Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to Monday.
The Kickoff
With the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns having played on Thursday night and the Cincinnati Bengals on their BYE week, it was a quiet day across the AFC North. That will change this evening as the Baltimore Ravens travel to LA to take on the Chargers in the latest installment of the ‘Harbaugh Bowl.’ Speaking of which, I hope each team (the Steelers have beaten both by the way) beats the crap out of each other with LA ultimately getting the win for divisional race purposes only.
Back at It
Traditionally after a Thursday night game, the players are given a few days off. By today, they are back on schedule for their normal work week. I can’t definitively say this is what the Steelers did but that’s usually the M.O. What that means is that players are back at the South Side facility in meetings and watching film today. Mike Tomlin will hold his press conference tomorrow while the players get their regularly scheduled day off.
UPDATE: The Steelers are actually off today and will practice tomorrow according to Mark Kaboly.
Thoughts on Watt
I had some time over the weekend to ponder about T.J. Watt and his sudden lack of production. As I state, it isn’t for lack of effort. The more film you watch the more you realize he’s getting chipped and double-teamed in nearly every passing situation. While some schematic changes can help, it really came down to one thing for me and it has to do with his teammates.
Hall Call?
I’ve never thought of Hines Ward as one of the best wide receivers to ever play the game, but I have always viewed him as one of the best football players in the game. He was a very good receiver, don’t get me wrong, but his passion for the game and ability and willingness to block and do all of the ‘other’ things necessary to win games was on par with anyone who has played the game. Throw in the fact that he played in a run-first offense most of his career and had average QB play until Ben Roethlisberger showed up and you’ve got a bonafide Hall of Famer in my book.
Turkey Day Menu
Thank goodness for the Miami-Green Bay late on Thanksgiving night. The two earlier games, Chicago at Detroit and the NY Giants at Dallas, have the potential to be absolutely awful in terms of good football and competitiveness. I suggest you eat later in the day to avoid gastro-intestinal issues due to bad football.
Podcast Note
We will be airing episode 397 of the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc on Tuesday night at 10pmET. This is obviously due to the fact that Thanksgiving falls on our usual Thursday night. We will return to our normal day following the Bengals’ game.
Random Reads
I think Saquan Barkley has to be in the MVP conversation. I’m not saying he will win it, but he has to be given some real consideration. We get to see him in a few weeks… The Chiefs moved to 10-1 beating the Panthers by three yesterday and most of their wins have come in very similar, tight-score fashion. I don’t think any Steelers’ fans should take this as a sign that they will be ‘easier to beat’ on Christmas… Lions-Eagles in the NFC Title game. Not sure how it could go in any other direction right now barring injury… I think the 49ers window is closing rapidly. The only way it isn’t is if they move on from Brock Purdy and find another rookie to start immediately. Good luck with that… I’m really enjoying the chaos of college football. Sadly, as we all knew, there will be just as much bitching about the 13th and 14th teams as there was with the 5th team in the old format.
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