First Call: Notes from the AFC North; Washington stays hot; Mason Rudolph wins; James Conner shines
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Monday’s “First Call” recaps Sunday’s AFC North results as the Pittsburgh Steelers rested during their bye. The next opponent for Mike Tomlin’s team is the Washington Commanders. They continued to impress with another win.
Pitt product and former Steeler James Conner had a big day for the Arizona Cardinals. Mason Rudolph guided the Tennessee Titans to a rare win.
And Robert Morris hopes that a successful weekend spills into the start of college basketball season.
North Notes
While the Steelers were idle Sunday, all three AFC North opponents played. Two of them won.
The Ravens clocked the Denver Broncos, 41-10. Former Steeler Diontae Johnson played 13 snaps and wasn’t targeted as the Ravens are easing him into their lineup after acquiring him via trade last week.
Lamar Jackson had a big game anyway. He was 16 of 19 for 280 yards and three passing touchdowns. Two went to Zay Flowers.
ANOTHER ONE FOR ZAY FLOWERS!!!!!
Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/mmqygaFkRe
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 3, 2024
The Ravens play the Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) next. It’s a Thursday night game. Cincy has scratched closer to .500 after a 1-4 start. They beat the Las Vegas Raiders, 41-24, on Sunday. That was the Bengals’ first home win of the season.
Former Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki was an important target for Joe Burrow, catching five passes for 100 yards and two scores.
.@JoeyB to @mikegesicki … we’ve been waiting for this one!!!
????: #LVvsCIN on FOX pic.twitter.com/STb10YS0iN
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 3, 2024
As for the Browns, they fell to 2-7 with a 27-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Jameis Winston threw three interceptions in the loss. They are in New Orleans next week.
Commanding attention
We are all interested to see Johnson return to Pittsburgh next week with the Baltimore Ravens. But this week, the Steelers have a difficult receiver to contain as well when they face Terry McLaurin of the Washington Commanders.
McLaurin has 598 receiving yards for the Commanders this year, seventh-most in the NFL. He also has six touchdown catches. The only player with more is Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase.
During Sunday’s 27-22 win over the New York Giants, McLaurin only had two catches for 19 yards. But both of his receptions went for scores.
Terry McLaurin grabs his second TD right before half!
????: #WASvsNYG on FOX
????: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/70VcdXZwYl— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
McLaurin is thriving now that he has rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels throwing him the ball. The sixth-year receiver out of Ohio State also has 31 first downs, fifth-most in the NFL.
With #Commanders WR Terry McLaurin after win No. 7 for Washington: “I just thank God that I’m in this position, to be able to have the patience and endurance to see the other side of everything. … It’s nothing short of a blessing. I don’t take these days for granted.” pic.twitter.com/p85oEawGHN
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 3, 2024
Overall, Washington is 7-2, leading the NFC East. They have opened as a 2.5-point favorite over the Steelers Sunday, according to ESPN Bet.
More sports
• Madden Monday: Hidden value, positive fallout from decision to put Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin on same line
• Tim Benz: Donte Jackson, fellow Steelers embrace Diontae Johnson’s return to AFC North in Baltimore
• In wake of season’s 1st loss, Pitt senior Brandon George questions team’s practice habits
Conner’s carries
Pitt alum James Conner had a 100-yard day for the Arizona Cardinals during their 29-9 victory over the Chicago Bears.
The former Steelers running back ended up with 18 carries and 107 yards. He was held without a touchdown, though, after getting flipped in the air and landing awkwardly during this run near the goal line.
James Conner –
This’ll hurt. Flips in air and lands hard on his back. Hopefully more pain versus injury for Conner. pic.twitter.com/LEnFAht26g
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) November 3, 2024
Conner was evaluated for a concussion but eventually passed the tests and was allowed to stay in the game. He also spoke with CBS after the win and didn’t mention the hit.
"The big boys up front came to play today."
– James Conner saw a team effort from the @AZCardinals today | @EvanWashburn pic.twitter.com/BI6TV3jJ7r
— NFL on CBS ???? (@NFLonCBS) November 4, 2024
Conner also added 12 receiving yards. His 664 rushing yards are sixth in the NFL. As a team, Arizona totaled 213 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. At 5-4, they lead the NFC West. The Cardinals host the New York Jets next week.
More Mason
Another former Steeler, quarterback Mason Rudolph, got a win under center for the Tennessee Titans. He has been filling in for an injured Will Levis lately. The Titans beat the New England Patriots, 20-17, on Sunday.
Rudolph managed to throw two touchdown passes on 20 completions over 33 attempts for 240 yards. One of his scoring tosses was to fellow ex-Steeler Nick Vannett.
Rudolph to Vannett for SIX!
????: #NEvsTEN on FOX
????: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/83wX1Nccd0— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
The loss breaks a three-game losing streak for the Titans. Their last victory came when Rudolph replaced Levis on Oct. 1 during a 31-12 win in Miami.
Levis is dealing with an AC sprain in his throwing shoulder and was inactive Sunday. Via the Nashville Tennessean, Levis “warmed up a little bit pregame, making some throws with the athletic training staff on hand, but never threw to teammates in the warmups.”
Up and coming Colonials
It was a good weekend for the Robert Morris Colonials. In just its second year back as a program after a two-year absence, RMU’s men’s hockey team is off to a good start. They beat Lindenwood, 3-0, on Friday.
Derek Schooley’s club picked up an extra point for national Pairwise purposes in Saturday’s 2-2 game by winning the shootout over the Lions.
WHAT A MOVE BY MCKAY HAYES????
Colonials win the SO, 2-1!! pic.twitter.com/HktujkzpQA
— RMU Men’s Hockey (@RMUMHockey) November 3, 2024
The Colonials are 3-1-2 to start the year, with a rare Monday night game against Mercyhurst up next.
As for the women’s team, it split a pair on the road against RIT. They also won a 2-2 shootout that got them an extra conference point Friday night, then they lost 5-1 Saturday.
The football team won 6-0 over Merrimack on Saturday. That sets up a huge game against Duquesne for first place in the NEC next weekend. Both clubs enter Saturday’s game on the Bluff at 3-0 in conference play. Whoever wins that game will be in prime position to claim the conference crown with two games remaining.
As for the men’s basketball team, they open play Monday night at West Virginia at 7 p.m. Pitt also starts its schedule tonight at home against Radford (7 p.m.). Duquesne hosts Lipscomb at 8 p.m. after the women play Princeton at 5 p.m.