Steelers/NFL category, Page 233
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Steelers need big-money players to make big plays
In Dan Jenkins’ acclaimed football novel, “Semi-Tough,” a character named Dreamer Tatum proclaims thusly after a narrow defeat: “I learned somethin’ a long time ago about football. What could have happened, did.” Words to live by. If Cameron Sutton didn’t drop an interception or Gunner Olszewski didn’t muff a punt...
Run defense issues resurface for Steelers in loss to Browns
Watching the Pittsburgh Steelers try to defend the run has been like trying to absorb Niagara Falls with a paper towel. No matter how often the Steelers try to sop up the leaks, the water keeps gushing through like a tidal wave. It happened again Thursday night in a 29-17...
Steelers WR George Pickens grabs national attention with improbable catchVideo
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver George Pickens grabbed the attention of social media users Thursday night with his highlight-reel catch in the first half of a 29-17 loss at the Cleveland Browns. He also earned rave reviews from his teammates with his one-handed, 36-yard reception in the first quarter that...
Mark Madden: The Steelers created this rotten football team, and it can’t be fixed
It’s the nature of sports fans to be optimistic, however cockeyed. To believe that a team perceived to be underperforming can be fixed. Coach ’em up. Tweak the lineup or strategy. Trade all our bad players for all their good players. Find that secret sauce that’s a cure-all, or at...
5 things we learned: Steelers offense continues to spend most of 4th quarter on the sideline
Five things we learned from Browns 29, Steelers 17: 1. Offense sidelined When Ben Roethlisberger was making all of those fourth-quarter comebacks last season, the Steelers were a top-10 team in terms of possessing the ball in the final 15 minutes. They ranked ninth and had the ball more than...
Friday Football Footnotes: Determining ‘Truth or Fiction’ in the NFL during the Steelers ‘mini-bye’ weekend
If you are like me, you had concerns regarding every aspect of the Steelers’ offense. You wondered if the run defense was really fixed. You questioned the depth of the defense beyond its three stars. And you wondered if coaching warts would be exposed in close games after losing a...
Steelers vs. Browns: What they’re saying in Cleveland after win
There would be no last-minute collapse this time in Cleveland. The Browns’ backup quarterback greatly outplayed Pittsburgh’s starter. The running game dictated play, gashing the Steelers defense. Coming off an epic collapse against the New York Jets on Sunday, Cleveland made it look easy in all facets of the game...
Airing of Grievances: Browns exploit Steelers’ numerous deficiencies on both sides of ball
For a while, things weren’t looking bad in Cleveland for the Steelers on “Thursday Night Football.” Mike Tomlin’s club had a 14-13 halftime lead. Both touchdowns actually came on offense. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky had a passer rating of 94.7. They were averaging 5.5 yards per rush to the tune of...
Last play of Steelers-Browns game cost Plum’s Pat McAfee, his fans thousands
The last play of the Steelers-Browns game Thursday night cost Plum native Pat McAfee and his fans thousands of dollars. In coordination with the FanDuel online sportsbook, McAfee often identifies a same-game parlay that he and his fans plan to bet on for a given football game. On Thursday, the...
Maligned offensive line has seemingly been least of Steelers’ problems
CLEVELAND —It might not be a strength, but the offensive line hasn’t proven to be a weakness for the Pittsburgh Steelers so far this season, either. “The O-line really played really well,” Steelers running back Najee Harris said after Thursday night’s 29-17 loss at the Cleveland Browns. “The past couple...
Steelers peter out, can’t stop Browns in defeat
CLEVELAND – For 30 minutes, a Pittsburgh Steelers offense that had a space reserved on the back of a milk carton was missing no more. Cries for Kenny Pickett were silenced as Mitch Trubisky directed two touchdown drives to give the Steelers a lead on the road against an AFC...
Steelers notes: Injured star T.J. Watt does drills of moderate intensity during pregame
CLEVELAND — Injured Pittsburgh Steelers star outside linebacker T.J. Watt took part in several individual drills on the FirstEnregy Stadium grass field prior to full team warm-ups for Thursday night’s game at the Cleveland Browns. Watt is on injured reserve because of a pectoral injury suffered during a Week 1...
