Beer We Go Steelers

The Steelers came back then blew the game.

The Steelers kept it close and took the lead in the fourth quarter and then forced Jameis Winston to turn it over with less than five minutes remaining. This played into the Steelers usual plan for success. It wasn’t to be, a leaky defense, crazy weather and suspect play calling kept the Steelers from tightening their grip on first place in the AFC North and gave the Browns the 24-19 win.

It was a strange game in none of the units played poorly, but all the units made key mistakes and errors that would eventually cost the Steelers the game.

The Steelers defense had a strong start to the game, forcing several three-and-outs and keeping the Browns offense in check. However, they struggled to contain the Browns late in the game, allowing them to score the game-winning touchdown with 57 seconds remaining.

The defense allowed the Browns to go four for four on fourth down conversions. T.J. Watt was handled effectively and shutout in sacks. The defensive line was tough, but shrunk on the weighty downs. Despite holding the Browns to under 100 yards on the ground they had no push up front. The defense finished with just one sack by Nick Herbig.

The Steelers’ offense struggled in yesterday’s snowy game against the Browns. Despite some explosive plays, including a 46-yard completion to Calvin Austin III, they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Penalties, including a false start on a potential field goal attempt, hindered their progress.

Overall, the offense lacked consistency and struggled to sustain drives in the challenging weather conditions. While Russell Wilson had some solid moments, the team’s inability to finish drives proved costly. Wilson finished with 21-28 for 270 yards and a touchdown. The Justin Fields experiment was exciting but had mixed results. He finished 0-1 passing and the miss was costly. Fields missed a long pass play to George Pickens and the Steelers were forced to punt. Fields rushed for 26 yards on the ground.

The special teams had a rough night in their loss to the Browns. If last week was Corliss Waitman’s best game as a Steeler, last night was his worst. A short punt by Waitman set the Browns up in Steelers territory, setting up the game-winning drive. Chris Boswell missed his first field goal attempt a 58-yard in the snow. He hit his next two attempts including a 48-yarder.

The play calling was suspect yesterday on offense and it cost the Steelers, going 1-3 on fourth downs hurt.

The Steelers will have a little over a week to recover and make this look like a blip on the radar.

BEER WE GO, STEELERS BEER WE GO.

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Calvin Austin III, who led the team in receiving and scored a go-ahead touchdown that didn’t stick. Also Considered: Nick Herbig for his big play strip sack.

Beer of the Game: I went with Smithwicks 16-ounce pounders, one of my favorite beers. KGB stayed with wine which she had with dinner, and we had our oldest guy over for the game.

“Steel the Snacks”: KGB made mini corned beef sandwiches on marble rye with pierogies and hot mustard a Cleveland staple. They came in handy, and the Steelers dominated the third quarter.

My stat of the week:  .000 winning percentage Mike Tomlin’s winning percentage for Thursday AFC North away games. It is an alarming statistic. The Steelers have struggled in these games, the schedule makers did them no favors by having a Thursday away game after a battle against the Ravens. After years of dominance the Steelers have now lost five of six games at Huntington Bank Field.

My thoughts on next week: The Steelers will have just over a week to prepare for the Bengals, who play well enough to lose every week. This is a must win otherwise the press and fans will start to believe this season was a fluke to start.

Jersey of the Week:  Ernie Stautner, #70 Home Black, the godfather of Steeler toughness and the first Steeler to have his number retired.

The Steelers held off the Baltimore Ravens to win 18-16 and take sole possession of 1st place.

When you talk NFL rivalries, the Steelers v. Ravens is always in the conversation. It is defined by hard hitting and timely defense and Sunday’s game held up that standard. The Steelers won the turnover battle and kept the Ravens offensive fire power in check to earn a hard fought 18-16 victory in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

The Steelers front seven led the defensive efforts. They were exceptional in limiting Derrick Henry, the number two leading rusher. Henry was held to just 65 yards on 13 carries. Larry Ogunjobi recorded five tackles, contributing to the overall defensive effort. Cam Heyward chipped in four tackles and two pass breakups, demonstrating his durability and impact on the game. It was a very good day for Dean Lowry who had his first sack of the season.

The linebackers had a dominant performance, creating three turnovers that sunk the Ravens. Nick Herbig, Patrick Queen, and Payton Wilson were the standout performers, each contributing to the team’s success with their impactful plays.

