Tag: AFC North

Former MVP believes Russell Wilson is being carried by Steelers

Cam Newton claims Russell Wilson is being carried by the Pittsburgh Steelers, criticizing their wins and their overall contender status.

It appears former MVP Cam Newton isn’t the biggest fan of Steelers QB Russell Wilson. Over the few three weeks, Newton has consistently criticized the Pittsburgh Steelers and labeled the team as closer to pretenders than contenders.

While appearing on ESPN’s First Take, Newton claimed a few weeks ago that the Steelers’ victories over the Raiders, Jets, and Giants didn’t prove enough. His attitude shifted slightly after Pittsburgh’s victories over the Commanders and Ravens, but he recently reverted to his Black and Gold-hating ways.

On a recent episode of his sports talk show, 4th and 1 with Cam Newton, the former MVP started off with a bold statement: “Russell Wilson is being carried by the Pittsburgh Steelers.” Newton continued to criticize Pittsburgh, stating, “They played the Jets, the Giants, a still-on-the-bubble Washington Commanders team, and they played the Ravens. By the way, Chris Boswell kicked all the points.”

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Wilson has the opportunity to silence doubters, including Newton, when he attempts to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to a tough road victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 1 at 1:00 PM EST.

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Steelers safety fined for late hit in Week 11 matchup against Ravens

Minkah Fitzpatrick received a surprising fine for a Week 11 late hit, despite not being penalized during the game.

The NFL is apparently content with adding salt to the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ proverbial wound that was opened in the Week 12 loss on Thursday Night Football to the Cleveland Browns.

Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who has been the subject of recent discussion over his lack of splash plays in 2024, was fined $11,255 for his late hit on the Ravens in Week 11.

The fine is surprising, as it apparently stems from Fitzpatrick and Ravens’ Patrick Mekari’s scuffle following a Baltimore fumble.

Mekari was the only player flagged on the play, but Fitzpatrick is seemingly the only one being fined for the altercation


Fitzpatrick likely has bigger concerns than the fine, such as preparing his secondary for Week 13’s contest against the Cincinnati Bengals‘ prolific passing attack led by QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase. Fitzpatrick will also continue striving for his first interception of the 2024 season, and Week 13 in Cincinnati would be the perfect place to start.

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Steelers Week 12 NFL rooting guide

The Steelers have three games to keep an eye on this weekend.

Going into their Week 11 game against the Cleveland Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers were already a team in control of their own destiny for the postseason. A win would have given them a significant lead over the Baltimore Ravens.

But instead, the Steelers went out and laid a big egg in the snow against the Browns and lost, leading to a much bigger mess in the AFC playoff picture. The Steelers got their game out of the way early but there are three games this week for Steelers fans to keep an eye on.

Houston Texans vs Tennessee Titans

The Texans are nipping at the heels of the Steelers in the AFC playoff picture. We gotta root for the Titans even though it’s a long shot.

Las Vegas Raiders vs Denver Broncos

The Steelers beat the Broncos early in the season and Denver has turned things around since then, We hope the struggling Raiders can pull off the upset and keep that distance between Denver and Pittsburgh.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Baltimore Ravens

The Chargers and Ravens are both in the playoff hunt but we have to root for Los Angeles here to upset the Ravens and help keep some distance between Pittsburgh and Baltimore in the AFC North.

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No time to panic but the losing to bad teams isn’t new for the Steelers

The Steelers underperforming against bad teams is nothing new.

No fanbase is as reactionary as the Pittsburgh Steelers. They can and will turn on the team and especially head coach Mike Tomlin in an instant with very little provocation. This was the case on Thursday night into Friday after the Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Cleveland Browns 24-19.

There’s no doubt the Steelers played poorly. And the coaching job by Tomlin, especially in terms of clock management was questionable. But let’s be honest, this is what the Steelers do.

Just look at this season. All of the Steelers games against teams with winning records have been wins. But all of the Steelers three losses have been to teams with losing records. This is Steelers football, gang.

What does it mean? It means the team is still 8-3 and still hanging on top of AFC North. No fanbase but the Steelers would call for a head coach to be fired when their team is 8-3. None.

This week the Steelers take on the Cincinnati Bengals who are currently 4-7. After tripping up against the Browns, we don’t expect to see the Steelers underestimate Cincinnati like they did Cleveland. Everyone needs to take a breath and enjoy the ride because this is Steelers football.

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Browns CB takes shots at George Pickens following post-game antics

Browns CB Greg Newsome II had choice words for George Pickens following their physical altercation in Week 12.

Fans of the Steel City, while upset that the Pittsburgh Steelers were ultimately defeated in Week 12’s Thursday Night Football matchup, were almost treated to a second contest following the game: a potentially major physical altercation between Steelers WR George Pickens and Browns CB Greg Newsome II.

Following the failed Hail Mary attempt that sealed the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defeat, Pickens showcased his best MMA impression, trying to take Newsome down. During the skirmish, Pickens was seen ripping at Newsome’s face mask and attempting to ram him into the stands before they were restrained by security.

After the Week 12 contest, Newsome spoke to reporters about Pickens: “Fake tough guy. Yeah, he does a lot of that. The antics and stuff. He didn’t even go up for the ball, he was just tryna do WrestleMania with me the whole time.” Newsome continued his commentary on social media.

Pickens is no stranger to these types of conflicts or immature outbursts, but fans have to wonder how much longer Head Coach Mike Tomlin will tolerate these less-than-ideal distractions.

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Steelers fans react to heartbreaking Week 12 loss

Fans of the Black and Gold offer mixed reactions and play the blame game on social media in response to the Steelers’ Week 12 loss.

