Rob Bironas kicked the game-winning 40-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Tennessee Titans to a 26-23 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bironas on Thursday had four field goals on the night for the Titans, who snapped a three-game National Football League losing streak against the Steelers.
After Matt Hasselbeck led the Titans on an 11-play, 80-yard scoring drive to tie the game late in the fourth, Ben Roethlisberger moved the Steelers into Tennessee territory.
But Shaun Suisham missed a 54-yard field goal attempt with less than a minute remaining, handing the ball back to the Titans.
Hasselbeck then connected with Chris Johnson for five yards up to midfield. He then found Jared Cook across the middle for 25 yards down to the Pittsburgh 25 yard line.
Johnson had a three-yard rush and the Titans let the clock run down and called their final timeout with four seconds left. That set the stage for Bironas’ game-winning kick.
Hasselbeck finished 25-of-44 passing for 290 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while Johnson had 19 carries for 91 yards. Johnson also caught four passes for 23 yards.
Roethlisberger threw for 363 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 24-of-40 passing for the Steelers, who were coming off a 16-14 win over Philadelphia on Sunday.
The Steelers were without safety Troy Polamalu who was out with a right calf injury.
This weekend, the red-hot San Francisco 49ers host the New York Giants and the St. Louis Rams visit the Miami Dolphins.
The 49ers contest is a rematch of the last year’s NFC championship game which San Francisco lost.
Both teams have explosive offences but especially the 49ers who last week became the first team to gain 300 yards passing and rushing in the same game.
The Rams are catching a Miami team that is playing with confidence and St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford will be without his top receiver Danny Amendola, who is out with an injury.
Miami will need a solid rushing game from Reggie Bush, who has logged 436 yards in his past four home games.
In the Monday night game, Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos travel to San Diego to play the Chargers. Denver has won two of their last three games in San Diego.
Bironas powers Titans past Steelers
