Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to Monday.
The Kickoff
As you know, the finale against Cincinnati has been ‘TBD’ since the schedule came out. That finally changed last night when the NFL announced an 8pmET kickoff on Saturday. The game will stand alone as the Browns-Ravens tilt will have already have been played. This will create quite the situation for Mike Tomlin, although in his mind, probably not. By the time the ball is kicked into the cold, January night on Saturday, Tomlin will know the Ravens’ outcome. A win means they are the division champions and the three seed sending the Steelers on the road. A loss means a Steelers’ win over Cincy would give them the division title and a home game. Honestly? I think Tomlin will play everyone and will approach this as a playoff game. After three straight poor performances I can see him wanting to get things right. For me personally, resting some of my veterans wouldn’t be such an awful idea especially since I can see the Steelers playing the following Saturday in primetime again. I’m just opining here things seem to line up that way.
Podcast Tonight!
With the holidays and the Steelers’ crazy-ass schedule, our podcast plans are constantly in flux. Therefore, we’ll be airing the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc tonight at 10pmET!!
Hines Ward
Once again one of the great Steelers of the past was eliminated from Hall of Fame consideration as Hines Ward did not make the cut to the final 15 guys. Am I biased? Absolutely, but I’m also a realist. When you realize there are receivers far less accomplished already in the Hall, it leaves me rather confused and pissed off. Hines Ward was the definition of a football player. He was not flashy and he wasn’t a guy that fit the usual “wide receiver” mold but he did everything you want from a football player. He deserves to be in.
I’ll Never Be a Fan of This…
Yep. Here I go again… per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, it looks highly likely that the Steelers will be playing in Ireland at some point in the 2025 regular season. I hate this. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. No, not that the Steelers are playing overseas because every team has to now. I hate it because it’s going to take a home game away from the fans, merchants, restaurant and hotel workers among others. This is not the NBA or Major League Baseball where you play 41 or 81 games at home. We get eight meaningful home games or nine when you aren’t hosting overseas. This isn’t about anything other than that. I appreciate and love that there are so many NFL fans in Europe but if the Premier League isn’t playing regular season games here then we shouldn’t be playing ours there. Seems simple to me.
The More I Think About It
If the Steelers play well and beat the Bengals Sunday that will actually say a lot to me. I honestly don’t have my hopes up real high because the Bengals have to win and are playing extremely well while we have little to play for and are playing poorly. I realize a win coupled with a Ravens’ loss would give us the division and a home playoff game but I can’t see the Browns going into Baltimore and winning. Those guys already have bags packed for the beach.
After Much Consideration
It sure looks like Cam Sutton is the guy most of the Steelers’ defense was talking about following Wednesday’s game. His “freelancing” and inability to cover anyone constantly left guys wide open. I’m really quite surprised after what I saw on tape that he’s still on the roster. You just can’t have guys doing that and expect to be successful. You know who could do it and get away with it? Troy Polamalu and Sutton isn’t even in the same time zone.
Random Reads
RIP former President Jimmy Carter. He’d be the first to tell you his presidency was not a good one but he didn’t let that define him. His humanitarian efforts post-presidency will have more of a lasting impact than anything he did as a President… Why is it that it seems like every single NBA game features at least one fight and an ejection… Other Steelers’ related sites were suggesting that the Steelers may sign Aaron Rodgers in the offseason. Sure, and I’ll be offensive coordinator too. The guy is cooked… Brian Flores sure would have been a nice choice for defensive coordinator. Remember though, he was never thought to be the next D.C. He was only there for a year following his dismissal from Miami and subsequent lawsuit against the NFL. That was always the plan and trust me, I wish the plan had changed… If Joe Burrow beats the Steelers and gets the Bengals into the postseason he has to get MVP consideration. There is a major groundswell for Josh Allen but it’s hard to look past Lamar Jackson.
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