Beer We Go Steelers

One week after appearing to fritter away a golden opportunity and being completely jobbed by the referees, the Pittsburgh Steelers bounced back from their misery in Cleveland to claim their first AFC North title in five years.

In a winner-take-all showdown that lived up to every bit of the hype, the Steelers outlasted the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 on Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium. The North was secured when Ravens kicker Tyler Loop sent a 44-yard field goal attempt wide right with no time remaining, sparking a celebration in Pittsburgh years in the making.

This game was exactly why the Steelers waited almost an entire offseason to land Aaron Rodgers. While the offense sputtered early once again. Rodgers proved why he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer, he absolutely came through when they needed him most. Battling the elements, technical glitches and lousy officiating.

Twice in the final four minutes, Rodgers led the Steelers to touchdowns after the Ravens had snatched the lead. His “calm in the storm” will define this game for years. He finished with a season-high 294 passing yards (31-of-47), and he did it with a depleted receiving corps that was missing DK Metcalf.

The most important of those yards came with 55 seconds left: a 26-yard strike to Calvin Austin III for the game-winning score. The only negative you could say was he did it too fast! Austin, who started the final drive with a 16-yard snag, actually helped devise the winning play in the huddle, hitch-and-go that left the Ravens’ secondary in the dust. Pat Freiermuth chipped in with three catches for 51 yards.

With the passing game finding its legs late, the heavy lifting early came from the backfield. Jaylen Warren was a workhorse with 99 scrimmage yards, while Kenneth Gainwell, the team MVP, racked up 74 total yards.

Gainwell was a massive safety valve for Rodgers, hauling in eight catches for 64 yards out of the backfield. He also punched in a clutch 2-yard touchdown run late in the fourth to give the Steelers a temporary 20-17 lead.

The defense played well but had so many lapses it was frustrating to watch. There were blunders all over the field in the fourth quarter, particularly in the secondary. Jalen Ramsey had a uncharacteristically rough outing, allowing Zay Flowers to get behind him for two long touchdowns (50 and 64 yards).

Alex Highsmith missed a huge sack on Lamar Jackson on 3rd-and-4 that allowed Jackson to escape and find Flowers for that first long score.

However, when they needed plays, the big names showed up. T.J. Watt, returning from lung surgery, snagged a massive interception that set up a third-quarter field goal. Keeanu Benton and Derrick Harmon were stout in the middle, with Harmon adding a sack.

Cam Heyward continues to defy Father Time, leading the team with seven tackles and leading the second-half effort to keep Derrick Henry in check. If anyone needed this win, it was Heyward. Still stinging from last year’s Wild Card exit where the Ravens gashed the Steelers for 299 rushing yards and pushed the front seven all over the field.

Heyward played like a man possessed. He wasn’t just a leader; he was the key member of the attack. Heyward finished with a team-high seven tackles (five solo), but his impact went far beyond the stat sheet.

After allowing Derrick Henry to rip off a 41-yard run on the very first play of the game, a play where Heyward was actually tripped and struggled to get up, the captain settled in. He spearheaded a defensive front that held Henry to just 85 yards on his final 19 carries. While T.J. Watt got the glory for the third-quarter interception, it was Heyward who made the play possible by batting Lamar Jackson’s pass at the line of scrimmage.

He even contributed on offense. After an unsuccessful “Spartan formation” push earlier in the game, Cam checked back in during the third quarter to help “tush push” his brother, Connor Heyward, over the line for a crucial first down that eventually led to the Steelers’ first touchdown.

Special teams were also a roller coaster and nearly cost the Steelers the game; Chris Boswell drilled a 57-yarder but missed a crucial extra point that nearly cost the game. The kickoff coverage also faltered late, allowing the return that set up Loop’s final attempt.

While the division title is home, Tomlin has plenty to clean up. The back-end coverage remains a concern, and the offense cannot afford these slow starts in January.

But for now? The Steelers have finally gotten off the schneid. They are AFC North Champions and have a date with the Houston Texans on Monday night. With DK Metcalf set to return to the team today, the momentum is officially back in the Burgh.

After the calls for his firing and all the off-field distractions. Tomlin deserves immense credit for keeping this group’s belief high when things looked dire. This team has a chance to win a playoff game for the first time since 2017. Buckle up.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Going with two (it’s my blog) Cam Heyward who is the quintessential Pittsburgh Steeler and of course Aaron Rodgers who showed up biggest when the lights were brightest. Both provided veteran leadership. Also Considered: T.J. Watt for the big interception, also how about a shoutout to the offensive line for putting together a tremendous day.

Beer of the Game: Had to go to old faithful…Miller Lite! Have always had a great track record and went with this over IC Light. KGB went Blue Moon with blood orange wedge.

“Steel the Snacks”: We did “Steel the Snacks” this time KGB whipped up some Baltimore Pit Beef, and let me tell you, it was mowed down.

For those who haven’t had it, this isn’t your typical low-and-slow BBQ. This is top round beef, seasoned heavy, grilled over high heat to a perfect medium-rare, and sliced paper-thin. KGB served it up on sliders: piled high on a kaiser roll with plenty of raw onions and a massive smear of “Tiger Sauce” (that heavy horseradish and mayo mix).

It was spicy, it was messy, and just like the Steelers’ defense in the fourth quarter, it had a lot of “kick” to it. Honestly, watching Tyler Loop’s kick sail wide right while finishing off a Pit Beef sandwich might be the highlight of my season.

My stat of the week: TEN as in 10-time AFC North Champions and the Steelers 25^th division title. The most in AFC North (Central) history, here is the breakdown:

• Pittsburgh Steelers: With the 2025-26 title, the Steelers now have 25 total division championships. They lead the division in both the modern “North” era and the original “Central” era.
• Baltimore Ravens: While they have the fewest total titles, it is important to remember the franchise only began in 1996. Seven of their eight titles have come since the 2002 realignment.
• Cincinnati Bengals: Their most recent run of dominance included back-to-back North titles in 2021 and 2022.
• Cleveland Browns: The Browns have yet to win the division since the NFL realigned into the North in 2002. Their last division title came in 1989.
• The “Defunct” Champions: Before 2002, the AFC Central also included the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (3 titles) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2 titles).

My thoughts on next week: The Steelers will play on Monday Night Football, the hardest part of playing the Ravens is both teams hammer each other and usually guys get hurt. The extra day was so important. The team that showed up in the second half minus the miscues could beat anyone. They are going to have to earn it, playing one of the best defenses in the Texans.

Jersey of the Week: Cam Heyward, 97, White away jersey. I picked the away jersey even though we were home, in honor of the Feast of the Epiphany which was celebrated this weekend at my church, The colors are white and gold!

