Tag: Steelers

Steelers vs. Bengals: 3 offensive sleepers who could have a big impact Sunday

Here are some Steelers we want to see play on Sunday.

(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

It’s no secret just how bad the Pittsburgh Steelers offense has been this season. The Steelers are only averaging 283.5 yards per game and 20 points. They are one of the only teams in the league yet to have a 300-yard passer. Pittsburgh has been forced to shuffle some roster spots to account for injuries and lack of production. But this week against the Cincinnati Bengals, here are three guys on offense we are looking forward to watching.

TE Nick Vannett

No one expects Vannett to ever be confused with Rob Gronkowski. But you have to think when the Steelers traded for him, it was for more than just to add a part-time blocking tight end. Call it a hunch, but we have a feeling this is going to be a strong week for Vannett.

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Behind enemy lines: 5 questions with Bengals Wire

Get the inside info on the Bengals this week.

Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier in the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 27-3 and now it is time for the rematch. We reached out to our friends at Bengals Wire to go behind enemy lines before this week’s game.

Can the Bengals rally with six games to play or is the season a lost cause?

Lost cause. The team has admitted it too in going with rookie passer Ryan Finley over Andy Dalton. He’s a little more mobile, sure, but coaches have flat-out admitted this is about evaluating for the future now. Considering they’re in the running for the No. 1 pick, that’s probably a great idea. Zac Taylor traded up to get Finley so they need to see what he’s got. Otherwise, there are far too many injuries to overcome. We’re looking at one or two wins, tops.

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Browns DE Myles Garrett releases statement after allegations

Myles Garrett doubles down on his accusation against Mason Rudolph.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett released a statement when the news broke about contention Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph used a racial slur before their fight started Thursday night. In Garrett’s statement, he doubled down on the allegation despite losing his appeal to have his indefinite suspension reduced.

The NFL released a statement indicating they looked into Garrett’s accusation and found no evidence of it. The NFL has access to numerous audio sources on the field including microphones at field level and on multiple players. If they heard nothing to warrant giving Garrett’s claims any credence, the matter is closed.

At this point the Steelers need to put all their focus and energy into preparing to take on the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend. Pittsburgh needs to win this week and push their record to 6-5 heading into their rematch with the Browns.

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Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals Week 12 matchup, with NFL betting odds, picks and best bets

The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5) visit the winless Cincinnati Bengals (0-10) Saturday for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Paul Brown Stadium. We analyze the Steelers-Bengals odds and sports betting lines, while providing betting tips and advice on this Week 12 NFL matchup.

Steelers at Bengals: Week 12 preview, betting trends and notes

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

  • The Steelers will have more than a week off after having a five-game winning streak snapped in a 21-7 loss at the Cleveland Browns in Week 11’s Thursday night game – the Steelers were 3-point underdogs.
  • The Bengals lost – but covered as 13-point dogs – at the Oakland Raiders 17-10 Sunday
  • The Steelers are 1-3 on the road and 6-4 against the spread (ATS) overall.
  • The Bengals are 0-4 at home and 4-6 ATS.
  • Both teams are 3-7 against the Over/Under this season.
  • The Steelers won the first head-to-head meeting of the season 27-3 at home Sept. 30.
  • Steelers QB Mason Rudolph has thrown for 1,551 yards with 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions, completing 62.3% of his passes.
  • In his two starts, Finley has thrown for 282 yards with one TD and two picks, while completing 47.5% of his passes.
  • The Steelers defense is 13th in points allowed (20.2 PPG), while the Bengals are 28th (27.6 PPG).

Steelers at Bengals: Key injuries

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion, knee) is doubtful, while RB James Conner (shoulder) and WR Diontae Johnson (concussion) are questionable.

Bengals WRs A.J. Green (ankle) and Auden Tate (concussion) are questionable.

Steelers at Bengals: Odds, betting lines and prediction

NFL odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Odds last updated Thursday at 5:50 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Steelers 24, Bengals 10

Moneyline (ML)

The Bengals (+225) may win eventually, but it won’t be against the STEELERS (-286), who have won nine straight in this AFC North rivalry. The -286 price is expensive, but if you’re willing – every $2.86 wagered will profit $1 if Pittsburgh wins – go for it.

