Tag: sports news

Could Preston Smith be the lifeline for Steelers defense?

With Alex Highsmith set to miss time with an ankle injury, the Preston Smith acquisition may have saved the Steelers’ defense.

When Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and the Steelers front office acquired OLB Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick, many began to speculate if this was the biggest steal of the trade deadline. Alex Highsmith’s apparent ankle injury in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders further solidifies Smith’s acquisition as one of the greatest trades of 2024.

While backup Nick Herbig performed admirably, the Steelers went 2-2 in games that Highsmith missed, highlighting the need for a veteran edge rusher opposite T.J. Watt.

Smith, having played 156 games with 138 starts in his 10-year career, is exactly what could save the Steelers’ defense with Highsmith set to miss time.

Used sparingly in Week 10, Smith still managed to record a sack on rookie QB Jayden Daniels.

The ‘Khan Artist’ truly struck gold in acquiring Smith’s talents, and this move could reshape the entire landscape of the Pittsburgh defense. The 31-year old Smith will look to fill the void left by Highsmith, and aims to start with sacking Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson in Week 11.

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Steelers lead NFL in second-half scoring margin

Despite slow starts, the Steelers lead the NFL in second-half scoring margin, with strong comebacks like their Week 10 win over Washington.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Such is the case with Pittsburgh in 2024. While the Steelers look vastly improved compared to recent seasons, they still manage to start off games slowly, picking up steam as the second half rolls around.

Such was the case in the Week 10 victory over the Washington Commanders. Heading into halftime, the Steelers trailed 17-14. However, Pittsburgh’s second-half resurgence would once again push the team to victory, as they outscored Washington 14-10, finishing the game 28-27.

Pittsburgh has done this plenty of times throughout the 2024 season, with one of the most notable examples coming in Week 7, when the Steelers scored 24 unanswered points in the second half.

Coaching indeed matters, as once Pittsburgh improves their first-half production, the team will be immediate Super Bowl favorites.

The Steelers will need all facets of their team to stay sharp throughout the entirety of the game moving forward, as Pittsburgh faces extremely tough matchups from Weeks 11-18, which are considered to create the most difficult remaining schedule in the NFL.

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Mike Williams takes shots at Aaron Rodgers following game-deciding TD

Mike Williams took a shot at Aaron Rodgers on social media after his Week 10 game-winning TD, referencing their past tension

It’s safe to say that QB Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets won’t be getting the last laugh anytime soon, as former Jet and current Steelers WR Mike Williams is quickly becoming a fan favorite in the Steel City. Williams seemingly still has a chip on his shoulder following his exit from New York and took a shot at his former QB.

After his team’s victory over the Washington Commanders in Week 10, Williams quickly took to social media to showcase an image of his incredible game-deciding TD reception late in the fourth quarter, with a caption containing an interesting jab at Rodgers:  “RedLine”.

This is, of course, referencing Rodgers’ infamous public call-out of Williams for running the wrong route, the ‘red line,’ following the Jets’ loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 6.

Rodgers and Williams seemingly have unresolved drama from their time as teammates in New York. However, it’s reassuring that with his performance in Week 10—scoring as many points as the entire New York Jets’ offense did on Sunday—Williams can put this chapter to bed.

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NFL Network analyst breaks down Patrick Queen’s performance in Week 10

Patrick Queen’s dominant Week 10 performance, highlighted by Brian Baldinger, showcased his elite skills and playmaking ability.

The Patrick Queen redemption tour seemingly started to take shape in the Steelers’ Week 10 contest against the Washington Commanders.

While the Steelers’ initial acquisition of Queen this past offseason was met with excitement from fans and players alike, his performance through the first eight weeks of the season had been inconsistent, to say the least.

However, Queen’s elite Week 10 performance caught the attention of fans and analysts alike, as NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger, host of Baldy’s Breakdowns, highlighted what made Queen so special against Washington on Sunday.

Wherever the ball went, more often than not, Queen was following. His speed and spectacular tackling ability were evident on several key tackles on Washington’s QB Jayden Daniels, WR Terry McLaurin, and RB Austin Ekeler.

Queen’s play recognition will surely be of great use in the team’s Week 11 contest against the Baltimore Ravens, where the Steelers will need every physical and mental ability sharply tuned to stop his former teammate, QB Lamar Jackson, from taking over the game.

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Fans react to George Pickens’ latest on-field antics

Fans are split on George Pickens’ on-field actions after Week 10’s interception, as his physicality raised some eyebrows.

In Week 10, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Washington Commanders 28-27 in an incredible back-and-forth matchup. While the team can hold their heads high as they improve to 7-2 on the season, one Steelers player found himself in some on-field drama.

Toward the end of the third quarter, George Pickens added some unnecessary physicality against Commanders CB Mike Sainristil. After Russell Wilson threw an interception on a deep pass intended for Pickens, the Steelers wide receiver took the chance to show off his best imitation of a three-point takedown on Sainristil.

Video clips began circulating on social media, raising the question: did Pickens once again go too far?

Fans seem divided. While his actions may be detestable to some, the physicality reminds others of legendary wide receivers from the Steelers’ past.

Love it or hate it, here are some of the best fan reactions to Pickens’ on-field actions following Wilson’s interception in Week 10.

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Ben Roethlisberger’s live reaction to Week 10’s game-ending penalty

Steelers’ legendary QB Ben Roethlisberger shared his excitement over the game-winning neutral zone infraction in Week 10 against Washington.