After winning three consecutive games to put themselves in a position to clinch the AFC North, the Steelers didn’t just lose in Cleveland, they blew it. A 13-6 loss to the Browns, with a division title and playoff berth on the line, is a debacle that ranks among the worst “Tomlin Specials”.

The team was flat early, fell behind by double digits, and spent the afternoon in a desperate catch-up mode against one of the league’s elite defenses. While some will point to the failed 4th-and-1 in the first half as the turning point, the issues ran much deeper than a single gamble. Tomlin’s aggressiveness has fueled this winning streak, but the execution and play-calling from Arthur Smith on Sunday was baffling if not infuriating.

Despite having the personnel for it, Smith repeatedly shied away from the “Steel Shove” or whatever it is called these days, in short-yardage situations, opting for traditional groupings that the Browns teed off on. The low point? A 3rd-and-1 near midfield where Aaron Rodgers tried to direct a muddle huddle that ended in a Dylan Cook illegal procedure penalty. Whether it was the ill-fated fade away play to Scotty Miller on 4th down or the lack of creativity, Smith’s game plan was exposed.

It’s hard to fathom the decision-making late in the game. With everything on the line, Aaron Rodgers targeted Marquez Valdes-Scantling on three consecutive passes. MVS has nine catches all season and was blanketed by Denzel Ward. A clearly missed PI call from the referees only fueled the disappointment.

It was especially strange because Pat Freiermuth had spent the final drive carving up the Browns’ interior. To watch the veteran QB ignore the hot hand for the low-percentage matchup was baffling. The numbers don’t lie: Rodgers finished with a 64.9 rating, no touchdowns and only 168 yards.

The reality is that DK Metcalf’s outburst in Detroit, punching a fan and earning a two-game suspension, helped cost this team the game and might cost the season. The Steelers lost Darnell Washington during the game and didn’t have Calvin Austin III. Without them, the passing game was comical. The Browns didn’t respect the deep ball, invited the Steelers to take shots at their outside receivers, and the Steelers failed to make a single play.

If this team misses the playoffs, “The Punch” will be remembered as a franchise-altering mistake.

The backfield duo of Warren and Gainwell combined for 90 yards on the ground, but they were non-factors in the air. For an offense missing its primary deep threat, the inability to get Gainwell (3 catches, 12 yards) or Warren (zero catches) involved in the screen game was inexcusable. The one spark of creativity was a 29-yard scamper by Connor Heyward off a “Steel Shove” look, a play that should have signaled to Arthur Smith that Heyward needed more touches, not fewer.

The Steelers started out slow on defense, then figured out Shedeur Sanders and held him in check after the first two series. Defensively, Alex Highsmith was a one-man wrecking crew (2 sacks, 4 hits), and Jack Sawyer notched another interception.  Without T.J. Watt, the pass rush wasn’t consistent enough to rattle Sanders early.

Cam Heyward put together a strong performance and led defensive line with five tackles, but he didn’t get much help from Keeanu Benton or Derrick Harmon, who were quiet for most of the game. He was penalized in a nonsense “roughing the passer” call.

The game’s only touchdown, a lame duck pass to Harold Fannin Jr., saw Kyle Dugger get turned around in coverage. In a game where the offense was inept, the defense needed to score or provide a short field, and they couldn’t quite find that game-breaking play.

Finally, what is going on with Chris Boswell? For the second week in a row, a missed field goal has loomed large. His 54-yard miss in the fourth quarter was the difference between a late-game tie and a desperate, failed comeback. For a team that relies so heavily on “Bos” to bail out a stagnant offense, this slump couldn’t come at a worse time.

The officiating crew was horrible all day and were once again directly involved in the outcome of the day. They had way too many questionable calls and of course the biggest missed call of the day.

The “golden opportunity” was wasted in the Dawg Pound. Now, it’s do-or-die.

The Steelers now find themselves in a familiar, stressful position: having to beat the Ravens to clinch the North and save their season. Will it be another ’24 collapse or will it be the first division title in five years?

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Alex Highsmith who had a big game and set the tone to get the defense back on track. Also Considered, Cam Heyward who played outstanding and was the victim of another HORRIBLE ref call.

Beer of the Game: For the last time ever, I went with Long Ireland Brewing Company; I drank King Keltic hoping to capture some magic from weeks past, it was no such luck this week. KGB went with Bud Light lime.

“Steel the Snacks”: We did “Steel Snacks” since we had done “Steel the Snacks” against Cleveland. It was a medley of sandwiches including Prime Rib, Eggplant, Sausages and Burgers. Solid snack given all the holiday food we had.

My stat of the week: ZERO Sacks for Myles Garrett this season v. the Steelers. It is clear the Steelers game planned to keep him away and for the most part it worked all year.

My thoughts on next week: THIS IS IT! What the NFL wanted, and everyone was hoping for, a meaningful playoff like game to end the NFL Season. You want to be the champs; you have to beat the Ravens. This is what you want.

Jersey of the Week: T.J. Watt, 90, special edition Black Out Jersey, it was a Christmas Gift!

In a season defined by its ups and downs, the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) just provided their most chaotic chapter yet. Sunday’s 29-24 victory over the Detroit Lions was a survival test. From highlight-reel touchdowns to a finish that left the Ford Field crowd in a stunned silence, Mike Tomlin’s squad proved once again that they are at their best when things are at their weirdest.

While the passing game usually grabs the headlines, the ground attack was the difference maker in Detroit. The Steelers bullied the Lions’ front, outrushing them by a staggering 230 to 15 margin.

The star of the show was Jaylen Warren, who notched a career-high 143 rushing yards. The turning point came in the fourth quarter when Warren broke loose on two separate 45-yard touchdown runs. His ability to hit the second level and outrace the Detroit secondary provided the cushion the Steelers desperately needed.

But the play of the game arguably belonged to Kenneth Gainwell. Just before halftime, Aaron Rodgers launched a high-arcing pass that appeared to hit the turf as Gainwell fell. However, a replay review showed Gainwell pinned the ball to his side without it ever touching the ground. In a heads-up play, Gainwell popped to his feet while the Lions’ defense stood frozen, culminating in a 45-yard score that tied the game at 10-10.

While much of the second-half fireworks came from the running game, Aaron Rodgers put together a solid workman like performance. Rodgers finished the day 27-of-41 for 266 yards and a touchdown, but it was his second-half efficiency that kept the Lions’ offense off the field.

After a gritty first half that ended in a 10-10 tie thanks to the “miracle” 45-yard TD to Kenneth Gainwell, Rodgers leaned into the short-to-intermediate game to neutralize the Detroit pass rush. In the second half, Rodgers was surgical, completing over 70% of his passes and expertly navigating a 17-play, 64-yard drive that chewed up nearly 10 minutes of clock. By the time he was done, Rodgers had notched his 23rd touchdown of the year and secured his 19th career win against the Lions.