What a difference four days make!  Following the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ Week 11 victory over the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday, fans believed the team was in the midst of something special in 2024. However, after the team’s Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns just four days later on Thursday Night Football, a mix of emotions has swept over the Steel City.

There is plenty of blame to go around, from HC Mike Tomlin’s fourth-quarter calls, to poor officiating, to Corliss Waitman’s botched punt, and even mother nature for the cruel and frigid weather conditions of the Week 12 contest.

While Pittsburgh remains atop the AFC North, the Week 12 loss reopened the door for the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional race, as they are now only half a game behind Pittsburgh.

Fans are understandably upset with the Steelers seemingly taking several steps back on both offense and defense, but overall, mixed reactions remain constant. Here are some of the most passionate reactions on social media regarding the Steelers’ Week 12 loss.

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Steelers WR believes weather saved Cleveland Browns from Week 12 loss

George Pickens blames the snowy elements for the Steelers’ Week 12 loss but fires shots at the Browns after their AFC North showdown.

In what could only be described as a winter wonderland for Cleveland, and a frozen disaster for Pittsburgh, the Steelers’ Week 12 loss was nothing short of heartbreaking.

Where does one begin with such a gripping and saddening tale to explain what unfolded? Well, if you asked Steelers WR George Pickens what went wrong with the Steelers’ efforts, he would have a one-word response: nothing.

Pickens was asked how much the snowy elements impacted Pittsburgh’s chances of winning in Cleveland, and the wide receiver didn’t mince words. Not only did Pickens completely shift the blame for Week 12’s loss to the weather conditions, but he also decided to troll the Cleveland Browns organization as well.

Fans could clearly see the elements taking their toll throughout the Week 12 contest. Pickens and the Pittsburgh Steelers will have their opportunity for revenge, in hopefully better weather conditions, when the Cleveland Browns travel to the Steel City in Week 14. However, the Steelers will first need to get past the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13, on December 1, at 1:00 PM EST.

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Bengals LB adds more fire to Week 13 rivalry game against Steelers

Germaine Pratt guarantees a Bengals win in Week 13, but can the Steelers use his bold words as fuel to secure a crucial AFC North victory?

Be careful what you wish for, Cincinnati. It appears that Bengals LB Germaine Pratt is having a pretty boring, and obviously insecure, Week 12 bye week, as the AFC North linebacker is guaranteeing a Week 13 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Recently, Pratt and the Bengals have fallen under scrutiny for their awful performance through 11 games, sitting just one game away from last place in the AFC North standings, with a record of four wins and seven losses.

With the Bengals’ playoff hopes seemingly nonexistent, Pratt is holding on to the faint hope of a miracle finish in the final six weeks of the season.

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Can the Steelers silence Pratt and the Bengals, further contributing to Cincinnati’s potential three-game losing streak with a Pittsburgh victory? Only time will tell, but it’s clear the Steelers have extra motivation to bounce back from their Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Fans can look forward to watching a Russell Wilson-led offense take on Pratt and the Bengals defense in Week 13 on December 1 at 1:00 PM EST.

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Watch: HBO releases Hard Knocks In-Season with the AFC North trailer

HBO released the trailer for Hard Knocks In-Season with the AFC North. The show premieres Tuesday, December 3 on Max.

HBO released the trailer for their new series, Hard Knocks In-Season with the AFC North. The classic HBO drama will cover the division as the teams push for the playoffs. The show premieres Tuesday, December 3 on Max.

Despite not being in the playoff race the Browns will be seen plenty in the series. The Browns have five games against the AFC North during the show. The Browns can play a spoiler to their division rivals’ hopes and dreams. 

The Steelers and Ravens are battling for the AFC North title. Meanwhile, the Bengals are a loss away from joining the Browns’ quest of soul searching.  

Filming started earlier this week and the first episode should cover the upcoming Thursday night game between the Browns and the Steelers. 

Hard Knocks does a fantastic job of capturing the drama within an organization. The Browns could find themselves dissected if they continue their losing streak. Head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry are facing their biggest obstacles this season. Between the media and the ownership, the Browns smell of their former dysfunction. With a temperamental owner, the duo could find themselves locked out of Berea. There is never a dull moment with the Browns, and HBO will be there to capture all of it.

 

Patrick Queen wants prosperity not pity, Ravens flock or Ravens fluke?

It’s seeming as if Pittsburgh Steelers LB Patrick Queen made the right decision to leave the Baltimore Ravens.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen wants to win, not continuously come up short in the biggest games of his NFL career.

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Queen and his Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 18-16 Sunday, but the countless mistakes made by his former team hints towards a lack of discipline Queen experienced long before his departure.  

Queen accepted a very bitter defeat versus the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship this past January. Sure, Queen did begin taking jabs at the city of Baltimore earlier this spring. Still, his underlying grief after a 13-4  regular season record and No. 1 AFC seed could not be tastefully conveyed.

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Queen was emphatic for the Baltimore Ravens last season, playing under defensive coordinator Zachary Orr and alongside all-pro Roquan Smith in a situation that appeared to be the best thing that could have ever happened to him. However, Ravens’ fans continue to see mediocrity emerge, especially within the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens’ offense.

Of course, Queen was prepared to school his teammates on the Steelers’ defense about the play tendencies of Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Moreover, not only did Queen help the Steelers hold the Ravens to just two touchdowns, but he forced a huge fumble in the second quarter to stall a Ravens late first-half drive.

For Queen, things could’ve been so simple. Had the Ravens focused in last season, they may have retained Queen, won the Super Bowl, and taken a ride into glory. Instead, they’ll recalibrate and have to sober into the reality that they may have to clinch a playoff berth as a wild-card team this season. That is unless the Steelers tumble backward.