Herbig, forced a fumble from Derrick Henry on the first drive of the game, marking Henry’s first fumble in 538 touches. Queen, who was playing with a chip on his shoulder had a game changing strip of Isaiah Likely late in the first half, leading to a Steelers field goal and a 9-7 halftime lead. Wilson, made a crucial interception with 8:14 remaining in the game, thwarting the Ravens’ potential game-winning drive. T.J. Watt also played a significant role, adding a sack and three tackles to the Steelers’ defensive effort.

The Steelers’ secondary severely limited the Baltimore passing game, with Minkah Fitzpatrick leading the way with seven tackles and DeShon Elliott recovering a fumble.

Joey Porter Jr.’s pressure on Lamar Jackson during the crucial two-point conversion attempt proved to be a game-changing play, preventing the Ravens from tying the game and sending it into overtime. His strong defensive performance, including two passes defended and he did not allow a catch.

The defense effectively limited Lamar Jackson and the high-powered Ravens offense, holding them to just 207 passing yards and a low quarterback rating.

What else can you say about Chris Boswell, who was the difference in the game. Boswell accounted for all the Steelers points, kicking six field goals on the day. The second time he has done that this season. Three of the six were 50-plus yards. He’s now 29 for 30 on the season, with his lone miss coming from 62 yards.

Najee Harris ground out 63 yards bruising yards on 18 carries, the most important yard coming on 3rd-and-1 with 54 seconds left to ice the game. Jaylen Warren chipped in 41 yards on nine carries. Justin Fields came in and ran twice for 17 yards, with a gaffe of missing the first down mark that would have ended the game.

Russell Wilson battled and finished the game with 23-36 for 205 yards passing with no touchdowns. It was an uneven performance, but it was good enough to get the job done. George Pickens led the team in yards 89 and catches 8. Darnell Washington is starting to be a threat in the passing game, he contributed with 42 yards.

The coaches had a good game plan and executed it, leaving the Steelers atop the AFC North. It is a short turnaround as the Steelers head to Cleveland on Thursday night.

BEER WE GO, STEELERS BEER WE GO.

My “GAME BEER” goes to: A lot of people for consideration, but going with the difference maker in the game, that is “Little Bos” Chris Boswell, who accounted for all the Steelers points. Also Considered: Payton Wilson for a KEY interception, Patrick Queen, who is getting better every week and was able to stuff his old team, forcing a key fumble. The defensive line as a unit. Joey Porter Jr. who didn’t give up a catch and decked Lamar Jackson on the two-point conversion.

Beer of the Game: I went with Modello, advertising played a role as I was originally planning on going with Smithwicks, but the commercial inspired me and yes we had the beer on hand! KGB stayed with Flannel Fest from Sam Adams and finished the game with Yuengling Lager, both had a sugar rim.

“Steel the Snacks”: KGB went with Maryland style crab cakes and homemade chipotle mayo and honey mustard. What else would you choose? It was a dominant performance for the snacks as the game changed when they came out.

My Stat of the week:  So many to choose from but must go with the obvious one, the Ravens came in averaging 32 points a game. They scored 16 points on the day, that is a mine blowing stat. The national media felt like this was the week the Steelers would finally get exposed, it clearly didn’t happen. Consider the Steelers have won eight of the last nine vs. the Ravens, even if you do not count the pandemic year, which I wouldn’t, it has been a great run in the rivalry. All the games are competitive.

My Thoughts on next week: As in THIS week, like Thursday night. The Browns would love to knock off the Steelers and playing a short week after playing the Ravens is a pretty rough way for the schedule makers to jam up the Steelers. Records aside this is a grudge match.

Jersey of the Week:  T.J. Watt, #90 Home Black, was trying to help T.J. bust out after a “slump”.

The Steelers made key mistakes, blew a lead then fell behind by two scores and still found a way to comeback and pull out the victory edging Washington 28-27.

People questioned the move to Russell Wilson, but it is becoming clear why he is playing. After a sluggish start, Russell Wilson turned the tide with a dramatic 32-yard TD pass to Mike Williams, capping a late-game comeback. Despite early struggles and several miscues, Wilson’s clutch playmaking and red-zone efficiency ultimately secured the win. His stat line was his worst of the season, he finished the game 14-28 with a 195-yards, three touchdowns and an interception. His biggest play of the day though, might be drawing Washington offsides on the last play to seal the game.