The game wasn’t without controversy. During the second quarter, DK Metcalf was involved in a physical altercation with a Lions fan. According to reports and broadcast footage, a fan in a blue wig was leaning over the railing and shouting at Metcalf, reportedly using the receiver’s full name, “DeKaylin Zecharius,” to taunt him.

Metcalf responded by throwing a sucker punch toward his face. While no penalty was called on the field, the NFL is certainly going to fine him and suspend him. After the game, Mike Tomlin noted he had heard about the incident but had not yet seen the footage or spoken to Metcalf. On the field, Metcalf finished with four catches for 42 yards, proving vital on several third-down conversions despite the sideline distraction.

The special teams was another rollercoaster performance for Pittsburgh. Corliss Waitman was a weapon in the field position battle, notably booming a 50-yard punt that pinned Detroit deep after Ben Skowronek leveled the returner with a massive “no-return” hit.

However, it wasn’t all perfect. The usually automatic Chris Boswell missed a 37-yard field goal with just 2:05 remaining that would have added a level of comfort to the win. The snap from Christian Kuntz appeared low, and Boswell’s kick clanked off the right upright, setting the stage for the Lions’ final, heart-stopping drive.

The final minute was a tension headache. The Lions appeared to score the winning touchdown twice, only to have both negated by penalties. The final play, a lateral-heavy sequence that ended in a nonsense Jared Goff “touchdown”, was wiped away by an offensive pass interference call on Amon-Ra St. Brown.

The referees were once again WAY to involved in the game. There were so many questionable calls and selective enforcement, it cast a shadow on the game.

In the end it was a great win for the Steelers, as Mike Tomlin noted after the game, “If you’re a competitor, you run to this stuff.” It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was a winning one.

With this victory, the Steelers have guaranteed their 22nd consecutive season without a losing record, a new NFL record and something that aggravates the team’s fan base for some inconceivable reason.

More importantly, they now sit atop the AFC North with their playoff destiny in their own hands. A win against Cleveland next Sunday, or a Baltimore loss to Green Bay, will officially crown the Steelers as divisional champions for the first time since 2020.

Beer We Go Steelers, Beer We Go!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: So as the editor and write, I can pick two and I am, going with Kenny Gainwell and Jaylen Warren, they absolutely were the difference maker, all the press was for the Lion’s excellent tandem, they were outgained 230-15 Also Considered: Aaron Rodgers who had another steadying solid performance and the coaching staff for stepping up with a solid game plan.

Beer of the Game: Riding the hot hand with Long Ireland Brewing Company again; back to the King Keltic. We got bad news last week, the brewery, which is a Long Island staple, will be shuttering at the end of the year. We are going to stay with this for the next few weeks.

“Steel the Snacks”: We did “Steel the Snacks” again, this time KGB made Detroit style pizza, homemade, we had one plain and one pepperoni. They came out in the wild fourth quarter.

My stat of the week: The Steelers had over 481 total yards, two seasons ago this would have seemed like walking on the moon. It had been over two years since they went over 450 yards. EVERYONE in Pittsburgh HATES this stat, but this is the 22^nd season the Steelers have had a winning record.

My thoughts on next week: The Steelers face a dangerous Browns team. The Browns season is all but over, this is their Super Bowl, and they will have Shedeur Sanders behind Center. This is dangerous with the Ravens looming in the last week of the regular season. A win clinches the AFC North for the first time since 2020.

Jersey of the Week: Called an audible, I usually go with whatever the team is wearing, so I was supposed to go with an away jersey. I went with Mike Webster, Home Black, 52. Mike is one of my favorite players and just felt like this was the right choice. Also wore my Franco Harris socks for the Immaculate Reception anniversary this week.

What a difference fifteen days make?

Just over two weeks ago, the atmosphere at Acrisure Stadium was toxic. The Steelers were reeling and the fans were calling for Mike Tomlin’s job and, in a rare move of desperation, even booing “Renegade.” But last night, under the bright lights of Monday Night football, the script was flipped. As the opening notes of the Styx classic echoed through the cold Pittsburgh air, 65,000 towel-waving fans had what they have been waiting for all season, a strong and decisive win.

The Steelers handled the Miami Dolphins 28-15 in a wire-to-wire victory that didn’t just feel like a win; it felt like a statement. With three weeks left in the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to get stronger v. last season where they faded down the stretch.

The first 25 minutes of offense looked like it was going to be another ineffective performance. The Steelers started 0-for-7 on third downs, and the pass protection looked leaky. But once Aaron Rodgers found his groove, and it was a masterclass in how to play Quarterback in the “weighty moments”.

Rodgers led the offense on four consecutive touchdown drives, finishing 23-of-27 for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps most importantly, he hasn’t thrown an interception since that Week 10 trip to LA. Rodger’s engineered the crushing blow, the play of the night came in the third quarter: a 3rd-and-11 strike to DK Metcalf, who proceeded to toss old friend Minkah Fitzpatrick into the land of irrelevance on his way to a 28-yard score.

While Rodgers provided the flash, the win was built on a tough ground game. After a sluggish first half, the offensive line took over, mauling the Dolphins and wearing them down, creating the running room for 108 of the 135 rushing yards came in the second half. That is the definition of wearing a team down. Kenneth Gainwell was the spark plug, jump-starting the second half with a 38-yard burst. He finished with 126 yards from scrimmage (80 rushing, 46 receiving). Give credit to Jaylen Warren toughed it out through an illness to add 48 yards.

Even the tight ends got in on the ground game! Connor Heyward opened the scoring with a “tush push”, something that the Steelers continue to improve on and Jonnu Smith capped it off with a 14-yard end-around touchdown.

Teryl Austin deserves a ton of credit. Playing without T.J. Watt and rookie Derrick Harmon, “the strength of the pack is the pack”, mentality was on full display.

The game plan was very simple: Stop De’Von Achane and Dolphins run that propelled them into their 5-1 streak and make Tua Tagovailoa beat them.

Patrick Queen (10 tackles) and Malik Harrison played downhill all night, holding one of the league’s most explosive backs to just 60 yards. When Tua did look to pass, the secondary stayed disciplined. Asante Samuel Jr. nabbed his first interception as a Steeler, and Jalen Ramsey showed his former team he’s still got plenty left in the tank with six tackles and a sack.

Mike Tomlin remains undefeated at home on Monday Night Football. More importantly, he is exercising the ghosts of last season. Arthur Smith adjusted his play-calling in the second half, and the defense won even without their top defensive star. We went from “Oust Tomlin” to “AFC North Leaders” in the span of two weeks. The road only gets more narrow from here.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Aaron Rodgers who has put together back to back wins, after people were calling him “washed”, was 23-27 and put up 224 yards with two touchdowns. Also Considered: Dylan Cook who had a solid outing playing Left Tackle, Cam Heyward and the front set the tone for the defense.

