Steelers vs. Titans: Score and Twitter Reaction from Monday Night Football

With every team in the AFC North sitting at least two games over .500, the Pittsburgh Steelers couldn't risk losing to the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football. 

Le'Veon Bell made sure that didn't happen.

The second-year back took 33 carries for 204 yards and a touchdown, leading Pittsburgh to a 27-24 victory over the Titans.

The Titans defense sacked Ben Roethlisberger five times and had him looking uncomfortable in the pocket on the way to a double-digit lead in the third quarter. But Pittsburgh turned to its workhorse, as Bell steamrolled through Tennessee's defense and keyed the comeback victory.

Although the performance easily surpassed the explosive youngster's previous career high of 147 rushing yards, he directed all the praise toward the offensive line, via NFL.com's Aditi Kinkhabwala:

An opening-drive field goal gave the Steelers an early advantage, and thanks to William Gay's pick-six on the Titans' first play from scrimmage, they proceeded to hold the lead for nearly the entire first half.

But a wild swing in the final minute quickly changed that.

Roethlisberger, a little too eager to give Pittsburgh a touchdown before halftime, forced an off-balance throw to Antonio Brown, which was easily intercepted by Jason McCourty in the end zone. On the very next play, Nate Washington toasted Gay with a double move, and Zach Mettenberger found him for an 80-yard touchdown.

The NFL's Twitter feed provided a look at the play, which gave Tennessee a 17-13 lead right before halftime:

It was the first such play in team history since Matt Hasselbeck was throwing to Jared Cook and Kenny Britt, per the Titans:

Tennessee struck first in the second half, as Mettenberger orchestrated an 11-play, 77-yard drive. He connected on several big throws, including a four-yard touchdown strike to Chase Coffman, who did a nice job using his size and snatching the ball high in the air.

Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke noted the improvement from the rookie quarterback in his third start:

The Steelers, though, didn't panic or abandon the game plan. Down 11 late in the third quarter, they continued to pound the ball to Bell, whose effectiveness combated the pressure Tennessee had been creating.

He put Pittsburgh on his back for two consecutive scoring drives, racking up 10 touches for 90 yards and a touchdown run. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport praised the second-year back:

The run game set up play action, as Roethlisberger was able to connect with Antonio Brown for 12 yards to put Pittsburgh in front, 27-24, with just over nine minutes remaining.

Once the Steelers got the ball back, it was all over. Bell took eight carries for big chunk after big chunk on the final drive, as Pittsburgh ran out the final seven minutes and secured the win. Jerome Bettis, who knows a thing or two about smashmouth football, applauded the way the Steelers slammed the door shut:

The Titans, now at 2-8, are pretty much playing for draft position at this point. Up next is a road matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

For the Steelers, this probably wasn't the comprehensive performance they were hoping for after a loss to the New York Jets last week, but it was a victory nonetheless. They now have the most wins (7-4) in the jam-packed AFC North, and perhaps most importantly, they have a bye week to help get healthy for a stretch run.