NFL Picks And Predictions Week 5: Titans Vs. Steelers

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 is talked to by head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers after he threw an interception late in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans on October 2, 2011 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.Texans won 17 to 10. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers need to get back in the win column this week, just as Titans' RB Chris Johnson is finding his groove.

A hurting Pittsburgh team returned home last week after a drubbing in Houston. Head coach Mike Tomlin put his players in pads for two practices to send the message that the team needed to dig deep. They face a surprising Tennessee Titans team led by a rejuvenated Matt Hasselbeck.

Chris Johnson finally found his legs last week, topping 100 yards for the first time this season. That has to have Pittsburgh concerned after they allowed 155 rushing yards to Arian Foster last week. Pittsburgh's defense has been called too old and too slow, and maybe they are. However, they aren't so decrepit that they can't get up for a must win game this week.

That's exactly what Pete Prisco foresees in his prediction for a Steelers win.

The Titans are flying high at 3-1, but this is a second consecutive road game and it's against a team that will be ready for a fight. Ben Roethlisberger is expected to play for the Steelers, but James Harrison won't. Even so, I think the Steelers will get after the Titans on both sides of the ball. This is a litmus test for the Steelers, and they pass it.

Peter King predicts a Pittsburgh win this week too. The panel at CBS does have one outlier for the Titans, and ESPN's game picking unit has a few more taking the Titans this week.

For more on the Steelers, check out Behind the Steel Curtain. For more on the Ttitans, head over to Music City Miracles.