:10–Your Pittsburgh Steelers, after defeating the hated Cleveland Brownies, 27-14, on Dec. 8, sit atop the AFC North with a 10-3 record, are second in the AFC behind the Chiefs and if I remember correctly, I predicted this before week one. No, no, save the applause, I’m secure enough and don’t need your accolades.
:09–Although not the total beatdown we wanted, a complete victory in every aspect of the game, offense, defense and special teams, we will take it and keep moving forward. After a slow start, our Steelers kicked it up a notch and pretty much controlled the rest of the game, especially on defense with Cam Heyward leading the attack with two more sacks to bring his total to eight for the season. If he doesn’t make 1st Team All-Pro there is no justice. We also have to mention D-Lineman Keanu Benton with a big interception and a rumbling 10-yard return and DeShon Elliott with 13 tackles, 9 of which were solo tackles. You can’t ask for more from the men on defense, a stellar effort all around.
:08–Without George Pickens in the lineup due to a hamstring injury, the offense struggled a bit if we’re being totally honest. Russell Wilson, without his deep threat, was a solid 15-26 for 158 yards passing with 2 touchdowns, one to Pat Freiermuth and a nifty TD pass to Van Jefferson. The intangibles Russell brings to the table are what the Steelers have sorely lacked the past few seasons; his ability to move within the pocket, to find the open receiver when the pass rush forces him out of the pocket, his running ability to pick up a first down when necessary…all these things add up to a QB who knows how to win and play within what the defense gives him. As for those 15 completions, he spread them out to 9 different receivers, his field of vision downfield maybe the single greatest attribute he possesses.
:07–Was there a better moment when just after Myles Garrett made his only play of the game, a sack, and shushed the crowd, the next play punt returner Kadarius Toney muffed the punt and fumbled away the ball to Steeler special teamer Ben Skowronek? Yeah, me and my guys are still cheering about that one. Note to NFL players: If you’re losing and you make a play you’re getting millions of dollars to do, just get up and walk back to the huddle or sideline without any celebration. You’re losing.
:06–Speaking of the special teams, how about punter Corliss Waitman, 6 punts for an average of 52 yards per punt with a massive 60-yard punt from deep in our own end. Waitman has been stellar all year and the fact we never mention his name speaks volumes about the job he’s done all season. And what can we say about Chris Boswell, perfect yet again. For the season he’s kicked 36 of 39 field goals including a long 57-yard kick, is perfect with 29 extra points made out of 29 attempts and routinely boots the ball into the end zone on kickoffs for a touchback. He’s simply the best in the NFL. The best. And as for special teams coach Danny Smith, he of the massive gum chewing on the sidelines and the fist pumping, his special teams are ready to go every week and from top to bottom have been exceptional all season. Kudos to the men on special teams you never really spend much time thinking about, they’re tremendous. And if they ever decide to remake Rocky in the near future, Coach Smith is the perfect guy to play Mick, the trainer of Rocky Balboa. I know all you old school cats have thought the same thing. “C’mon, Rock, you got this guy!”
:05–The next four games on the schedule are tough, no doubt, especially having to play 3 games in 11 days. We got the 11-2 Philly Eagles this Sunday, Dec. 15, in Philly, a juggernaut of a team hitting on all cylinders right now. Then we play the hated Baltimore Ravens the following Saturday (Dec. 21) in Baltimore, turn around 4 days later and play the 1 loss, first in the AFC, K.C. Chiefs at home on Christmas Day. Then we end the season with the Cincy Bengals at home. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it, fingers crossed we can go 3-1 against these teams and end this season 13-4 and a legitimate threat to win the Super Bowl or we can go 1-3 and be a team limping into the playoffs and one and done again. I don’t see that happening, the X factor for this team is Russell Wilson and his pedigree as a big-time QB that’s seen and experienced it all and won’t back down one bit. I’m saying 3-1 to close it out and onto the playoffs.
:04–Penn State is into the NCAA playoffs and will face SMU in the first round at Beaver Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 21. SMU is no cupcake and it should be a heckuva game at noon to kick off the playoffs. With 4 games that Saturday it looks like wall to wall football all day, Steelers included. I’m going with Penn State at home by a touchdown and onto the second round against Boise State.
:03–Juan Soto just signed as a free agent with the N.Y. Mets for 15 years and $765 million, an average of $51 million a season. He’ll be 26 next season and 40 at the end of the contract. Soto is a top 5 hitter in the game right now but is very suspect in the field, more than likely transitioning into a DH in a few seasons. Good for Soto for getting the contract and the guaranteed money, but I think in a couple seasons, even if he’s tremendous, the Mets will look back and wonder if the investment was truly worth it. They’ll have to win multiple World Series titles for it to be worthwhile and we all know pitching wins in MLB. And as an aside, parents, get those kids a baseball glove and bat and get them out on the diamond asap. Seriously. You have 765 million reasons for this.
:02–Word on the street is that the Pittsburgh Pirates made an offer to Juan Soto to come to the ‘Burgh and finish out his career here. Their offer was $15 million over 765 years.
:01–I’m also hearing Pirates superstar pitcher Paul Skenes thinks 15 years for $765 million is a fine opening bid.
GAME OVER.
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