CONNER HEYWARD PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN THE STEELERS WIN OVER THE BUCCANEERS. (PHOTOS/PITTSBURGH STEELERS)
(Editor’s Note: Bill Neal attended Sunday’s Steelers/Buccaneers game and wrote this in real-time as the game was happening…)
:10—Something new for you true Pittsburgh Steelers fans. I am gonna give you “Overtime”… in real time! I am at the Steelers/Tampa Bay Buccaneers game and I am going to take you through the game play-by-play. Needless to say we’re the underdog, and for the first time in forever, at a home game, a 10-point dog at that!
:09—That being said, and hear me loud and clear on this—I’ve shouted out loud and proud all week I’ve got the Steelers in an upset. If you don’t believe it, all you have to do is play back Soul Take/Champions Live, Tuesday, Oct. 11 episode to hear my prediction with my partners Kevin Cameron and NFL Super Bowl Champion Darnell Dinkins. That, plus I expect to pick up some “Benjamins” from the President and the Secretary of Defense of the Penn Hills Eat-n-Park Counter Crew. And they know who they are.
:08—From the start I can tell you this, a stadium of any other name is still Heinz Field. And trust me the place is rockin’! The last man out of the tunnel was Kenny Pickett and the roof just blew off this joint!!!
:07—By the look of the opening drive I’ll be able to buy some gas and pick up some fish because Kenny Pickett has just picked up his first NFL touchdown with the help of his favorite target, George “The Future” Pickens, Diontae “Hands of Stone 2” Johnson and Chase “Hold On I’m Coming” Claypool, along with Najee Harris and a rejuvenated offensive line. Pickett is truly “The Iceman Cometh!”
:06—BTW, this just in: Speaking of the O-Line, can someone please show Kevin Dotson the way to the Greyhound Bus Station? And I’ll pay for the ticket! He almost had more yardage in penalties than Harris had in rushing yards. C’mon man!?!
:05—By the looks of things as we close out the first half, Tom “We Only Cheated on Two or Three” Brady should have skipped the wedding of ex-boss Robert (Can I Get a Massage) Kraft and gone to the team practice Friday because he’s not on point here. And be reminded I’ll take Terry Bradshaw over Brady 24/7/365 and that you can take to the bank! By the way, if you ever wondered what money can do for you, you only need to Google a photo of the latest Mrs. Kraft. Wait, what?
:04—The opening kickoff of the second half went off with a bang with a great 87-yard return by Steven Sims. I just hope his getting run down from behind doesn’t come back to haunt us! And in case you’re wondering he only runs a 4.5 40-yard dash. (Sorry, but I had to Google it.)
:03—One thing is crystal clear this afternoon from inside the “War Zone”—the Steelers defense is alive and well and they’re shutting down everything but traffic. That being said, how many times does Leonard Fournette have to run over you to concede your manhood card and tackle him low already. The man is a truck in football cleats.
:02—Pickett now out with concussion protocol. Mitch Trubisky steps up like the champion he is to complete a few big 3rd Down conversions including a couple key runs/scrambles. Add to that Chase Claypool stepping up big time and bringing home several key “superstar” receptions plus Chris Boswell nailing a field goal from 54 yards off the crossbar and the rest, as they say, is history. Steelers win! Steelers win! Steelers win!
:01—As I head towards the exit gate I had to eat some of that proverbial crow that I am sure you’ll also be digesting tonight. #1. I guess losing to the Jets, Jets, Jets doesn’t look so bad now, does it? They just beat the Green Bay Packers, so maybe the Jets are for real this year. #2. Looks like we’ll be leaving Devin Bush alone now. He made that great play to break up the pass on Tampa’s two-point conversion try. #3. Conner Heyward can really play… I’m just saying. #4. Maybe this should be the new D-backs group. Again, I’m just saying! That being said, now our good friend, former Super Bowl champion, the Honorable Judge Dwayne Woodruff will not have to be pressed back into his cornerback position… rumor has it he’s loving retirement. But don’t get it twisted, I have no doubt whatsoever that he, J.T. Thomas and Mel “Superman” Blount can play tomorrow morning if they want. #5 A tip of the cap to Head Coach Mike Tomlin. And now we know why Rick Murphy and I don’t get paid the big bucks to coach! Now, bring on the traffic!!!
:00—GAME OVER.