Jaylen Warren led the Steelers’ rushing attack with 66 yards, but a questionable fumble near the goal line threatened to cost them the game. Najee Harris, 100-yard game streak, struggled to find his rhythm. He did manage a 53-yard TD run to bring the Steelers within three points. Cordarrelle Patterson returned to action after an injury, contributing 14 yards on three carries.

Mike Williams made his one play count, with a game winning touchdown, less than a week after being acquired. He came in after Calvin Austin III was injured. George Pickens contributed with five catches and 91 yards, including an outstanding touchdown catch.

Cam Heyward stepped up with two big sacks. The defensive line, which struggled against the Giants, limited the Commanders to just 60 rushing yards and held super rookie Jayden Daniels in check all-day. Keeanu Benton made a crucial tackle for loss on a late quarterback run, and Larry Ogunjobi contributed with three tackles and a holding penalty drawn. T.J. Watt had a quiet day on the stat sheet, but he should have been credited with a safety after he was held in the endzone. Watt had two quarterback hits and Alex Highsmith had one on the play when he injured his ankle. Preston Smith, in his first game with the Steelers, had three tackles and a very big sack.

James Pierre dropped a huge special teams pass early in the game and was pressed into service on defense after Donta Jackson went down with an injury. He was continually targeted late in the game. He came up with a big pass breakup on Washington’s final drive. Damontae Kazee made the biggest tackle of the day stopping Zach Ertz short on fourth down.

The coaching staff had several questionable calls, but at the end of the day, the game plan was solid if not executed well. They clearly wanted to limit the Commanders running game and did that. The special teams splash play would have been legendary if Pierre executed. As Coach Tomlin often says, there is a fine line between making wine and squashing grapes. They almost were squashing grapes, but in the end made the plays they needed to win the game.

BEER WE GO, STEELERS BEER WE GO.

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Cam “Steelhead” Heyward, our leader and one of the greatest Steelers of all time. He chipped in two sacks and led the stifling of the Washington ground game. He also led the charge slowing down Jayden Daniels who was largely ineffective. Also Considered: Mike Williams for his first catch with the Steelers, a touchdown. George Pickens who had five catches and a touchdown.

Beer of the Game: This is tricky, so I started with Harp, one of my favorite beers and then switched back to Miller Lite when the Steelers were trailing by two scores. KGB went with Sam Adams Flannel Fest, she garnished with the cinnamon and the sugar rim.

“Steel the Snacks”: KGB went with Washington Apple, Grilled cheese sandwiches. Turkey, Cheddar and Apple with honey mustard and Muenster Apple and honey mustard.

My Stat of the week:  Cam Heyward playing 203^rd game, that is the most in Pittsburgh Steelers franchise history for a defensive player. He has been the very definition of a Steeler! Also Considered: The Steelers gave up 10 points in the third quarter, that is the first point allowed in the third quarter all season.

My Thoughts on next week: Raven’s Week! Clash of the titans as the Steelers battle the Ravens in Pittsburgh. Look for a physical bloodbath next week. As Coach Tomlin says, “Mr. Jackson is coming to town.”

Jersey of the Week:  Franco Harris, #32 Salute to Service, in honor of Veterans Day weekend. I also wore my Franco’s Italian Army long sleeve shirt.

The Pittsburgh Steelers continued their dominance at home on Monday Night Football, clinching their 22nd consecutive victory under the Monday night lights. Fueled by Calvin Austin III’s impressive playmaking, the Steelers sealed the deal with a late defensive surge. T.J. Watt forced a crucial fumble on Daniel Jones, and rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop intercepted Jones’s final pass to secure the win.

The Steelers held off the Giants who would not go away. The night was filled with frustration as penalties, turnovers, and overturned touchdowns derailed promising drives for both teams. For once, it was the Steelers offense and YES special teams that were able to carry the day and win the game.

The Special Teams had one of their best nights in recent history. Chris Boswell again was perfect as we have come to expect, he went 4 for 4 nailing all his chances, with the longest being a chip shot 31 yarder. Corliss Waitman had a very good day, hitting a field flipping punt and pinning the Giants inside the 20 on two of three shots. The highlight of the day was of course Calvin Austin with the first punt return for a touchdown since 2019. He ran back a 73-yard return for a touchdown. It was a big play for him, and it gave the Steelers the lead permanently. It was a near perfect night for Danny Smith and the special teams…except the coverage units but hey let’s move on.