Against the Spread (ATS)

The STEELERS (-6.5, -110) are worth a small play. As mentioned, they’ve had a few extra days off and should be fired up after the Browns loss. The Bengals might be playing for pride, but they’re 0-4 ATS at home and with the way their season is going, the home fans likely won’t show up in force.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 38.5 (+100) is the STRONGEST PLAY. Both teams struggle to score, ranking in the bottom third of the NFL. The Steelers are 24th, averaging 22.0 points per game, while the Bengals are 30th at 14.7 PPG. The past two head-to-head meetings totaled 30 and 29 points, respectively, and the last eight matchups are 2-6 O/U.

Plus, the Under is 7-1 in the Steelers’ last eight games after a loss, and the Under is 8-1-2 in the Bengals’ last 11 games inside the AFC.

New to sports betting? The +100 is an even bet. Every $1 wagered profits $1 if the two teams combine for 38 or fewer points.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet atBetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Johnny’s plays since Nov. 6: 7-6. Strongest plays: 4-2.

Follow @JohnnyParlay11 and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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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AFC Playoff Picture entering Week 12

The AFC playoff picture features the Ravens, Patriots, Chiefs, and Colts as division leaders heading into Week 12

We didn’t learn much about the AFC playoff picture this week. The Ravens and Patriots seem like the cream of the crop in the AFC. Both those teams are poised to secure byes and the only thing in doubt is whether Baltimore or New England will have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Texans are flawed and are in a battle with the Colts for the AFC South. The Chiefs should win the AFC West. The wild cards will be a battle between the loser of the Texans-Colts battle, the Buffalo Bills, the Oakland Raiders, and maybe the Steelers or the Browns. Yes, somehow the Browns are still alive, folks.

Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

AFC East

New England Patriots 9-1

The Patriots have one concern: their offense. The New England defense can’t keep bailing out the other side of the football. That hasn’t been the case for a long time in New England. The good news for the reigning Super Bowl champion is that they only play one very good defense the rest of the schedule. The Cowboys should be a good defense but haven’t really shown it on the field. The Texans and Chiefs can be scored upon. There’s probably two losses left on the schedule, but 13 wins should be enough to get the top seed unless the Ravens continue to dominate opponents.

Remaining Schedule: Cowboys, @Texans, Chiefs, @Bengals, Bills, Dolphins

Buffalo Bills 7-3

The Bills need to beat the Broncos or their playoff hopes are in deep trouble. The four games after Week 12 are in tough situations where they play the Cowboys, Steelers, and Patriots away and have to try and stop the Ravenswhich doesn’t look possible right now. What looked like an easy path to the playoffs now looks a little scary.

Remaining Schedule: Broncos, @Cowboys, Ravens, @Steelers, @Patriots, Jets

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Sean McVay calls Steelers-Browns brawl tough to watch: ‘Unfortunate to see’

Sean McVay shared his thoughts on the brawl between the Steelers and Browns on Thursday night.

Thursday night’s Browns-Steelers game ended with a brawl between both teams after Myles Garrett took Mason Rudolph to the ground late after the ball was released. They wrestled on the ground for a moment before things escalated.

Garrett ripped off Rudolph’s helmet and struck him in the head with it, leading to immediate ejection. Maurkice Pouncey punched and kicked Garrett in defense of his quarterback, while Browns DT Larry Ogunjobi knocked Rudolph to the ground unnecessarily.

During his press conference on Friday, Sean McVay was asked about the incident and he shared his thoughts on what he saw.

“You don’t ever like to see anything like that for our game,” he said. “That was another situation right there, I think for what we want for just the overall NFL approach, things like that and the brand and what I know we want to epitomize, those are tough things to be able to watch and I don’t think anyone would disagree that that’s not something we want to see.

“I was kind of sitting there watching it as we were wrapping up the night last night and when it occurred, it kind of catches you off guard and it was unfortunate to see.”

Garrett was suspended for the rest of the season and will need to apply for reinstatement in 2020, while Ogunjobi was banned one game and Pouncey three. Both teams were fined $250,000 for their players’ actions.

De’Vondre Campbell criticizes outrage over Myles Garrett incident

Thursday night’s controversial ending between the Browns and Steelers has talking heads everywhere passionately condemning Myles Garrett’s actions.

In the world of 24-hour sports news, little stories get blown out of proportion and big stories dominate the headlines for weeks on end.

Thursday night’s controversial ending between the Browns and Steelers has talking heads everywhere passionately condemning Myles Garrett’s actions.

The defensive end has been suspended for the remainder of the year after swinging his helmet and striking Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head.

