Tag: Steelers

NFL playoff picture: Where the Chargers stand after Week 16

Find out how the win over the Broncos affected the Chargers’ chances of making the playoffs and their current seeding.

The Chargers beat the Broncos last Sunday. They improved to 9-6, as did their chances of making the playoffs.

According to NFL.com, Los Angeles has a 95% chance of making the playoffs. With the Bolts’ win, they bumped back to the sixth seed, and the Broncos moved down into the seventh seed.

The Chargers can clinch a spot in the playoffs with a win over the Patriots next Sunday.

Here’s a look at the division standings after Week 16:

1. Chiefs (14-1) *clinched division*

2. Chargers (9-6)

3. Broncos (9-6)

4. Raiders (3-12)

And a look at the playoff picture:

*There are (7) available Playoff spots

1. Chiefs (14-1)

2. Bills (12-3)

3. Steelers (10-5)

4. Texans (9-6)

5. Ravens (10-5)

6. Chargers (9-6)

7. Broncos (9-6)

8. Colts (7-8)

9. Dolphins (7-8)

10. Bengals (7-8)

AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:

  • No. 2 Bills vs. No. 7 Broncos
  • No. 3 Steelers vs. No. 6 Chargers
  • No. 4 Texans vs. No. 5 Ravens

Chargers pegged as potential landing spot for recently-waived wide receiver

The Chargers would be wise to upgrade their wide receiver room ahead of the playoffs.

Update: Diontae Johnson was claimed by the Texans.

The Chargers should look to improve their roster in any way they can ahead of the playoffs, and one positional room they could look to do so is at wide receiver.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Los Angeles is someone to watch for WR Diontae Johnson, who was waived by the Ravens this past week.

Rapoport also cited the Chiefs and the Steelers as the two other potential landing spots for the wideout.

The Chargers are the highest of the three teams mentioned by waiver order. L.A. is No. 21 in waiver priority, followed by Pittsburgh at No. 25 and Kansas City at No. 32.

Johnson, a third-round draft pick in 2019 by the Steelers, has amassed 422 catches for 4,726 yards and 28 touchdowns for Pittsburgh, the Panthers and Baltimore.

Johnson’s most productive season came back in 2021 when he totaled 107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns.

Johnson would provide the Chargers’ wide receiver room with a playmaker with refined route-running skills who can create after the catch.

Ladd McConkey leads the group in receiving with 960 yards, and there is a big gap, with Joshua Palmer next with 543 yards, followed by Quentin Johnston with 477 yards.

Johnson can be claimed by a team starting Monday at 1 p.m. PT. Also, he has a minimum salary, so he is effectively a no-cost option for the Chargers if they choose to add him.

Week 16 Rooting Guide: Best outcomes as Ravens eye a top four seed

We’re looking at the Week 16 rooting guide for Baltimore fans as the Ravens look to move up into the top four seeds

The Ravens (9-5) are second in the AFC North and all but guaranteed to make the playoffs regardless of what happens in Week 16. Still, a loss to the Steelers and a Houston Win over Kansas City could send Baltimore sliding to the sixth seed, with a matchup against the Texans looming in Week 17.

Overall, a bad two weeks for Baltimore could put John Harbaugh’s team down as far as the seventh seed and on a collision course with Buffalo in the wild-card round.

There are ways back to the No. 3 or four seed, and that starts with a win over Pittsburgh on Sunday and some help down the stretch.

With Thursday night football quickly approaching, we’re looking at the Week 16 rooting guide for Ravens fans.

Amazon Prime Broncos (9-5) vs. Chargers (8-6)

Both teams are all but guaranteed to make the postseason and could face the Bills or Steelers in the wild-card round. We’re rooting for a Chargers upset, which would lock Baltimore into the fifth spot and put it on a collision course with Houston.

Root for Chargers

NBC, TELEMUNDO, UNIVERSO Texans (9-5) vs. Chiefs (13-1)

Houston would have to fall off the cliff and lose three straight for Indianapolis to take that No. 4 seed as the AFC North winner. Baltimore matches up well with the Texans and the Colts, so a Kansas City win is a positive.

Root for Chiefs

CBS Browns (3-11) vs. Bengals (6-8)

The Bengals (7%) currently have the lowest odds of any team still eligible for the playoffs, but this explosive offense could make noise in the postseason.

