Steelers Central

On this episode of Steelers Central, I break down what the Steelers will need to do to get their first victory at Solider Field in 30 years. That must include causing some TO's, churning the run game against a banged up Bears linebacking core, and getting pressure on Caleb Williams.

Next, it's time to talk about some big matchups within the game. As always, it starts on the edge position with TJ Watt and Nick Herbig going up against the Bears tackles. On the flip side, the Steelers must dominate a weak run stopping Bears interior. The Big Three in Frazier, McCormick, and Seamolu must have some solid afternoons. Lastly, each skill position group much win their favorable matchup against some banged up, and at times, poor-playing secondaries.

I'll tell you why I think the Bears win this game in a close, 24-21 score, and whether the Steelers should rest Aaron Rodgers despite a 25-5 career record against the Bears. All coming up on Steelers Central.

0:00-11:20 Steelers vs Bears: Keys to the Game

11:21-34:30 Steelers vs Bears: Matchups to Watch

34:31-39:00 Steelers vs Bears: Game Prediction

39:01-47:36: Perc Rodgers or Maserati Mitch

On this episode of Steelers Central, the actuality of who the Steelers are remains to be seen as the defense dominated and outscored the Bengals' offense in a 34-12 victory. After the teams scored on their first two drives, they did not score again until the Steelers scored a field goal right before halftime. We'll talk about some key takeaways, including whether the Steelers' defense is back, and who is the WR2?

As always, winners and losers are coming out of this game, including the RB room, James Pierre, Nick Herbig, and Keeanu Benton, the passing offense, and Jonnu Smith. You can decide who is what.

0:00-21:55 Steelers vs Bengals Takeaways

21:56-38:53 Steelers vs Bengals: Winners and Losers

On this episode of Steelers Central, the Steelers are who they thought they were. They are an average football week with popcorn issues popping up game after game. They will be 9-8/10-7 by season's end, being in the same mid spot they were last year. The defense played better, aside from a splash play in the pass game and a few runs by the Chargers. The offense stunk and looked far from the unit that was at least average earlier in the season. They will bounce back, and the defense will regress a little. Overall, this is just a really average football team.

From a winners and losers standpoint, Aaron Rodgers played his worst game of the year, the Steelers generated a lot of pressure, the third-down offense stunk, and Jaylen Warren remains the only consistent player on the Steelers' offense.

0:00-21:49 Steelers vs Chargers Recap

21:50-41:03 Steelers vs Chargers: Winners and Losers

On this episode of Steelers Central, I'll explain why it is make-or-break time for this Steelers defense in an important SNF game. This is looking more and more like a statement game for this Steelers team.

The Steelers must take away TE Tucker Kraft, run the air out of the football, and get off the field against a balanced GB offense that can beat in a multitude of ways and with a variety of weapons.

There will also be some key matchups that will take place in this game that the Steelers must win. Of course, it starts with the young tackles on both sides of the LOS against Micah Parsons and Rashaan Gary. If the Steelers can limit those two, they should be in a better position to push the ball down the field.. Then it starts on the other side of the ball, with limiting a GB rushing attack that has been the 7th-best over the last two weeks and not having them run over 70 snaps against this defense. Lastly, whichever defensive line can pressure the opposing QB and limit the short passing could very well decide this game. If Pittsburgh adjusts well to what they saw last week with Cincy getting the ball out quickly and attacking with short routes, the Steelers will have a good game plan in stopping GB's offense that loves short passing, and Jordan Love thrives off of it.

Will the Steelers win or lose this game? That is the million-dollar question. The Steelers are 16-5 when wearing alternate uniforms under Mike Tomlin and 7-2 immediately following a TNF loss. I'll tell you why this game will be close, but why I think the Steelers win in a sloppy contest.

0:00-16:20 Steelers vs Packers: Keys to Victory

16:21-33:30 Steelers vs Packers: Matchups to Watch

33:31-38:08 Game Predictions

On this episode of Steelers Central, we look through the disappointing defensive performance that Pittsburgh put up on Thursday night. This was a game that the Steelers should have won, but Tomlin's defense yet again failed to show up against an inferior opponent. I unleash on him, Terryl Austin, and the NFL's highest-paid defense for their abysmal performance while the offense puts up 30. It all came down to a weak performance from the front seven, allowing 146 yards on just under six YPC while allowing Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins to combine for 22 receptions for 257 yards and two TDs.

There were some winners in this game, though, with Aaron Rodgers throwing for four TDs and just under 250 yards. Jaylen Warren was his usual pinball self, owning the Cincinnati defensive front. Pat Friermuth led all Steelers with six receptions for 111 yards and two TDs, with both Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington each recording a TD too. The big people up front deserve their flowers as well, not allowing a sack and averaging over seven YPC.

Defensively, though, the front seven, secondary, along with Mike Tomlin and Terryl Austin, were abysmal, with no adjustments, no creativity, bland coverages allowing the Bengals WRs to win easily and own the MOF.

0:00-27:38 Steelers vs Browns Analysis

27:39-52:29 Steelers vs Bengals Winners and Loser

On this episode of Steelers Central, it's time to discuss whether the Steelers will get over their TNF woes or make a statement win over the Cincinnati Bengals. This realistically should be a game that the Steelers dominate and control from start to finish, but that has not been the case in recent years. Tomlin is 0-6 vs road divisional opponents on a short week, so this may be more challenging than people think.

