Halftime Update -- Titans at Steelers

The bad first....Ugly defensive struggle. Well, the Titans defense is holding their own. The Steeler defense looks porous. The Steeler offense has been completely anemic in the first half. The running game continues to be absent and the passing game can't seem to gain any momentum. Meanwhile, the Steeler defense is playing marginal. Kerry Collins throws short, underneath passes 80% of the time against the Steelers, but the defense can't adjust. James Harrison and Lamar Woodley have been neutralized by the solid line play of the Titans. Despite 3 big first half penalties on Troy Polamalu, he has been all over the field. He's made some great tackles in addition to making a nice one-handed interception off Collins. By the way, I can't believe the zebras have missed all the holding by the Titans offensive line. James Harrison has literally been dragged to the ground on multiple occasions. Makes me sick. Anyway...

Ben looked rusty for the majority of the half. His timing was off and he took a couple of bad sacks. Midway through the first quarter, Ben took an 18 yard sack that knocked the Steelers out of field goal range. I understand that Ben likes to hold the ball in order to make a play, but sometimes you have to realize that when the play is dead, you have to throw the ball away and take the chance at points. Willie Parker has been completely ineffective. The offensive line isn't opening up any holes. Rashard Mendenhall has been used sparingly and has not been a factor. The only bright spot for the Steeler offense has been Santonio Holmes and Heath Miller. Both have made a couple of nice catches in traffic.

In the 2 minutes drill at the end of the half, the Steeler offense finally came alive. Ben's passes and pump fakes were sharp hitting a long reception over the middle to Hines Ward. Two plays later, Ben connected with a 34 yard touchdown pass to Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes. Maybe the rhythm of that drive can carry over to the second half.

Coming right back at the end of the half was the Titans. The Steeler defense again looked miserable. They're getting torn apart by Kerry Collins, who seems to own the Steelers. The Steeler rush can't get to Collins and he's making us pay. I don't know what it is about the Titans offense. They always give us problems and Dick LeBeau has got to find an answer or it's game over, especially with the struggles of the Steeler offense.