Root for Browns

CBS Patriots (3-11) vs. Bills (12-2)

Defeating the Steelers and eventually gaining control of the AFC North could put the Ravens as high as the No. 3 seed. A loss or two by the surging Bills could get Baltimore to as high as the No. 2 seed if they can win out.

Root for New England

Chiefs will wear a festive uniform patch for the NFL Holiday Remix games

Kansas City #Chiefs will wear a festive uniform patch for the NFL Holiday Remix games | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are part of a new tradition of having teams play on Christmas Day. The Saturday before, they will receive their unique uniform patch.

To celebrate the occasion, the four competing teams in the NFL Holiday Remix—the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, and Pittsburgh Steelers—will wear a festive, holiday-inspired uniform patch during their games on Saturday, Dec. 21, and again on Christmas Day. The patch features the NFL shield backed by two candy canes.

“The NFL on Christmas has become a holiday staple with families coming together to celebrate and watch NFL games,” said Tim Ellis, NFL executive vice president of marketing. “This year, we look forward to the start of a new holiday tradition with Netflix, which will be seen around the world. These holiday-inspired uniform patches are a great touch to mark this special occasion.”

The Chiefs’ matchup with the Steelers on Wednesday begins the first of a three-season partnership with Netflix to broadcast NFL games on Christmas Day. Play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle, analysts Nate Burleson and JJ Watt, and sideline reporters Melanie Collins and Stacey Dales will be on the call.

NFL playoff picture: What are Chargers’ chances of making postseason after loss to Buccaneers?

Find out how the loss to the Buccaneers affected the Chargers’ chances of playing beyond the regular season.

The Chargers lost to the Buccaneers on Sunday. They fell to 8-6, as did their percentage of making the playoffs.

According to NFL.com, Los Angeles has an 88% chance of making the playoffs. With the Bolts’ loss, they dropped to the seventh seed, and the Broncos moved into the sixth seed.

Here’s a look at the division standings entering Week 16:

1. Chiefs (13-1) *clinched division*

2. Broncos (9-5)

3. Chargers (8-6)

4. Raiders (2-11)

And a look at the playoff picture:

*There are (7) available Playoff spots

1. Chiefs (13-1)

2. Bills (11-3)

3. Steelers (10-4)

4. Texans (9-5)

5. Ravens (9-5)

6. Broncos (9-5)

7. Chargers (8-6)

8. Colts (6-8)

9. Dolphins (6-8)

10. Bengals (6-8)

AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:

  • No. 2 Bills vs. No. 7 Chargers
  • No. 3 Steelers vs. No. 6 Broncos
  • No. 4 Texans vs. No. 5 Ravens

Week 15: Should you drop George Pickens in fantasy football?

Fantasy football managers may need to decide whether to keep George Pickens on their roster as he may miss the entirety of their playoffs.

For the lucky few fantasy football fanatics who have made it into the playoffs, congratulations are in order! However, if Steelers WR George Pickens is on your roster, things may be looking grim.

While league settings may vary, the majority of fantasy football leagues will be playing their playoffs between Weeks 15 and 17—the weeks Pickens might miss, according to one Steelers insider.

It is unlikely Pickens will end up on IR, forcing fantasy managers to decide if the Steelers WR is worth keeping around ultimately. His absence from Week 15 is all but confirmed, and insiders seem to agree that Pickens may not be able to recover from his hamstring injury in time for Weeks 16 and 17.

If Pickens is on your roster, it is important to consider when, if at all, he will return to action in the regular season. Can your roster sustain having the Pittsburgh Steelers WR taking up a spot on the bench, or will you ultimately need to let him go in favor of some other potential breakout Steelers players, like WR Mike Williams, WR Calvin Austin III, or TE Pat Freiermuth?

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George Pickens injury updates: Steelers WR is doubtful for matchup vs. Eagles

Mike Tomlin says that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is doubtful for the Week 15 game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles

The Steelers are heading to Philadelphia for a gigantic matchup against the Eagles on Sunday, and Mike Tomlin’s team will likely be without George Pickens.

