When the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense is clicking and playing in the dominant fashion fans have become accustomed to over the years, it normally goes back one thing first and foremost; pressuring the quarterback. For all the talk about poor secondary play last season, a strong case could be made that the unit's 33 sacks, lowest total for the franchise since 1988, was the primary culprit for a less than stellar year from the defense. After years of watching the likes of Joey Porter, Jason ... Read More
Will return of Martavis Bryant spark the Steelers passing game?
When Michael Vick stepped onto the field to make his Steelers debut in an otherwise forgettable preseason contest in Buffalo a little more than a month ago, Vick wasted little time proving he still could make a splash as an NFL quarterback. On his very first play, Vick would drop back and throw a perfect strike down the right sideline for a 63-yard gain that would highlight a promising debut where the veteran southpaw would go 4-for-5 for 116 yards. The recipient of that throw was ... Read More
Three up and Three down: Steelers vs. Ravens
Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. That's exactly what the Steelers did last night in one of the more devastating losses in recent memory as a late 13-point lead turned into a shocking 23-20 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens. With the opportunity to effectively put the Ravens season on ice, the Steelers were unable finish the game off with a series of missed chances and questionable play calls. Let's do a post-mortem in this week's Three up and Three down. Three up: • ... Read More
Week 4 preview: Steelers and Ravens face off in pivotal Thursday night contest
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens come into their Thursday night football match up dealing with their fair share of adversity — albeit for totally different reasons. For the 2-1 Steelers, it's about finding a way to adjust to life without franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the foreseeable future while asking Michael Vick to fill the considerable void with Big Ben out. For the Ravens, it's about trying to salvage a season that has gotten off to a 0-3 start against their ... Read More
Three keys to life without Ben
The news that Ben Roethlisberger will miss the next 4 to 6 weeks of the season was a case of being a good news, bad news scenario. On one hand, when the injury happened in real time, the immediate reaction was that it might be the end of Roethlisberger's season and with it, any hopes of the Steelers being a Super Bowl contender in 2015. On the other hand, the sobering reality is the Steelers now must hand over the reins to Michael Vick, an aging backup who was looking for work well into ... Read More
Three up and Three down: Steelers vs. Rams
Marred by the loss of Ben Roethlisberger to a second half knee injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers were able to get a hard fought road win in St. Louis, defeating the Rams 12-6. Obviously the focus and narrative of yesterday's contest was the loss of Roethlisberger to an MCL sprain that will likely keep him out for at least 4-6 weeks. With a short turnaround game at home against the Baltimore Ravens set for Thursday night, let's review yesterday's game with our weekly Three up and Three ... Read More
Week 3 preview: Steelers look to continue winning ways in St. Louis
After notching their first win of the season in a 43-18 blowout of the San Francisco 49ers, the Steelers head to St. Louis to face the Rams looking to build off the dominant victory. The Rams followed up an impressive home win against the defending NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks with an uninspired 24-10 loss to the Washington Redskins and will look to get back on track at home. Let's preview the match up and make a prediction. When: Sunday, 1 p.m. Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, ... Read More
Donald led defensive front poses massive challenge for Steelers
As Mike Tomlin discussed this week's opponent at his weekly press conference yesterday, the Steelers head coach wasted little time focusing on what is certain to be the biggest challenge when his team travels to the Edward Jones Dome to face the St. Louis Rams Sunday at 1 p.m. That of course would be the Rams outstanding defensive line that is unquestionably as good as the league has to offer. The group is led by Penn Hills native and All-everything University of Pittsburgh standout Aaron ... Read More
Shazier showing signs of becoming next great Steelers linebacker
When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ryan Shazier in the first round of the 2014 draft, the organization was confident that the inside linebacker with dazzling athleticism could make an immediate impact for a defense desperate for playmakers. In fact, it did not take long for the Steelers to name Shazier a starter as rookie, the first to open the season on the defense's first team since Kendrell Bell did so in 2001. Unfortunately, the lofty expectations of making an impact as a rookie starter ... Read More
Three up and Three down: Steelers vs. 49ers
It looks like the Pittsburgh Steelers did not get the memo that their season was on course to be a miserable one after last Thursday's frustrating loss to the New England Patriots. After looking completely out of sorts on defense and failing to capitalize of a multitude of opportunities on offense in the season opener, the Steelers returned to Heinz Field and put together a dominant team effort in defeating the San Francisco 49ers, 43-18. Offensively, Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and ... Read More