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Tim Benz Columns category, Page 87

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Tim Benz: ‘Airing of Grievances’ plenty deep despite ‘Feats of Strength’ as Steelers edge Cowboys
Not gonna lie. I loved that result from the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dallas on Sunday. It was a jagged 24-19 victory over a forlorn Dallas team that sits at 2-7. The Steelers couldn’t have looked much worse in the process. Yet, Mike Tomlin’s team won anyway to improve to 8-0....
Tim Benz: How James Conner is employing tactics to stay ‘combative’ but remain healthy
As Steelers fans read this post about running back James Conner, rest easy. I’m writing it while sitting at a large wooden table. And, yes, I am knocking on it periodically so as to deflect any jinxes about the recent good stretch of Conner’s health. Conner’s career has been one...
Tim Benz: Expanded NFL playoff contingency plan is a bad idea, and not just for Steelers
As the Steelers sit at 7-0, the NFL is considering an expansion of the playoff field from seven teams to eight per conference. For this incredibly strange season only. That means if the Steelers earn the only playoff bye in the AFC, there may not even be a bye to...
Tim Benz: 2020 Steelers look to improve on old history by erasing recent memories
The nicest compliment any modern Steelers team can receive is a comparison to the sainted teams of the 1970s. Around these parts, that’s like telling a basketball player that he shoots like Larry Bird. Or a singer that he sounds like Pavarotti. So when the 2020 Steelers beat the Baltimore...
Tim Benz: Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances as Steelers stay unbeaten in Baltimore
The calendar flipped to November, and the Pittsburgh Steelers flipped the script on last week’s game in defeating the Baltimore Ravens, 28-24, on Sunday. Last Sunday in Tennessee, the Steelers managed to hold off a surging Titans comeback in the second half after going into the locker room up 24-7....
Tim Benz: Ravens defense is biggest challenge yet for Steelers offense
As the Steelers prepare to visit Baltimore Sunday, the Ravens defense of 2020 may not conjure the images of 10 to 15 years ago. It’s still very good, though. And it is the best one this Steelers offense will have faced so far in this season. Denver’s isn’t bad. Philadelphia’s...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ projection changed after beating Titans; imagine what beating Ravens would do
Hype has a different tone in 2020. It’s not quite the same because of coronavirus. Is anything? There are no tailgates starting Sunday morn — scratch that — Friday at happy hour. People aren’t pouring out of the bars on Carson Street waving their Terrible Towels after wins. No 1:59...
Tim Benz: Feats of Strength, Airing of Grievances as Steelers cling to victory in Tennessee
For the first 30 minutes of Sunday’s 27-24 Pittsburgh Steelers victory over the Tennessee Titans, I thought this was going to be a much shorter post than normal. I didn’t have any grievances to air! And the “Feats of Strength” were coming in droves. I thought I’d only be doing...
Tim Benz: We’ve seen ‘typical Pitt’ losses in 2020. Will we see a ‘typical Pitt’ win?
We throw around the phrase “typical Pitt loss” all the time when discussing the football team. Except there are many different iterations of a “typical Pitt loss.” • There is the mind-boggling, creative way of blowing a game late. Like when kicker Alex Kessman bombed a field goal from the...
Sean McDonough on Pitt-Notre Dame, ‘When Sid Slid,’ Mike Emrick’s retirement
In advance of the Pitt-Notre Dame game at Heinz Field on Saturday, ABC broadcaster Sean McDonough has just one request of viewers in Pittsburgh. “Don’t kill the messenger.” Over the last 35 years, McDonough has proven to be one of the most talented and versatile play-by-play announcers in the business....
Antonio Brown to Seahawks talk heats up. And did Le’Veon Bell forget he played for Steelers?
Ah, the good old days for bored Steelers fans. Like way back in … 2019. When you could just log onto the internet and be slapped in the face with five or six different stories, rumors and headlines about former Black and Gold All-Pros Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Well,...
U mad, bro? Steelers fans vent rage for Titans and Ravens, lament losing Devin Bush
Man! Even at 5-0, Steelers fans can find a way to be mad about something. Eh, let me be a little more accurate about that. Man! Even at 5-0, I can find a way to make Steelers fans mad about something. Yeah. That’s more like it. You’ll see that in...