The keys to victory for this game will be decided by how well the Steelers defend the Bengals' perimeter players in Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins. Slay, Porter, and Ramsey must not let these guys feast. For the Steelers, it will be to control TOP with a dominant run game. The Bengals will be without Trey Hendrickson, and they are not a good run-stuffing team up front. Keeping the ball on the ground and draining the clock will be the top priority for the Steelers.

As for the matchups, look out for the Steelers' offensive line vs the Bengals' defensive line, the Bengals' offensive tackles vs the Steelers' edge rushers, and how well the Bengals tackle against the Steelers' RBs and WRs, all of which will be under a microscope to not allow big gains.

Why the Steelers will win this game easier than people think, and the mentality will be much different than last year's TNF game against the Browns.

0:00-16:40 Steelers vs Bengals: Keys to the Game

16:41-31:05 Steelers vs Bengals: Matchups to Watch

31:06-38:50 Steelers vs Bengals Predictions

The Steelers notched their third straight win, eighth straight after their bye week, and beat Cleveland in the regular season at home for the 22nd consecutive year. The defense did not allow a TD. The offense ran for 100 yards with Rodgers throwing for two TDs. It was an all-around performance for this Steelers team, going up against arguably the best defense in the NFL. See why this matchup got me excited about this team's potential as we head down the stretch into more formidable play.

As always, we'll get into our (mostly) winners and losers from the Browns game, including DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, the Steelers Edge Rushers, along with penalties and missed TO opportunities. See what we had to say about all of them.

0:00-20:48 Steelers vs. Browns Analysis

20:49-39:46 Steelers vs. Browns: Winners and Losers

On this episode of Steelers Central, the Steelers are back in action after a Week 5 Bye Week. This time, they'll be battling a familiar division foe who has not won a regular-season game in Pittsburgh in 22 years. This will be no easy task against arguably the best front 7 in football right now, and a run defense that is statistically the best in the NFL. This game will come down to what is done in the trenches by these two big, physical rivals.

From a matchup standpoint, the two teams have very different offensive lines in terms of experience, but a similar weakness: shaky LT play. While Broderick Jones play has improved over the last two weeks, this will be the start of a challenging stretch with Myles Garrett coming into town. Jones must not let Garrett get loose and attack Rodgers. The Steelers will also need to attack the Browns' LT with a mix of Herbig and Highsmith.

The Steelers will also need someone else to win against the Browns' sticky-man coverage, which is why I think this will be the perfect game for the Steelers' TE to step up. Speaking of TEs, the Steelers will need to shut down the Browns' TE and force Dylan Gabriel to find some other weapons in the passing game.

As for the result of this game, it won't be an easy pushover despite the record discrepancy. Expect a low-scoring physical rock fest that the Steelers should win because of their QB experience and their ability to run the ball just enough against a stout Browns front.

0:00-21:00 Steelers vs Browns: Keys to the Game

21:01-42:20 Steelers vs Browns: Matchups to Watch

42:21-50:15 Steelers vs Browns: Score Prediction

On this episode of Steelers Central, the Steelers will be resting up this week as the team has its much-needed Week 5 Bye Week. They'll be heading in at 3-1 while dealing with some injuries at CB and WR before facing off against Cleveland and Cincinnati. I'll share some of my takeaways, including the trenches coming together, Rodgers still playing at a winnable level, the need for a WR 2, and that turnovers are still a must for this defense.

After the bye week, the Steelers will return another weapon to their OLB core in Alex Highsmith. Obviously, this is a huge get back for the Steelers as they get another above-average pass rusher in the fold, who has battled injuries the last couple of seasons since recording 14.5 sacks in 2022.43. I'll tell you why the Steelers need to keep Nick Herbig in the lineup, given the defense's current performance.

Flipping to the offensive side of the ball, the Steelers may be without WR Calvin Austin for a little after he sustained a shoulder injury late in last week's game against the Vikings. The Steelers still need another WR who can separate and consistently win against man coverage. Either they go out and trade for a big-time weapon to go all in, or use the personnel they have to get their TEs more involved in the offense. There is one player this team cannot take off the field, outside of DK Metcalf.

Lastly, I'll tell you why the Steelers cannot get comfortable despite all of the injuries and QB issues haunting the other teams in the AFC North. The Steelers are sitting pretty at 3-1 and could be 5-1 headed into Week 7 against the Packers, if they play their cards right, headed into these two winnable division games. Mike Tomlin cannot afford to have his signature losses against bad teams in this position, especially if the Ravens get healthy and hot.

0:00-17:30 Bye Week Takeaways

17:31-24:30 Good Problem at OLB

24:31-37:25 Steelers Need at WR Remains

37:26-46:40 Don't Get Comfortable

On this episode of Steelers Central, it's time to break down the Steelers' surprise, at least to me, victory in Dublin over the Vikings. The team came out guns blazing and dominated both sides of the LOS, sacking Carson Wentz six times and having a season high of 130 yards on the ground. These are the Steelers we have been waiting to see, winning a game convincingly despite what the scoreboard says. Going into the bye, they will need to get healthy and still have things to clean up.

We'll also have our daily winners and losers in this game, which includes the Steelers' offensive and defensive lines, Payton Wilson and Keeanu Benton, and Kenneth Gainwell. I'll also talk about what could be the future of Pat Friermuth, given his limited snap usage, and why coaching made this game closer than it needed to be

0:00-24:30 Steelers vs Vikings Takeaways

24:31-50:10 Winners and Losers