Steelers/NFL category, Page 18

As the Pittsburgh Steelers practiced for Saturday’s AFC wild-card game against the Baltimore Ravens, the stakes started to sink in for four rookies who played significant roles this season. It was a normal game week, save the consequences. “It’s single elimination. Win, you move on; lose, you go home,” center...

Mike Tomlin has a history of guiding the Pittsburgh Steelers to 18 consecutive seasons without a losing record and a dozen NFL playoff appearances, yet the Super Bowl XLIII champion coach knows his story comes with baggage that he refuses to project onto his players. That doesn’t mean he’s immune to...

It’s not lost on the Pittsburgh Steelers that their opponent in the NFL’s wild-card playoff round doesn’t just possess the league’s top-ranked offense but also the stingiest defense over the final eight weeks of the season. Starting with their Week 11 meeting with the Steelers — when they didn’t allow...

1. First-quarter blues The only Pittsburgh Steelers losing streak uglier than the one over the past four games they’ve played is the five-game postseason skid they carry into Saturday’s playoff game in Baltimore. The Steelers have been outscored by an average of 13 points per game over the past month...

Cameron Heyward continues to show that at age 35, he remains one of the NFL’s top defensive linemen. And, at 33, Chris Boswell has emerged as the league’s most reliable kicker. Two of the elder statesmen on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster were rewarded Friday for their work this season when...

Denial. It’s tough. With the Pittsburgh Steelers set to finish their traditional late-season skid with a fifth straight loss by losing their wild-card playoff game at Baltimore on Saturday, here’s a bit of hope: Betting the Steelers on the money line is great value. The Steelers are plus-400. A worthwhile...

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh said something that caught the attention of many Pittsburgh Steelers fans. A former Steeler is making a name for himself on the interview circuit for defensive coordinators. The Penguins have a chance to make some noise in the wild-card race this weekend. And Evgeni Malkin...

When you lose 34-17, as the Pittsburgh Steelers did in Baltimore in Week 16, that means there are plenty of things to correct. That’s particularly true if you face the same opponent in the playoffs three weeks later, as the Steelers are doing Saturday when they visit Baltimore again to...

SCOUTING THE RAVENS Last meeting Ravens beat Steelers, 34-17, on Dec. 21 in Baltimore. Key matchup Ravens TEs Mark Andrews/Isaiah Likely vs. Steelers ILBs/DBs Over Baltimore’s past six games, Andrews and Likely have combined for nine touchdowns, including one TD catch in each of those games for Andrews. Both scored...

In the storied history of a franchise long associated with a run-first offensive mentality, only five Pittsburgh Steelers have more career rushing yards than Najee Harris. Three are in the Hall of Fame, another earned an All-Pro honor and the other has two Super Bowl rings. But after four seasons...

Spencer Anderson has heard it plenty, particularly since he was drafted by the rival Pittsburgh Steelers some 20 months ago. “Everybody always asks me if I’m a Ravens fan, but I’m not,” Anderson said Thursday from UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “I actually lived closer (as a child) to the Redskins...

As he adjusts to playing with a broken left hand, starting right guard Mason McCormick officially is listed as questionable to make his NFL playoff debut Saturday. McCormick on Thursday was a partial practice participant for the third consecutive day, according to the league-mandated injury report, leaving it up in...

T.J. Watt has one of the most impressive resumes in Pittsburgh Steelers history, yet the superstar outside linebacker accepts what the absence of a playoff victory means to his legacy. Even as he’s one of the game’s most dominant defenders — a seven-time Pro Bowl and four-time All-Pro pick who...

The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t have to worry about facing the Baltimore Ravens’ top wide receiver in their wild-card playoff game. Zay Flowers will not play Saturday, Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters Thursday. Flowers suffered a knee injury during Baltimore’s regular-season finale last week and did not practice this week....

Thursday’s “First Call” has an update on injured Baltimore receiver Zay Flowers as the Ravens get ready to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. Baltimore is getting ready for both Steelers quarterbacks in the game. The national media spin about Mike Tomlin is in its usual January mode. And we...

The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost five of six and are living off of loser points like the raccoons who dig through my garbage can on trash night. Actually, let’s be honest. This year, for the Penguins, every night is trash night. As a result, I’ve gotten quite a few angry...

The Pittsburgh Steelers are putting their playoff hopes in the hands of a 36-year-old quarterback who has won and lost a Super Bowl, something he has in common with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Russell Wilson reflects on his 9-7 postseason record with positivity, as the nine-time Pro Bowl pick chooses...

It is becoming increasingly unlikely the Baltimore Ravens will have their No. 1 wide receiver available for Saturday’s playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Zay Flowers again sat out practice Wednesday, according to the injury report. Flowers, who had a team-most 1,059 receiving yards this season, suffered a knee injury...

No news seemingly was good news Wednesday in regards to the statuses of two Pittsburgh Steelers starters for Saturday’s playoff opener. Veteran starting outside cornerback Donte Jackson again was listed as fully practicing and rookie starting right guard as a partial participant for Wednesday’s session, which was held at Acrisure...

Arthur Smith’s chance to interview for another NFL head coaching opportunity can wait until next week when he’s permitted to discuss job openings. The New York Jets and Chicago Bears requested permission to interview the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator. Per NFL rules, any interview cannot happen until following the wild-card...

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t the only team with a recent history of underwhelming postseason success. In fact, they might not even be the team enduring the most pressure and scrutiny that takes to field Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium. Whereas the Steelers will be out to end an eight-year...

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in their current mess for a number of reasons. But two stand out. Selecting Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 draft was badly damaging. Pickett very quickly revealed himself to not be of starting caliber. The Steelers have patchworked at quarterback since Pickett...

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t want his players carrying the burden of the franchise’s seven-year playoff-win drought. “What you mentioned is my story, it’s not this collective’s story,” Tomlin said Monday. “Many of these guys involved do not tote those bags. I happily tote those bags. It’s not something...

Wednesday’s “First Call” has Justin Fields’ assessment of his chances of getting on the field in some form this week against the Baltimore Ravens. A Steelers offensive lineman says this is the playoff rematch that he wanted going into Week 18. A former Steeler is under consideration for the New...

It wasn’t a birthday present offered up by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson to Lamar Jackson, who on Tuesday turned 28 years old. When Wilson referenced Jackson as “the best player I’ve ever played against,” that is a difficult point to argue. Before he turned 28 or completed his seventh...