Last week: 11 (+1)

Record: 2-2

The AFC is weak, so the Steelers should be safe and sneak in as a wild card, but the loss of Troy Polamalu hurts. They are obviously hoping it’s just a short term thing. Excluding last week, during which Polamalu left in the middle, the Steelers are now 7-8 since 2009 without him, allowing 21.6 points per game and 27-8, allowing 14.4 points per game, with him. That’s not all him, but a lot of that is him. He’s their only irreplaceable defensive player and his mere presence can disrupt passing plays and running plays. Last week, the Steelers had held the Eagles scoreless on 3 drives before Polamalu went out and ended up giving up 14 points on their next 5 drives. Without him and LaMarr Woodley, the Steelers are at a huge disadvantage this week as they travel on short rest to Tennessee. They are just 3-12 ATS under Mike Tomlin as 3+ road favorites outside of the division.

Studs

RB Rashard Mendenhall: Rushed for 81 yards (50 after contact) and a touchdown on 14 carries, 4 broken tackles, 1 fumble, caught 2 passes for 20 yards on 2 attempts

C Maurkice Pouncey: Did not allow a pressure on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 34 yards on 8 attempts

RG Ramon Foster: Did not allow a pressure on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 6 yards on 2 attempts

MLB Lawrence Timmons: Allowed 5 catches for 32 yards on 6 attempts, 8 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops, 2 missed tackles, 2 quarterback hits and 4 quarterback hurries on 17 blitzes

LOLB Jason Worilds: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 19 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 3 stops

P Drew Butler: 4 punts for 185 yards, 1 inside 20, 1 return for 13 yards, 43.0 net yards per punt

ROLB James Harrison: 3 quarterback hits and 1 quarterback hurry on 22 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

Duds

LG Willie Colon: Allowed 2 quarterback hurries on 40 pass block snaps, 4 penalties, run blocked for 33 yards on 5 attempts

WR Mike Wallace: Caught 2 passes for 17 yards on 8 attempts on 40 pass snaps, 1.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

MLB Larry Foote: Allowed 3 catches for 22 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 2 missed tackles

CB Ike Taylor: Allowed 5 catches for 71 yards on 9 attempts, 1 penalty, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

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