You can take Big Ben out of Pittsburgh, but you can never take Pittsburgh out of Big Ben.

Steelers’ legendary QB Ben Roethlisberger had his eyes glued to the team’s Week 10 matchup against the Washington Commanders, even sharing his live reaction to Russell Wilson’s hard count that resulted in a game-winning neutral zone infraction penalty.

With 1:02 left in the game, Pittsburgh led 28-27 but faced a critical fourth-and-one situation. A turnover could have sealed their fate, but Wilson capitalized on the moment with an impressive hard count and cadence. The move drew Commanders’ DT Johnny Newton into the neutral zone, giving the Steelers a first down and sealing the win.

Roethlisberger had an incredible and hilarious reaction to what unfolded on his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger.

Big Ben jumping out of his seat with excitement is exactly how most Steelers fans, including myself, reacted to the ending of the contest. Truly, Newton only had one job to do, but no one in the Steel City is complaining about his lack of composure to end the game if favor of the Black and Gold.

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Report: Alex Highsmith seen in crutches following Week 10 injury

Alex Highsmith was seen on crutches leaving the Steelers’ locker room, raising concerns about the severity of his ankle injury.

In what should be an exciting celebration for the now 7-2 Pittsburgh Steelers, fans can’t help but sympathize with star EDGE Alex Highsmith, who appeared to suffer a serious ankle injury during his team’s Week 10 victory over the Washington Commanders.

While the severity of the injury remains unclear, more details regarding Highsmith’s availability for the 2024 season will be revealed in the coming days. The outlook, however, doesn’t look promising.

Highsmith was seen using crutches as he left the Steelers’ locker room, suggesting the injury may cause him to miss significant time.

Highsmith recently missed Weeks 4 to 6 with a groin injury, and backup Nick Herbig is also nursing a hamstring injury. With this in mind, the Steelers’ trade for veteran OLB Preston Smith seems to have been a perfect move.

Smith will fill in admirably if Highsmith is forced to miss serious time, but fans of the Black and Gold are nonetheless hoping for a speedy recovery.

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Huge special teams mistake cost Steelers 7 points

Steelers’ fake punt misfire led to a Commanders TD, shifting momentum to Washington in their toughest game of the 2024 season.

It is safe to say Steelers’ CB James Pierre may be getting the cold shoulder from the Steel City, following what appeared to be a beautifully designed fake-punt call by Pittsburgh’s special teams coach Danny Smith—only for Pierre to drop the pass from special teams ace Miles Killebrew.

On fourth down, deep within the Steelers’ own 20-yard line, the shocking 18-yard pass from Killebrew seemed to catch Washington’s special teams unit off guard, and would have given Pittsburgh a crucial first down. However, due to Pierre’s botched execution, the Commanders took over in the red zone on downs.

A handful of plays later, this decision on special teams ultimately gifted Commanders RB Austin Ekeler a one-yard rushing touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 and shifting momentum away from Pittsburgh.

The special teams unit eventually rebounded in a big way, recovering a fumble off a muffed punt in the second quarter, immediately granting red-zone positioning to the Steelers offense.

Pittsburgh will need all three facets of their game to be near-perfect, as the 7-2 Commanders are their toughest opponent of the 2024 season so far.

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Pittsburgh has seemingly taken over D.C. ahead of Week 10 matchup

Fans of the Black and Gold seem ready to outnumber the Burgundy and Yellow, potentially forcing a silent count in Washington for Week 10.

Fans of the Black and Gold have arrived in droves in the nation’s capital to represent their Pittsburgh Steelers as they take on the Washington Commanders in Week 10.

It seems that no matter where the Steelers travel—Las Vegas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Denver, or perhaps even the moon—Steelers Nation shows up in astonishing numbers.

Ahead of the Week 10 contest, a video circulating on social media highlights the potential impact Pittsburgh fans could have on what should have been a tough road game for the Steelers.  Adding fuel to this passionate fire is the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins defeating the Washington Capitals on Friday.

Will Steelers fans be able to outnumber Commanders fans, forcing the home team to work off a silent count for the majority of the contest? Pittsburgh could use the extra support as they face a very formidable Commanders team in a game that could set the tone for the second half of the 2024 season.

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Former NFL MVP not sold on Steelers’ playoff aspirations

The Steelers face scrutiny over their playoff legitimacy as critics point to weak competition ahead of a pivotal Week 10 matchup.

Well, it appears not everyone is sold on the 6-2 Pittsburgh Steelers’ recent success. As a matter of fact, former 2019 NFL MVP QB Cam Newton described it as “delusional” to rely on recent games and stats to portray the Steelers as playoff contenders.

Newton, appearing on ESPN’s First Take with Molly Qerim, Stephen A. Smith, and Shannon Sharpe, argued that the best evidence of the Steelers being pretenders rather than contenders lies in their most recent level of competition—the New York Giants and the New York Jets.

Stephen A. was quick to defend his favorite team, pointing out that the offense has consistently struggled for several years. While the level of competition may indeed be lacking, he emphasized that it is promising to see the offense perform well under Russell Wilson.

While it is easy to dismiss the opinion of a former player who has never won a Super Bowl, is Newton correct in his assessment?

Pittsburgh will aim to continue proving their doubters wrong as they begin the toughest second-half stretch in the NFL, starting with the Washington Commanders in Week 10 on November 10 at 1:00 PM EST.

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