For the first time since Week 17 of the 2021 season, when Ben Roethlisberger was still quarterbacking the team, Diontae Johnson found the end zone. And it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Johnson’s 3-pointer lifted the Pittsburgh Steelers past the Tennessee Titans, 20-16, to go 5-3 on the season in what was a thriller afterward.
Johnson had 119 receptions before that 120th that finally put him in the paint, but he remained patient and believed he would score again. Quarterback Kenny Pickett found Johnson earlier in the 11-play, 92-yard drive on a long third-and-six conversion for 32 yards to get into Titans territory.
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Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers passes the ball in the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Acrisure Stadium on November 2, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The five-year veteran led the way with seven catches for 90 yards on nine targets to continue hitting Pittsburgh since coming off injured reserve.
Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis, in just his second career start, appeared to be in control of this game as he made long throws and relied on veteran running back Derrick Henry to lead the way on the ground, allowing action plays to work . .
But he found himself needing to drive a game-winning drive after Johnson’s touchdown. He had two separate chances, with the Titans’ final drive finding Levis at the Pittsburgh 19-yard line on third-and-five with 12 seconds left.
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Dropping back, he tried to hit tight end Josh Whyle for the touchdown down the middle of the field. Instead, linebacker Kwon Alexander jumped and grabbed it out of the air for a Steelers interception, capping another comeback win for this team.
Levis was solid in his second start for Tennessee, but it wasn’t the four-touchdown magic he had on Sunday. He finished 22 of 39 for 262 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Meanwhile, Pickett got off to a slow start in this one, dropping passes that led to moans and groans from Steelers fans in the stands. But he paid off when he counted late in the game, finishing 19 for 30 for 160 yards with the touchdown pass to Johnson and no interceptions.
The ground game worked for both teams, but it was Pittsburgh who totaled 166 yards as a team, and no, it wasn’t Najee Harris leading the way. It was Jaylen Warren who finished with 87 yards on 11 carries, while Harris finished with 69 on 16 carries.
Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on November 2, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
This game started with a perfect opening drive by the Steelers that sent the home crowd into a frenzy because they are not used to this team being hot from the start.
Pickett drove down the field 78 yards, leading to a 10-yard run by Harris. It was the second rushing score for Harris this season.
Levis was able to make a good move for the Titans, too, but ended up only scoring on Nick Folk to cut into Pittsburgh’s lead. The Titans didn’t find the end zone until the second quarter, when Henry bulldozed in from two yards out, reaching over the goal line to tie the game after the extra point.
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The Steelers and Titans would trade field goals from there until Pittsburgh, as they have on several occasions this season, scored a late touchdown that put them over the edge.
It’s also worth noting that two players had to sit out this game – Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb and Titans receiver Treylon Burks.
Holcomb suffered a horrific leg injury in the first half that the broadcast did not show the replay. Burks, on the other hand, attempted the Titans’ second-to-last drive on fourth down and appeared to take a hit as he hit the turf.
The Steelers continue to do whatever it takes to win and that will be tested again next week when they host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a first down in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Acrisure Stadium on November 2, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
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As for the Titans, they will head to Tampa Bay to face Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers.