Beer of the Game: Went with Long Ireland Brewing Company again; their classic Celtic Ale. We got bad news this week, the brewery, which is a Long Island staple, will be shuttering at the end of the year. We wanted to support them and give them a proper sendoff.

“Steel the Snacks”: The magic returned for the snacks. We did “Steel the Snacks”, in honor of D-man’s return and his birthday, KGB crushed it, with Cuban Sandwiches. The Steelers scored the first half touchdown when they came out.

My stat of the week:  The Steelers improved to 22-3 under Mike Tomlin on Monday Night Football, he is 12-0 at home and 10-3 on the road! Big win last night!

My thoughts on next week: The Steelers will have their hands full with a tough Lions team, that was totally jobbed last week by the refs.

Jersey of the Week: NO jersey this week, because of business, I went with a black sport coat, gold shirt and a Steelers pocket silk for my meetings yesterday.

AFC North is Right Again 

For one week at least, all was right again in the Steelers universe. Just seven days after “Fire Tomlin” chants echoed through Acrisure Stadium, Mike Tomlin brought his club to Baltimore and walked out victorious after beating the Ravens 27-22 in a typical rough and close battle. The win puts the Steelers alone in first place in the AFC North.

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith came out with an aggressive mindset, dialing up big plays early that gave the Steelers the lead. Aaron Rodgers, playing with a soft cast after talking the medical staff into letting him play or, as he put it, going “rogue”, had his best game in over a month. He threw for a season-high 284 yards and a touchdown, breaking out the classic discount double-check celebration on his 1-yard touchdown run that opened the scoring.

This was the type of performance the Steelers signed Rodgers for. Despite a less-than-perfect finish, he set the tone immediately with a 52-yard hookup with DK Metcalf on the very first snap.

DK Metcalf had a monster day, pacing the offense with a season-high 148 receiving yards. The passing game clearly clicked, aided by the debuts of new additions Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Thielen, signed just Tuesday, only had one catch and Valdes-Scantling none, but Rodgers credited their “professionalism” with making a big difference in how well the passing game executed. Metcalf’s explosive plays were enough to carry the receiving corps for the day. Calvin Austin, Ben Skowroneck each chipped in with one catch. Where is Muth??? He had only two catches for nine yards.

While the offense found success through the air, the running game struggled mightily Sunday. The offensive line had a solid day in protection but could never get the running game going. Rodgers was not sacked all game, saying he had “all day” to pick out his receivers.

Their inability to run the ball was glaring when the offense got the ball back with 2:22 left at their own 10-yard line, needing only to run out the clock. Instead, two runs netted 3 yards, and an incomplete pass on third down forced the defense back onto the field.

The Steelers managed to beat the Ravens, but totaling just 34 yards rushing will not be a recipe for success against many other opponents. Kenneth Gainwell led the way with 15 yards on four carries, including a 6-yard touchdown run, Jaylen Warren was held to a miniscule 13 rushing yards.

The Steelers will need to jumpstart the running game for these last four games.

Interestingly, both Gainwell and Warren’s biggest contributions came in the passing game, highlighted by Warren’s massive 38-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter that gave the Steelers a 27-16 lead.

The defense was on the field for an exhausting 77 plays and deserves full marks for pulling out the victory. They delivered an AFC North vintage performance to close the game out.

Alex Highsmith clinched the victory when he blew by Ronnie Stanley to sack Lamar Jackson on the final play, preventing a desperation heave into the end zone. Highsmith finished with seven tackles (three for losses), while T.J. Watt added six, with both players laying the wood on Derrick Henry.

Though the Ravens rushed for 217 yards on 40 carries, it did not feel like the physical dominance of previous seasons. Kudos to Cam Heyward, Yahya Black, and Keeanu Benton for keeping Jackson mostly contained. The defense also overcame losing Malik Harrison early, with Cole Holcomb stepping in to finish with a team-high nine tackles.

The secondary came up huge and made the plays when it was needed most. James Pierre snagged a first-half interception of Jackson, setting up the offense for an early 17-3 lead. Joey Porter Jr. had the defensive play of the game, forcing an incomplete pass on Isaiah Likely’s would-be go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. It was redemption for Porter who was penalized on two questionable calls. The refs completely missed two holding penalties one on T.J. Watt for a Ravens touchdown from Lamarr and the other on Highsmith on the controversial touchdown call.

The special teams had another up and down week. The kickoff team overall struggled, giving the Ravens good field position.  Corliss Waitman rebounded with one of his best games of the season, highlighted by his 53-yard punt with under two minutes left that pinned the Ravens deep in their own territory. That clutch kick forced the Ravens to drive 69 yards, setting the stage for Highsmith’s game-winning sack. Chris Boswell nailed both his field goal attempts.

It was the performance that the team desperately needed and now they control their own destiny.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: DK Metcalf who put a giant number of 148 yards, this was what everyone was waiting for. It set the tone in the game. Also Considered: Alex Highsmith for the big game winning sack, James Pierre who is playing terrific in a starting role and Aaron Rodgers who had a tremendous performance.

Beer of the Game: Long Ireland Brewing Company; King Keltic Red Ale. It is a solid and strong beer; it also comes in pounders, which is what I prefer when watching the game. KGB went Bud Light Lime.

“Steel the Snacks”: No magic this week on the snacks, although they were outstanding. KGB and our amazing niece did the honors of cooking. We did both “Steel the Snacks” and “Steel Snacks”, which included Crab cake sliders borrowing a page out of Baltimore and Chicken Sliders with spicy Heinz 57 sauce. They absolutely crushed the day, although we didn’t get any magic out of them.

My stat of the week: The Steelers’ win yesterday was the 39th head-to-head meeting between Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh, including the playoffs. With that victory, Mike Tomlin improved his record against John Harbaugh to 22-17. This result also gave Tomlin the most head-to-head wins by one coach over another in the Super Bowl era. They are second in the most games between two head coaches, trailing only George Halas and Curly Lambeau, who faced each other 49 times.

My thoughts on next week: The Steelers return to prime time after

Jersey of the Week: Troy Polamalu #43, Away, White Jersey. We needed big plays, went with the big play jersey!

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ season hit a new, desperate low in a 26-7 home beat down courtesy of the Buffalo Bills, dropping the team’s record to 6-6 and making Mike Tomlin’s first losing season appear almost an inevitability. The frustration in Acrisure boiled over in the fourth quarter with the unusual and troubling sounds of “Fire Tomlin” chants.

