PITTSBURGH >>

They met at the pregame coin toss, exchanged a meaningful hug and even stuck around for some conversation, Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger and Tennessee’s Marcus Mariota, two quarterbacks passing in the prime time night.

At the time you would not have been alone among the crowd at Heinz Field or the national TV audience in wondering if the game to come might herald the beginnings of a changing of the guard in the AFC, the 24-year-old Mariota in his third NFL season and the 35-year-old Roethelisberger, a veteran of 14 pro seasons.

A “barometer game” for the Titans and their quarterback, some had called it.

Instead their “Thursday Night Football” confrontation served to reaffirm the dominance by Roethlisberger and the Steelers, 40-17, to the joy of the majority of the frenzied Terrible Towel-waving 60,703 on hand.

Roethlisberger, who had faced some criticism in Steeler Nation over what had been an under-performing offense, had one of his classic performances, completing 30 of 45 passes for 299 yards and four touchdowns and was not intercepted in leading Pittsburgh to an 8-2 record.

Mariota, who had displayed a magic touch in guiding three late comeback victories in the last four games, had his most forgettable one — high school, college or pro. He suffered a career-worst four interceptions while completing 22 of 33 passes for 306 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for a score and was sacked five times.

Afterward Mariota said he didn’t remember ever being intercepted more than twice in a game in his career, Pop Warner to the NFL.

The end of the four-game winning streak for the Titans (6-4), the team’s best since 2009, wasn’t on his shoulder pads alone, although he was, as is his style, willing to take the blame.

“I mean, those are on me,” Mariota said after welcoming media members with a somber “good evening” on a night that clearly wasn’t.

Characteristically, Mariota said, “When it comes down to it, I’m the one that makes the decision to throw it … just bad decisions.”

On two of the interceptions, rookie receiver Corey Davis was faulted by head coach Mike Mularkey or other Titans. And usually stalwart tight end Delanie Walker uncharacteristically dropped a pass alone in the end zone.

“The first (interception) sailed on him (Mariota),” Mularkey said. “There’s no doubt on that. He could have used some help on the other ones, especially from some young guys. Some lessons learned from some young guys.”

Mariota said, “I have to do a better job. If it is not there, either tucking it away or throwing it out of bounds.”

But if they couldn’t protect him on the field, Mariota’s teammates did their best to shield him in the postgame locker room analysis.

Walker said, “The quarterback always gets blamed in situations when we lose games. I feel like Marcus, he’s one man. There are 10 other guys out there that need to make plays. Myself, I didn’t help him. I took my eyes of that (potential) touchdown pass. A lot of passes were batted up in the air. Who knows? We can’t always put everything on the quarterback.”

Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan said, “I think we are going to see these guys again and, when we do, hopefully we will be ready and get a different result.”

Until then, Mariota said, it gives him and the Titans something to work from.

“It will, I think, leave a sour taste.” he said. “It will leave a very sour taste in my mouth.”

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.