Steelers Central

Shocked Back to Reality

On this episode of Steelers Central, the Steelers are who they thought they were. They are an average football week with popcorn issues popping up game after game. They will be 9-8/10-7 by season's end, being in the same mid spot they were last year. The defense played better, aside from a splash play in the pass game and a few runs by the Chargers. The offense stunk and looked far from the unit that was at least average earlier in the season. They will bounce back, and the defense will regress a little. Overall, this is just a really average football team. From a winners and losers standpoint, Aaron Rodgers played his worst game of the year, the Steelers generated a lot of pressure, the third-down offense stunk, and Jaylen Warren remains the only consistent player on the Steelers' offense. 0:00-21:49 Steelers vs Chargers Recap 21:50-41:03 Steelers vs Chargers: Winners and Losers

Rodgers Revenge Game?

On this episode of Steelers Central, I'll explain why it is make-or-break time for this Steelers defense in an important SNF game. This is looking more and more like a statement game for this Steelers team. The Steelers must take away TE Tucker Kraft, run the air out of the football, and get off the field against a balanced GB offense that can beat in a multitude of ways and with a variety of weapons. There will also be some key matchups that will take place in this game that the Steelers must win. Of course, it starts with the young tackles on both sides of the LOS against Micah Parsons and Rashaan Gary. If the Steelers can limit those two, they should be in a better position to push the ball down the field.. Then it starts on the other side of the ball, with limiting a GB rushing attack that has been the 7th-best over the last two weeks and not having them run over 70 snaps against this defense. Lastly, whichever defensive line can pressure the opposing QB and limit the short passing could very well decide this game. If Pittsburgh adjusts well to what they saw last week with Cincy getting the ball out quickly and attacking with short routes, the Steelers will have a good game plan in stopping GB's offense that loves short passing, and Jordan Love thrives off of it. Will the Steelers win or lose this game? That is the million-dollar question. The Steelers are 16-5 when wearing alternate uniforms under Mike Tomlin and 7-2 immediately following a TNF loss. I'll tell you why this game will be close, but why I think the Steelers win in a sloppy contest. 0:00-16:20 Steelers vs Packers: Keys to Victory 16:21-33:30 Steelers vs Packers: Matchups to Watch 33:31-38:08 Game Predictions

UNLEASHING on Tomlin TNF Woes

On this episode of Steelers Central, we look through the disappointing defensive performance that Pittsburgh put up on Thursday night. This was a game that the Steelers should have won, but Tomlin's defense yet again failed to show up against an inferior opponent. I unleash on him, Terryl Austin, and the NFL's highest-paid defense for their abysmal performance while the offense puts up 30. It all came down to a weak performance from the front seven, allowing 146 yards on just under six YPC while allowing Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins to combine for 22 receptions for 257 yards and two TDs. There were some winners in this game, though, with Aaron Rodgers throwing for four TDs and just under 250 yards. Jaylen Warren was his usual pinball self, owning the Cincinnati defensive front. Pat Friermuth led all Steelers with six receptions for 111 yards and two TDs, with both Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington each recording a TD too. The big people up front deserve their flowers as well, not allowing a sack and averaging over seven YPC. Defensively, though, the front seven, secondary, along with Mike Tomlin and Terryl Austin, were abysmal, with no adjustments, no creativity, bland coverages allowing the Bengals WRs to win easily and own the MOF. 0:00-27:38 Steelers vs Browns Analysis 27:39-52:29 Steelers vs Bengals Winners and Loser

Will the Steelers Get Over Their TNF Woes?

On this episode of Steelers Central, it's time to discuss whether the Steelers will get over their TNF woes or make a statement win over the Cincinnati Bengals. This realistically should be a game that the Steelers dominate and control from start to finish, but that has not been the case in recent years. Tomlin is 0-6 vs road divisional opponents on a short week, so this may be more challenging than people think. The keys to victory for this game will be decided by how well the Steelers defend the Bengals' perimeter players in Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins. Slay, Porter, and Ramsey must not let these guys feast. For the Steelers, it will be to control TOP with a dominant run game. The Bengals will be without Trey Hendrickson, and they are not a good run-stuffing team up front. Keeping the ball on the ground and draining the clock will be the top priority for the Steelers. As for the matchups, look out for the Steelers' offensive line vs the Bengals' defensive line, the Bengals' offensive tackles vs the Steelers' edge rushers, and how well the Bengals tackle against the Steelers' RBs and WRs, all of which will be under a microscope to not allow big gains. Why the Steelers will win this game easier than people think, and the mentality will be much different than last year's TNF game against the Browns. 0:00-16:40 Steelers vs Bengals: Keys to the Game 16:41-31:05 Steelers vs Bengals: Matchups to Watch 31:06-38:50 Steelers vs Bengals Predictions

The Streak Continues in Pittsburgh

The Steelers notched their third straight win, eighth straight after their bye week, and beat Cleveland in the regular season at home for the 22nd consecutive year. The defense did not allow a TD. The offense ran for 100 yards with Rodgers throwing for two TDs. It was an all-around performance for this Steelers team, going up against arguably the best defense in the NFL. See why this matchup got me excited about this team's potential as we head down the stretch into more formidable play. As always, we'll get into our (mostly) winners and losers from the Browns game, including DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, the Steelers Edge Rushers, along with penalties and missed TO opportunities. See what we had to say about all of them. 0:00-20:48 Steelers vs. Browns Analysis 20:49-39:46 Steelers vs. Browns: Winners and Losers