| 5. Continued improvement by Dennis Dixon | | | | Hampton also left the game with a hamstring injury. |
| Dixon made his second start in the NFL against | | | | If that is not given proper time to heal hamstring |
| Atlanta and his inexperience showed. He threw one | | | | injuries will come back throughout the season. Behind |
| interception and nearly threw a couple others. | | | | these 2 players on the depth chart are Chris Hoke |
| Fortunately the Falcon defense couldn't make the | | | | for Hampton and Jonathan Scott for Starks. These |
| plays. Dixon did have his good moments too. He | | | | two have to step up and provide quality play for the |
| threw a perfect pass to Mike Wallace for a long | | | | Steelers to win. Hoke must plug the hole and keep |
| completion, not an easy thing to do since Wallace can | | | | the rushing defense from giving up big plays by Chris |
| outrun most throws. Dixon was known as an | | | | Johnson. Scott must keep the Titans defense from |
| accurate passer in college and hit 18 of 26 passes in | | | | attacking Dixon, something he didn't do well against |
| this game. He should continue to improve with | | | | the Falcons. If he is not able to do what is needed |
| additional time with the first team offense allowing | | | | there may be some major shifting of the offensive |
| him to get in sync with his receivers more. Look for | | | | line going on. The prognosis is good for Starks |
| the Titans to stack the line until DD proves he can | | | | though. He may be back by the next game. Hampton |
| beat them with his passing. He must play better in | | | | will be week to week. Backups, in general, need to |
| this game to beat the Titans in their home. | | | | step up for the Steelers to continue winning. |
| 4. More consistent play from Rashard Mendenhall | | | | 2. Keep Vince Young in the pocket |
| Because the Falcons did not believe that Dennis Dixon | | | | Vince Young is not the most accurate passer in the |
| could beat them with his arm, they stacked the line | | | | league. His feet and his running back are his weapons. |
| and challenged him to do it. Because of this | | | | The Steelers must keep him in the pocket and keep |
| Mendenhall was tackled for losses several times. | | | | him from improvising to win this game. The more he |
| Maybe this will be the season Mendenhall becomes | | | | throws the better the chances the Steelers have. |
| the runner they thought he would be when they | | | | The more he gets out of the pocket and uses his |
| drafted him, but he must avoid all those negative | | | | feet the less the chance the Steelers have in this |
| yardage plays. If he did not have the game winner | | | | game. |
| against Atlanta, most would have probably | | | | 1. Hold Chris Johnson under 100 yards |
| considered that an average to below average | | | | It is no secret in the NFL that Chris Johnson is |
| performance for him. Mendenhall needs to turn some | | | | probably the elite running back in the league. If |
| of those negative yardage plays into gains for the | | | | there's any doubt just remember the 2,000 yard club. |
| Steelers to be on the winning side at the end of this | | | | He is one of the few members of this club. So, it is |
| game. | | | | also no secret to Titans opponents what their game |
| 3. Backups will have to step up | | | | plan is, run, run, run. If the Steelers can stop Chris |
| Max Starks left the Atlanta game with what most | | | | Johnson their chances to win this game are very |
| thought was a high ankle sprain. This is an injury that | | | | good. The good news is this is the strength of the |
| most players and fans have come to realize can cost | | | | Steelers. Look for Johnson to be around 75 yards by |
| the player several games while trying to heal. Casey | | | | the end of the game. |