Steelers at Titans, 12/21

For all intents and purposes, the Steelers play for the top seed in the playoffs and home-field advantage when they meet the Titans today. The Steeelers are favored on the road against the Titans, who will be without Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch.

Here are the keys to the game for the Steelers according to the Sporting News:

1. Crash on Smash and Dash. The Steelers' No. 2 rush defense has allowed just two teams to rush for more than 100 yards this season, though Baltimore's Le'Ron McClain had the most yards by an opposing back — 87 on 23 carries — last week. Their goal is to take away Chris Johnson and LenDale White and force Kerry Collins to beat them.

2. Harry Kerry. OLBs James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley did not have a sack against Baltimore, only the third time this season both players were shut out in the same game. One of the reasons is because the Steelers are dropping them more often in coverage, particularly in the first half. Not against Collins, who is not real mobile.

3. Set up the pass. Even though they didn't run for a lot of yards against the Ravens — 91 on 27 carries — the offensive line did a decent job creating seams for Willie Parker against a tough front seven. They will need to do that again to allow Ben Roethlisberger to make plays in the passing game, something he didn't do when necessary against the Ravens.

Prediction: Steelers 14, Titans 12