This felt less like a football game and more like a collapse, marked by the team’s inability to execute the basic tenets of winning football. The defeat was a brutal affirmation of the issues previously raised by the team’s own quarterback, who questioned the squad’s preparation and focus and a direct indictment of the coaching staff.

Holding a slim 7-3 lead at halftime, the Steelers’ chances vanished on the first play of the third quarter. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, returning from a wrist injury, was instantly blindsided by Bills edge rusher Joey Bosa on an Arthur Smith play-action pass call. The strip-sack and fumble, scooped up and scored by Christian Benford, gave the Bills their first lead, setting off an unstoppable avalanche of horrendous gut-wrenching football.

Rodgers’ miserable day continued after he was briefly knocked out of the game with what looked like a broken nose, backup Mason Rudolph promptly threw an interception to set up another Bills touchdown, and Rodgers’ return did nothing to salvage the performance. He finished 10-for-21 for a paltry 121 yards. Rudolph was 0-1 with an interception.

The most frustrating aspect of the loss was the team’s complete physical domination on both lines of scrimmage. Facing the NFL’s 30th-ranked run defense, the Steelers’ running game was nonexistent, managed only 58 yards rushing total. Jaylen Warren led the team with just 35 yards. The offensive line was able to push the Bills but the play calling was so off kilter that the running game never was a factor. Kenny Gainwell had the lone highlight of the day, a brief spark with a one-handed 17-yard catch that set up the team’s only touchdown, he finished with 45 yards from scrimmage.

The play of the entire offense continues to be undermined by a lack of downfield threat and poor execution. Receivers are not getting open, DK Metcalf’s targets were consistently short, and the overall timing and chemistry remain “off.”

A stark example of the offense’s struggles was the complete disappearance of tight end Pat Freiermuth, who was one of the team’s top receivers last year but was shut out with zero catches and zero targets. What has happened to Calvin Austin, Scott Miller and Jonnu Smith, none have been effective. Is it the play calling or the execution or is it both? There is talent here on offense, but they can’t seem to get anything going.

Rodgers further fueled concerns by revealing post-game that one receiver or tight end missed an assignment due to skipping film study that week, pointing to a severe lack of accountability and focus that starts at the top. The fact that any player on a struggling 6-6 team feels “empowered” enough to skip meetings is a clear reflection of a team that has lost its way.

While the Steelers never found a rhythm on the ground. Conversely, the Bills steamrolled the Steelers’ defense for a staggering season-high 249 rushing yards. Bills running back James Cook set the tone with a 19-yard run on the game’s first play, and the Steelers failed to force Buffalo to change its game plan. The performance had eerie parallels to the playoff loss in Baltimore where the Ravens ran for 299 yards, highlighting a recurring and unaddressed physical shortcoming. Defensive tackle Cam Heyward spoke post-game about players being in the wrong gaps, pointing to a systemic issue.

The defense had a strong start, with Brandin Echols intercepting Allen on the first drive. The defensive backs, including Jalen Ramsey (9 tackles) and Joey Porter Jr. (8 tackles), tackled well and limited Allen to just 123 passing yards, but their strong first half was ultimately wasted by the offense’s collapse and the run defense’s frailty.

One week after the Texans demolished Josh Allen sacking him eight times, the Steelers’ elite pass rush, including T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig, failed to sack him even once. They missed several opportunities and allowed him to extend plays and scramble for positive yards. Inside linebacker Payton Wilson led the team with 13 tackles, but there was little resistance on the second level against the Bills’ running backs. Patrick Queen left the game with an injury.

The special teams was a non-factor, although Corliss Waitman once again struggled with a lack luster performance.

The December woes continue for the Steelers. The month that Mike Tomlin and the Steelers once dominated has become a pitfall that has plagued them since 2019. With the possibility of another collapse looking probable, this could push the team to its first losing season under Mike Tomlin’s leadership and igniting a passionate call for change from the fanbase.

Beer We Go Steelers, Beer We Go!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: NO ONE Seriously the game was that bad. Also Considered: Kenny Gainwell had a highlight reel catch, the lone highlight of the game.

Beer of the Game: Long Ireland Brewing Company; Winter Ale returned. It is a very hardy ale and it was solid. Bonus points because they were pounders. KGB went with Bud Light Lime.

“Steel the Snacks”: KGB delivered homemade Buffalo Chicken Tenders and even awesome snacks didn’t help out.

My stat of the week: The embarrassing and humiliating 249 yards rushing for the Bills, there is no formula to win when you can’t stop the run.

My thoughts on next week: This is the Steelers’ last stand. If they can’t beat a very beatable Ravens team the season is over, and it might be the unofficial end of the Mike Tomlin era. Ironically, if the Steelers beat the Ravens this might spell doom for John Harbaugh. This is the definition of a big game.

Jersey of the Week: As the last day of November, Franco Harris #32, Salute to Service.

The Steelers didn’t just lose their crucial late-season battle; they actively threw it away. The 27-24 loss to the Chicago Bears was a systemic breakdown driven by inexplicable coaching decisions and the kind of boneheaded mistakes this team simply cannot afford.

No play loomed larger than Mike Tomlin’s decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 from the Bears’ 31-yard line in the first half. With the chance to go up by 10 points midway through the second quarter, Tomlin pass on a chip-shot 48-yard field goal attempt by Chris Boswell for a failed “tush push” with Connor Heyward. On second effort it looked like it succeeded and the whistle blew after they went forward, but for whatever reason the play was not challenged. Three points loomed large all day.

Tomlin’s post-game justification was admirable but not challenging, was questionable. When you have one of the game’s best kickers giving up points is hard to explain. The lost points and momentum were palpable for the rest of the game.

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith had a terrible game and the play calling once again was inexplicable. On the very first drive, Smith called a pass on 2nd-and-1, which resulted in Mason Rudolph’s interception to DK Metcalf. The Bears immediately scored, seizing early control.

Despite the Bears missing all three starting linebackers, a setup that screamed for old school Steelers football, Smith unnecessarily put the ball in jeopardy. The Steelers were able to move the ball on the ground, and racked up 186 total rushing yards, but given the circumstances, that number should have been north of 200+.

Even with a 21-17 lead in the second half, Smith called for a pass on 2nd-and-4. Rudolph was sacked, forcing a punt and killing a drive that could have extended the lead.

The Steelers’ running back tandem of Kenneth Gainwell (122 yards from scrimmage, including a 55-yard tush-push scamper that led to a TD) and Jaylen Warren (68 yards, one TD) were incredibly effective, but their 34 combined touches were simply not enough on a day tailored for the ground game.

Mason Rudolph, filling in for an injured Aaron Rodgers, showed what he is capable of and what he is not. He had a Jekyll-and-Hyde performance. After a disastrous interception on his first pass, he went 10-for-10 to lead two TD drives and a 21-17 halftime lead. However, the second half saw several crucial mistakes. Rudolph held on to the ball for too long. On one occasion, he was stripped and fumbled from behind when the Steelers were driving for a potential go-ahead score in the third quarter.

