Charlie Batch was once a franchise quarterback. From 1998 to 2001, he started 46 games for the Detroit Lions. As a rookie, he handed off to Barry Sanders. In Batch’s first full season as a starter, he led the hapless Lions to the playoffs; it would be their last postseason appearance until 2011. Byron Leftwich was once a franchise quarterback. From 2003 to 2006, he started 44 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars. As a rookie, he took over as the starter for Mark Brunell, an original member of ... Read More
Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card Following Monday Night Win
Saying the Pittsburgh Steelers win over the Kansas City Chiefs was ugly, is putting it mildly. But despite how bad it looked, a win is a win and for the Steelers that means four in a row. However this win, in sloppy conditions came with a price as both Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) and Ryan Clark (concussion) went down with injuries. As the Steelers now have a short week before facing Baltimore next Sunday night, here’s a look at how they graded out across the ... Read More
Steelers avoid the trap game; lose Ben in process
The Pittsburgh Steelers came out of this sloppy Monday night football game with a win in overtime against the Kansas City Chiefs 16-13. But the biggest story may be the injury to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who ended up leaving the game in the third quarter with an apparent shoulder injury. He did not return to game. Both teams came out fired up for this primetime game on Monday night as the Chiefs got the scoring started in the first quarter on their second drive. Tight end Tony Moeaki ... Read More
Steelers win in OT, lose Big Ben to injury
PITTSBURGH -- Their franchise quarterback on his way to the hospital, the momentum firmly on the other side of the field after a stunning last-minute rally by one the NFL's worst teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers appeared lost. Then linebacker Lawrence Timmons provided a reminder that -- Ben Roethlisberger or no Ben Roethlisberger -- Pittsburgh's identity begins and ends with defense. Timmons intercepted Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel on the second snap of overtime and Shaun Suisham ... Read More
Steelers O-Line Leading the Way
Many have made a case for Ben Roethlisberger to be the team's MVP in the first half of the season. It's easy to see why with over 2,200 yards, 16 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. Not to mention the fifth best quarterback rating in the league at 101.1. Make no mistake, if the Steelers want to win the division and compete for a seventh Super Bowl, they'll need Ben Roethlisberger to be his best. And the group responsible for protecting Ben has been equally as good through the first eight ... Read More
Week 10 Fantasy Advice
Start QB Carson Palmer- Palmer had a big fantasy week last week against the Bucs, with 36 points. With the Raiders’ top two running backs both hurt, he will likely again be forced to pass a ton and should be fairly productive against a beat-up Ravens defense. HB Mikel Leshoure- Leshoure probably won’t score three touchdowns again like he did last week. But he’s worth starting against a Vikings defense that has allowed a running back to score in each of their last three games. HB CJ ... Read More
NFL Week 10 key games
Atlanta at New Orleans: Atlanta is heading into New Orleans at 8-0 while the Saints are a disappointing 3-5. The Saints are coming into Sunday's game on a two-game win streak, and the offense is consistently putting up points. As of late, the defense has looked slightly better, which isnt saying much since they are still ranked in the bottom in the NFL in most defensive categories. I see the high-flying Falcons pass offense putting up huge numbers on Sunday, and the Falcons have just enough ... Read More
Deem’s Week 10 NFL Picks
Our Matt Deem makes his week 10 NFL projections. Buffalo at New England -11 NY Giants -4 at Cincinnati San Diego at Tampa Bay -3 Denver -4.5 at Carolina Tennessee +6 at Miami Oakland +9 at Baltimore Atlanta -3 at New Orleans Detroit -1 at Minnesota NY Jets at Seattle -6 Dallas -2 at Philadelphia St. Louis +11.5 at San Francisco Houston +1 at Chicago Kansas City +12.5 at Pittsburgh ... Read More
Is Steeler Nation ready for a Troy-less era?
In football and other sports, there is a "what have you done for me lately" mentality. Is it fair? Probably not. But sports fans have short attention spans, and some are just uneducated. It's not their fault. It is what it is. For some, they ask the questions that some don’t have the guts to ask. In some instances, they ask the questions that others just don't happen to think of. Recently some football fans that I know asked the question that has really never crossed my mind. Is it time for Troy ... Read More
Steelers vs. Chiefs preview
Bit by hard-fought bit, the Pittsburgh Steelers are ascending the ranks of the AFC North, and now stand above hardened rivals Cincinnati and Cleveland. The Steelers continue to trail the Ravens by a smidgen, but optimism is flourishing in the Steel City entering Week 10 of the regular season, thanks greatly in part to a highly favorable matchup. The struggles of the Kansas City Chiefs thus far in 2012 are many and well-documented, most notable among them being the difficulty finding a secure ... Read More