Kerry Collins threw for a touchdown, Chris Johnson and LenDale White ran for a score apiece, and the Titans routed the Steelers 31-14 in a showdown of the AFC's best teams. Tennessee clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Titans improved the NFL's best record to 13-2 with their 15th win in 17 games. But they were coming off a loss to Houston in which they failed to score a touchdown for the first time this year and were up against the NFL's stingiest defense.
They snapped back very well, ending the Steelers' five-game winning streak and becoming the first team to top 300 yards against Pittsburgh (11-4) this season.
They finished with 323 yards.
Tennessee did it without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and end Kyle Vanden Bosch because of injuries. Their replacements helped them rest easy as the Titans sacked Ben Roethlisberger five times and forced him into four turnovers that they turned into 21 points.
Rookie Jason Jones, who started for Haynesworth, had 3½ sacks and forced Roethlisberger into three fumbles. Michael Griffin, a Pro Bowl alternate, came up with two interceptions for Tennessee.
With Roethlisberger trying to come up with more of his late-game magic, Griffin ended the Steelers' latest comeback try picking him off again. Griffin ran back across the field and up the left sideline for an 83-yard TD return with 16 seconds left.
The Steelers, who had to win out to earn the No. 1 seed for the first time since 2004, had plenty of flag-waving Terrible Towels in the sold-out crowd as fans stood throughout the game. But Tennessee had them chanting "Titans, Titans" early in the fourth quarter.
In a game of streaks, the Titans scored the first 10 points, with Collins finding Justin Gage on a 34-yarder after Roethlisberger's second fumble of the game.
Roethlisberger answered by driving the Steelers to two touchdowns. He tossed the 100th TD of his career to Santonio Holmes in the second quarter. He was a perfect 3-of-3 for 62 yards in the third quarter, when he capped a four-play drive with a 21-yarder to Hines Ward and a 14-10 lead, Pittsburgh's first of the game.
But the Titans, who now have won eight of nine games against the Steelers in Tennessee, scored the final 21 points.
The Titans drove 79 yards in 11 plays after Roethlisberger put Pittsburgh up 14-10, and the key play came on fourth-and-inches at the Steelers 21. Tennessee, which failed to complete a fourth-and-3 pass in losing at Houston, had Collins pitch out to Johnson, and the rookie ran untouched 21 yards for a TD.
Then Griffin picked off Roethlisberger by stepping in front of receiver Nate Washington on the next drive, and he returned his pick 32 yards. White scored his 15th TD rushing on a 1-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Tennessee's defense, second in the NFL in points allowed only to Pittsburgh, did the rest.