Rudolph must demonstrate better pocket awareness, as the offensive line has struggled to protect for lengthy periods all season. The Steelers haven’t shown an ability all season to protect for lengthy periods of time. Rudolph should have thrown the ball away. While he didn’t lose the game, he certainly didn’t win it despite being given several opportunities.

The receiving corps offered Rudolph zero help and passing over the middle is non-existent. With DK Metcalf hobbled by an ankle injury (finishing with just 5 catches for 22 yards), no one stepped up. Calvin Austin III’s 36 yards led the team, and the lack of a field-stretching threat is becoming a critical and frustrating issue.

The defense had the usual unspectacular day that has doomed them all season.

The defensive line and edge rushers vanished after the first quarter. T.J. Watt’s early strip-sack and Nick Herbig’s recovery gave the Steelers a 14-7 lead, the defense recorded zero additional sacks. Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer, splitting time for the injured Alex Highsmith, combined for only four tackles. The interior pass rush was ineffective, giving Bears QB Caleb Williams all day to operate. Cam Heyward, appearing on the injury report Friday with an ankle ailment, was quiet with just two tackles and was double-teamed on nearly every play.

Williams had a field day against the revamped defensive backfield, which appeared to have reverted to its mid-season issues. Williams finished with 239 yards and three touchdowns, highlighted by the now standard Steelers blown coverage, a 25-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore where there wasn’t a Steelers defender within 10 yards. Kyle Duggar dropped an interception that would have thwarted the Bears late first half field goal.

Allowing receivers to run free over the middle has plagued this team all season. The run defense was solid, but scrambles by Williams allowed the Bears to gain 99 yards on the ground. The only bright spot was Yahya Black, who forced and recovered a fumble from D’Andre Swift.

Finally, the special teams had their worst performance of the season, costing the team crucial yards and points. A holding penalty on Ben Skowronek negated a Corliss Waitman punt to the Bears 10-yard line. The re-kick was awful and landed around the 40-yard line. The Bears easily converted the mistake by Skowronek into a go-ahead touchdown. Waitman had by far his worst game as a Pittsburgh Steeler. The Bears racked up 134 yards on kickoff returns to the Steelers’ 63. That’s a back-breaking field flipping statistic for a game decided by three points.

Coach Tomlin indicated that Aaron Rodgers is likely to return next week against the Bills. If the Steelers have any hope of salvaging their season, they must clean up the coaching and mental errors that cost them this game, or we could be headed to a second season in a row collapse.

Beer We Go Steelers, Beer We Go!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Kenny Gainwell, who had an outstanding day on the ground running for 92 yards on only 10 carries. Also Considered: T.J. Watt who moved ahead of his brother J.J. Watt in sacks, it was one of the only bright spots for the defense.

Beer of the Game: I went with Yuengling Golden Pilsner, KGB skipped beer this week.

“Steel the Snacks”: We went with Steelers snacks, we were traveling this week and had a bevy of great snacks including two different flatbreads, a kick ass dip with crackers and vegetables and we eventually moved onto a Thanksgiving type spread.

My stat of the week: This number is mind boggling to me, the loss in Chicago wasn’t just a tough defeat; it was a continuation of a truly cursed historical trend. For some ungodly reason, Soldier Field has always been the single toughest venue for the Steelers in the league, 1-13 all-time against the Bears in the Windy City, is an embarrassing, inexplicable anchor on this franchise’s history. KGB and I went for one of the hottest games in Chicago history, when the Steelers tanked last time, they were in town.

My thoughts on next week: The Steelers are walking into a buzzsaw with the Buffalo Bills coming off a tough defeat on Thursday Night Football. The Bill will have ample time to get ready with the extra days to prepare and the way the secondary is performing this could be a long day.

Jersey of the Week: I went outside the box and wore my Steelers Baseball jersey, there is no number, but it is adorned by BWGSTEELERS.

The Pittsburgh Steelers wrecked the Bengals in a win driven by brilliant adjustments from the beleaguered coaching staff. Mike Tomlin and Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin game in with a solid game plan and executed it perfectly. The final score wasn’t just about offense; it was about redemption and a dominant defensive performance that completely flipped the script from the first meeting.

The defensive strategy was pretty simple, keep the ball out of the hands of the Bengals dynamic receiving core. Last month in Cincinnati, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combined for a mind blowing 256 receiving yards and two touchdowns. In the rematch, they were rendered non-factors by a newly configured secondary, combining for less than 100 yards. Chase, in particular, was held to just 30 yards on three catches and he was doing more fighting than catching. The Bengals’ offense finished with 173 fewer total yards in this game compared to the first matchup.

The biggest plays came from the defense. Strong safety Kyle Dugger turned the tide in the third quarter with a massive 74-yard interception return for a touchdown, putting the Steelers up by 11. Pierre added a second defensive score late in the game with a 32-yard scoop-and-score. Playing for the injured Darius Slay, James Pierre was strong in coverage, matching the effort of Joey Porter Jr. who played well.

While the defense held Cincinnati’s receiving threats in check, the run defense was a little leaky allowing 105 rushing yards.

Inside linebacker Patrick Queen anchored the front seven, leading the team with 10 tackles. On the defensive line, Cam Heyward led the linemen with five tackles, but the interior pass rush was quiet—Keeanu Benton recorded the unit’s lone quarterback hit.

Stepping in for the injured Alex Highsmith, outside linebacker Nick Herbig notched the Steelers’ only sack of the game. T.J. Watt had a quiet day in the box score and drew a ridiculous roughing the passer penalty that extended a Bengals drive.

The offense had an uneven day again. The quarterback situation was a tale of two halves. Aaron Rodgers struggled to move the offense after a perfect start. He led the Steelers to a touchdown on the opening possession, going 3 for 3. However, on the next four drives, he went 6 for 12 before being knocked out late in the first half with a hand injury. The offense managed just 110 yards after the initial 78-yard drive.

Mason Rudolph proved it was the right move bringing him back to Pittsburgh. He came in and put together a solid performance. He was prepared and delivered in relief. Going 12 for 16 for 127 yards and a touchdown, Rudolph was instrumental in creating separation, including a 6-for-7 showing on the fourth-quarter touchdown drive.

Arthur Smith must now work on getting Aaron Rodgers back on track when he returns from injury. In the meantime, the performance from Rudolph showed his value and capabilities.

The offensive line had a strong bounce-back effort, allowing only one sack after giving up three in each of the past two games against the Chargers and Colts. Their protection was particularly crucial in the second half, giving Rudolph time to guide the scoring drives.

