Tag: Steelers news

Derwin James on playing style after suspension: ‘I ain’t going to change s***’

Derwin James is one of the hardest-hitting players in the league and he doesn’t plan on changing that, even after getting suspended.

Derwin James was suspended for this past Sunday’s game against the Chiefs for repeated violations of the playing rules.

The hard-hitting safety returned to practice Wednesday and said that the punishment he received would not force him to change his playing style.

“No, it ain’t going to change s**,” James said, per ESPN’s Kris Rhim. “It’s definitely not going to change nothing. Like I said, I’m just going to go lower. I’m not going to change.”

James will focus on hitting players underneath where they are holding the ball.

“I’m not going to keep paying 700, 800 thousand [dollars],” James added.

James was hit with an unnecessary roughness penalty and suspension for a hit he made on Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth in Week 3. He appealed the suspension, but hearing officer Derrick Brooks upheld it.

James has five unnecessary roughness penalties in his past 18 games, the most by a defensive player in that time span. All were to the head with his shoulder or helmet.

James will return to the playing field in Week 5 when the Chargers travel to Denver to face the Broncos.

In three games, James has 21 tackles and a sack.

Steelers-Colts matchups to watch: Cameron Heyward vs. Quenton Nelson

The matchup between Cam Heyward and Quenton Nelson is a battle between two of the very best at their respective positions. Steelers will need Heyward to pull out all the stops in this meeting, as it could determine the outcome of the game.

In Week 4, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ impressive defensive line meets one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. No matchup is more important than the heart of the Steelers’ defensive line—Cameron Heyward—facing one of the league’s most violent guards, Colts’ Quenton Nelson. 

Nelson is one of the best pass-protecting guards in the league: zero sacks, zero quarterback hits, and zero pressures allowed through 87 passing plays in three games. The running lanes for star RB Jonathan Taylor are often created by four-time All-Pro Nelson’s elite run blocking.

Heyward is turning back the clock, still proving he has elite performances left in the tank at 35 years old. Through 66 passing plays, Heyward has recorded 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 10 pressures. His run defense has been outstanding, plugging up run lanes, absorbing double teams, and even securing 2 tackles for loss. Pittsburgh will need this matchup to swing in their favor, or they could fall victim to a potential trap game in Indianapolis.

The Steelers and Colts lock horns this Sunday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m. EST, with the Steelers looking to improve their undefeated record to 4-0. 

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Chargers stars acknowledge costly second-half penalties as major reason for Week 3 loss

The Chargers’ costly second half penalties killed a lot of the team’s momentum. It led to their first loss of the 2024 season.

Things were looking good for the Chargers on Sunday when they took the lead into halftime against the Steelers. Unfortunately, all things went south in the second half.

Injuries were a huge reason for that, particularly Justin Herbert’s re-aggravation of his ongoing ankle issue. The players and coaching staff aren’t using that as an excuse, though. After their first loss of the season, several players acknowledged the second-half penalties as a momentum killer.

“That was the name of the game. We did a lot of shooting ourselves in the foot out there,” Khalil Mack said.

Mack was called for a roughing the passer penalty in the second half, which still seems questionable. One could argue that Mack was blocked and even pushed into Steelers quarterback Justin Fields, but it was a call that pushed Pittsburgh further down the field.

Safety Derwin James, who had a stellar game, acknowledged the Chargers’ need to play clean moving forward. After their stellar opening 30 minutes, they were never able to sustain any sort of momentum in the second half.

“We just got to play clean,” James said. “I got to look at some of mine, I didn’t get to look at them. But just play clean football, I had one of them, a big one.”

He later added: “I’m not here to referee. I’m playing fast, I’m not thinking about no flag.”

Penalties, albeit a few questionable calls from the referees, set the team back several times. For a team that prioritizes discipline under Jim Harbaugh, it was disappointing to see in those final 30 minutes. Ultimately, it was all too much to overcome at Acrisure Stadium.

The Chargers finished the game with seven penalties for 69 yards, a stark contrast to the Steelers’ three flags for just 15 yards. If Los Angeles wants any chance against the Chiefs in Week 4, they must clean things up in that department.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 3 loss to Steelers

Find out who Pro Football Focus tabbed as their winners and losers from the Chargers’ loss to the Steelers.

In Week 3, the Chargers came up short to the Steelers, 20-10.

Things were looking good for Los Angeles, who went to halftime with the lead. But they got hit with the injury bug in the third quarter, losing Rashawn Slater and Justin Herbert, and eventually just ran out of steam.

