Tim Benz: With 13 games to go for the Steelers, we should still ask ‘how’ while counting ‘how many’
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to hit their bye weekend at roughly the quarter pole of their 17-game regular season, they do so with results outpacing the process. At this point in the calendar — and upon taking a quick glance at the standings — maybe that’s OK. Four games...
First Call: Calvin Austin calms injury concerns; George Pickens’ monster game; Lamar Jackson hurt
Monday’s “First Call” gets us up to speed on Calvin Austin’s injury. Another former Pittsburgh Steeler suffered a scary hit in Buffalo, and we’ll examine how some ex-Steelers did at wide receiver. That includes George Pickens, who had a big game for Dallas. Providing an update Steelers wide receiver Calvin...
Madden Monday: ‘Kenneth Gainwell should be the No. 1 running back’ even when Jaylen Warren returns
Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland on Sunday, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X saw some significant holes in the victory. In particular, as he said on this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Madden wasn’t thrilled with many of Mike Tomlin’s fourth-quarter coaching...
Feats of Strength: DK’s big play, Kenny G’s TDs key Steelers win in Ireland
For much of their game in Ireland, the Pittsburgh Steelers felt like they were leading the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The Guinness was flowing. The Terrible Towels were waving. Everyone was dancing an Irish jig. Then the fourth quarter happened, and the tone changed. The Steelers hung on to win...
Football Footnotes: Steelers’ D vs. Vikings may be the cure for your Irish FOMOVideo
I love Ireland. I’ve only been there once, and I really hope to go back. I wish I could’ve gone to Dublin for Sunday’s Steelers-Vikings game. I’m already having pangs of jealousy over the pictures and videos I’m seeing from Pittsburghers who made the trip. All the parties from Temple...
Tim Benz: Penguins have at least 1 solid strategy for upcoming year
You aren’t going to read this a lot this year. So enjoy it while it lasts. The Pittsburgh Penguins really hit the bull’s-eye on something. Their plan to have 40-year-old goalie Marc-Andre Fleury come back on a one-game professional tryout contract to suit up one last time as a Penguin...
First Call: Former Steeler hoping to get healthy for Vikings; Pens’ goalie tandem rated worst in NHLVideo
A former Steeler in the Vikings’ lineup is hoping to be back in action Sunday in Ireland. We examine the gambling lines on the local college games. We discuss the heavy Pittsburgh influence on the New York Rangers. And at least one outlet sees very little hope for the Penguins’...
First Call: Steelers make 2nd visit to Arizona State; more problems for Ravens
In “First Call” Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers may have eyes on some skill position players at a school out west. We know the officiating crew for the game in Ireland. The Pirates could deal a painful blow to the Reds. And the Baltimore Ravens are dealing with another big-time problem....
Tim Benz: Paul Skenes gives Pittsburgh a brief reminder of what September baseball can beVideo
For a guy who recently warned the Pittsburgh Pirates against the prospect of 2025 becoming a “wasted year,” Paul Skenes certainly created an enduring memory during his final outing of the campaign. Skenes pitched six scoreless innings before heading to the bench with a 2-0 lead against the Cincinnati Reds....
U mad, bro?: Sharing lots of feelings on the Steelers, Skenes, Schoenfield, Sinatra and soggy pizza
The rapture didn’t happen this week. Some people seem really upset about that. Personally, I’m angry because the Pittsburgh Steelers can’t get off the field on possession downs, and the Pirates never give Paul Skenes any run support. It’s giving me a headache. Anyone got any Tyleno… nevermind. Let’s discuss...
Ben Roethlisberger ramps up criticism of Broderick Jones, Steelers coaching and a ‘vanilla’ defense
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn’t hold back when it came to criticism of his old team during his most recent “Footbahlin’” podcast, despite a win over the New England Patriots on Sunday. Specifically, he laid into offensive tackle Broderick Jones for his play in Foxborough. “I assume (Mike)...
First Call: Steelers work out Nate Herbig; Vikings lose an offensive lineman; Russell Wilson benched
Before their showdown in Ireland, the Pittsburgh Steelers may bring back an offensive lineman who was recently with the team, while the Minnesota Vikings are losing a starter up front. Russell Wilson is getting benched in New York. A former Steelers linebacker is switching teams. And Paul Skenes has a...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin says a lot while saying little about Aaron Rodgers’ pass protection
During his weekly press conference Tuesday, coach Mike Tomlin was asked if injuries in the secondary (DeShon Elliott, Joey Porter Jr.) have resulted in the Steelers “holding back” on defense. “Certainly, but it’s not just the injuries. If you’re coaching and you’re seeing around corners, certainly one injury doesn’t get...
