For some reason, teams that have lost 9 of their previous 10 games can't catch a break. The ball seems to bounce the right way for winning teams, while the losing teams have to struggle just to keep it close.

This appeared to be the game that would finally get the Steelers back on track. They had overcome their ritual first quarter collapse, to actually take a lead in the 4th quarter. Destiny, and the football gods, were ready to smile on them. But Mr. Murphy raised his ugly head and reminded them, that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

Hines Ward should have scored the Steelers first passing TD of the season. Bill Cowher saw it. The people in the stands saw it. The folks watching on TV saw it. The only problem is the official couldn't see it. I don't know what replay he was watching.

Kordell Stewart scored on a QB sneak on the next play, but the time out the lost challenge cost them proved to be monumental by games end. Bad break.

Jason Gildon knocks a mostly ineffective Neil O'Donnell out of the game with a bone-jarring sack. Steve McNair comes in cold and leads them to the game winning score. Bad break.

Kent Graham is having one of the best days we have seen by a Steelers QB in a long time. He is trying to answer the McNair TD with a drive of his own. For the first time in a long time, the fans are confident of a game winning drive. As luck would have it, he is knocked out of the game with a bruised hip and bruised ribs after a hard hit by defensive end Kenny Holmes on a 20-yard completion. The injury cost the Steelers a time out. Bad break.

Kordell Stewart, upon replacing Graham, has to spike the ball to stop the clock. The waste of a down results in Kris Brown having to attempt a 50 yard field goal. The extra down may have resulted in a much more reasonable kick. Browns attempt falls way short. Bad break. End of game.

Earlier in the matchup, Bobby Shaw was streaking to the endzone after a remarkable catch and run. No bad break here. He just forgot to protect the ball, and it was stripped at the 10 yard line. Although their were Steeler players in the vicinity, the ball bounced right to the Titans. Bad break.

Eddie George mishandles the snap in the Tennessee backfield. Just before Chad Scott can scoop it up, it bounces right back into George's hands for a 3 yard gain. Bad break.

It's too bad. They played a pretty good game. I can't help but think that the worst is over. There were a lot of positives to come out of the game.

Jerome Bettis continued to prove to the nay-sayers that he still has some punishment to deliver to opposing Defenses. He had 19 rushes for 77 yards and 1 TD, but more importantly, he was driving people backwards with his bruising running.

Hines Ward was once again the Steelers leading receiver with 5 catches for 59 yards. He is making it tough for Bill Cowher to take him out of the starting lineup.

Chad Scott had 2 interceptions to go along with 1 pick by Dewayne Washington.

The Offensive line was opening holes for Bettis again, and Marvel Smith and Shar Pourdanesh combined to shut out Jevon Kearse.

Little, by little I think the Steelers are getting better, and I'm pretty sure they will be a handful to the Jags next week. Hopefully Mr. Murphy takes the day off.

by SteelerGil (September 25, 00)