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Stewart, Defense Break Out

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From Associated Press

This is what the Pittsburgh Steelers were waiting for--from the defense and, most of all, from quarterback Kordell Stewart.

Stewart, no longer restricted by a conservative game plan, opened up the Steeler offense with his deep throwing and ran for two touchdowns against Tennessee’s confused defense in a 37-24 Pittsburgh victory Sunday.

Stewart figured in all but one Steeler touchdown--Jason Gildon’s fumble return--with by far his most-complete game in the NFL. He clearly outplayed Steve McNair, who had two interceptions and was sacked seven times in a matchup of first-year starting quarterbacks.

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“Was this my best game? Yes, that’s obvious,” Stewart said. “But it’s not what I did, it’s what we did as an offense and a defense. I was glad I wasn’t playing against our defense.”

Stewart was 16 for 34 passing for 244 yards--97 yards fewer than his first three games combined--and a touchdown. McNair was 22 for 43 for 266 yards and two touchdowns, both of them after the Oilers (1-3) fell behind 37-9.

The Pittsburgh defense, beaten often for long passes and unable to mount an effective pass rush this season, scored once and set up another touchdown with an interception.

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Even kicker Norm Johnson got on the field, making three of four field-goal attempts after being used only once previously this season. His last-play field goal was blocked in last Monday night’s loss to Jacksonville.

The Steelers changed their blitzing schemes, putting more pressure up the middle--especially after Oiler left guard Bruce Matthews suffered a knee injury--so McNair rarely had a clear look upfield.

The Oilers’ Eddie George was held to 29 yards in 12 carries.

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