Steelers-Titans: Defenses Come To Play But Big Ben Drives to OT Win

Hines Ward nearly coughed it away but his gritty quarterback saved his best for last. The Pittsburgh Steelers raised the curtain on the 2009 NFL season and their sixth Super Bowl title defense with a defensively dominated 13-10 win over the Tennessee Titans in overtime. Ben Roethlisbeger threw an uncharacteristic 43 passes but completed 33 of them for 363 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. His counterpart Kerry Collins was equally efficient, throwing for 244 yards with one touchdown and an interception. The story of the game, however, was the play of both defenses who came out of 2008 ranked first and second in every major statistical category. Even without star defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth the Titans defensive line did its job in getting good pressure on Roethlisberger with four sacks and grabbing two interceptions, one of which was almost taken back for a touchdown before halftime by Pro Bowl cornerback Cortland Finnegan. The Steelers came out strong especially ...