Grading the Steelers:

Ron Wabby, who has completed his 21st season as the head coach at Brashear High School. His teams have won five City League championships.

Grading the Titans:

Neil Gordon, who completed his 16th season as the head coach of the Penn Hills High School Indians. He has won one WPIAL title.

Offense: A

Outside of the early interception, quarterback Tommy Maddox was refreshing to watch. The new five-wide offense turned four turnovers into 20 points. The two-point conversion, double pass was unbelievable. The Steelers have entered the 21st century with Tommy Gun's wide-open offense.

Offense: B

A courageous performance by Steve McNair was the catalyst in the brutal nail-bitter. With out Eddie George, the Titans were stripped of any serious running threat, forcing a bruised and battered McNair to shoulder the load. Game balls to Drew Bennett and Frank Wycheck whose career performances proved to be the difference.

Defense: C

Playing without Kendrell Bell, the Steelers defense struggled to stop the Titans. Allowing the Titans to convert on 11 of 16 third-down plays and poor pass coverage kept the defense on the field most of the day. When the smoke cleared it was poor pass coverage and tackling that ended the Steelers' season.

Defense: C

Although rookies Albert Haynesworth and Carlos Hall played extremely well, the overall defensive performance was average at best. Missed tackles, ridiculous penalties and assignment breakdowns were prevalent and allowed the Steelers' offense far too many yards and opportunities.

Special Teams: C

The kickoff coverage team did its job by keeping the Titans pinned down, but the punting of Tom Rouen was poor and helped the Titans gain field position. Jeff Reed did his part by making three of four field-goal attempts.

Special Teams: D

Although Joe Nedney made the two clutch field goals to produce the victory, the Titans special teams had an otherwise miserable day. The kickoff coverage consistently afforded the Steelers excellent field position.

Coaching: B

Injuries to key players such as Bell made it hard to prepare for a team led by Steve McNair. Coach Bill Cowher asked his team to believe and play physical and it did. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey did nothing to hurt his changes of becoming the Bengals' head coach if that's what he wants to do.

Coaching: A

The Titans overcame serious problems, fought to the bitter end and somehow salvaged a victory. Jeff Fisher's offensive and defensive game plans were adequate, but when the injuries appeared it was the staff's tough "never give up" attitude that became evident and deciding factors. Fisher has again proven to be a courageous leader in the toughest of times.

Team Score: 84

Team Score: 85

Key

100-95

Super Bowl performance

94-90

Division title contenders

89-80

Wild Card possibility

79-70

Shooting for high draft picks in 2003

69-less

Check waiver wire