The running game was productive, totaling 111 rushing yards, but it came at a cost. Jaylen Warren had 62 yards on 10 carries before exiting in the third quarter with an ankle injury.

Kenneth Gainwell stepped up in a massive way. He was a force after Warren left, finishing with 106 scrimmage yards, 61 of which came on the late touchdown drive that sealed the victory. He also caught his second touchdown of the game to put the Steelers up 27-12.

While Gainwell led all pass catchers with 81 receiving yards, it was tight end Darnell Washington that provided the highlight-reel plays. He bulldozed his way to 67 yards on four catches. A stunning 31-yard catch-and-run saw him stiff-arm and run over two defenders. Washington didn’t score on the play but later converted a critical third down with a 17-yard grab.

The team still needs more from the rest of its receivers, with DK Metcalf catching only five passes for 49 yards and no other receiver having more than one catch.

Both Corlis Waitman and Chris Boswell had their usual professional performances despite the treacherous winds. After a tough week last week, Ke’Shawn Williams left the game with an injury. Kenneth Gainwell and D’Shawn Jamison returned kickoffs, and Calvin Austin III handled the punt return duties.

The referees were once again way to involved in the game. Many of the calls benefited the Steelers and it was still annoying to watch.

In the end it was big and much needed boost for the coaching staff, who were absolutely trashed all week by a restless fan base. The team was absolutely prepared for the Bengals and had the perfect game plan. It should keep the media and the fans under wraps for a week.

Beer We Go Steelers, Beer We Go!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: A lot of good people to choose from here but going with Cam Heyward. The stat lines were solid but not outstanding, however yesterday he passed Mike Webster for second most games in Steelers history. That is quite an accomplishment; and we have been blessed to have had Cam for so long. Also Considered: Mason Rudolph who did a great job coming off the bench. Darnell “Mt.” Washington for his highlight film day.

Beer of the Game: We went with a Pa. standby Yuengling Lager, after running out of it half way through the game last week, we had an ample supply for this week!

“Steel the Snacks”: KGB went hybrid Steel the snacks, she went with Kielbasa and Hot Sausage sandwiches with Skyline Chili. Absolutely phenomenal and we actually had them right before the half when the Steelers hit the field goal.

My stat of the week: This is a historical one, 221 games for Cam Heyward who passed Mike Webster on the Steelers all-time list.

My thoughts on next week: The Steelers will head to Chicago to play the Bears. Steelers need a big performance on both sides of the ball.

The Pittsburgh Steelers limped out of that game looking less like contenders and more like… well, a team in desperate need of some consistency. This week it was the offense who absolutely tanked the game and put the Steelers in a massive hole.

Arthur Smith needs to pull something out of his hat, and he needs to do it fast as the lead on the division and the season itself, seems like it is slipping away. This offense is falling apart, plain and simple. The team didn’t convert a single third down until the fourth quarter. They had two prime early possessions starting at the Charger’s 40 and then in their territory—and only managed three points from a monster 59-yard Boswell field goal. Three-and-outs when you have a kicker like Bos and the field position are unacceptable.

Jaylen Warren put together a solid overall performance with 5.0 yards per carry and 70 yards on the day. The Steelers needed to run game to grind early, and it just wasn’t there. Backup Kaleb Johnson has been a disappointment, he chipped in a paltry two carries for three yards and Kenneth Gainwell, two catches for four yards, offered almost nothing in relief of Warren.

Aaron Rodgers had his worst game of the season and one of the most forgettable games of his illustrious career. The safety in the first quarter was awful and while the protection wasn’t great, he had to have better situational awareness, holding on too long. He tossed an interception right before halftime that was an absolute backbreaker, setting up the Chargers’ for a 12-3 lead and the Steelers never recovered. He finished 16 of 31 for 161 yards and two picks, with the touchdown coming when the game was effectively over. Rodgers has not passed for over 219 passing yards in any of the last three games.

Broderick Jones gave up two sacks, and Troy Fautanu allowed his first sack of the year on the first-quarter safety. The line provided running room, but the pass protection was leaky at best and downright awful at certain points in the game. Rodgers was under duress for most of the game.

The offense needs to figure out a better way to use DK Metcalf. He is effectively being double covered in every game and Rodgers is forced to try and squeeze the ball in throwing these ill-advised fade routes. He is a dynamic playmaker and is being wasted.

Who is stepping up to make plays? With DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson leading the team with a measly 35 receiving yards each, the passing game has regressed. Calvin Austin III had a costly drop that caused Rodgers’ second interception. Jonu Smith had a questionable drop that effectively ended a scoring drive. The tight ends were non-factor in the game, roping in five catches for 52 yards. Pat Freiermuth had 33 of those yards.

Don’t be surprised to see Marquez Valdes-Scantling called up from the practice squad soon; this passing game needs something.

The defense is still a work in progress. They did a good job building off last week’s performance and had an effective outing. However, once again a team found a weakness and the failure to adjust was devastating. Ladd McConkey, lit them up for 107 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Brandin Echols struggled with McConkey, getting burned on the TD and a 58-yard gain. Joey Porter Jr. missed an interception in the first half. Injuries are mounting, but the guys on the field aren’t making the critical plays needed.

After shutting down Jonathan Taylor last week, the defense made the third-string Kimani Vidal look like an elite back, allowing 95 yards on 25 carries. It’s feast or famine against the run.

The pressure from the front seven was solid all game on Justin Herbert, who only managed 220 yards. The D-Line saw production from Keeanu Benton one sack and a busy Cam Heyward, six tackles, pass blocked. Alex Highsmith registered two sacks and T.J. Watt had one sack. Nick Herbig had three tackles and a big sack that looked like it might get the Steelers back in the game. Patrick Queen led the team in tackles with 12 and Malik Harrison has done well filling in on the run defense.

After a big week last week, the special teams had a horrible night. Chris Boswell drilled a 59-yarder but missed 45-yarder in the second quarter that would prove very costly. Returner Ke’Shawn Williams muffed a punt that gifted the Chargers more points and seemed off all-night. Kenneth Gainwell had a nice return. Corliss Waitman put together a workmanlike night, he finished with four punts for 183 yards and dropped two inside the 20.

The coaching staff is going to get crushed this week again in the media world, after laying another egg on prime-time football two out of the last three weeks. Overall, there’s a serious lack of consistency and too many drive-killing errors across the board.

The division lead is slipping away and this team looks like it is on the verge of collapse for a second straight season.

Beer We Go Steelers, Beer We Go!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Considered passing on this but there were Steelers who performed, we are going with Nick Herbig who made a big play. Also Considered: Cam Heyward for a very solid performance. Alex Highsmith with two sacks.

