Grading the Steelers:

Jack McCurry, who is in his 26th season as the head coach at North Hills High School. His teams have won four WPIAL titles.

Grading the Titans:

Ron Wabby, who is in his 22nd season as the head coach at Brashear High School. His teams have won five City League championships.

Offense: C -

The Steelers started strong with a good mix of passing and running. Even the gadget plays looked good. Then Tommy Maddox and company self-destructed. A safety and two interceptions that resulted in touchdowns for destroyed any hope of a victory. Mistakes and the inability to throw the ball deep prevented any chance for a comeback.

Offense: B

The tone was set in the first half when the Titans ran only 16 plays but scored 16 points. (1 point per play, not a bad average). Tennessee did not have a semblance of a running game and depended on Steve McNair, and he delivered with three touchdown passes. I guess time of possession really doesn't mean that much.

Defense: B

The Steelers played great run defense and subpar pass defense, and that's always a formula for failure. Casey Hampton dominated the line of scrimmage, yet the Steelers had a difficult time getting to Steve McNair. The Steelers' cornerbacks had a long, long game. You can't give up big plays and expect to win.

Defense: A

At the start of the game it looked as if the defense would be worn down. That wasn't the case. Tennessee's defense just played harder and make more big plays. The safety by Rocky Boiman and the interception by Samari Rolle led to nine first-half points. The interception by Boiman for a touchdown in the fourth quarter ended any hope of a Steelers' comeback. The Titans defense bent but didn't break.

Special Teams: C -

Jeff Reed had two chip-shot field goals. So what happened on the attempt that was partially blocked? Poor execution by the wingbacks, that's what. I still think Antwaan Randle El has a special talent for returning kicks, but you can't let the ball hit the ground and roll, and roll and roll.

Special Teams: B

The punting of Craig Hentrich kept the Steelers 'offense pinned down most of the game and field position is always a big part of any game. The blocked field-goal attempt at the start of the second half was big in breaking the Steelers' spirit.

Coaching: C-
At the beginning of the game, Mike Mularkey had the Steelers' offense on a roll. Everything seemed to work, then the interception late in the second quarter turned the game around. The Steelers had changes to get back into the game, but the offense struggled in the red zone. The debacle at the end was quite fitting. First-and-goal at the 1 and the Steelers couldn't score. Where was Jerome Bettis?

Coaching: B

Coach Jeff Fisher's smart use of the instant replay helped to wake up the Titans. The game plan was to let the Steelers tire themselves out on offense and let his defense make big plays. The plan worked perfectly.

Team Score: 77

Team Score: 90

Key

100-95

Super Bowl performance

94-90

Division title contenders

89-80

Wild Card possibility

79-70

Shooting for high draft picks in 2004

69-less

Check waiver wire