Steelers 2020 Breakdown: Week 4, Titans

HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- The Steelers hit the road in Week 4 to play the Titans in Nashville. This is by far considered the biggest challenge for the Steelers in the early portion of the 2020 regular-season schedule, so it's time to break it down.

MATCHUP

Opponent: Titans
2019 record: 9-7
Overall history (W/L):  46-32-0 for Steelers (includes Oilers records)
Last 4 games: 2-2
Opening line: Titans (-2)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 4
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Nashville

OUTGOING PLAYERS/ FREE-AGENT LOSSES

OT Jack Conklin
QB Marcus Mariota
WR Tajae Sharpe
CB LeShaun Sims
DT Austin Johnson
WR Darius Jennings
RB Dion Lewis

RETIREMENTS

N/A

FREE-AGENT ADDITIONS

DE Vic Beasley 
OT Ty Sambrailo
DL Jack Crawford
CB Jonathan Joseph

PLAYERS VIA TRADE

Jurrell Casey to the Broncos for a seventh-round pick

2020 NFL DRAFT CLASS

1st round: Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
2nd round: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
3rd round: Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State
5th round: Larrell Murchison, DT, NC State
7th round: Cole McDonald, QB, Hawaii
7th round: Chris Jackson, DB, Marshall

OVERVIEW

For the first time in the 2020 regular season, the Steelers are not favored to win a game. In Week 4, on the road in Music City, the Steelers will be getting points as they go against Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry.

Everyone remembers the amazing run the Titans went on down the stretch in 2019, as they turned their hot streak into a trip to the AFC Championship game. If they could hold a lead against the Chiefs, something no one could do in the playoffs last year, they would have been the conference's representative in the Super Bowl.

The Titans a throwback team. A team who is as ground-and-pound it gets in today's NFL, but with additions of players like A.J. Brown, this offense is more prolific than most might believe.

When you look at the statistics for the Titans in 2019, they did several things well. First, they protected the football, and took it away well, finishing the season +6 in turnover ratio. Defensively they gave up 20.7 points per game, ranking 12th. Offensively, they ranked 10th averaging 25.1 points last year. How they racked up the points was mainly on the ground, averaging 138.9 yards on the ground, tied for 3rd in the league.

There is no doubt this Week 4 contest will be the biggest test for the Steelers as the first quarter of the regular season comes to a close.

PREDICTION

If you've been following this series, you know I have liked the Steelers in the first three games of the regular season. Yes, I realize the team hasn't had a hot start to a season in a while, and, yes, I realize the odds of the team starting 4-0 is slim-to-none. For the realists out there ready to take me to task, relax, this is a game I see the Steelers losing. The combination of the Titans' power running game, solid defense and being on the road is a recipe for disaster for the Steelers. It will be close, but I see the home team squeaking out a win in Week 4.

Titans, 24-20

Be sure to check out the other 2020 regular season breakdowns:

Week 1 - at the Giants

Week 2 - vs. the Broncos

Week 3 - vs. the Texans