Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to Thursday.
The Kickoff
Is it just me or has the world gone wild with acronyms? From our workplaces to our homes and beyond it feels like everything has been reduced down to a series of letters to make our lives easier. With that in mind, let me introduce you to an old classic, K.I.S.S. While I’m sure this has multiple meanings, in this regard it means “Keep It Simple Stupid.” I don’t mean to be rude to Mike McCarthy and his staff but the point needs to get across. Sunday Night’s game is not difficult to assess. The Steelers need to do two very important things that could go a long way towards a victory. One is run the ball and two is keep everyone in front of you on defense. That’s it. Don’t overthink this. Cincinnati struggles against the run and offensively they thrive getting Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins behind the defenders. Patrick Graham’s unit has to be disciplined and force Joe Burrow to throw the checkdowns. If the Steelers can ‘keep it simple’ the they have a great chance to win this game.
Podcast Tonight
Episode 498 of the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc airs tonight at 10pmET. We’ll discuss the trade deadline activity or lack thereof and look ahead to the Bengals and second half of the season.
Is What It Is
I’m not going to lose my mind over the Omar Khan and the Steelers not making any moves at the trade deadline. I do not believe this team was a player away from being in a Super Bowl. I’m not sure this team is three or four players away from a Super Bowl either. This team needs a franchise quarterback. Saving their picks in an effort to move up in April to get one is a far better strategy than adding a receiver for a fourth or fifth rounder.
RIP to a Steelers’ Legend
Updates
Ben Skowronek was a full participant in practice yesterday. I thought he would play in Week Eight so I’ll talk a tempered approach with him but it looks good for Sunday… Derrick Harmon has officially entered the 21-day window to return from his injury. He was a limited participant… Does it strike anyone else as odd when a team comes back from the BYE week and players like Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt still get a day off for rest?
Random Reads
I didn’t think the Falcons pressured Joe Burrow Sunday as often as others have. I still think it doesn’t matter when that pressure is on the edge. Burrow, like most QBs, struggles the most when the pressure is right up the middle… Mike Tomlin claims he “hasn’t given one iota” on the thought of returning to coach. I believe him. Like Bill Cowher, the TV stuff seems a lot less stressful… There is no question that outside of the QB, D.K. Metcalf is the most important player on this team for the remainder of the season. He has to bounce back. It’s that simple… Philip Rivers at NC State isn’t going to work out. Sorry, but I don’t see it… Mississippi State reportedly has a deal to keep QB Kamario Taylor in Starksville for next year. It’s reportedly for $7.5 million. My how things have changed… Really glad with the decision to move the Steelers and Eagles next week to 1pm.
Hot Reads is presented by