Tim Benz: Steelers ’11/11ths’ pass protection mentality adding up to 5-0
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is fond of talking about “complementary football.” Usually, that’s meant to outline how the defense helps set up the offense in good field position. Or how the offense allows the defense to stay fresh by possessing the ball. Or how the pass rush and pass coverage...
Tim Benz: ‘Feats of Strength’ abound as Steelers blow out Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers blew out the Cleveland Browns, 38-7, on Sunday at Heinz Field. They improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1978. Helmet-swinging villain Myles Garrett was a minimal factor. Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield got benched. The defense bounced back after some shaky moments against the Philadelphia Eagles...
Tim Benz: Steelers face a better Browns team. But how much better is Baker Mayfield?
In advance of his team’s game against the Steelers this week, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield made one thing clear. “Mama didn’t raise no wuss.” Fair enough. Even if Mayfield is unable to play through his rib injury Sunday at Heinz Field, I wouldn’t have made that kind of judgment...
Tim Benz: So, about that Chase Claypool vs. J.K. Dobbins debate …
“How do you like Chase Claypool now???!!!” Um, I like him. A lot. How could anyone have a different reaction after Claypool put up four touchdowns in one game against the Philadelphia Eagles? Just the beginning ?? FOX ? pic.twitter.com/fEzTUM6BvN— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 11, 2020 But, in typical Twitter...
Tim Benz: Like the idea of Tuesday night NFL games? Good. You’ll see them again.
“Are you ready for some football?? A Tuesday night party??” The Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans are. I think. Hank Williams Jr. should get back in the studio to re-record the old “Monday Night Football” open. Because thanks to a covid-19 scheduling backlog, I don’t think this evening’s game will...
Tim Benz: ‘Feats of Strength’ (7-11 connection) and ‘Airing of Grievances’ (pass coverage) as Steelers outscore Eagles
I could make things really easy this week. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-29, on Sunday to improve to 4-0 for the first time since 1979. And pretty much the entire week all anyone will talk about is two things. So let’s keep it brief. Feats of Strength?...
NFL covid-19 disruptions are causing chaos in fantasy football world, too
Want a “fantasy,” Steelers fans? Here’s a fantasy. How about an NFL week without the specter of games being postponed or moved around? That’s a fantasy in my world. It’s also a fantasy in most fantasy football leagues. And while the real-life logistics of maneuvering around the covid-19 landmines are...
Pirates middle infield is full of options for 2021. It’s also full of questions
As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for 2021, a vast amount of uncertainty exists. When will games start? Will fans be allowed? What will the length of the schedule be? What about payroll? Who knows? One thing I can pretty much guarantee, though, is that the Pirates will not be allowed...
Tim Benz: Preemptive shortening of NFL season is not the way to go
In each of the last two years, the Steelers have suffered crushing late-season losses over the final four weeks that have prevented them from making the playoffs. In 2018, the Steelers inexcusably lost to the Raiders in Oakland in Week 13. Then they suffered a heartbreaking defeat in New Orleans...
Tim Benz: NFL dancing through raindrops of covid-19, but a bigger storm is coming
This was bound to happen. Now the NFL has to brace for being unable to stop it. Or wish it away. Before this week, the covid-19 pandemic had been an ominous rumble of thunder in the distance. Now it’s become a daily rain cloud over the league. At least the...
Tim Benz: Steelers, Pitt starting successful seasons on similar tracks
There are many parallels with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pitt Panthers to start their 2020 seasons. • Both are 3-0. • Both have a tremendous pass rush. • Both managed to win a tight game at halftime at Heinz Field last weekend. And both are chasing the perception that...
Tim Benz: Covid-19 infection may not be Titans’ fault, but it’s also not the Steelers’ problem
Unless we find evidence to the contrary, Steelers fans shouldn’t blame the Tennessee Titans for being the first NFL team to become a covid-19 hotspot. Even if that news results in Sunday’s game between the clubs getting postponed or forfeited. At least three players and five others within the Titans...
Tim Benz: Alejandro Villanueva not thinking about future, but Steelers may have to
Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva addressed Pittsburgh media members for the first time since the highly publicized “helmet tape incident” at MetLife Stadium during the season-opening win against the New York Giants. One has to wonder how many more times Villanueva will speak publicly as a member of the Steelers. Not...


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