Waking up with a “W”

Steeler Nation woke up with a smile this morning after the win last night over Tennessee. It’s a great way to enter the bye week.

News and notes from the win:

Bob Labriola, Steelers.com, on “What went right” last night:

Pressure by Brett Keisel forced Zach Mettenberger into a quick throw that fell incomplete on a third-and-1 and forced the Titans to punt on their opening possession of the third quarter.

Another pressure by Brett Keisel that included a hit on the quarterback had Zach Mettenberger rush his third-down throw to Kendall Wright and the ball fell incomplete. On the next play, the Titans punt traveled only 29 yards, and the Steelers got the ball at their own 35-yard line trailing, 24-20, with 13:03 remaining in the fourth quarter.

From Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

The Titans rushed for just 49 yards on 15 carries, the second lowest total allowed by the Steelers this season. They had 33 yards on eight carries in the first half, but didn’t have a run longer than 9 yards. DE Brett Keisel was a standout, batting two passes at the line and getting two quarterback pressures that forced incompletions in the second half.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) rates top peformers from MNF win:

Le’Veon Bell, RB: +4.7

Breakdown: Where else to start than with the man who carried the Steelers across the finish line. His first 100-yard game since Carolina in Week 3 saw him break a career-high nine tackles in a relentless display, gashing the Titans’ run defense. Given a consistent platform by his offensive line (3.4 yard per carry before first contact) Bell took full advantage statistically and in terms of a consistent impact on the game.

Signature Play: Not so much a signature play as a signature drive; his eight carries on the Steelers’ final 10-play drive was one of the best individual efforts of the season so far with his juke on Michael Griffin with 2:35 to go the highlight.

Brett Keisel, DE: +3.9

Breakdown: Clearly coming toward the end of his career, Keisel is still capable of making his impact felt for the Steelers and he did just that as a pass rusher last night. One stop in run defense was paired with a pair of pressures (1 Ht, 1 Hu) and a couple of batted passes as he swatted down low throws at the line of scrimmage from Zach Mettenberger.

Signature Play: Recorded both of his pressures on third downs, the first of them a hit at Q3 13:38 on a stunt to the right of Brian Schwenke to help bring the Titans’ first drive of the second half to a premature end.

Kelvin Beachum, LT: +4.5

Breakdown: That platform for Bell was set by the likes of Beachum who built on a strong season with his best all-around display of the year. His highest run blocking grade of the season (+1.9) was paired with a fourth straight positive grade in pass protection surrendering no pressures on 38 plays spent pass blocking.

Signature Stat: On six carries off Beachum’s left hip, Bell gained 45 yards (7.5 per carry) including his 5-yard touchdown carry to open the fourth quarter.

From Jon Gruden, ESPN analyst:

“Brett Keisel chews up blocks. He keeps his inside linebackers clean.  And, some of the running backs that try to cut the ball back…they forget how hard Brett Keisel can hit. What a Pittsburgh Steeler…what a bargain he has been. Former 7th round draft choice. Clearly a leader on this Steeler football team.”

Watch the “Sights and Sounds” from the win, courtesy of Steelers.com.

Check back later for some great social media tweets and Facebook posts. And, we’ll have game photos!