Beer of the Game: This was a hodgepodge much like the Steelers performance, we started with Yuengling Lager and then had to go to Shiner Bock because the bar ran out of it, I finished with Miller Lite hoping to spur a comeback.

“Steel the Snacks”: It was “Steel Snacks” this week, as we watched the game at “The Snuggery” in Palm Beach Gardens. We went with friends and there was great Steelers crowd. It was a true Steelers bar. We had wings, tater tots, hand cut fries and onion rings.

My stat of the week: The Steelers converted their first third down in the fourth quarter. That is just an indicative statistic that summed up the whole night. Too many mistakes, and too inconsistent to beat a team as good as the Chargers.

My thoughts on next week: Revenge of repeat? The Steelers will once again battle the Bengals after they let the game slip away on Thursday night football. Look for a much faster start on offense.

Jersey of the Week: NONE this week, we were traveling and I went with just the Beer We Go Shirt. I also broke out the picture Terrible Towel and brought it to the bar. This is not my actual game towel.

On alumni weekend, The Pittsburgh Steelers finally tuned out the noise and dialed the calendar back to their defensive identity. On Sunday, they harassed Daniel Jones and the AFC-leading Colts into a staggering six turnovers, securing a gritty 27-20 victory.

After a week of being absolutely torched by the press and the fans, the Steelers coaches made the adjustments needed. Perhaps the injuries in the secondary forced their hand, but the simplified game plan was executed to perfection against the NFL’s No. 1 scoring unit.

Maybe it was the inspiration of seeing the 20^th anniversary of the Super Bowl XL team, because it was a return to the familiar, mistake free offense and crushing defense of years past. The Steelers’ victory was fueled by the relentless, suffocating pressure applied by the defense. It was a masterclass in disruption, starting up front and extending all the way to the secondary.

The defense completely neutralized Jonathan Taylor, the league’s leading rusher, holding him to a season-low 45 yards on 14 carries. They forced the Colts into a one-dimensional attack, and Daniel Jones wilted under the heavy pressure, looking more like the quarterback who was run out of New York than the one reinvented in Indianapolis. He dropped back 55 times, throwing three interceptions after being under duress constantly.

The interior presence was anchored by Keeanu Benton, who was consistently in the backfield, racking up five tackles and logging a crucial sack. Right beside him, the veteran Cam Heyward didn’t just tackle (four stops), he actively altered passing lanes, batting down two passes at the line of scrimmage and recovering a pivotal fumble to further fuel the turnover machine.

But the real havoc erupted from the second level and the edge. Payton Wilson played his best as a Steeler. He was leading the charge with a game-high 13 tackles, picking off a pass, and forcing another incompletion with a crucial pass breakup that resulted in a turnover.

Meanwhile, the edge rushers finally reappeared. Alex Highsmith was relentless, finishing with two sacks, one of which was a momentum-shifting strip-sack in the fourth quarter. After the Colts drove down the field on the first drive, they were again on the move. T.J. Watt had the biggest play of the day, causing the first turnover of the game, it was timely, and the team needed it, he recovered his forced fumble.

Even with the veteran safeties out, the cornerbacks stepped up. With his father being celebrated earlier in the day, Joey Porter Jr. delivered a defining performance: he notched a sack and snagged an interception, finishing with four passes defended overall while adding seven tackles.

What can you say about Jalen Ramsey who played free safety for the entire game and had four tackles, and Kyle Dugger, acquired in a trade on Tuesday, started at strong safety and had four tackles. Both played very well. Give Dugger credit, he “jumped on a moving train” as Mike Tomlin put it and he delivered. Every unit contributed to the turnover count that ultimately decided the game.

The offense was opportunistic—scoring 24 points off six turnovers. With six turnovers, the Steelers should have blown the Colt’s out. The Colts battled, scoring ten points in the fourth quarter but the game was pretty much in hand at that point.

The play calling was just off all day and left the Steelers more vulnerable than they needed to be.

The only good news from the last two weeks seemed to fade away. The recent improvement in the running game stalled abruptly. The Colts controlled the line, holding Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell to a combined 1.7 yards per carry. Warren managed two short touchdowns, but that was the extent of the ground highlights. The tight ends had a great day in the passing game. Washington, Freiermuth, and Smith accounted for 95 of the team’s 203 receiving yards. Give credit to Connor Heyward who ran the “tush push” effectively. Calvin Austin III had a solid game, leading the team in receiving yards with 56.

Aaron Rodgers, while not sharp, played another mistake-free game, demonstrating his elite ball security (now 16 TDs to just 5 INTs). However, his frustration with the offense was palpable. He finished with 203 yards and a touchdown pass.

The offensive line must be significantly better against the Chargers next week if this team has any real aspirations on the road. They had a tough day giving up three sacks and never opened the holes needed to get the running game going.

Special teams had a good week after what looked to be a disastrous fake punt that helped the Colt’s keep their drive alive. Corliss Waitman averaged over 50 yards per punt, including a 67-yarder and a crucial 56-yarder that was muffed for the first turnover. Soon as the Steelers hit the middle of the field logo, you start to think they are in Chris Boswell’s range. He blasted both of his two attempts with the longest being 46 yards, moving to 16 for 18 this season. Ke’Shawn Williams continues to be solid as the return man he averaged 11 yards per return. Danny Smith has become a television folk hero; engineering a penalty that buried the Colt’s deep in their territory. They also scored a turnover on a muffed punt.

In the end the Steelers hopefully have begun to rewrite the script for the 2025 season.

Beer We Go Steelers, Beer We Go

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Payton Wilson for his outstanding day, the defense needed a playmaker, and he delivered. He finished with 14 tackles and had an interception he also helped caused an interception. Also Considered: T.J. Watt whose strip sack changed the entire momentum of the game. Shout out to Jack Sawyer on his first career interception.

Beer of the Game: Long Ireland Brewing Company; Winter Ale. It is a very hardy ale and perfect for yesterday’s game. Bonus points because they were pounders. KGB went with Harp.

“Steel the Snacks”: KGB was back and once again the snacks provided a boost, it is our version of Renegade! KGB made the Hoosier Pork Tenderloin sandwich on fresh rolls. It was outstanding and cooked perfectly, we had Pierogies a Pittsburgh staple as the side dish.

My stat of the week: This is a good one, SIX Turnovers but I think what needs to be focused on is 19 carries for 55 yards. The Steelers dominated the Colts running game and put Daniel Jones in the crosshairs.

My thoughts on next week: The Steelers return to Sunday Night Football after the disastrous Packers game, they will battle a tough Chargers team.

Jersey of the Week: In honor of Alumni Weekend and the 20^th anniversary of the Super Bowl XL team, Joey Porter #55 away white. This is not a throwback jersey; this was one of the first Steelers jersey’s I have ever purchased and still have. I also busted out the sideline hat from that season as well.