The offense had its’ biggest output, amassing 426 yards, over 160 on the ground and over 250 in the air. Najee Harris was absolutely running the Giants over. He was hitting chunk play after chunk play and finished with 114 yards on the ground, Jaylen Warren ran for 46.

Russell Wilson continued his renaissance, finishing with 259 yards and a touchdown. Two touchdowns were called back, one on a penalty and one on a strange play by George Pickens who caught the ball in bounds but only touched one foot down, TWICE. It was a lack of concentration and the Steelers had to settle for the field goal. While the numbers don’t show it, Wilson made the plays he needed and third and long no longer looks impossible to reach.

The defense had a tough day up front. The Giants were able to run all over the Steelers, they finished with 157 yards on the ground and Tyrone Tracy Jr. gobbled up yard after yard. It was a quiet night for the defensive line and a tough night for the inside linebackers.

The secondary played well for the most part and Beanie Bishop had his third interception to seal the win. Whatever struggles the defense had, T.J. Watt came to the rescue. Jobber offensive tackle Jermain Eluemunor, called out T.J. Watt before the game and he did hang in there for a little while, but in the end T.J rose to the top, scoring a strip sack as Daniel Jones was attempting to tie the game, he finished with two sacks and a forced fumble. Alex Highsmith was in the backfield on nearly every play also registering two sacks.

The Steelers now sit atop the division at 6-2 and head into a much-needed bye week.

BEER WE GO, STEELERS BEER WE GO.

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Calvin Austin III, with the punt return that gave the Steelers the lead and the 29-yard touchdown catch that helped seal the victory. Also Considered: T.J. Watt whose strip sack put the Giants on their heels and of course Najee Harris who was pummeling the Giants.

Beer of the Game: Switched to Corona Light this week, KGB made Hot Toddy’s with Jameson whiskey for the fourth quarter.

“Steel the Snacks”: New York is our hometown; we went with Meatball Sliders and of course Italian Heroes. I actually combined the two at one point which was frowned upon by my wife.

My Stat of the week:  Have to go with 22^nd straight victory at home on Monday Night Football. The Steelers did not play their best game on defense but for the sixth time in eight games held their opponents under 20 points.

My Thoughts on next week: The Steelers head into their much-needed bye week, where they can work on some things and get healthy.

Jersey of the Week:  No Jersey this week, because I worked on Monday!

The Steelers started slow, then hit the gas and dominated the New York Jets 37-15. Mike Tomlin opted to start Russell Wilson over Justin Fields, who had just led the Steelers to a decisive victory. It sent the entire world especially Steelers Nation into a frenzy. However, for at least one game, the decision proved to be a masterstroke. Wilson’s efficient passing added a new dimension to the offense, and the team’s 37 points were their highest output since 2021. Meanwhile, the defense, under Tomlin and Teryl Austin, continued their dominant form, holding the Jets to just 15 points for the fifth time in seven games.

Wilson demonstrated his deep-ball prowess with a 44-yard completion to George Pickens and drew a crucial pass interference penalty on Sauce Gardner, setting up a touchdown pass to Pickens. Another key play came in the fourth quarter when Wilson connected with Van Jefferson for a 4-yard touchdown on third-and-goal. Overall, he completed 16 of 29 passes for 264 yards and a quarterback rating of 109.0, a solid performance in his first start in nearly a year. It was a master performance for a guy coming in, in a tough situation. 

BLOG WILL BE DELAYED due to travel

BEER WE GO, STEELERS BEER WE GO.

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Russell Wilson, he had a huge shadow over him after Justin Fields’ great start. He started slowly but showed what he could do when given the opportunity. Also Considered: The offensive line, who did a tremendous job in protection and run blocking. Najee Harris banged out 100 yards.

Beer of the Game: I had Miller Lite again, running with the hot hand.

“Steel the Snacks”: We had sandwiches and jalapeno poppers at an outstanding place called Hibernia Bar, located in Hell’s Kitchen, New York.

My Stat of the week:  Russ Wilson threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets, also rushing for a score. His 264 yards were the most by a Pittsburgh quarterback in their first game. He also had a sandwich named after him at Primanti Brothers this week.

My Thoughts on next week: The Steelers will be on primetime again battling the other New York team, the Giants. The Giants and Steelers have so many connections and ties to each other. Always love this matchup and can’t wait for Monday Night Football.

