Tennessee offense vs. Pittsburgh defense

The Steelers will not exercise this option for several reasons. The first of which is McNair's performance last week, when he scorched the League's second-ranked pass defense for five passing TD's without the distraction of an interception. McNair displayed his pocket passing ability, as he checked off to several different receivers.

Steeler defensive coordinator John Haslett also knows the majority of McNair's weapons are healthy again. WR Yancy Thigpen's return has provided McNair with his favorite target and a deep threat to stretch opponent's secondaries. In McNair's five worst performances this season, Thigpen was nursing a seriously soar ankle and McNair found himself forcing balls into covered receivers as a result.

Frank Wycheck is also now back to 100%, after being hampered by a sprained MCL for almost two months. Although Wycheck has been playing, his ability to get open has been hurt by his injury.

Pittsburgh's poor secondary play is also why coach Haslett won't commit multiple defenders to the LOS. The Steelers secondary has yielded upwards of 20 passing plays of more then 25 yards and suffered multiple injuries throughout the season. Look for Pittsburgh to blitz often on 3rd downs -- Jacksonville didn't blitz McNair often and he wasn't sacked once. McNair's ample time in the pocket led to him completing passes to eight different receivers, (all five of his TD's were thrown to different Titans).

On the ground, Tennessee should be able to put up some serious numbers, especially in light of McNair's last performance. The Steeler rushing defense is ranked 11th in the league, so don't expect to see them rolling over anytime soon. But with Steelers NT Joel Steed out, coupled with the exceptional line play of Titan OT's Brad Hopkins and Jon Runyan, the Titans should be able to move the ball on land.

The nose tackle position in the 3-4 defensive set is pivotal and reserve second year player Jeremy Staat isn't giving the Steeler front the penetration they need in the middle. RB Eddie George and the Titans are averaging 115 yards a game on the ground, and George's ability to wear down a defensive unit matches up well against the Steelers damaged 3-4 defensive scheme. With the exception of ILB Levon Kirkland, Pittsburgh's defense has been playing soft against the run.

SPittsburgh offense vs. Tennessee defense

Up front, the Steelers will be looking for another sound performance out of RT Shar Pourdanesh, who did an exceptional job of neutralizing Carolina DE Kevin Green last week in his first start as a Steeler. Pourdanesh let Green's zealous upfield approach take him out of plays when blocking for Huntley and Bettis, expect him to do the same against Titan rookie Kearse this week, as Kearse shares the same thought process off the ball as Green.

On the other side Pittsburgh's Wayne Gandy is notorious for getting knocked off the ball at the point of attack, but has improved on his first step when run-blocking and will need to keep it up against DE Kenny Holmes on the left side. Holmes isn't much of a run stopper, but he's quick off the ball and will make plays if he beats Gandy off the snap.

The scary thing about running the ball against the Titans is their 46-scheme. Coordinator Gregg Williams promotes upfield play by his front, because he feels his linebackers are good enough to take away cutback lanes and most of the time they are, (see last week's performance against Jacksonville).

Titan CB's Samari Rolle and Denard Walker match up well with Pittsburgh's receivers, Hines Ward and Troy Edwards. Rolle's as fast as they come at corner, so he'll draw the assignment of covering the speedy Troy Edwards and Walker's solid technique will lead to him shuting down the crafty Ward.

What really hurts the Steelers against Tennessee is their lack of a threat at TE. Injuries to TE's Mark Bruener and his backup Mitch Lyons have left Matt Cushing as the starter against the Titans. Cushing doesn't have the speed to work the middle of the field, so safeties Blane Bishop and Marcus Robinson will be able to focus on helping out Rolle and Walker with the Steeler wide receivers.

The Steelers offense will need to establish the run, and if they don't a blowout will ensue -- as the Titans don't back off when the go up early.

Special teams

Tennessee's Derrick Mason has been exciting returning punts this season, and he's brought one back for a TD. Hentrich has been kicking off with distance, but his punts are leaving lots to be desired. Del Greco is perfect on PATs and 83 percent on FGs.

Key matchups