Steelers vs. Titans Preseason Week 3: 1st quarter in-game update

The Pittsburgh Steelers took to the road for the first time in the 2019 NFL Preseason when they traveled to Tennessee to play the Titans in Week 3 on Sunday Night Football. This game is often referred to as the “final dress rehearsal” where some starters will play for almost a half before giving way to the backups to mop up the second half.

With fans waiting on the edge of their seats to see the starters for the last time before the regular season, it was Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ offense who won the opening coin toss and elected to start the game with the football.

Roethlisberger and company took over at the 21 yard line, and worked a lot of no huddle offense throughout the opening drive. However, after an opening play run, the Steelers went pass-happy and failed to gain a second first down on 3rd and 10, putting Jordan Berry on the field for early action.

The Steelers’ defense stood tall on their first action of the game, and after gifting Marcus Mariota and company a first down with back-to-back penalties, they forced a Tennessee punt. Berry’s punt pinned the Titans’ offense deep in their own end, and two plays later Stephon Tuitt engulfed Mariota for the safety, giving Pittsburgh an early 2-0 lead.

The Steelers then received the free kick, and, with Roethlisberger still in the game, the offense mixed some quality James Conner runs and JuJu Smith-Schuster receptions to move into the red-zone for the first time. Once there, it took Roethlisberger just one play to hit Smith-Schuster for the touchdown.

The Steelers bypassed the extra point try and went for the two-point conversion. Roethlisberger dumped the pass to Jaylen Samuels, but Samuels slipped on the wet turf and was stopped short.

After more defensive dominance by the Steelers, it was Mason Rudolph getting the backup spot in the game with 2:51 left in the opening quarter. After a nifty Jaylen Samuels run, Rudolph went over the top and hit James Washington for another touchdown.

Chris Boswell nailed the extra point kick to make the score 15-0 with 1:52 left in the first quarter.

The Titans have the ball, and are driving, to end the quarter.