Steelers rookie George Pickens makes 1-handed catch in game vs. Browns
CLEVELAND — Finally, George Pickens made his presence known during the NFL regular season. And he did it in spectacular fashion. The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver was not noticed much during his first two games, much to the consternation of many who’d seen him repeatedly make plays as one...
Usual suspects dress for Steelers-Browns game
CLEVELAND — Playing their second game in five days, the Pittsburgh Steelers are making no changes to their game day roster. The Steelers enter their game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium at full strength with the exception of outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who will miss his second game...
Browns’ Jacoby Brissett provides Steelers different challenge than Baker Mayfield
When the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night, they won’t have Baker Mayfield to put on the ground anymore. In the two games between the AFC North rivals last year, the Steelers sacked Mayfield 13 times, including a whopping nine in the penultimate game of the regular...
First Call: Todd Haley has a specific concern about Steelers offense; Pat Narduzzi is convinced Kenny Pickett will be ready
Thursday’s “First Call” has a different view of the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive woes from a former coordinator. Pitt’s coach thinks his former QB can get the job done as soon as he is allowed to play. Things aren’t great for the Cleveland Browns. And the New York Yankees did something...
Alan Faneca’s take on Steelers’ biggest offensive problem, Hines Ward’s Hall of Fame candidacy
When it comes to the state of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, Hall of Fame guard Alan Faneca is echoing the sentiments of a current offensive lineman. Center Mason Cole recently said that the Steelers’ biggest problem isn’t quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Rather, his assessment is that top-to-bottom, the unit lacks identity....
U mad, bro?: Fans tee off on Mitch Trubisky, Steelers defense, Sidney Crosby’s quote and … gremlins
In the midst of Pittsburgh Steelers season, normally I can just load up “U mad, bro?” with angry complaints about the Black and Gold, every week for 18 weeks in a row. Even when they win. Based on how the offense is looking, we may be heading down that path....
Injured Steelers safety Damontae Kazee suspended 3 games
Injured Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee has been suspended by the NFL for three games as the result of violating the league’s policy on substances of abuse. Kazee has been on injured reserve since the start of the regular season and previously would have been eligible to return as early...
Steelers’ run defense ready for challenge presented by Browns running back tandem
Mike Tomlin calls the Nick Chubb-Kareem Hunt pairing on the Cleveland Browns the “most complete tandem” in the NFL, with little separation between the two running backs. “They’re not 1 and 2,” Tomlin said, “They’re 1 and 1a.” Chubb, in search of a fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season, already is nearly...
Former Steelers cornerback Joe Haden signing 1-day contract to retire with the Browns
The day before bitter rivals the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers meet for the first time this season, word has come that arguably the greatest player to have productive tenures for both franchises is retiring from football. And he’s doing so as a Brown, not a Steeler. Cornerback Joe Haden...
First Call: Steelers lineman draws praise; Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury reunite; new heights for Duquesne soccer
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some Pro Football Focus research into a Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman. Former Penguins teammates Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury relive old times. Plus, there were some big TV ratings for those dueling Monday night NFL games. And Duquesne has something to celebrate for one of its...
Tim Benz: Steelers fans change their tune on Mitch Trubisky with Kenny Pickett on the sideline
When it comes to the play of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky — and the analysis of it from the fanbase — I wish I had some truth serum. And a time machine. Who has one of those lying around? Because I’d love to see how many Steelers fans and...
Browns broadcaster pans team for complaining about being booed; Nick Chubb takes blame for loss
The Cleveland Browns stunningly managed to blow a 13-point lead with less than two minutes remaining against the New York Jets on Sunday. So the fans booed. No surprise there, right? But Cleveland defensive lineman Myles Garrett took exception. “These guys are still putting their (rear ends) on the line...
D-lineman by trade, rookie DeMarvin Leal being deployed as outside linebacker by Steelers
Just two games into his NFL career, DeMarvin Leal performed a position switch. But will it last? With star T.J. Watt out because of injury and a dearth of depth at outside linebacker, Leal played the position most often for the Pittsburgh Steelers during their Week 2 loss to the...
