AP photo by Mark Zaleski / Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner is swarmed by the Tennessee Titans' defense during a preseason game on Aug. 25, 2019, in Nashville.NASHVILLE - When it comes to on-field results, not even the NFL's first COVID-19 outbreak slowed down the Tennessee Titans, who at 5-0 have put together the second-best start in franchise history.
Now they're about to host one of the league's two other remaining undefeated teams, with the Pittsburgh Steelers finally in town for a matchup that was originally scheduled for Oct. 4 but became the league's first game postponed because of COVID-19. The Titans, who had 24 people within their organization test positive during the outbreak, also heard the talk they should be punished, including Steelers tight end Eric Ebron's call for the NFL to make them forfeit.
"This is something that you look forward to, regardless of all the stuff that's going on with the pandemic and ... being worried about forfeiting a game man," Titans linebacker Rashaan Evans. "And these are the type of games you look forward to."
The delay simply made Sunday's game bigger. This is only the fifth time in NFL history that two undefeated teams have played in Week 7 or later, not counting seasons affected by work stoppages. The winner of the first four such games all made the Super Bowl that season, with Titans coach Mike Vrabel playing in and winning two when he was a linebacker for the New England Patriots.
The Titans went 15 days between games, routed the Buffalo Bills on a Tuesday night, then needed overtime to beat the Houston Texans 42-36 last Sunday for two wins in six days. The Steelers reached 5-0 by thumping the Cleveland Browns last Sunday, 38-7.
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said his team has discussed dealing with uncertainty amid the pandemic since training camp. Tennessee's outbreak forced the Steelers to have their open date far earlier than expected, with the schedule altered so that this showdown for the top of the AFC standings - the NFC's Seattle Seahawks are also 5-0 - is Pittsburgh's first of three straight road games.
"As competitors, you've got to appreciate and respect those opportunities," Tomlin said. "And we do."
The Titans finally have all 13 players back who were on the COVID-19 reserve list, including wide receiver Corey Davis and tight end MyCole Pruitt, and even cornerback Adoree' Jackson - on injured reserve since Sept. 14 - practiced this past week while working toward his return.
However, both teams will be missing key players, in each case because of a season-ending ACL tear that occurred during last weekend's games. Pittsburgh lost inside linebacker Devin Bush, while Tennessee lost left tackle Taylor Lewan.
Rob Spillane, who began his NFL career with Tennessee in 2018 after making the team following a tryout, will get the first opportunity at filling in for a player who had been in on every defensive play for the Steelers this season. Veteran lineman Ty Sambrailo will be at left tackle for the Titans.
The teams are similar on offense in their commitment to spreading the touches around, particularly in the passing game. Five different players have led each in receiving yards this season.
Pittsburgh is fourth in the NFL in scoring with Ben Roethlisberger leading a balanced attack, and the veteran quarterback pointed out the Steelers haven't had to put up gaudy numbers through the air the way they did in 2018, when he led the league in passing.
"I'd like to think if needed to we could do that, because we have some amazing pass catchers that can do great things with the ball in their hands, but what we have been able to do right now is win football games," Roethlisberger said. "That's what is most important."
Tennessee is second in the NFL in both scoring, averaging 32.8 points a game, and total yards (422.0 per game), but quarterback Ryan Tannehill said the Titans have yet to "put near our best football together for four quarters."
The ground attacks have proven reliable, too.
James Conner, a fourth-year pro who could be headed for free agency in 2021 after the Steelers declined to offer him a new deal before this season, is coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances, the first time since early 2018 he has topped the century mark in consecutive games. The Steelers are 8-0-1 when he tops 100 yards.
"He is running efficiently, he is scoring touchdowns when we get down close to the goal line, he's giving us first downs when we need those," Roethlisberger said. "I think his game right now is at an all-time high."
Tennessee running back Derrick Henry went through a similar situation last year, and he became the NFL's rushing leader for the 2019 season. The Titans signed him to a contract extension in July, and he currently leads the NFL with 588 rushing yards and has scored two touchdowns in three straight games, including the winner against the Texans.