Tag: JuJu Smith-Schuster

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster goes on Christmas shopping spree for Pittsburgh kids

JuJu Smith-Schuster does some Christmas shopping.

For many kids, Christmas isn’t a time of joy and excitement because there aren’t those gifts that make the holiday for so many young people. But Pittsburgh Steelers JuJu Smith-Schuster wanted to be sure he could make sure as many kids as possible will have a Merry Christmas as he went on a huge shopping spree for some of the kids of Pittsburgh.

Smith-Schuster filled cart after cart at a local Wal-Mart with toys for the kids. This was an awesome moment and just another example of what kind of person Smith-Schuster is aside from being a football player.

But not everyone was happy Smith-Schuster and his act of kindness.

We all know radio DJ Mark Madden has been a critic of Smith-Schuster all season. But just going through the replies to this post you see not everyone is happy with Smith-Schuster chronicling his good deeds.

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Behind enemy lines: Bills Q&A preview with Steelers Wire

The Bills visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15 at Heinz Field. To learn more about Sunday’s opponent, Bills Wire spoke to Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire’s managing editor, to learn more about the Steelers: 

The Bills visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15 at Heinz Field. To learn more about Sunday’s opponent, Bills Wire spoke to Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire’s managing editor, to learn more about the Steelers:

Who is this man Duck and what can you tell us about his game?

He’s just your normal undrafted rookie FCS quarterback who is leading his team into the playoffs. Honestly, he’s far exceeded any reasonable expectations. He’s athletic and confident and has a really strong arm. He’s got a great grasp of the offense and the guys play hard for him.

JuJu Smith-Schuster & James Conner might play n this one. How big of an impact will those two potentially make on this game?

Count me among those who aren’t terribly excited to have those guys just fall into starting jobs when they are healthy. Part of the reason the offense is playing better is the guys have chemistry. I don’t want to see that disrupted.

Note: Smith-Schuster has been ruled OUT by the Steelers on Friday.

Bring us back to the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade. Compare how it was viewed at the time to now?

At the time it looked like the Steelers might have overpaid because Pittsburgh was eyeing a Top 5 pick to some. But the team’s improvement has been too significant for anyone to criticize. Fitzpatrick is playing as well as any defensive back in the league and is the key reason this defense has improved so much.

This Steelers front-seven seems pretty legit. How can they be beat?

If I were trying to move the ball on the Steelers front seven, I’d run run at them. With Stephon Tuitt out, the middle of the defensive line is more about rushing the passer than it is defending the run. I wouldn’t try to get wide because they are too fast. As far as passing the ball, crossing routes seem to be the best way to confuse the linebackers in coverage. But if you don’t do it quick that pass rush can do work.

Finally, what’s your prediction for Sunday?

I originally thought Buffalo would be too much offense for the Steelers to keep up with. But with each week that Hodges plays better the gap closes. And with the game being in Pittsburgh and in prime time, I’m leaning to Pittsburgh, team of destiny. Steelers 24, Bills 17.

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Bills at Steelers: 5 matchups to watch

Five matchups to watch during the Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Week 15 meeting on Sunday Night Football.

The Bills and Steelers faceoff in a Sunday Night Football contest with massive AFC playoff implications.

With both teams at 9-4 and 8-5, respectively, both also hold the two Wild Card spots in the conference.

The games, within this game, will make a load of difference across the NFL.

With that, here are five matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills meeting with the Steelers:

Buffalo Bills wide receiver John Brown. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

WR John Brown vs. CB Joe Haden

Over the course of the last three games, the Bills haven’t gotten good production from John Brown. In the absence of their No. 1 wideout, slot target Cole Beasley has continually stepped up. In Brown’s last three games combined, he has eight catches for 91 yards. That’s not very good for a guy who was once leading the AFC in receiving yards. The only thing that salvaged three games ago against the Broncos was a late touchdown.

On the outside, Brown will likely draw cornerback Joe Haden. The former Brown is Pro Football Focus’ 27th best corner in the NFL this season, via their grading system. The Steelers also have some impressive safeties over the top, namely Minkah Fitzpatrick, who has five interceptions, so getting Brown involved in this one might be difficult.

