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Steelers Titans wobble, but put together a victory over Steelers in final seconds

Even in defeat, Steelers defense now 20 quarters without allowing a touchdown

Sunday, November 05, 2000

By Teresa M.Walker, The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Titans aren't picking up any style points, just victories.

Al Del Greco kicked his third field goal, a 29-yarder, with four seconds left as the Titans rallied for a 9-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers this afternoon, stretching their winning streak to an NFL-best eight.

The Titans improved to 8-1 for the first time in franchise history by overcoming their own mistakes. It looked like they would lose their first game since moving to Adelphia Coliseum when they hurt themselves with a season-high 14 penalties for 115 yards.

But Steve McNair took control just in time. He connected with Derrick Mason on three separate passes, the biggest a 17-yard completion on fourth-and-8 at the Pittsburgh 42 with 2:12 remaining.

Eddie George, who rushed 34 times for 98 yards, nearly put the game away on the next play as he rushed up the middle 11 yards. The Titans then ran the clock down and let Del Greco, who had missed a 24-yarder in the third quarter, clinch the victory with the field goal.

Kordell Stewart put the Steelers (5-4) up 7-6 when he found tight end Mark Bruener across the middle for a 30-yard touchdown with 8:27 remaining.

The Steelers had a chance to extend their own winning streak to six straight when they got the ball back with 4:38 to go. But they couldn't run the clock out, going three-and-out and giving the ball back less than a minute later.

McNair was 20-of-31 for 227 yards passing and added 50 yards rushing on five carries. Mason had a season-high eight catches for 92 yards.

Tennessee has a three-game lead in the AFC Central and has beaten Pittsburgh seven straight times in the series.

Only the Titans kept themselves from turning the game into a rout.

Pittsburgh's defense stretched its streak to 20 straight quarters without allowing a touchdown, but the Titans failed to get into the end zone despite five straight trips inside the Steelers 20. Tennessee finished with 364 yards total offense compared to just 167 for the Steelers, who kept alive their own streak of scoring just one touchdown in each of their last four games.

The Titans held the ball for more than 39 minutes, and also sacked Stewart twice and forced two turnovers. Tennessee had its best performance in the third quarter, allowing Pittsburgh just 15 total yards.

The Titans' best chance at a TD came when McNair tossed a 13-yarder to Chris Sanders early in the fourth quarter. Sanders had to jump over Chad Scott to pull the ball in, but only got his right foot down in bounds.

Tennessee settled for field goals of 21 and 31 yards from Del Greco

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