With that being said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s game, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Top 5 Offense

WR Ladd McConkey — 71.3

TE Will Dissly — 69.1

OL Zion Johnson — 68.1

OL Jamaree Salyer — 67.3

WR Quentin Johnston — 66.2

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Khalil Mack — 82.2

CB Kristian Fulton — 74.0

LB Denzel Perryman — 63.6

DL Morgan Fox — 63.3

LB Daiyan Henley — 62.7

Bottom 5 Offense

OT Trey Pipkins — 46.2

OL Bradley Bozeman — 49.4

FB Scott Matlock — 49.5

RB J.K. Dobbins — 49.8

TE Hayden Hurst — 50.1

Bottom 5 Defense

S Elijah Molden — 29.5

DL Otito Ogbonnia — 38.6

LB Bud Dupree — 41.0

DL Scott Matlock — 42.1

DL Teair Tart — 47.8

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Steelers?

Find out who experts are picking between the Chargers and Steelers.

The Los Angeles Chargers are 2.5-point underdogs to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3 of the 2024 regular season. The over/under is 34.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 34.5 points.

My score prediction for the game is a 17-14 win for the Steelers, with a combined total of 31 points. So, if I were putting money based on my prediction, I’d bet the under.

As for game picks, analysts are leaning toward Pittsburgh getting the win.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Steelers
Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Steelers
Mike Clay (ESPN) Steelers
Matt Bowen (ESPN) Steelers
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Chargers
Bill Bender (Sporting News) Chargers
NFL.com Staff Steelers (4-1)
Bleacher Report Chargers

Sunday’s game will begin at 10:00 a.m. PT and will be televised on CBS.

3 best prop bets for Chargers in Week 3 vs. Steelers

The Chargers’ Week 3 matchup should be an old-school slugfest. With a low-scoring affair expected, the player prop bets are set quite low.

Week 3’s matchup between the Steelers and Chargers won’t be the most pleasing watch. The Bolts are currently 1.5-point underdogs as they travel to Pittsburgh to play at Acrisure Stadium.

The Over/Under for Sunday’s game is set at 35.5, so it’s no secret that this is expected to be a defensive battle. With that, the player props on the offensive side of the ball are quite low.

Here are some values that make some sense this weekend in the Steelers-Chargers matchup.

All odds are courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.

Ladd McConkey O36.5 receiving yards (-110)

Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has been stellar in the first two weeks. As a result, McConkey should be a direct beneficiary in Week 3 given that he spends most of his time in the slot. It may be a slower day for the Chargers’ wideouts on the outside, so the rookie should have a big role. In his first two games, he’s caught seven of 11 targets for 65 yards and a touchdown.

J.K. Dobbins O49.5 rushing yards (-120)

Dobbins won’t continue to average 9.9 yards per carry, but this number is awfully low after he racked up over 130 yards in each of the first two games. This matchup is a little bit tougher, as the Steelers are tied-for-fourth in run defense through two weeks. Historically though, Dobbins has thrived against Pittsburgh. In three games against them, he’s racked up 326 rushing yards on 47 carries (6.9 yards per carry) in addition to a touchdown. Dobbins has finished with no less than 93 yards in his meetings against the Steelers, so he knows the blueprint on how to get past this defense.

George Pickens/J.K. Dobbins total combined TDs O0.5 (-125)

This one brings in the Steelers, but it feels like a relatively good value. Pickens feels due for a touchdown, as he has yet to score after having five of them in 2023. Dobbins has scored in each of the first two games and there’s no reason to think he can’t do so again in Week 3. His big play upside has been on full display as he’s finally fully healthy. Although Gus Edwards figures to be the short yardage back, Dobbins should get more and more snaps if he continues to produce.

Announcers set for Chargers vs. Steelers Week 3 game

Find out who will be calling the Week 3 game between the Chargers and Steelers.

The Chargers will travel to Pittsburgh, PA, to meet the Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 10:00 a.m. PT.

The Week 3 game will be televised on CBS and Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will have the call.

Los Angeles looks to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2002. They will lean on their No. 1 ranked rushing attack while Justin Herbert is nursing his ankle injury. The defense should remain sharp against a Steelers offense that has struggled to find efficiency.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, will try to stay perfect, as they also have a perfect 2-0 record. Like the Chargers, the Steelers will rely on their defense to try to come away with a victory.

The last time the two teams met was in 2021. The Chargers won, 41-37. The Steelers lead the overall series, 24-11-0.

5 Steelers players to watch vs. Chargers

The Steelers have talent on both sides of the ball.

It’s a battle of two undefeated teams in Week 3. The Chargers travel to Pittsburgh to face Mike Tomlin and the 2-0 Steelers in a game that figures to be low scoring.

It’s one that should be decided in the trenches, as physicality is considered a strength for each team. Here some players to keep an eye on this weekend from the Steelers’ side of things.

C Zach Frazier

It seems like the Steelers have found their center of the future. After a few years of poor play from the position, their 2024 second-rounder has looked stellar through the first two weeks. He’s helped stabilize the offensive line, something the team has been lacking for a few years now. Frazier’s matchup against the interior portion of the Chargers’ defensive line, namely Poona Ford, will be a major key to the Week 3 matchup. 

