STEELERS at TITANS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2008 KICKOFF -- 1:00 P.M. POST-GAME NOTES
Team Notes:
• Pittsburgh had its five-game winning streak snapped in the loss to the Titans. The Steelers were also locked into the No. 2 seed in the AFC for the postseason.
• The Steelers fell to 38-29 all-time against the Tennessee franchise. Pittsburgh is 15-18 on the road in the series history, which moved from Houston prior to the 1997 season.
• Pittsburgh appeared ready to take the early lead but QB Ben Roethlisbergerfumbled inside the Titans' five-yard line, ending the scoring threat.
• Tennessee got on the board first as K Rob Bironas connected on a 42-yard field goal early in the second quarter to take a 3-0 lead.
• Roethlisberger lost his second fumble of the game in Steelers' territory, and the Titans made it 10-0 in the second quarter as QB Kerry Collins hit WR Justin Gage for a 34-yard touchdown pass three plays later.
• The Steelers got on the board on the ensuing drive as Roethlisberger hit WR Santonio Holmesfor a 31-yard touchdown pass with 5:40 remaining in the first half. It was Holmes' fifth receiving touchdown of the season and Roethlisberger's 16th touchdown pass in 2008, which gives him 100 career touchdown passes. The 31-yard touchdown pass was the first given up by the Titans this year of over 20 yards.
• Pittsburgh took its first lead of the game in the third quarter as Roethlisberger tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to WR Hines Wardwith 9:41 remaining. It was Ward's team-leading seventh touchdown catch of the season and the 72nd of his career.
• Tennessee regained the lead on its next drive as RB Chris Johnson darted in from 21 yards out on a fourth-and-inches play to make it 17-14 with just over five minutes left in the third quarter.
• After Roethlisberger threw an interception, Tennessee upped their lead to 24-14 in the fourth quarter as RB LenDale White scored from one yard out. The Titans had lined up to attempt a field goal prior to the touchdown, but the Steelers were flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty that resulted in a first-and-goal.
• Pittsburgh was unable to pose a threat for the rest of the game and Tennessee capped the scoring as CB Michael Griffin returned a Roethlisberger interception 83 yards for a touchdown with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game to make it 31-14.
• The Steelers finished with 374 yards of total offense, their most since Week 11 versus the San Diego Chargers (410 yards).
• Pittsburgh allowed over 300 yards of total offense for the first time this season, snapping its NFL-record-tying mark of 14 straight games not allowing an opponent to gain 300 yards.
• Pittsburgh finished with 23 first downs while allowing only 16. The Steelers had 19 passing first downs.
• The Steelers converted 46 percent (6 of 13) of their third downs while limiting the Titans to just 21 percent (3 of 14).
• Pittsburgh was penalized just three times for 17 yards while Tennessee was flagged four times for 45 yards.
• The Steelers had five fumbles and lost two, both by Roethlisberger.
• QB Dennis Dixon (3rd QB), S Anthony Smith, CB Fernando Bryant, LB Bruce Davis, OT Tony Hills,DT Scott Paxson, OT Marvel Smith and DE Orpheus Royewere inactive.
Individual Notes:
QB Ben Roethlisberger
• Finished 26-for-40 for a season-high 331 yards passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions (86.6 passer rating).
• Hit WR Santonio Holmes for a 31-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
• Had a 21-yard touchdown pass to WR Hines Ward in the third quarter.
• Has 3,191 yards passing this season, marking his third straight season with at least 3,000 yards passing. He became the first quarterback in team history with three consecutive 3,000-yard seasons.
• Became just the second quarterback in team history to have over 100 passing touchdowns, joining Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw. Roethlisberger now has 101 career passing touchdowns.
• Rushed three times for 14 yards.
• His 331 yards passing marked his seventh career 300-yard passing game, which breaks the team record of six held by Tommy Maddox.
RB Willie Parker
• Finished with a team-high 29 yards rushing on 18 attempts (1.6 avg.).
RB Mewelde Moore
• Had 28 yards rushing on three attempts (9.3 avg.) and caught two passes for 20 yards (10.0 avg.).
WR Hines Ward
• Finished with 109 yards receiving on seven receptions (15.6 avg.) and one touchdown, his second straight 100-yard receiving game and the 20th of his career.
• Caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger in the third quarter.
• Has now caught a pass in a team-record 161 consecutive games.
WR Santonio Holmes
• Finished with five catches for 93 yards (18.6 avg.) with one touchdown.
• Caught his fifth receiving touchdown of the season, a 31-yarder from Roethlisberger in the second quarter.
TE Heath Miller
• Had a career-high eight receptions for 69 yards (8.6 avg.), including a long of 17 yards.
OT Max Starks
• Made his 10th straight start in place of the injured OT Marvel Smith.
LB James Farrior
• Finished with a game-high 14 tackles (10 solo), including one tackle for loss.
LB James Harrison
• Finished with seven tackles (four solo) and one sack.
• Posted a 10-yard sack in the third quarter, giving him 16 for the season. The 16 sacks break the team's single-season record, previously held by Mike Merriweather in 1984.
*
*S Ryan Clark
• Finished with 10 tackles (seven solo) before leaving with a shoulder injury.
CB Ike Taylor
• Posted seven tackles (six solo) and had one pass defense.
P Mitch Berger
• Finished with five punts for 220 yards (44.0 avg.), downing two inside the 20-yard line.
• Had a 40-yard punt on the Steelers' first possession that was downed at the three-yard line.
K Jeff Reed
• Finished 2-for-2 in PATs and 0-for-1 in FG attempts for two points.