First Call: Steelers’ blunt assessment of Patriots’ offense continues; Jordan Addison returning for Vikings
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some interesting quotes in the wake of the Steelers-Patriots game. The Minnesota Vikings are getting an offensive weapon back in advance of their contest against the Steelers in Ireland. Derrick Henry suddenly has a fumbling problem in Baltimore, and the Pirates could influence the National League...
Pat Narduzzi has at least 1 area of confidence coming off Pitt’s loss at WVU
Whenever a college football team drops a game in a way Pitt lost at West Virginia, the topic invariably comes up about how the players will — or won’t — bounce back emotionally when they have to take the field next time out. For Pitt, that’ll be Saturday against Louisville...
Tim Benz: Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt hope to avoid ‘roller coaster’ but must continue climb back to topVideo
When the Pittsburgh Steelers won their first game of the season, one single identifiable trait got them to victory, even though there were plenty of holes elsewhere. The passing game. Aaron Rodgers, his pass catchers and Arthur Smith’s pass game design were really good. Very little else was. Sunday’s 21-14...
First Call: James Conner, Najee Harris suffer significant injuries; Russell Wilson struggles as Giants get booed
In this Monday’s “First Call,” we pass along unfortunate injury news surrounding two former Pittsburgh Steelers running backs. Russell Wilson is having a tough time in New York, while the Vikings may be giving the Steelers some problems in Ireland. Plus updates on the rest of the AFC North. Conner’s...
Madden Monday: Steelers should watch tape of win in New England ‘as if they lost’
The New England Patriots aided the Pittsburgh Steelers in getting a 21-14 win at Gillette Stadium on Sunday by committing five turnovers and seven penalties. For those reasons, in this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X isn’t putting much stock in the Steelers’ win...
Feats of Strength: Timely turnovers, potent pass rush lead to rare Steelers win in New England
It was a “Throwback Weekend” for NFL coverage on CBS. The network celebrated 50 years of “The NFL Today.” That’s probably a good thing. Because, for the most part, you had to go back to the 1970s to find much success for the Steelers in New England. They won there...
Football Footnotes: Believe it — the Steelers have won in New England. No, seriously
The Pittsburgh Steelers head to Gillette Stadium this Sunday for a Week 3 showdown against the New England Patriots. It’s a game that could have long-term ramifications. Given the soft AFC East chasing Buffalo, Drake Maye’s potential advancement at quarterback, and a revamped coaching staff with former Steeler and Patriot...
First Call: Reports of ‘significant’ injury in practice for Steelers OL; Patriots may get key CB back
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have lost some of their depth along the offensive line. The Patriots could get a key piece of their team back Sunday when the Steelers visit New England. Justin Fields won’t play Sunday for the Jets, and the Pirates are gearing up for their final home...
U mad, bro?: Steelers position changes, Mike Tomlin’s message, anthem singers, ‘Renegade’s’ failure
Just one loss for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and already the emails and social media interactions are taking creativity to a new level. Our first “post-loss” edition of “U mad, bro?” involves position changes, the removal of “Renegade,” complaints about the anthem singer, 30-year-old movie references, 50-year-old musical references, and grandiose...
First Call: Broadcast and officiating crews revealed for Steelers-Patriots; another Viking out for Ireland game
We know the broadcast crew and the officiating crew for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game in New England on Sunday. We also have word about the first captain for Mike Sullivan in New York. We tell you how some potential stars for the Pirates did in Altoona’s playoff game. And we’ll...
Tim Benz: Fuss over Kaleb Johnson’s special teams miscue masks a greater problem with RB rotationVideo
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin threw a loaf of bread to the pond full of hissing geese in the fanbase and the media who wanted to see Kaleb Johnson punished for his ghastly kickoff miscue Sunday versus the Seattle Seahawks. Actually, it wasn’t really a loaf of bread. It...
Rare Paul Skenes clunker adds to September slide
A rare dud from Paul Skenes on Tuesday night was just the latest sad chapter in a September swoon for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cy Young favorite couldn’t make it out of the fourth inning as the Chicago Cubs (87-64) beat the beleaguered Bucs (65-87), 4-1, behind their own blossoming...