Jersey of the Week:  Mike Webster, #52 Home Black, used to always kick off the season with this one. One of my favorite players of all-time.

The Steelers got back on track with a big win against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Pittsburgh Steelers dominated  in Week 6, securing a decisive 32-13 victory at Allegiant Stadium. The team got back on track and kept pace in the AFC North, after suffering back-to-back losses to the Colts and Cowboys.

After a dominant opening drive by the Raiders, the defense righted the ship and pummeled the Raiders up front. They shut down the Raiders offense and kept them in check all day, continuing to win the turnover battle. The defensive line generated a relentless pass rush, disrupting the Raiders’ quarterback Aidan O’Connell and creating opportunities for sacks and interceptions.

T.J. Watt had a dominant performance. He forced two fumbles including one on the goal line that all but eliminated a Raiders comeback. The stat sheet does not jump out at you, but he was a professional game wrecker. Cam Heyward recorded the only sack. He pushed the pile backwards all day and clogged the running lanes, contributing to the Steelers’ dominant defensive effort. Heyward helped limit the Raiders to just 57 yards on the ground. Patrick Queen led the team in tackles and was dominant in the middle.

Donte Jackson had his second red zone interception in two weeks. Aidan O’Connell finished with only 218 yards net. What was most impressive was the tackling though. The secondary had several solo tackles that slowed the Raiders screen game down.

After the Raiders opening drive, the Steelers controlled the tempo, establishing a powerful running game led by Najee Harris. Harris amassed 106 yards and a touchdown, consistently breaking tackles, and grinding down the Raiders. He had one run where he was hit by no less than NINE of the Raiders defenders. His 36-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was a highlight, showcasing his physicality and explosiveness.

Quarterback Justin Fields, continues to struggle with accuracy but he was a huge part of the Steelers’ offensive success, rushing for two touchdowns and efficiently managing the game. The stat sheet was far from impressive, he finished 14-24 for only 145 yards, but his ability to extend plays and make timely throws kept the Raiders defense off balance.

The receivers continue to be a work in progress. Enigmatic George Pickens led the team with three catches but had two crucial drops. Calvin Austin impresses when he gets the opportunity. The tight end group needs to get more involved. They combined for only four catches and 29 yards.

The Steelers’ special teams also played a key role in their victory. Chris Boswell continues to nail big field goals, hitting four on the day. Jeremiah Moon who is seeing significant action with the injuries to Herbig and Highsmith, made his biggest splash on special teams, blocking an A.J. Cole punt and setting the Steelers up for a Bos field goal.  Corliss Waitman did a nice job and dropped two of his three punts inside the 20.

The officiating crew had a tough day again, including botching an end of quarter clock issue and being way to involved in the game. Both fan bases will be unhappy at the performance.

The coaching staff deserves a great deal of credit. They made several adjustments from last week and while it was still not a great start, it was a better start for the offense. They established the run early and wore the Raiders out up front. They made the necessary adjustments on defense, which set the offense up for success, scoring the most points of the season.

The Steelers’ victory was a solid performance that showcased their strengths on all sides of the ball. It also served as a confidence booster for a team that had faced adversity in recent weeks.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Going with Najee Harris, I would say that was his best game as a Steelers RB. It might not be his best statistical game, but he absolutely set the tone and looked like the lynchpin of the offense. Also Considered: T.J. Watt with two forced fumbles, Donte Jackson with his second interception in two weeks. Cam Heyward with a monster sack. How about Little Bos?

Beer of the Game: Kicked it off with Sam Adams Octoberfest for my pregame then went back to Miller Lite Tall Boys for the actual game.

“Steel the Snacks”: So KGB went with the Asian Buffet theme that is so prevalent in Las Vegas. Dumplings and Cream Cheese Wontons were outstanding! We started the snacks early, because D-Man was home for the weekend and was starving.

My Stat of the week:  Don’t want this to come across as negative, it is meant as a positive stat albeit a frustrating one. Chris Boswell with his big day has 50 points the rest of the Steelers Combined: 48. Najee Harris had his first rushing touchdown of the year…it is week 6! Cam Hewyard played in his 200th game as a Pittsburgh Steeler!

My Thoughts on next week: Steelers will face the first of the two New York teams, The Jets with their ridiculous coaching situation and with Super Bowl villain Aaron Rodgers at the helm.

Jersey of the Week:  Heath Miller #83, Black Out Jersey. I absolutely love this jersey, it is one of my favorites!

