Grading the Steelers:

Neil Gordon, who completed his 15th season as the head coach of the Penn Hills High School Indians. He has won one WPIAL title.

Grading the Titans:

Jack McCurry, who completed his 24th season as the head coach of the North Hills High School Indians. He has won four WPIAL titles.

Offense: A

For the fourth consecutive week, Kordell Stewart has silenced his detractors with a stellar performance and great decisions. Plaxico Burress has joined Hines Ward as a "go-to" guy, and the run game is diversified and very physical. Mike Mularkey has to be extremely pleased with the balance his unit continues to display.

Offense: B -

The Eddie George-Jerome Bettis matchup never materialized. The Titans relied on the arm of Steve McNair and for 3 1/2 quarters, McNair completed pinpoint passes to Derrick Mason, Keith Dyson and Frank Wycheck. So what happened? McNair read the blitz but Wycheck didn't. The result was an interception returned for a touchdown. McNair and company deserved a better fate.

Defense: C

When Tim Lewis unleashed the blitz packages, Steve McNair and the Titans struggled and turned the ball over. When Lewis played passive, Frank Wycheck, Kevin Dyson and McNair had their way with the Steelers' secondary. This unit appears unstoppable and at its best when it throws caution to the wind.

Defense: C +

The Titans' defense was determined to stop Bettis, and it did. But Tennessee couldn't contain Kordell Stewart. Time and time again, the Titans were hurt by Stewart's passing and running ability. The defensive game plan to stop Bettis and force Stewart to pass was a titanic gamble. Tennessee rolled the dice, and the result was a Steelers victory.

Special Teams: B

The arrival of Troy Edwards on special teams couldn't have come at a better time. Coupled with Hank Poteat, these two could evolve into the best return tandem in the league. The coverage units performed well, but the blocked punt needs to be addressed for the stretch run.

Special Teams: C +

Craig Hentrich punted well, Joe Nedney delivered a 50-yard field goal -- usually that's a good performance, but the Titans surrendered two long kickoff returns, and that's always a poor performance. If you are going to win the big game, everyone has to play well. It just didn't happen with the special teams.

Coaching: A

Amos Zereoue, Mike Logan, Troy Edwards, Oliver Ross and Keydrick Vincent -- so many people making significant contributions! Hats off to Coach Bill Cowher for having the entire squad mentally, physically and emotionally ready to answer the bell. This depth will be huge as the inevitable injuries arrive.

Coaching: B

With George having a subpar year, the Titans have turned to the passing game. It's not enough. They must re-establish the running game. They decided the best way to defeat the Steelers was stop their running game. That was a gamble, which resulted in a loss.

Team Score: 94

Team Score: 81

Key

100-95

Super Bowl performance

94-90

Division title contenders

89-80

Wild Card possibility

79-70

Shooting for high draft picks in 2002

69-less

Check waiver wire