NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans gave themselves a little breathing room with a much-needed victory, and the Steelers still can’t win away from Heinz Field.
Rob Bironas kicked his fourth field goal, a 40-yarder as time expired, and the Titans beat the Steelers 26-23 last night to snap a two-game skid.
Matt Hasselbeck threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Britt with 4:19 left to tie it at 23, and the Titans (2-4) snapped a three-game losing streak against the Steelers. More importantly, the team that had given up more points than any other team in the NFL held its first opponent below 30 points this season.
“We’re not doing enough things to finish games in hostile environments,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. “That’s just the reality right now. Hopefully, it’s just right now.”
Pittsburgh (2-3) lost its third straight road game this season and the fifth in six games dating to last season despite Ben Roethlisberger throwing for 363 yards, including an 82-yard TD pass to Mike Wallace, and becoming the Steelers’ career passing leader, passing Terry Bradshaw.
Roethlisberger drove the Steelers into position to take the lead after the Titans tied it. Shaun Suisham, who already had connected from 29, 28 and 52 yards, had his 54-yard attempt fall short of the crossbar with 49 seconds left.
The Steelers, who played without safety Troy Polamalu and linebacker LaMarr Woodley, head home with a much longer injury report. Running back Rashard Mendenhall also went down with an Achilles injury and fellow back Ike Redman caught four passes for 105 yards before injuring his right ankle in the third quarter. The Steelers also lost center Maurkice Pouncey (right leg) and right tackle Marcus Gilbert (right ankle).
Chris Johnson ran for 91 yards on 19 carries for Tennessee, and Hasselbeck finished with 290 yards passing.