Tim Benz Columns category, Page 95
Tim Benz: Steelers-Raiders-Chargers drama raises questions about NFL ties, scheduling reform
The Pittsburgh Steelers organization (and its fans) nervously watched “Sunday Night Football” as a 2021 AFC playoff bid almost evaporated thanks to a near-tie. Two thoughts crossed my mind as the Las Vegas Raiders barely beat the Los Angeles Chargers 35-32, securing the AFC’s fifth seed for themselves and the...
Chargers, Raiders react to the big decision that avoided a tie, and got the Steelers in the playoffs
If the Pittsburgh Steelers have any leftover Christmas cards laying around the team offices, it may be nice to send a few to Las Vegas. Specifically, address a couple to the likes of Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson, quarterback Derek Carr and running back Josh Jacobs. Those guys were instrumental in...
First Call: Chiefs health update before Steelers game; Jaguars coach congratulates Mike Tomlin; Raven’s respect for Big Ben
Monday’s “First Call” gives us health updates on the Kansas City Chiefs as the Steelers prepare for a postseason trip to Arrowhead Stadium. The Jaguars coach has a shoutout for Mike Tomlin after his team’s surprising playoff assist on Sunday. A Ravens veteran has much respect for Ben Roethlisberger. A...
Tim Benz: ‘Feats of Strength’ and ‘Airing of Grievances’ as Steelers barely keep playoff hopes alive in Baltimore
In a most unlikely turn of events, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense was able to turn around a dreadful day to rally late and win the 2021 season finale in Baltimore, 16-13 in overtime. In an even less likely development, the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14) stunned the Indianapolis Colts (9-8), 26-11. That...
First Call: Todd Haley’s new head coaching job; Lamar Jackson still not practicing during Steelers week
Friday’s “First Call” doesn’t paint a rosy picture for Lamar Jackson as we wait to see if the Ravens quarterback is going to play against the Steelers. Todd Haley has a new coaching job. We look at the Penguins’ next opponent. And the Duquesne men’s basketball team may finally be...
Tim Benz: Pittsburgh-trained ice dance team competing at nationals with Olympic dreams
Let’s say you are a defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins. You’ve never played on the NHL stage before. Neither has your partner on the blue line. Your first game together is going to take place in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Let that sink in for a minute....
In 1 day, Antonio Brown was released, trashed his ex-coach, posted his bank account info, wound up in the tabloids
Former Steelers All-Pro Antonio Brown is now officially a former Tampa Buccaneer, too. Tampa Bay terminated his contract Thursday in the wake of Brown’s decision to storm off the sideline shirtless during Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. Within their press release announcing the move, the Bucs countered Brown’s...
Tim Benz: NFL set itself up for ‘worst nightmare’ Week 18 tie scenario that could impact Steelers
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for their regular-season finale in Baltimore on Sunday, we all know the likelihood of them making the playoffs is slim. Sure, they could beat the Ravens for a second time this year. Even though the game is on the road and the Steelers are a...
T.J. Watt, Najee Harris highlight ‘Feats of Strength’ as Steelers dropkick Browns
For as nice as it was to see Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger get a warm send off from the Heinz Field fans, I do have one significant regret after the team’s 26-14 win over the Cleveland Browns on “Monday Night Football.” With Cincinnati clinching the AFC North on Sunday,...
Madden Monday on Evgeni Malkin: ‘Geno is going to ruin the structure … he is going to beat it to death with a sledgehammer’
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ first game back from their coronavirus pause was a wild one. Sunday’s contest against the San Jose Sharks featured a 6-1 lead for the Pens after one period. That narrowed to a 6-5 lead in the third before eventually leading to an 8-5 win. Two hat tricks...
Tim Benz: Appreciating Ben Roethlisberger’s career, and grasping the massive task of replacing him
For as much as Monday night’s Steelers-Browns game at Heinz Field will be about honoring quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s illustrious career, it also will be about remembering the two decades before he came to Pittsburgh. Those 20 seasons between the start of the 1984 season and the conclusion of the 2003...
John Madden’s Steelers connections are many, and numerous Steelers fondly acknowledged his legacy
Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden died on Tuesday at the age of 85. His indelible imprint on the NFL came in many ways. As a Super Bowl winning coach with the Oakland Raiders. A legendary broadcaster. And the voice and name behind the iconic EA sports “Madden NFL”...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey has been reinstated. Now it needs to be rebuilt
For Robert Morris University men’s hockey coach Derek Schooley, the past seven months have been dedicated to resurrecting the school’s hockey programs. The next two years will be dedicated to rebuilding them. In May, the RMU administration cut the men’s and women’s hockey teams from the athletic department. Thanks to...
