The Pittsburgh Steelers reach the midway mark of their 2014 NFL campaign on Sunday when they take on the red-hot Indianapolis Colts at Heinz Field. It has been a wildly inconsistent first half of the season for the 4-3 Steelers, who have alternated between wins and losses through their first seven games and have been a betting disappointment, posting a mediocre 3-4 record ATS. Still, despite their struggles, the Steelers enter Week 8 in the playoff conversation and just a game off the ... Read More
Is Steelers WR Bryant emerging as a viable option in passing game?
When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Martavis Bryant in the fourth round of the 2014 draft, they knew they were getting one of the best deep threats in college football. After all, Bryant averaged an astounding 22.2 yards per catch during his career at Clemson, and many of his 13 touchdown receptions were on long, splash plays. So when Bryant's first NFL catch ended up being a 35-yard touchdown, could anyone really be surprised? In an interview with PG's Ray Fittipaldo, Bryant ... Read More
Steelers Report Card after big win vs. Texans
The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a win badly Monday night against the Houston Texans and got one, but some questions still remain. Were the Steelers that good or did the Texans gift wrap a win for them? Not being able to get a first down late in the first half gave Ben Roethlisberger the ball back with enough time to hit Martavis Bryant with a touchdown pass. Not being able to handle the ensuing kickoff meant Houston had to start deep in its own territory and one play later ... Read More
Steelers climb back from slow start; stun Texans 30-23
The Steelers preached patience all week after their shellacking in Cleveland to fall to 3-3 and boy did they show it on Monday night. Pittsburgh fell behind early but stormed back thanks to two Houston turnovers that led to 21 points within 1:13. Le'veon Bell had 145 total yards and a touchdown en route to a 2 for 3 effort in the red zone for the Steelers. Arian Foster went off in the first quarter, racking up 59 yards en route to a 10 play, 94 yard touchdown drive, capped off by an 11 ... Read More
Texans visit as Steelers aim to fix problems
Monday Night Football in Week 7 of the NFL season will feature two teams with identical records, as the Houston Texans (3-3) come to Heinz Field to play the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3). Houston, led by former first-year NFL head coach and former Penn State coach Bill O'Brien, has lost two straight in a difficult stretch of schedule. Losses at Dallas and home to Indianapolis have QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Texans reeling a bit after a 3-1 start. They will try to keep a record above .500 despite ... Read More
Steelers should make a few subtle changes…at least for now
For what it's worth, the general consensus amongst fans and the media in Pittsburgh this fall is that changes need to be made. Even at 3-3, expectations have not been met by the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin, and it is difficult to form an argument otherwise. The team has been dominated, albeit on the road, at division foes Baltimore and Cleveland. There was the loss to Tampa Bay and the less-than-stellar victory against Jacksonville. Both of those Floridian teams have one win between the ... Read More
Patience will be needed with Mike Tomlin.
Though the Steelers will head into their Monday night matchup with the Houston Texans with a 3-3 record, you would get the impression from the reaction of fans that they are neck and neck with the winless Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars for the first pick in the 2015 draft. Listening to the reactions on local talk radio these days is pure gold, as many fans would just assume fire all the coaches and most of the players. That's what happens in sports, fans react, and the reaction is ... Read More
Don’t look now…Steelers a step behind the Browns, among others
In 2014, the National Football League is one in which there are weekly stories regarding player suspensions and arrests. It is one in which the Dallas Cowboys, who appeared to have no semblance of a defense entering the season, are 5-1 after they just beat the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in front of that loud and proud "12th man" crowd. It is one in which Tom Brady and Drew Brees have shown signs of mortality, Bruce Arians leads a 4-1 Arizona team, and players are being fined more for ... Read More
Steelers Report Card after disappointing loss to Browns
Another Sunday has come and gone and for Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers, that means yet another disappointing loss, this time a 31-10 beat down at the hands of the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers were dominated in this one and there is a lot of blame to go around. Were there any positives to take away from yet another disappointing performance? I take a look in my latest Steelers Report Card. Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger did not play well and only completed 50 percent of his passes, his ... Read More
Browns use big second quarter to pummel Steelers
The Cleveland Browns (3-2) proved that they are a force to be reckoned with Sunday, dominating the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) at FirstEnergy Stadium in a 31-10 victory. Cleveland's win avenged an earlier loss this season, when Pittsburgh won 30-27 on a last-second field goal in the Week 1 season opener. Pittsburgh controlled the game early, leading 3-0 after one, but squandered opportunities kept that lead small and short-lived. The Browns completely turned the tables in the second quarter, ... Read More