Not everyone is outraged, though, with several players coming to the defense of Garrett as well. One of those players speaking out in support of the star pass-rusher is Falcons linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, who tweeted the following:

Head coach Dan Quinn spoke earlier today about the need for his team to stay disciplined in similar circumstances, especially during division games.

Atlanta takes on the Carolina Panthers in Week 11, the second of five straight NFC South matchups.

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Chiefs players react to Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph fight

Chiefs players were shocked to see what happened on Thursday night between the Browns and Steelers.

It was an ugly ending to the Week 11 edition of Thursday Night Football between Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Browns DE Myles Garrett and DT Larry Ogunjobi along with Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey were ejected for their part in an all-out brawl in the final minutes of the game. The personal foul that drew ejections came from a helmet-pulling affair between Garrett and Steelers QB Mason Rudolph. It led to Garrett forcibly removing Rudolph’s helmet and turning it upon Rudolph as a blunt weapon — hitting him over the head with it.

The incident was widely criticized on the social media airwaves with fans, journalists and NFL players weighing-in. Several Chiefs players expressed their shock and opinions on Twitter, including Chiefs star QB Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes was just selected as the Chiefs’ nominee for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. It’s safe to say this wasn’t an act that carried the utmost sportsmanship and respect for the game.

Emmanuel Ogbah, a former teammate of Garrett’s, was a bit more reserved in his reaction. This is something that no one in the NFL wants to see happen.

Reggie Ragland wondered how things would have gone different if it were Patrick Mahomes instead of Mason Rudolph. One fan responded saying that the stands would clear in support of Mahomes.

Darron Lee found himself wondering what provoked Garrett’s actions? Was it something that went unchecked earlier in the game? Perhaps we’ll never know the answer to that question.

What we do know is that this isn’t how things should play out on the football field. Players from every team need to come together in unison and rebuke the actions of Garrett and anything that led to this happening. It’s an emotional game, but part of what makes NFL athletes professionals is their ability to keep those emotions in check and respond within the confines of the game.

Bills playoff picture: Steelers’ James Conner returns to practice

The Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers are holding your first and second AFC wild card slots, respectively, heading into Week 11. 

The Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers are holding your first and second AFC wild card slots, respectively, heading into Week 11.

Running back James Conner is going to play a big part in that.

The Steelers and Cleveland Browns will open Week 11 on Thursday Night Football. It’s looking like Conner will return from a shoulder injury. He’s one of the primer rusher in the NFL.

Along with Conner, offensive lineman Ramon Foster (concussion) is also expected to return to the Steelers’ fold. He’s their starting guard.

With the Baltimore Ravens having a strangle hold on the AFC North at this time at 7-2, the Steelers and Bills, with the AFC East leading New England Patriots also in mind, are two teams that will be squarely facing off in the wild card battle.

The Bills and Steelers will also faceoff against one another in Week 15 in Pittsburgh.

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Updated look at Bills’ remaining strength of schedule

Buffalo Bills remaining stretch of schedule in 2019.

The Bills sit at 6-3 after their 19-16 loss to the Browns and their 2019 schedule down the stretch is much tougher.

So, how much tougher is it exactly?

Currently the Bills sit dead-center in the NFL.

Buffalo has the 16th hardest schedule remaining in the NFL. Left on Buffalo’s schedule, in order, are the Dolphins, Broncos, Cowboys, Ravens, Steelers, Patriots and Jets.

Combined, those teams are 32-31 overall this year with a .508 winning percentage.

Earlier this season, NFL analysts were critical of the Bills and their opponents. Now the Bills will have a chance to prove they can beat better teams.

With the Bills’ schedule in mind, let’s now compare that with the other teams currently in the AFC Wild Card and playoff picture. If Buffalo doesn’t get it done, things could go bad.

Here’s how the standings currently sit with team records and remaining strength of schedule.

AFC seeding:

  1. New England Patriots (8-1, .469 – 21st hardest)
  2. Baltimore Ravens (7-2, .556 – 7th)
  3. Houston Texans (6-3, .554 – 9th)
  4. Kansas City Chiefs (6-4, .500 – 17th)
  5. Buffalo Bills (6-3, .508 – 16th)
  6. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4, .383 – 30th)
  7. Oakland Raiders (5-4, .364 – 31st)
  8. Indianapolis Colts (5-4, .531 – 13th)
  9. Tennessee Titans (5-5, .611 – 3rd)
  10. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5, .446 – 25th)

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