Steelers, Titans renew their rivalry

It's the teams' third meeting in less than a calendar year.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The rivalry began in 1970, the very year the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Terry Bradshaw and moved into Three Rivers Stadium. The Titans were still the Houston Oilers, playing in a stadium nicknamed, with just a hint of Texas-sized braggadocio, the Eighth Wonder of the World.
The rivalry has survived the Steelers' move to Heinz Field and the Oilers' relocation to Nashville, where the Titans' stadium is known, with just a touch of Tennessee-sized modesty, simply as The Coliseum.
Bum Phillips and Chuck Noll once patrolled the sidelines; now Jeff Fisher and Bill Cowher walk confidently in their footsteps. Dan Pastorini and Bradshaw have long since given way to Steve McNair and Tommy Maddox -- one a possible prototype of the NFL QB of the future, the other a throwback to the days of the pass-it-on-every-down AFL that spawned these very Titans.
It's a rivalry that extends beyond the playing field, too. Want to know how much the coaches like each other? Consider this: Cowher, then with the Eagles, once took part in a special teams hit that broke ex-Bears defensive back Fisher's leg.
That's a sore spot with Fisher, much like the Titans' 9-2 record in their last 11 meetings against Pittsburgh is with Cowher.
Physical games
Despite the disparity, the games usually are tightly played and physical, so much so that Steelers lineman Kimo von Oelhoffen said, "After these games, everything else seems a little easier."
That's why today's game at Heinz Field -- or, as the Titans call it, the Big Ketchup Bottle -- has the look, feel and familiarity of a division game. This will be the first time they've met in Pittsburgh when they weren't in the same division, yet this will be the fifth time they've played in three seasons and the third in less than a calendar year.
"We're so used to playing them," Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress said. "We know them and they know us."
Ready for a rematch
The Steelers won't say so publicly, but they've had this date circled on their calendars for months.
They still haven't gotten over a 31-23 loss at Tennessee last season that saw a seemingly routine hit by Keith Bulluck put Maddox in the hospital with temporary paralysis, perhaps the scariest moment of the NFL season.
And they certainly haven't gotten over their 34-31 overtime playoff loss at Tennessee, when Dewayne Washington was penalized for brushing Joe Nedney's leg during an overtime field-goal attempt. Given a second chance, Nedney sent the Titans into the AFC title game and the Steelers into the off-season, albeit kicking and screaming.
Asked about those games, Maddox said, "I've already forgotten one" -- a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact he has no memory of the Bulluck hit. The other, though, he'll always remember.
"I think everybody, after that game, wanted to hurry and get back to the season because everybody was still hungry to play," said Maddox, the AFC's leading passer.
Tighter defense
Last season, McNair threw for 595 yards and four touchdowns against a Pittsburgh defense that struggled in pass coverage. The Steelers have since tightened up their defense without making numerous personnel changes and lead the AFC in total defense and pass defense. Tennessee is first in the AFC against the run and second in total defense but only eighth against the pass.
"Their entire defense is playing fast and putting on good pressure," Fisher said. "They were always a pressure-oriented defense, and it's easier to play pass defense when you get good pressure up front."
The Steelers' challenge is to get a running game going against a Tennessee defense that allows only 61.3 yards per game rushing. The Steelers had little success running against the Ravens or Chiefs before gaining a season-high 138 yards against the Bengals last week.