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--> --> Steelers have best start in five years PITTSBURGH (AP) - Even as the Pittsburgh Steelers surged to their best start in five years, every critique of their unexpected early-season success started with the same word. But. But they won't keep winning unless their offense can complement Jerome Bettis' running. But high-priced receiver Plaxico Burress still isn't doing anything. But Kordell Stewart isn't throwing well enough to lead a team deep into the playoffs. This time, though, what had been missing was there - and there were no ands, ifs or buts. The Steelers dominated Tennessee the way few teams have in recent seasons, staying atop the AFC Central by beating the Titans 34-7 Monday night in a game that didn't seem that close. "It could have been 50-0," Steelers safety Lee Flowers said. And it wasn't just who the Steelers (5-1) were beating - the team with the NFL's best regular season record a year ago - but how they did it. The offense was much more than Bettis, the defense that sacked Tampa Bay's Brad Johnson 10 times the week before was much more than blitz after blitz. Burress finally had the big game the Steelers have expected since they made him a first-round draft pick a year ago, making six catches for 151 yards in, by far, his biggest game in the NFL. "I've got to go out and prove myself again, but this does feel good," said Burress, who was such a disappointment there was talk the Steelers might soon bench him. Bettis was held below 100 yards for the first time since the Steelers' opener, but had a couple of touchdown runs among his 62 yards. Stewart, who had thrown for only 100 yards the week before, had his second 200-yard game in two years by going 13-of-22 for 232 yards and a touchdown against the AFC's lowest-rated passing defense. He also ran for another score. "There's no telling what will happen if we can keep mixing it up like this," said Burress, who had only 145 yards receiving this season until Monday. "If the receivers can keep going out and making big plays, that will open up a lot of room for Jerome. Other teams are going to have to start respecting that." The Titans (2-4) had beaten Pittsburgh seven straight times, but it almost seemed like they didn't know where the Steelers were coming from or what they were doing, and for good reason. Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, aware the Titans expected Bettis to get most of the work, seemed to show something new or different on nearly every series. Kicker Kris Brown ran for a first down on a fake field goal, wide receiver Hines Ward threw a pass with the Steelers threatening to score and tight end Mark Bruener, almost exclusively a blocker, was the primary receiver on one series. The Titans' only surprise was that they fell three games behind the Steelers amid growing problems, mounting injuries and considerable self-doubt. A secondary that has been a trouble spot all season had a miserable night, with reserve safety Perry Phenix drawing a personal foul penalty that all but handed Pittsburgh its go-ahead touchdown, Stewart's 3-yard pass to Hines Ward made it 14-7 in the second quarter. Later, Burress stole a ball away from cornerback Samari Rolle and what seemed to be a certain interception turned into a 43-yard completion and, after Bettis ran for his second touchdown a play later, a 24-7 Steelers lead. The Titans also lost safety Blaine Bishop, who already had a sore ankle, to a broken hand, and Eddie George hyperextended a knee while carrying 10 times for only 13 yards. "Without Eddie George, they are totally different," Flowers said. "It wasn't the same Eddie George. He was hurting." So are the Titans, who envisioned playing in the Super Bowl for the second time in three years despite losing several key players to free agency but now might find it difficult just to make the playoffs. "You've heard that old saying, 'When it rains, it pours?' " George said. "Well, right now we're in the middle of a hurricane." Notes: The Steelers haven't lost more than seven in a row to an opponent since dropping 12 straight to Green Bay from 1933-46. ... Bettis was held below 90 yards by Tennessee for the ninth straight time. ... The Steelers are 9-0 in Monday night home games under coach Bill Cowher. ... Pittsburgh last started 5-1 in 1996. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing