O que aprendemos com a vitória do Steelers sobre o Titans

Both theSteelersandTitansplayed the majority of their starters but it was the first-teamers in black and yellow that walked away with the W after a dominant showing. Here’s what we learned on Sunday night:

Pittsburgh Steelers 18, Tennessee Titans 6

1. TheSteelersfirst-team defense made so many plays in the first half that acknowledging their success started to sound like a roll call.Stephon Tuitt.Cameron Heyward.T.J. Watt. And even the new kid in class,Devin Bush. Each player made an impression, besting Tennessee’s offense in a variety of ways early and often. After a three-play, 10-yardTitansopening series — a sequence that saw Bush engulfTitansrunning backDion Lewisalmost immediately after securing a handoff for no gain — theSteelerstook little time to top their first act.

Following a pass breakup by safetyTerrell Edmundsand with theTitanspinned on their own 4 after a punt, Tuitt bypassed two offensive linemen to sack quarterbackMarcus Mariotafor a safety. The six-year defensive end wasn’t done, though, as he would force fourth down on theTitans‘ next series, this time bringing down backup QBRyan Tannehill. Bush and Watt held it down for the linebackers, with the latter showing his versatility on consecutive plays, covering slot wideoutAdam Humphriesbefore breaking through a double team to bring down RBJeremy McNichols. Heyward joined fellow DE Tuitt in the sack column, tackling Tannehill to force a punt late in the half. Weakside LBVince Williamsalso added a sack, pushing the total to four in the first 30 minutes. In all, defensive coordinator Keith Butler’s starting group held Tennessee to a field goal through two quarters, an encouraging stat for a group that will travel to Foxborough in Week 1.

2.SteelersquarterbackBen Roethlisbergermade his preseason debut and wasted little time testing out his connection withJuJu Smith-Schuster, his new No. 1 wideout. On Pittsburgh’s third drive of the night,Big Benstrung together three passes for a gain of 21 yards to help position theSteelersfor a shot at the endzone.

After RBsJames ConnerandTrey Edmundsrushed for three yards each on back-to-back plays, Roethlisberger dropped a nice 17-yard pass into the waiting hands of Smith-Schuster to give both their first preseason TD. Roethlisberger would exit the game after going 8-of-13 for 63 yards in 19 plays. Smith-Schuster’s night ended not long after; he left with four receptions for 37 yards.

3. Two drives was allTitanscoach Mike Vrabel needed to see before pulling Mariota in the first quarter. Thanks to the constantSteelerspressure and a couple missed opportunities, the incumbent starter had an off night, going 0-for-3 and being sacked once for a safety. Tannehill didn’t fare much better after taking over for Mariota at the 4:25 mark in the 1Q; the eight-year vet threw for 63 yards and was sacked three times.

“We knew coming in that was a strength of their football team,” Vrabel said of theSteelers‘ front line after the game. “Give them credit in what they did. I’ve got to do a better job in making sure we’re ready to go and find ways to protect the pressure.”

The O-line was a glaring area of weakness all game — they allowed seven sacks on the night — but Mariota and Tannehill’s inability to get the offense going is notable considering how both could conceivably start the season as QB1. Two weeks ago, Mariota said he’scompeting against himselfand nights like this won’t help that cause with Week 1 rapidly approaching.