NFL Week 9: A statistical review of Titans-Steelers Thursday Night Football

The Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 5-3 on the season by beating the Tennessee Titans 20-16 on Thursday night.

Here is our initial statistical review of how the teams played.

Game Summary

According to our new noise-canceled score metric, the game was as close as the final score indicated. Both offenses left some meat on the bone in the red zone after moving the ball surprisingly well between the 20s, though both offenses needed help from penalties.

Passing summary

Neither passing offense was efficient, but the Steelers ultimately prevailed because they avoided sacks and interceptions in a low-scoring game.

Receiving summary

It didn’t quite work out this time, but Will Levis is giving fantasy managers of Titans players hope by throwing it downfield often. He accumulated 384 attempted air yards on the night.

The Steelers are known for winning games without a lot of offensive production, but winning a game with their No. 1 wide receiver totaling -1 receiving yard is a new one in their collection of immaculate wins.

Diontae Johnson stopped up and caught a crucial deep ball down the sideline and the touchdown on the game-winning drive.

Rushing summary

Going into this game, the Steelers had one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL, so they are probably relieved to finally get some help from that phase of the game.