Steelers vs. Titans: Live Grades and Analysis for Tennessee

The Tennessee Titans managed to pull off the upset victory 26-23 over the Pittsburgh Steelers with Rob Bironas' game-winning field goal. Tennessee picked up its first rushing touchdown of the season and held an opponent to fewer than 30 points for the first time as well. 

The win bring the Titans record to 2-3 while Pittsburgh falls to the same record. Click through to see the Titans grades and analysis.

Matt Hasselbeck

Overall Grade: B-

Hasselbeck still looked like an interception prone quarterback as he struggled to maintain consistent accuracy throughout the game and stay on the same page as his receivers. He finished the night 25-44 for 290 yards 1 TD and 1 INT. It was a step up from his previous efforts on the year.

Fourth Quarter Grade: B

Hasselbeck has been very erratic in the fourth, with one interception and he nearly threw another. However he has done a solid job of finding open targets, but the consistency was lacking. He managed to lead the team to a game-tying touchdown late in the quarter and drove his team down the field for the late game-winning field. 

Third Quarter Grade: C+

He appears to be back in a bit of a rhythm in the third quarter. It has not resulted in anymore points going on the board, but he has done a solid job of taking what the defense gives him and finding his open receivers. 

Second Quarter Grade: C-

Hasselbeck has struggled to find his receivers and has struggled to get the offense going after being gifted a touchdown at the start of the quarter. Tennessee has gone three-and-out twice since, going backwards on both drives and haven't managed much on other drives.

First Quarter Grade: B-

Matt Hasselbeck has been solid when given time to throw the ball, but there have been a couple drops here early in the game. He still appears to have lost the ability to put some zip on the ball as seen on an early deep throw to Kenny Britt that fell well short. So far he's looking like he's back in the groove of being a starting quarterback, though.

Offense

Overall Grade: C+ 

Receivers were either running the wrong routes or were simply out of sync with Hasselbeck after being accustomed to Jake Locker. Kenny Britt showed that his legs are continuously getting healthier, but his hands have fallen off. He struggled with catching the ball all night. The offensive line was solid for the most part. They opened up lanes for Chris Johnson and usually gave Hasselbeck time to throw the ball.

Fourth Quarter Grade: B-

The execution has been there, but some errant passes by Hasselbeck and some more poor pass-blocking have put a limit on the unit's success. Kendall Wright continues to be the one player on offense that consistently performs and helps keep the offense's drives alive. Jared Cook showed up with a clutch reception on 3rd-and-5 to put the team in field goal range. 

Third Quarter Grade: C

The offensive line is struggling to keep Hasselbeck clean. The unit has allowed three sacks, but Hasselbeck's been under duress often. Chris Johnson has been effective tonight rushing for 58 yards on 12 carries along with three catches for 18 yards. The offense has started moving the ball, but not well enough. 

Second Quarter Grade: D+

The Titans offense has stalled out completely after picking up a touchdown on a two-play one-yard drive. Tennessee has gone a total of 10 yards on three drives in the quarter, before taking advantage of a late turnover to drive for another field goal. There will need to be some adjustments made at halftime to get the ball moving again.

First Quarter Grade: C+

The announcers have said it and I'm going to have to agree: Chris Johnson needed to and has been running north and south and is off to a good start in the game. Kendall Wright dropped a catchable ball on the first drive that would have been a touchdown, but for the most part the receivers have done a good job. The biggest concern now is whether the team's offensive line can open up lanes for CJ and keep Hasselbeck clean. On a side note Johnson has done a great job of protecting the quarterback on blitzes.

Defense

Overall Grade: B-

The defense took a step in the right direction tonight. The team's tackling is still a major weakness that has allowed small gains to turn into big chunks of yardage. The first quarter was a bit rough, but they were strong throughout the rest of the game.

Fourth Quarter Grade: B-

The defense did a great job of stopping the Pittsburgh drive at the very edge of field goal range after the Hasselbeck interception. Suisham kicked the ball just short. 

Third Quarter Grade: C+

Tackling issues have kept drives alive in the quarter, but the defense has still managed to keep Pittsburgh out of the end zone. The defensive line only has one sack in the game, but have consistently gotten pressure. Roethlisberger has been shown excellent pocket awareness.

Second Quarter Grade: B-

The defense has consistently managed to be an improved unit in the second quarter of its last three games. This time the unit held the Steelers off the score sheet to keep the Titans in front. A great interception by Jason McCourty put an end to the Steelers' best drive of the quarter.

First Quarter Grade: C

The defense's tackling troubles continue. Steelers' running back Isaac Redman broke about six tackles on a 33-yard gain during Pittsburgh's first drive. The secondary continues to struggle with communication as Mike Wallace broke free easily on zone coverage and scored a touchdown. The defense is allowing the Steelers to move down the field easily through the first quarter.

Special Teams

Overall Grade: A-

A blocked punt gave the Titans an easy touchdown and shifted the momentum in their favor. The unit performed well in all phases. Once again special teams sparks a Titans victory.

Fourth Quarter Grade: A-

Rob Bironas booted through the game-winning field goal to give the Titans a surprising upset victory.

Third Quarter Grade: B+

The return game has been stymied a bit. The offense needs the field position to help put it in scoring range. The coverage units have been excellent since the first quarter.

Second Quarter Grade: A

Bironas has been solid since his scary start to the game. He put a 47-yard field goal straight down the middle to extend the Titans lead before the half. The coverage unit has recovered as well and everything appears to be under control for the unit.

First Quarter Grade: A-

Shaky first quarter for K Rob Bironas and the kickoff coverage unit. Bironas managed to make fans cringe on what should have been a gimme 22-yard field goal, hitting the upright before it went through. The coverage unit allowed a 49-yard return by Chris Rainey. Then just before the end of the quarter, Tim Shaw came up with a big blocked field goal to give the Titans the ball on the Pittsburgh goal line. 

Coaching

Overall Grade: B+

The coaching staff had the players prepared to play for this one. The offense struggled for much of the second and third quarters, while the defense only looked like Swiss cheese for the first quarter. Overall the play-calling seemed to have the Titans in the right position to succeed.  

Fourth Quarter Grade: A-

Palmer definitely seemed to figure something out with the Steelers defense. Hasselbeck's erratic throws and miscommunication with his receivers stalled out a couple drives, but the play-calling was consistently right and found holes in the Pittsburgh defense. 

Third Quarter Grade: B

Chris Palmer has worked out some of the kinks on offense, but it is still struggling to keep drives alive and get deep into Pittsburgh territory.

Second Quarter Grade: B

Offensive coordinator Chris Palmer has his work cut out for him at halftime. His offense is struggling mightily against Dick Lebeau's defense. On the defensive side, Jerry Gray has gotten his unit under control and they are keeping the Steelers in check, other than on some missed assignments resulting in big plays.

First Quarter Grade: B+

The coaching staff seems to be making the right play-calling decisions, all that's left is the execution by the players. The execution has been hit-or-miss on both side of the ball, but the staff seems to have come to the game with a solid plan in mind.