The Steelers formula didn’t pan out this time, as they dropped a tough lost to the Dallas Cowboys 20-17.

The formula for Steelers victory in 2024 is a familiar one, do not make mistakes on offense, score what you need, then play stifling defense to hold off your opponent. Sunday, the formula was almost complete, until about 20 seconds left in the game, when the Steelers defense couldn’t keep the Dallas Cowboys out of the end zone.

It was a strange game marred by a one hour plus weather delay. The Steelers had several missed opportunities and in the end it sent them to 3-2. Three turnovers and a blocked field goal…and still lost.

The calls for Russell Wilson will be loud this week. Justin Fields had a good game, but made several key mistakes that cost the Steelers, he missed wide open targets and continued his trend with slow starts. He missed a wide-open Connor Heyward on a perfectly designed play action pass, he also misfired to Darnell “Mt.” Washington’s head by the end zone. He missed a wide-open George Pickens on a crucial third down. He finished 15-27 for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Najee Harris, started strong, then the Cowboys keyed in on him and shut the running game down. Fields designed run plays worked out well. George Pickens was only a factor in the penalty column.

The defense was okay but began to wear down during the stretch. It was no secret that the pass rush, already operating without Alex Highsmith, was all but extinct by the fourth quarter when Nick Herbig left with what looked like a hamstring injury and DeMarvin Leal left with a stinger after being cheap shotted.

The secondary is going to get roasted again this week, because despite some quality plays. They did have two interceptions including a red zone pick off by Donte Jackson. But they bent to often and gave up four completions of 25 yards or more. They couldn’t find one more big play to seal the victory.

The special teams were emblematic of the entire game. Several exciting plays, but so many crucial mistakes. Isaiahh Lowdermilk, had a blocked field goal. Chris Boswell and Corlis Waitman did well in the kicking. But the return game is nonexistent and the coverage units were embarrassing, including a 38 yard return to start the game.

Coaching was problematic. How many more weeks can you start off so slow. The fact that once again the Steelers mangled the fourth quarter clock is tough to swallow. Imagine if they had the last timeout that they burned setting their defense for Dallas’s fourth down try? The timeout killed any chance of a comeback and let Dallas make a fresh substitution on offense.

If football is a game of inches, the Steelers missing so many key inches has left them 3-2.

BEER WE GO, STEELERS BEER WE GO.

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Going with Cam Heyward, he had a very big game and at times he seemed like he was out there all alone. Also Considered: Elandon Roberts who almost saved the game, T.J. Watt who got the 100^th sack of his career, before he was hurt Nick Herbig was having a big game.

Beer of the Game: We were at Acrisure stadium, so we had a combination of Miller Lite and IC Lite. Both staples of my Pittsburgh Game Day. KGB had a Sam Adams that some jag knocked over in his 20 trips to the bathroom.

“Steel the Snacks”: This week should be titled “Steel Snacks”, we had Suneri Atomic Rolls at the Terrible Bra Tailgate. A Pittsburgh Must! Got to catch up with all our peops, including the BWG Founders!

My Stat of the week:  Obviously 100 Sacks for T.J. he was the second fastest to get there behind only Reggie White. He gets double teamed and held on almost every series. I am now 1-2 vs The Cowboys all-time. This is my second straight last second loss to the ‘Boys. UGGGH

My Thoughts on next week: Steelers will head to Las Vegas for a game against the rival Raiders. There is so much tradition between these two. It will seem like a Steelers home game!

Jersey of the Week:  My gamer, “Mean” Joe Greene, Home #75, this is my go to jersey for games, in my entire “career” of seeing the Steelers, I have only worn two others, Hines Ward and an L.C. Greenwood (Throwback) the weekend he passed.

A dominant win against a high caliber team, a big rivalry home primetime game against the forever glamour team of the NFL coming in the following week and then a game against a tough but questionable opponent in the middle and you have the makings of the all too familiar “Tomlin Special”.

The Steelers were runover in the first quarter and spent all game, trying to dig out of a huge hole. They have consistently started slow and this time there would be no effective chance to recover.

Making one mistake after the other and getting penalized on several controversial calls. It was a game of inches, and the Steelers gave up every inch they could.

