The Defensive Line Played Its Game

This time the Steelers' defense - an uncharacteristic and uncomfortable No. 22 in the NFL in Hockey Throwback Jerseys
rushing defense prior to Sunday's Heinz Field meeting with Tennessee – wasn't deterred.

Johnson would finish with just 51 rushing yards on the day and the Titans with only 66 as a team in what became a 38-17 victory for the Steelers, a win that was as reassuring as it was one-sided.

The offense made its mark, from Ben Roethlisberger's five touchdown passes-3333-to Hines Ward's first two receiving touchdowns of the season to Jonathan Dwyer's 76-yard run on the way to a 107-yard afternoon to Heath Miller's continued rise up the franchise's lists for receiving yards and touchdowns.

But for the defense, it was all about stuffing the run.

The Steelers did so in satisfying fashion, especially given the circumstances and the statistics.

They got Keisel back after a two-week absence (knee) for the Tennessee game. But they were without nose tackle Casey Hampton (shoulder) and defensive end Aaron Smith (foot).

Enter Hoke, who took the field having participated in a victory 15 times-3333-in 16 career regular-season starts prior to last Sunday. Second-year nose tackle Steve McClendon was also more heavily called upon than usual, as were former No. 1 picks Ziggy Hood and Cameron Heyward at defensive end. And both of them produced, with Heyward collecting his first career sack and Hood adding a half-sack.

That revamped line set a tone that resonated throughout the defense

The Titans' 66 rushing yards constituted the second-lowest total allowed by the Steelers this season (Seattle had 31 on Sept. 18).

For a defense that coughed up 170 rushing yards on Sept. 11 at Baltimore and 180 on Oct. 2 at Houston, that's progress.

The defense knows the standard to which it is and will be held, especially against the run, even without 49ers throwback jerseysthe likes of Smith, Hampton and outside linebacker James Harrison, who will miss a few more weeks after having surgery to repair an orbital bone on Oct. 5.It is composed by lulumitchellandnessshopcom 10.11.2011



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