The Steelers defense demonstrated why they are the best in the NFL as they took the vaunted Tennessee Titans apart. They will have to continue at this level as they face the surprising 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week.

The defense was as outstanding as the offense was poor. The Titans, along with the Baltimore Ravens, probably had the top defensive units in the NFL coming into the season but the Steelers have clearly established themselves as the best in the business, with a healthy Troy Palomalu and Aaron Smith.

DOMINATING PERFORMANCE—Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) stops Tennessee Titans tight end Bo Scaife (80) in the fourth quarter, Sept. 19, in Nashville, Tenn. Steeler linebacker James Harrison (92) looks on.

Even without All Pro Casey Hampton, the defense never rested in the 90-plus temperatures as they forced seven turnovers and held the Titans to just 3 points, until the final drive of the game when they allowed the Titans to score during the final seconds and add a 2-point conversion.

“T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.” The Tennessee Titans rubbed their eyes, glanced at the calendar and clearly thought that it was X-mas. From the first play of the game, the Titans displayed a very benevolent spirit by giving and continuing to hand the Steelers football after football adorned with satiny red bows. However, when the Titans unwrapped all of the many presents carefully placed under their tree, every single gift box contained only signed, snarling photos of the Steeler defense.

It seemed that the biggest opponent the Steelers had to face while playing in the “volunteer” state was “father” nature. It also appeared that Pittsburgh’s most staunch ally was the Titans themselves.

PITTSBURGH (AP)—Neil Walker was looking for a pitch to drive, and he found one.

Walker hit a two-run homer in Pittsburgh’s three-run eighth inning and the Pirates beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.

GAME WINNER—Andrew McCutchen slides into home plate to score the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Bucs a 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks Sept. 17. Scratched from the lineup before the game due to a stomach ailment, McCutchen walked as a pinch-hitter to start a ninth-inning rally and scored on Ronny Cedeno’s single as the Pirates beat the Diamondbacks 4-3.

Andrew McCutchen hit a leadoff drive in the first and finished with two hits for Pittsburgh, which has won five of its last six home games. The majors’ worst team earned its first three-game sweep since May 4-6 against the Chicago Cubs.

Allderdice 12, Brashear 0

Allderdice exceeded its win total for the past two seasons combined with a 12-0 win against Brashear last Thursday at Cupples Stadium.

“It seems like we’re starting to wake up here as of late,” said Allderdice’s coach, Jerry Haslett. “We have Peabody next week and I’m not worried too much about what’s behind us. I want to keep pressing forward and win games.”

RUNNING WILD—Rasheed McCamey of Carrick ran wild on the Cupples turf against Westinghouse, Sept. 17. McCamey rushed for three touchdowns in the 42-0 win against the Bulldogs.

Running back Patrick Ferguson provided most of the offense, carrying the ball 28 times for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Mike Pfleger completed 5 of 16 passes for 54 yards for the Dragons.

“I’ve been a part of teams before where we’d start off 3-0 and finish 3-6,” said Haslett. “I can’t predict the future but I don’t intend for it to happen that way.”