Here is the mistake recap:

-Missed pick on 1st play of the game

-Patrick Queen couldn’t recover a fumble

-Another missed pick in endzone

-Did not attempt 59 yarder/ then couldn’t convert 4th & inches

-Pickens fumble in the red zone

-Fields fumble, lost the ball

-Missed snap on the last potential game winning drive to win the game

-Najee Harris failing to get out of bounds

-Last time out?

That being written the Steelers almost pulled it off. The other thing there was never that sense of doom in this game. You felt like they could pull it off.

Justin Fields delivered his best statistical performance as a Steeler, but costly mistakes and slow starts hindered the team’s efforts. Despite accumulating 312 passing yards and 55 rushing yards with two rushing touchdowns, Fields took a 22-yard sack, fumbled in field goal range, and was partially responsible for a botched final-play snap. He did a very good job, but there is definitely room to improve.

George Pickens’s seven catches for 113 yards were overshadowed by a back breaking fumble in the red zone. While his aggressive play style is admirable, the offense lacks a reliable secondary receiver to complement him. The Steelers’ receiving corps, outside of Pickens, has been largely ineffective. Darnell Washington’s impact when targeted suggests he deserves more opportunities.

The offensive line’s injury woes continued, with Fields sacked four times due to the absence of Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels. Daniels looks to be lost for the season, a crushing blow for the improving live. Rookie Mason McCormick and Spencer Anderson struggled to fill the void, with the latter being the one most likely responsible for the miscue snap at the end of the game.

Defensively, the Steelers struggled to contain the Colts’ rushing attack, even after Jonathan Taylor’s injury. The pass rush also lacked effectiveness, with T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig failing to make a significant impact. Watt was held all-game and never got the call. DeMarvin Leal’s performance was largely ineffective. The Steelers need Alex Highsmith back.

The secondary, led by Joey Porter Jr., struggled to contain Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. Porter’s dropped interception and the team’s overall coverage issues contributed to the Colts’ success. There were so many missed opportunities.

Special teams saw mixed results as usual. First the coverage units played well, the return game had a few flashes but of course were marred by penalties. Calvin Austin’s big return was overshadowed by a Justin Field’s fumble. After two very good weeks Corliss Waitman’s punting was inconsistent at best. Chris Boswell remained reliable on field goals converting his tries.

Mike Tomlin’s questionable decisions contributed significantly to the Steelers’ first-half deficit. His reluctance to attempt a 59-yard field goal, combined with the defense’s struggles against the Colts’ offense, allowed the Colts to establish a 17-0 lead. Additionally, the Steelers’ conservative offensive approach, including a failed quarterback draw on 4th-and-inches, made them predictable and vulnerable.

The Steelers’ adjustments against Joe Flacco were awful. While Tomlin cited a desire to maintain coverage, the lack of pressure allowed Flacco to operate comfortably. Tomlin’s decision to leave a timeout on the clock during the final seconds of the game was a costly oversight.

The only thing positive you can say about the officiating it was almost equally lousy to both teams. There were so many missed calls and so many ticky-tacky calls. It just hurts the flow of the game.

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Despite his mistakes, we are going with Justin Fields. He had a monster game on the stat sheet and if he can clean up the mistakes, the Steelers have their franchise quarterback. Also Considered: Not really anyone else.

Beer of the Game: Went to the Sam Adams Fall Pack, both KGB and I shared it, She leaned on the Pumpkin with was solid, I had the Pumpkin, the Boston Lager and the Octoberfest. All were the usual Sam quality.

“Steel the Snacks”: We didn’t go the traditional Indianapolis Pork combination. We went with an Italian Sandwich toasted with Olive oil. It had four kinds of Italian meats and provolone cheese. The Steelers scored when the snacks came out.

My Stat of the week:  Picking a silly one, we are 0-5 on my birthday “weekend” and 4-6 over the last 10 years

My Thoughts on next week: Here come the ‘Boys. There is something very special about the Steelers v. the Cowboys and we will be in attendance next week. BIG Game

Jersey of the Week:  Went with my vanity jersey in honor of my Birthday, Pomara #50. It was a gift last year!

Justin Fields Shines as Steelers Dominate Chargers

In his third consecutive start for the Steelers, Justin Fields continued his stellar play, guiding the team to a decisive victory over the Chargers. His performance was highlighted by a 55-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III in the fourth quarter, extending the Steelers’ lead and solidifying the victory.

What  was most impressive was Fields’ ability to bounce back from his first turnover of the season. After a forced pass to Cordarrelle Patterson was intercepted, Fields responded with a near-perfect final quarter and a half, completing 7 of 8 passes for 94 yards.

