NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Tennessee Titans' 27-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers:
Hat tip: Mike Munchak, who spent 31 years in the Oilers/Titans organization as a player, assistant coach and head coach was back as a visitor, working as the Steelers offensive line coach.
The Titans put a quick acknowledgement of Munchak on the scoreboard early in the first quarter.
But it was the Steelers who paid the real tribute to Munchak. While the protection for Ben Roethlisberger was poor and allowed five sacks, the run blocking was excellent. Le'Veon Bell carried 33 times for 204 yards and a touchdown on the night.
Pittsburgh took possession with 6:58 left in the game and after a first down at 5:31 the Steelers handed the ball to Bell seven consecutive times, getting four first downs and putting Roethlisberger in position to twice take a knee.
The Titans never got the ball back.
"Munchak, he must have felt good today," Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey said. "He did a good job with those guy this week. They did a good job blocking up front, executing the plays they needed to execute."
Terrible Towels: As per usual, LP Field had a high-percentage of Steelers fans for a game against the Titans in Nashville.
"I kind of told the guys all week that that was going to happen, to be truthful, and that's no disrespect to the Tennessee fans," said Nate Washington, who played for the Steelers and caught an 80-yard touchdown before halftime.
"…It didn't piss me off, it made me more motivated to go out there and prove everybody that was in that blue right, to give them something to cheer about, to tell the people who showed up in that black and gold that this was their house."
On his way to the end zone on his score Washington pointed to a section of LP Field filled with fans in blue.
Injuries: Blidi Wreh-Wilson left the game late in the third quarter with a back issue and didn't return. Rookie cornerback Marqueston Huff has a hamstring injury.
Pictures: Check out my Instagram account for some postgame video and pictures, including the scoreboard reference to Munchak.