WR George Pickens

Pickens is by far Pittsburgh’s top playmaker, and he has eight catches for 114 yards so far on the season. The rest of the Steelers’ receiving core has combined for just five catches and 28 receiving yards. If there’s one guy that the Chargers can’t let take over the game, it’s Pickens. He certainly has the ability and talent to do so, as he accumulated 1,140 receiving yards last season.

Edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith

These two form arguably the best pass rushing duo in all of football. Watt is arguably the best defender in the NFL, while Highsmith is quite the running mate. Through two games, they’ve continued to wreck havoc, including last week against the Broncos. Their matchups against the Chargers’ offensive tackles, who have been elite this season, could decide the fate of this game.

CB Joey Porter Jr.

There’s no question as to who is the top corner in Pittsburgh. Only in his second season, Porter has enjoyed a stellar start to the season. If there is one weakness to his game, he does tend to get a bit handsy in coverage at times. He was flagged multiple times in Week 2 against the Broncos, so that’s something to watch. Justin Herbert may be wise to shy away from Porter throughout the game on Sunday if he wants to be able to have success through the air.

K Chris Boswell

It sounds a bit strange to include a kicker in this, but Boswell has become one of the best kickers in the NFL. Through two games, he’s a perfect 8-for-8 on field goal attempts, including 4-for-4 from over 50 yards. Kickers across the league have been exceptional to start the season, and Boswell has single-handedly helped the Steelers to a 2-0 start. It’s important for the Chargers defense to not even allow Pittsburgh’s offense into field goal range because at this point, it seems like an automatic three points for the Steelers.

Key things to know about Chargers’ Week 3 opponent: Steelers

Here are some important things to know about the Steelers ahead of the Week 3 matchup with the Chargers.

The Chargers are on the road to face the Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 10:00 a.m. PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 3 bout, here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

The man under center

The Steelers entered the spring with a quarterback battle between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, who were added by Pittsburgh during the offseason. Fields was named the starter because Wilson has been sidelined for the past two weeks with a calf injury. He has not surpassed 160 passing yards in both starts, but Fields has done a great job of taking care of the football, as he has not thrown an interception.

Struggling offense

The Steelers have yet to produce on the offensive side of the ball. They rank near the bottom in various categories in that department. While a few variables have attributed to the poor play, the offensive line and penalties have primarily hindered the unit. They’re the second-most penalized team in the NFL.

Dominant defense

This will be the game of defenses. The Chargers currently have the top-ranked defense and Pittsburgh is right behind them at No. 2. Like the Bolts, the Steelers are one of two teams that has given up only one touchdown through the first two weeks of the season. L.A. has had a lot of success running the ball, but Pittsburgh will be their toughest test yet, as they’ve allowed just 76.5 rushing yards per game.

Fearsome front

If trench play is something you enjoy, then you’re in for a treat. The Chargers offensive line has had its way, but the Steelers’ defensive line will pose a challenge. Edge defenders T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith have combined for three sacks. Defensive tackle Cameron Hayward has eight quarterback pressures.

Look out for…

Steelers secondary. Pittsburgh has the second-most interceptions in the NFL (4).

Story behind 49ers not trading Brandon Aiyuk to Steelers is insane

Uh … this story about the day Brandon Aiyuk agreed to his contract is insane.

The San Francisco 49ers were going to trade wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

In a wild story on the NFL on Fox pregame show, Fox’s Jay Glazer reported the 49ers were on the phone with the Pittsburgh Steelers to execute a trade the day Aiyuk wound up agreeing to his contract.

According to Glazer, Aiyuk got to the team facility early the day he got his deal done. He went to speak with head coach Kyle Shanahan, who then tried calling the front office to get them to stop the deal. Shanahan couldn’t get them on the phone because they were talking to the Steelers to finalize the deal, so Shanahan ran to the front office and told them to hold off on making a trade.

After that, Shanahan and general manager John Lynch talked with Aiyuk for two hours and gave him a choice: he could agree to the contract they had on the table, or he was being traded after the team’s practice on Aug. 29.

Ultimately the 2023 All-Pro WR decided he wanted to stay in San Francisco and accepted the four-year, $120 million contract.

This story from Glazer makes sense given other reporting around the deal. Lynch was visibly frustrated with Aiyuk in a press conference on Wednesday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the 49ers’ contract offer for Aiyuk had been on the table for nearly three weeks. Aiyuk also told reporters he made negotiations more difficult than they needed to be.

It feels like the crazy wrinkles to the Aiyuk contract talks are going to keep emerging every few weeks because the talks were so prolonged with so many moving parts and potential trades.

The good news for the 49ers is that Aiyuk is now under contract for at least the next four seasons, and he’ll be on the field Monday night when they open their regular season schedule against the New York Jets.

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