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Report: Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster not expected to play vs Bills

It looks like no JuJu Smith-Schuster again this week.

It looks like it’s going to be another week without wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith-Schuster had returned to practice this week in preparation for the Buffalo Bills but according to ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter, Smith-Schuster aggravated his knee injury and isn’t expected to play Sunday night.

This entire has season has been a disappointment for Smith-Schuster. He was supposed to be the guy to replace Antonio Brown but things have not gone according to plan. He lost his quarterback in the second week of the season and failed to step up and elevate the play of those around him.

With Smith-Schuster looking to miss his fourth straight game it will once again be some combination of James Washington, Diontae Johnson and Deon Cain providing targets for Devlin Hodges.

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Report: Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster out vs. Bills

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers won’t get Smith-Schuster back from injury on Sunday Night Football.

The weekend is young, but it appears the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t have one of their big weapons against the Buffalo Bills in Week 15.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers won’t get Smith-Schuster back from injury on Sunday Night Football, when it was once expected they would.

Per the report, Smith-Schuster aggravated a knee injury he previously suffered.

 

Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers sports betting odds and lines, with Week 15 NFL betting picks, tips and bets.

The Buffalo Bills (9-4) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) were flexed into the Sunday Night Football spot and they’ll meet at 8:20 p.m. ET at Heinz Field. We analyze the Bills-Steelers sports betting odds and lines, with NFL betting picks and tips for the Week 15 matchup.

Bills at Steelers: Week 15 preview, betting trends and notes

Get some action on the game at BetMGM by placing a sports bet!

  • The Bills will lean upon their suffocating defense, looking to shut down the Steelers. Buffalo ranks third in the NFL in total yards allowed (296.8), third in passing yards allowed (191.5) and second in points allowed (16.3).
  • Buffalo ranks fifth in the NFL with 135.3 rushing yards per game, but is just 27th in passing yards at 206.6 per outing.
  • The Steelers are also stout defensively, ranking fifth in the NFL with 310.9 total yards allowed and 209.8 passing yards allowed. They’re also ninth against the run, yielding 101.2 yards per game, and they’re sixth in the NFL in points allowed at 18.6.
  • Offensively it has been a struggle for the Steelers, checking in 28th with 290.1 total yards per game, and 31st in passing yards (195.5). They have managed just 19.9 PPG to rank 23rd
  • The Bills are 6-0-1 ATS in the past seven on the road, and 4-1-1 ATS in the past six overall.
  • The Steelers are 5-1 ATS in the past six overall, while going 5-1 ATS in the past six at home.
  • Buffalo is making its first appearance on SNF since facing the New England Patriots during the 2007 season.

Bills at Steelers: Key injuries

Bills: DT Corey Liuget (lower body) is a question mark, while RB T.J. Yeldon (illness) is under the weather.

Steelers: RBs James Conner (shoulder) and Jaylen Samuels (groin) are question marks, with Conner likely closer to a return. WR Juju Smith-Schuster (knee) is close to a return, while TE Vance McDonald (concussion) is in the protocol and a question mark.

Bills at Steelers: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 8:10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Steelers 20, Bills 16

Moneyline (?)

The STEELERS (-129) have the advantage since they’re playing at home, but that’s about it. This is a coin-flip game with major AFC playoff implications. That’s why NBC flexed it to SNF. The difference in this one will be if Conner and Smith-Schuster both return. If so, advantage Pittsburgh on its home turf in front of a raucous crowd. Even if one or both cannot go, coach Mike Tomlin is doing an exceptional job with the personnel he has, and the Steelers are just finding ways to win.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Bucs moneyline returns a $7.75 profit with a Pittsburgh victory.

Against the Spread (?)

The STEELERS (-2.5, -106) are worth a small-unit play at home, again, especially if Conner and/or Smith-Schuster return. The bright lights of SNF might be a bit much for QB Josh Allen and the unproven Bills.

Over/Under (?)

