PITTSBURGH – In a matchup that had all the makings of a heavyweight offensive showdown, the Pittsburgh Steelers marched into Tennessee and walked out with a hard fought 38–31 victory that showcased explosive plays, timely defense, and the continued rise of a backfield that is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous duos in the league. It was not perfect, it was not always clean, but it was gritty, fast paced, and exactly the type of win a team chasing momentum desperately needs.
And for the Steelers sitting at 2–3 entering the matchup, this win felt more like a must-win than a simple notch in the standings.
Ridder Battles Through an Up and Down Night
Quarterback Desmond Ridder has had cleaner stat lines this season, but what he delivered in Tennessee was something just as important: resilience. Ridder finished with a 100.5 NFL Passer Rating, throwing for 222 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception on 15 of 28 passing. The 53 percent completion rate does not reflect how pivotal several of his completions were, especially on third down and in key scoring situations.
Ridder also contributed a critical 24 yard scramble. It was yet another example of the situational awareness he has sharpened week after week.
LaFleur acknowledged after the game, “He battled. The accuracy was up and down, but his decision making in critical moments is why we won this game. He kept us steady.”
Ridder’s touchdown throws were perfectly spread across the offense, but none were bigger than his deep strike to DK Metcalf that ignited the Steelers sideline and put them ahead late.
DK Metcalf Returns to Dominant Form
After a pair of quieter outings, DK Metcalf reminded the league why he is still one of the most dangerous receivers in football. With 4 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown, Metcalf repeatedly beat the Titans secondary on vertical concepts, attacking leverage, and using his size and speed to create explosive plays.
His touchdown came on a perfectly executed route down the left sideline, where Ridder hit him in stride for a score that had the entire Steelers bench erupting. It was a vintage Metcalf moment, pure athletic dominance mixed with crisp execution.
And perhaps even more encouraging for Pittsburgh is that Metcalf appears fully synced with Ridder again, a connection that could become lethal as the season progresses.
Thunder and Lightning Strike Again
The Steelers’ rushing attack continued its ascent into elite territory, powered by the now well established two headed monster of Nate Carter and Kaleb Johnson.
Nate Carter delivered one of the best performances of his Steelers career, carrying the ball 14 times for 164 yards and a touchdown. His 45 yard run was not just a highlight, but it was a tone setter. Carter hit the crease with burst, cut upfield smoothly, and outran two defenders before finally being pushed out of bounds. It was the kind of run that breaks defensive will.
Carter’s blend of patience and explosiveness kept Tennessee off balance all night. His ability to bounce plays outside when interior gaps collapsed was a major reason the Steelers offense stayed on schedule.
Kaleb Johnson, meanwhile, continued his emergence as a future superstar. The sophomore back carried the ball 6 times for 44 yards, scoring once and flashing the same downhill force that has defined his breakout. Johnson’s runs were punishing, especially on short yardage where his power consistently moved the chains.
Together, Carter and Johnson combined for 208 rushing yards, and the Titans had no answer for either runner’s style.
A Defense That Bent, Broke, Then Saved the Game
The Steelers’ defense gave up 31 points, but the story is far more complicated. Cam Ward and Tennessee attacked Pittsburgh aggressively through the air and on the ground, capitalizing on occasional miscommunication and coverage lapses. But when the moment of truth arrived, the defense delivered the plays that swung the momentum permanently in Pittsburgh’s favor.
Patrick Queen was the centerpiece of that turnaround. Not only did Queen register 3 tackles for loss, but he also delivered the biggest defensive play of the night: a pick that flipped the scoreboard and gave the Steelers control when Tennessee appeared poised to strike again.
Queen read the quarterback’s eyes, broke on the ball with perfect timing, and sprinted untouched into the red zone. It was a moment that electrified the team and reminded everyone why he was is the heartbeat of Pittsburgh’s defense.
Queen now continues to build his Defensive Player of the Year level résumé, and this game was another massive chapter.
The Front Seven Dominates the Backfield
Queen was able to acquire 3 TFLs, and T.J. Watt also notched 3 tackles for loss of his own. Watt terrorized Tennessee’s blocking schemes all night, creating chaos in the backfield even when he did not record a sack.
And speaking of sacks, Logan Hall recorded 1 sack and 2 tackles for loss, reinforcing his growing importance as a hybrid disruptor on the defensive line. Hall has been one of the most underrated pieces of this defense, and his ability to win one on one matchups inside and outside continues to open opportunities for Watt and Highsmith.
The Final Drive: A Test of Grit
With the Steelers holding a touchdown lead late in the fourth quarter, the Titans attempted one last drive to tie the game. But the defense responded with its best possession of the night, forcing back to back negative plays before collapsing the pocket on fourth down to seal the victory.
It was not pretty. It was not flawless. But it was grit, effort, and execution in the moment that mattered most.
A Win That Means More Than a Number
At 3–3, the Titans entered the game believing they were the more polished, more consistent team. But Pittsburgh proved that when their offense is firing and their defense is opportunistic, they can beat anyone.
The Steelers now climb to 3–3 themselves, with momentum, confidence, and identity building in all the right places. The run game is forming into something special. Ridder continues to perform in clutch moments. The defense makes splash plays when needed.
This win was not just about outscoring Tennessee.
It was about announcing to the league that Pittsburgh is very much alive, and very much evolving.
– Forged In Steel Times