Tim Benz: Bengals have seized control of AFC North — and humiliated Steelers, Ravens in the process
On one sideline of Paul Brown Stadium stands the hometown Cincinnati Bengals. Seconds away from sweeping their AFC North rivals. With 41 points on their side of the scoreboard. Not to mention a roster with the AFC’s leader in passer rating and Pro Bowlers at running back, wide receiver and...
Airing of Grievances: Another awful start, rotten possession-down play-calling among usual complaints as Chiefs hammer Steelers
Because we are coming up on New Year’s resolution season, I’d like to make one about my own coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I want to write an “Airing of Grievances” post that doesn’t include complaints about poor play-calling, awful first-half starts, a constant reliance on throwing short of the...
Tim Benz: Getting in the giving spirit with a Penguins Christmas wish list
It’s almost Christmas, and I haven’t gotten anything for the Pittsburgh Penguins yet. I’m not being a Grinch. I just needed a little time to figure out the perfect gifts. In recent seasons, the Penguins haven’t been in need of very much this time of year. But in 2021, their...
Madden Monday: Steelers’ win over Titans was ‘discouraging’; Penguins’ Teddy Blueger shines
The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to grind out a 19-13 victory against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Heinz Field. But it did little to impress Mark Madden from a big-picture point of view. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark said don’t let the victory fool you into thinking...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Steelers defense manages to make both during nail-biting win over Titans
As we told you Friday at “Breakfast With Benz,” Sunday’s showdown against the Tennessee Titans (9-5) lined up as exactly the kind of game the Steelers (7-6-1) always win. Well, they did. By a final score of 19-13. But, wow, did they try hard to get in their own way...
Robert Morris plans to reinstate men’s, women’s hockey teams for 2023-24 season
“Hockey is the Goal” has been the rallying cry for fundraising efforts to reinstate the Robert Morris men’s and women’s hockey teams. On Friday afternoon, men’s coach Derek Schooley gave the slogan a new twist. “Hockey is the goal. And the goal was just scored.” Seven months after the Colonials...
Confidence, opportunity leading to success for Penguins’ Evan Rodrigues
For Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues, explaining his success this season is a series of progressions. “Opportunity and confidence,” Rodrigues said Tuesday when asked about why he’s been so productive this season. “I got off to a pretty good start early in the year. I got a lot of opportunities to...
First Call: Mike Vrabel shares fond memories of Steelers days; Chiefs offense flashes; RMU hockey’s decision day is here
Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel shares his fond memories of being a Steeler in advance of his team’s game at Heinz Field Sunday afternoon. The Steelers game next week against the Kansas City Chiefs looks like it will be a monumental task. The Penguins are catching the Buffalo Sabres as...
Tim Benz: Sunday’s game against the Titans sets up better for Steelers than what standings may suggest
Wanna know how Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has avoided having a losing season all these years, even with lesser incarnations of his team? Like, for instance, the current one? He’s won games like the one his team has Sunday afternoon against the AFC South-leading Tennessee Titans. That’s how. Late in...
U mad, bro?: Fans bash Chase Claypool, Pat Freiermuth, Pressley Harvin and just about anyone else in a Steelers uniform
It’s awfully hard for Pittsburgh to get into the Christmas spirit when the Steelers are playing this badly. They are 6-6-1, winners just one time in their last five games and occupying last place in the AFC North. So, I’m sure you’ll understand if “Joy to the World” isn’t echoing...
Tim Benz: Bad starts have become a big problem for Steelers on both sides of the ball
One of the biggest issues facing the Pittsburgh Steelers — emphasis on “one” of — is their recent propensity to get off to awful starts and get down big in games. • In each of their last three contests, the Steelers have allowed their opponent to score first. It’s more...
Tim Benz: Penguins need to accept holiday gifts from NHL schedule maker
As Christmas approaches, the NHL schedule makers have already sent the Penguins a few early presents. Let’s hope the Penguins graciously accept them. The next five games for the Penguins, between Tuesday and Christmas, are all extremely winnable contests. • A Tuesday, Dec. 14 home game against the Montreal Canadiens....
