PITTSBURGH — The 2-7 Tennessee Titans, losers of three consecutive games, would seem to be no match for the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) on Monday night except for this – Pittsburgh often plays down to its opponents, a fact that goes back at least to the 2009 season and continues up to now.

The Steelers’ 20-13 upset loss in Week 10 to the New York Jets, who had lost eight straight before that game, came as little surprise to those who have watched the Steelers struggle against lesser opponents. Since 2012, they are 0-7 against some of the worst teams in the NFL who combined were 9-36 when they played them.

That would include a 27-24 loss at home in September to Tampa Bay, which still has only that one win this season. Plus, the Steelers do not play well in Tennessee, where they are 2-8 since the Titans moved there from Houston in 1997.

“You can’t hold your head down on anybody in this league,” Steelers guard Ramon Foster said, “and that’s a clear test this past weekend. And we chalk one up against Tampa the same type of way. We have to play better against teams we’re supposed to beat. That’s what we have to do, period.”

Mike Tomlin kept blaming the four turnovers against as the big reason they lost to the Jets but refused to take on the bigger subject of why his team losses to opponents who are big underdogs.

It started in 2009 when they lost to three of the worst teams in the NFL over a four week period: Kansas City (2-7), Oakland (3-8) and Cleveland (1-11). Those three game knocked the defending Super Bowl champs right out of the playoffs when they finished 9-7.

Now they are 6-4 having lost to Tampa Bay (1-8) and the Jets (2-8).

“This is the NFL,” wide receiver Lance Moore said. “You don’t show up ready to play and play your type of game, you’re going to lose.”

After consecutive 8-8 seasons, the Steelers were looking at a great jump heading into their bye next week. They were 6-3 and playing two opponents with just three wins between them. The Jets changed all that. Now the Steelers, one of 11 AFC teams with four losses or fewer, need to beat the lowly Titans just to stay in the thick of things. If they tumble to 6-5, there may be no stopping the fall.

The offense that was so electric in the two previous games at home, turned sour against the Jets, managing no touchdowns until 1:16 to go. In four of their five road games, they have scored just three offensive touchdowns.

“Obviously there are known issues and challenges with playing on the road offensively,” Tomlin said, “but we feel like we deal with those appropriately in our preparation — silent count, crowd noise, etc. More than anything, it’s about the real intangible things that we need to focus on which is the quality of our preparation and play.”

SERIES HISTORY: 73rd meeting, Steelers lead the series that began in 1970, 41-31. The Titans, though, hold a 19-17 advantage in Houston and Tennessee vs. the Steelers. Tennessee has won the past two, including the 2013 season opener in Pittsburgh, 16-9, when Mike Munchak, now the Steelers offensive line coach, was the Titans head coach. The Steelers lead the postseason series, 3-1.

MEDICAL WATCH: S Troy Polamalu (sprained knee) will miss his second consecutive game. Will Allen replaced him last Sunday and is expected to do so again. … LB Ryan Shazier (sprained ankle) will miss his second consecutive game. It’s possible Vince Williams could return to start instead of Sean Spence. … CB Ike Taylor (right forearm) has been practicing but is not yet ready to play and will miss his eighth straight game. … NT Steve McLendon (shoulder) was unofficially listed as questionable for this week by Tomlin.

GAME PLAN: The Steelers want to rediscover their ground game against the Titans, who rank 29th in yards allowed per game, although somewhat better in yards per carry at 18th. The Steelers rank just 15th in yards per game and 15th in yards per carry. On defense, they want to stop the run first and force rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger to beat them with his arm.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Titans tight end Delanie Walker, who leads the team with 512 receiving yards and tied for the team lead with four TDs, vs. Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons. … Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, who leads the team with four sacks, vs. Steelers guard David DeCastro.