Similar to situations the Eagles had to deal with regarding A.J. Brown and recently DeVonta Smith, Pickens is dealing with a grade 2 hamstring injury that caused him to miss the Week 14 win over the Browns.

According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Following a Sunday morning conversation with athletic trainers and wide receiver George Pickens, coach Mike Tomlin opted to make Pickens, who sustained a hamstring injury late in the week, inactive for the Steelers’ 27-14 victory against the Browns on Sunday.

On Tuesday, five days before the Steelers depart for Philadelphia, Tomlin confirmed that Pickens is doubtful for Sunday afternoon.

Pickens has 850 receiving yards and three touchdown catches and would provide a formidable opponent for Eagles cornerbacks Darius Slay and Quinyon Mitchell.

Pittsburgh will play three games in the next 11 days, including another matchup with Baltimore.

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NFL playoff picture: What are Chargers’ chances of making postseason after loss to Chiefs?

The Chargers are still in a good position to play beyond the regular season despite their loss to the Chiefs.

The Chargers lost to the Chiefs on Sunday night. They fell to 8-5, as did their chances of making the playoffs slightly.

According to NFL.com, Los Angeles has a 90% chance of making the playoffs. With the Bolts’ loss, they dropped back down to the sixth seed, and the Ravens moved to the fifth seed.

Here’s a look at the division standings entering Week 15:

1. Chiefs (12-1) *clinched division*

2. Chargers (8-5)

3. Broncos (8-5)

4. Raiders (2-11)

And a look at the playoff picture:

*There are (7) available Playoff spots

1. Chiefs (12-1)

2. Bills (10-3)

3. Steelers (10-3)

4. Texans (8-5)

5. Ravens (8-5)

6. Chargers (8-5)

7. Broncos (8-5)

8. Colts (6-7)

9. Dolphins (6-7)

10. Bengals (4-8)

AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:

  • No. 2 Bills vs. No. 7 Broncos
  • No. 3 Steelers vs. No. 6 Chargers
  • No. 4 Texans vs. No. 5 Ravens

Report: Steelers connection could keep Ravens from releasing Diontae Johnson

It wouldn’t be a controversial stance to say that Diontae Johnson was a disaster signing for the Ravens.

It is not a hot take to say that the Baltimore Ravens’ Diontae Johnson signing has not worked out. It wouldn’t even be controversial to say that this was a disaster signing.

He’s played just one 39 offensive snaps in Baltimore, and when asked to play against the Eagles, he refused out of frustration with his lack of usage.

I’m not sure how that “logic” works exactly—being upset about not getting enough playing time but then saying no when asked to play. However, that all works. Johnson is currently suspended, and the disciplinary action has invited speculation that he could be released.

Widespread reports indicate the Ravens are/have considered it, but one potential consequence might keep the team from actually doing it. The fear is that should the Ravens cut Johnson, he could return to his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he would then provide insider info to the archrivals.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes:

Whether the Steelers would want him back is unclear, but the way some people around the league see it: The threat of him sharing Ravens offensive intel with Pittsburgh could make Baltimore hold on to him.

This doesn’t seem like the best reason to keep Johnson around, but the concerns are understandable. Overall, it’s a messy situation.

Drew Brees could be returning to the broadcast booth

Report: Netflix is in conversations to add former Saints quarterback Drew Brees to coverage for their Christmas Day double-header:

Drew Brees has expressed his desire to step back into the broadcast booth. The opportunity appears to be presenting itself. Brees along with NFL Redzone’s Scott Hanson are in conversations with Netflix to be a part of the international broadcast of the streaming platform’s Christmas Day double-header.

Christmas Day has long belonged to the NBA, but the NFL has attempted to stake their claim to the day in recent years. The New Orleans Saints have been a part of that history when Alvin Kamara dropped a gaggle of touchdowns on the Minnesota Vikings.

This year’s matchups pit the Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens versus the Houston Texans, both streamed live on Netflix.

As for Brees? The legendary quarterback has been primarily an in-studio analyst for NFL games, but he believes his best usage is in the booth for professional games. Brees told Front Office Sports, “That’s what I feel like I’m most qualified to do. That’s what I feel like I’m most passionate about. And certainly where my knowledge base lies, right?”

Brees getting this opportunity could initiate the comeback he is trying to make.

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