NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger threw two landing passes to Diontae Johnson, and the Pittsburgh Steelers remained excellent by holding off Tennessee for a 27-24 victory Sunday in a sport initially postponed when the Titans got here down with the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak of the season.

In a matchup of the AFC’s two remaining undefeated groups, the Titans rallied from 17 down. They failed to finish the comeback when Stephen Gostkowski, who made a 51-yarder earlier, missed from 45 yards broad proper with 14 seconds left that despatched the Steelers working across the subject in celebration and the Titans (5-1) shocked.

The Steelers improved to 6-Zero for his or her finest begin since 1978, when Pittsburgh received its first seven on the best way to the Tremendous Bowl. This was simply the fifth time undefeated groups had met in Week 7 or later, and the winner of the earlier 4 all made the Tremendous Bowl.

Benny Snell Jr. added a 1-yard TD run, and Ray-Ray McCloud arrange a landing with a 57-yard punt return. Pittsburgh scored at the least 26 factors for a sixth straight sport to tie a stretch in 2015 for the longest in franchise historical past.

The Steelers have been with out cornerback Mike Hilton, one in all their finest blitzers, not that the NFL’s No. 2 protection in each yards and factors allowed missed him. Pittsburgh outgained Tennessee 362-292 and held the NFL’s second-best scoring offense below 31 factors for the primary time for the reason that opening week of the season.

However the Titans had received 4 of their first 5 by rallying within the ultimate two minutes of regulation or time beyond regulation, and so they scored 17 straight to tug to 27-24.

Ryan Tannehill hit A.J. Brown on a brief cross that the receiver took to the tip zone for a 73-yard TD. Jayon Brown picked off a batted cross, organising Gostkowski’s subject purpose. Derrick Henry capped the 12-play drive with a 1-yard TD with 10:13 left.

The Titans had the ultimate probability after Amani Hooker intercepted Roethlisberger at the back of the tip zone with 2:35 left. It was Roethlisberger’s third of the sport, which Tennessee changed into solely a subject purpose.

Pittsburgh dominated early with a 161-1 edge in complete offense earlier than the Titans’ second offensive possession. The Steelers led 24-7 at halftime.

Roethlisberger and the Steelers scored a landing on their opening drive for the primary time in 23 video games, going 75 yards over 16 performs. Roethlisberger had his 1-yard TD cross to James Conner worn out by penalty so he hit Johnson for an 11-yard TD and a 7-Zero lead.

Snell Jr. capped the Steelers’ second drive for a 14-Zero lead.

INJURIES

Steelers defensive finish Chris Wormley was damage early within the fourth. Johnson went to the sideline after a key third-down catch late within the sport with an obvious proper leg damage. He missed final week’s sport with a again damage.

Titans exterior linebacker Jadeveon Clowney damage his left knee early within the third quarter however returned. Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton damage a knee late within the first half.

UP NEXT

Steelers: Go to Baltimore in a sport rescheduled due to the Titans’ outbreak with the Ravens coming off their bye.

Titans: Go to Cincinnati of their first highway sport since Sept. 27.

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Observe Teresa M. Walker at https://twitter.com/TeresaMWalker

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