PASS. The O/U of 36.5 (-106 Over; -1115 Under) is risky business, as both of these teams feature tremendous defensive units with unproven quarterbacks and a solid run game when healthy. If anything, the lean is to the Under, although this is the lowest game on the Week 15 board. Take a pass on the total.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. Looking for more sports betting picks and tips? Visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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JuJu Smith-Schuster admits he was paid $100k to watch TNF on Twitch stream

JuJu Smith-Schuster let it slip how much Twitch paid him to watch a football game on a live stream.

If you don’t know what Twitch is, it’s the largest streaming platform in the world. It is comprised primarily of gamers who stream games like Call of Duty and Fortnite. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is a Twitch streamer as well.

Last Thursday Smith-Schuster did a live stream with a popular game streamer and admitted during the stream he was paid $100,000 to watch Thursday Night Football on Twitch, according to ESPN.

Smith-Schuster was doing a live stream with popular Fortnite streamer THump when he admitted that when he did a stream on Thursday with another popular Fortnite streamer TimTheTatMan, he was paid $100,000 to watch the Chicago Bears beat the Dallas Cowboys 31-24.

Twitch as a platform averages around 15 million daily users. If you are wondering how Twitch could shell out that kind of money to Smith-Schuster just to watch a football game, keep in mind they are owned by Amazon.

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5 storylines to watch for during Bills at Steelers

The Buffalo Bills and Steelers will play a big-time, primetime game in Week 15 as the two AFC opponents will faceoff in a pivotal late season contest. 

The Buffalo Bills and Steelers will play a big-time, primetime game in Week 15 as the two AFC opponents will faceoff in a pivotal late season contest.

Sunday Night Football will bear down on the Bills this week, and while Buffalo fell to the Ravens last week, they certainly held their own against the Cowboys during their Thanksgiving primetime showcase.

With that, here are five storylines to follow as the Bills take on the Steelers:

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Playoff implications on Sunday night

As mentioned, the Bills will have to handle their business in front of more eyes than usual this week. Buffalo and Pittsburgh will wrap up the Sunday slate of football at Heinz Field just a short drive from western New York. There should be a decent showing of Bills fans, and the team itself can be confident in their primetime abilities. Not only did they beat the Cowboys on the road, they also did so in the most watched Thanksgiving Day game in a couple of years. A lot of eyes saw that Bills team.

But this time around this one some huge playoff implications. The 8-5 Steelers host the 9-4 Bills. A win and the Bills are in. A win and the Steelers jump the Bills and hit the first Wild Card spot. For head-to-head purposes and their own fates, this game is massive for both sides.

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7 things to know about the Bills’ Week 15 opponent, the Steelers

Seven things to know about the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Buffalo Bills’ Week 15 opponent.

The Bills earned another primetime football slot this season in their Week 15 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which will take place on Sunday Night Football.

Like any late-season AFC battle for a team with a winning record, this one is important. Win and the Bills are in the playoffs. But the Steelers have plenty of reason to fight, too.

With that, here are seven things to know about the Bills’ Week 15 opponent, the Steelers:

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Hot streak puts Pitt in Wild Card battle

Sure, the Bills are in the Wild Card battle. But so are the Steelers.

After a 0-3 start to the season, the Steelers have gotten red hot and at the right time. No easy late games for the Bills, apparently.

Pittsburgh has won seven of their last eight games at sit with eight wins overall, right behind the Bills, who have nine. With that in mind, the Steelers enter the game as the second Wild Card holder in the AFC, with the Bills holding the first one. The winner will hold the fifth-seed in the playoffs after this one. For Buffalo a win will lock up a playoff berth with two games remaining as well.

Included in that hot streak is a promising record on their home turf, too. The Steelers are 5-2 at home this season.

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Report: Steelers’ Juju Smith-Schuster to return vs. Bills

Injury status update to Pittsburgh Steelers WR Juju Smith-Schuster.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting some help for their test against the Buffalo Bills.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers will get wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster back in their lineup prior to their Week 15 meeting with the Bills. The wideout had been missing time with a knee injury.

The 23-year-old has been limited to 10 games this season and has 38 catches for 524 yards and three touchdowns. The Steelers’ No. 1 target had 111 catches, 1,425 yards and seven scores in 2018.

Backup quarterback Devlin Hodges is the expected starter under center for the Steelers vs. the Bills.

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