The Steelers’ running game also played a crucial role in the victory. Najee Harris and Cordarrelle Patterson combined for 97 yards and a touchdown in the second half, effectively wearing down the Chargers defense.

On the defensive side, the Steelers’ front seven dominated the Chargers’ rushing attack. Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, and Keeanu Benton controlled the line of scrimmage, limiting J.K. Dobbins to just 44 yards on 15 carries. T.J. Watt was quiet…until he wasn’t and continued his dominant season, adding another sack to his tally and making two tackles for loss.

Nick Herbig, a key contributor off the bench, stepped in for the injured Alex Highsmith and delivered a strong performance with two sacks.  Inside linebacker Patrick Queen made a significant impact early in the game with a powerful hit on Dobbins and finished as the team’s leading tackler with eight. Elandon Roberts also played a crucial role, contributing four tackles and recording his first sack of the season.  

The Steelers’ secondary also played a key role in the win, shutting down the Chargers’ passing game. Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson combined to limit the Chargers to just 24 yards through the air in the second half.

With their victory over the Chargers, the Steelers improved to 3-0 and solidified their position as one of the top teams in the NFL. Fields’ continued development, combined with the strong performances of the running game and defense, make the Steelers a formidable force to be reckoned with.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

Once again it was not pretty, but the Steelers secured a victory over the Broncos 13-6. The offense struggled to gain momentum but did enough to get the win. The defense was dominant and held off a late surge by the Broncos.

Justin Fields got the start again and managed the game effectively, avoiding turnovers and throwing his first touchdown of the season, a quick strike to Mt. Washington. His numbers were paltry passing for only 117 yards and rushing for 27. He had a couple of big plays overturned on questionable holding calls.

Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren provided a solid ground game and began to wear out the stout Denver defense. They gained 141 yards with Harris carrying the majority share with 69 bruising yards.

The offensive line was inconsistent and struggled. Brodrick Jones had a tough day, getting nabbed for a whopping 25 yards on one series. One of the holding calls was questionable at best but it negated the biggest play of the day. The line is still finding its’ rhythm.

The defensive line was a bright spot, generating pressure and stopping the run. Cam Heyward had a big day and was in the backfield on nearly every snap he played. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith continued their strong play, contributing for two sacks and four tackles for a loss. Watt’s sack looked like he hit Bo Nix with an RKO.

The secondary had a strong game, with Cory Trice Jr. securing his first interception, which crushed any momentum Denver had. DeShon Elliott and Damontae Kazee made key plays in the run defense and Bo Nix could never really get the passing game going.

The special teams unit performed well, with Chris Boswell making both his field goals and Corliss Waitman punted effectively coming off the street this week. Ben Skowronek’s contributions on special teams were valuable. The return games both struggled and once again were hit costly penalties.

The officiating was almost as awful as the first week and way too intrusive in the game. Too many ticky tacky calls that slowed down both teams.

It is pretty clear what the game plan is going to be this year. It is Mike Tomlin’s signature keep the ball away from the other team and punish them when they have it. The team will need to adjust their offensive approach to compete against stronger opponents, especially in the upcoming game against the Chargers.

The Steelers sit at 2-0

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: T.J. Watt, he such a disruptive force on the edge. The stats don’t even come close to telling his story. His sack looked like Bo Nix didn’t know what hit him. Also Considered: Corliss Waitman who came off the street and did a good job punting. The Defensive line led by Cam was just devastating.

Beer of the Game: Stuck with Miller Lite, was at a great bar in Florida called, Hap and Hooch and stuck with Miller Lite. KGB drank Old Fashions for the game.

“Steel the Snacks”: We had to punt on this and had two types of Wings at Hap and Hooch. Wings were outstanding and the service and people were great, despite being a Packers bar.

My Stat of the week:  The Steelers defense only have given up one touchdown this season, on a controversial call against Atlanta. They held the Broncos under 300 yards and stuffed their run game for 64 yards. Those are championship caliber stats.

My Thoughts on next week: A very tough home opener against a fellow undefeated team in the Los Angeles Chargers. This will be the first real test of the defense as the Chargers have demolished everyone they faced so far.

Jersey of the Week: No Jersey this week, I went with a BWGSteelers baseball jersey and BWG shirt. NEW SHIRTS WILL BE OUT WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.