a 170-yard rushing attack by the Titans. Of course a lot of those yards came from Mariota, and a chunk also came from Jackson. Derrick Henry led the way with 52 yards on the ground. To take pressure off of Mariota and the defense, the Titans need to be able to run the ball with success against the Steelers. That's easier said than done, of course – the Steelers are ranked 11th in the NFL in run defense (but second overall vs the pass).
Defense, defense, defense
The Titans have looked like a different team on defense since the team's 57-14 loss to the Texans. That performance in Houston clearly embarrassed defenders, and ticked them off. Since that game, no team has scored more than 22 points against them. Well, the challenge is much different here Thursday night against a Pittsburgh team with plenty of playmakers, from running back Le'Veon Bell to receivers Antonio Brown and Juju Smith-Schuster. The Titans will need to play well on defense – from the pass rush to the secondary -- against one of the most dangerous offenses they'll face all season.
Titans Online looks back at the all-time series between the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers. (AP Photos)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) is tackled by Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan, right, and outside linebacker Aaron Wallace, left, during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The Steelers won 40-17. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78), second from right, lines up against the Tennessee Titans with the rest of the line during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) plays against the Tennessee Titans during an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
In this Nov. 16, 2017, photo, Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh. The one thing Mariota has shown in his young NFL career is the ability to bounce back from an interception or a bad game. The Titans' third-year quarterback is coming off the worst game yet with four interceptions and has more picks than touchdown passes this season, and now he gets to visit Indianapolis and one of the league’s worst pass defenses. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) breaks up a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) calls out signals as center Maurkice Pouncey (53) gets ready to snap the football at the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 40-17. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony Firkser catches a pass during NFL football training camp Saturday, July 28, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) is hit by Tennessee Titans strong safety Johnathan Cyprien, rear, and Jayon Brown (55) as he makes a catch during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The Steelers won 40-17. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, left, is greeted by Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlinan NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 16-6. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Joe Haden (23) and linebacker Anthony Chickillo, left, pursue in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
File-This Aug. 25, 2018, file photo shows Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) getting a pass away as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) rushes him in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, in Pittsburgh. Mariota’s emergence as one of the NFL’s top young stars helped provide proof that a good quarterback can be found in the state of Hawaii. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Robert Spillane (42) intercepts a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Justin Hunter (11) as linebacker Daren Bates (53) and defensive back Kenneth Durden (38) defend in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
