Tag: Week 8

Can Calvin Austin fend off the newly acquired Mike Williams for WR2?

The Steelers’ acquisition of WR Mike Williams from the Jets complicated Calvin Austin’s breakout and bid for WR2.

2024 has truly been one of the most exciting times to be a Pittsburgh Steelers fan! From acquiring prominent players in free agency to breaking the Steel City norm with several huge trades, Pittsburgh fans have every reason to love what they’re seeing from their team and the Steelers front office.

However, one Steelers WR, who seemingly broke out in the team’s Week 8 victory, may need to continue his dominance to fend off the newly acquired WR Mike Williams.

WR Calvin Austin III tore through the New York Giants’ secondary and special teams in Week 8, recording 54 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown on just three receptions, as well as shifting the momentum for his team with a 73-yard punt return touchdown.

After his two-touchdown night, fans assumed Austin could step in as the team’s WR2 moving forward. However, when the New York Jets traded Williams to Pittsburgh, it complicated matters for Austin’s offensive involvement.

Can Austin coexist with Williams as potential WR2-A and WR2-B? Or will Mike Tomlin have another “good” problem on his hands with yet another elite positional battle?

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Broncos announce uniform combo for game vs. Ravens

The Broncos will wear white jerseys and orange pants against the Ravens today.

The Denver Broncos will wear white jerseys and orange pants on the road against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9, the team announced Sunday morning.

This marks the third fifth the Broncos have worn their white jersey this season. The team is 2-2 wearing white tops so far in 2024.

Denver previously announced the team’s jersey color for all 17 games earlier this year, but players pick the color of their pants each week. The Broncos’ home games this fall will feature jersey colors white (once), blue (once), throwback (twice) and orange (four times).

On the road, Denver had one orange jersey game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3. Besides that Bucs contest, the Broncos’ eight other road games will all feature white jerseys.

After making its debut in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver’s popular 1977-inspired throwback uniform will return when the Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs in their season finale in Week 18.

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Steelers’ legendary QB speaks his mind on LT Dan Moore Jr.

Former Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger gives LT Dan Moore Jr. his flowers for his excellent play so far in 2024.

With the Steelers drafting RT Troy Fautanu in the 2024 NFL Draft, many fans assumed Dan Moore Jr. would be on his way out of Pittsburgh. However, poor play from OT Broderick Jones and a regular-season-ending injury to Fautanu opened the door for Moore to showcase his progression in his fourth year in the NFL. His elite play this season caught the attention of two-time Super Bowl champion and Steelers legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. 

Big Ben spoke about the left tackle’s talent on his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, highlighting one key play that demonstrated Moore’s value to the team: “He got dinged up for one play, there was a sack on that play. The next play, when he’s out, a sack happens.” Roethlisberger concluded with a short but powerful compliment to the left tackle: “Dan Moore is playing good football right now in a position that is very important.” 

Fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing the left tackle position is in good hands. However, what remains to be seen is how Mike Tomlin will handle the issues with Jones at right tackle.  Should Pittsburgh acquire additional offensive linemen at the trade deadline? 

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Steelers’ CB Beanie Bishop Jr. named Defensive Rookie of the Month

Steelers’ CB Beanie Bishop Jr. has become one of the team’s best 2024 acquisitions so far, and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month.

K Chris Boswell isn’t the only Steelers player to earn recognition for his performance in the month of October. Rookie CB Beanie Bishop Jr., who seems to improve each week, has been named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for his outstanding play in October. 

Bishop turned heads in Week 7 when he intercepted four-time MVP QB Aaron Rodgers not once, but twice. In Week 8, the rookie intercepted QB Daniel Jones, sealing the victory for his team. The young slot cornerback has admirably filled what appeared to be an area of concern for the Steelers heading into the 2024 season. 

With veteran CB Cameron Sutton, whose natural position is also in the slot, returning from suspension in Week 10, no one can truly justify benching Bishop after the rookie’s dominant performance in October.  Fans of the Steel City are more than excited to see what the future holds for the undrafted rookie.

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Trent McDuffie previews ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup vs. Buccaneers

See what #Chiefs DB Trent McDuffie had to say to veteran NFL reporter Darren Wilson after Kansas City’s Week 8 win over the Raiders.

The Kansas City Chiefs are the NFL’s only undefeated team after eight weeks of the regular season, and while the defending Super Bowl champions are still working out the kinks in their offense, Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive unit has been rock-solid.

Star cornerback Trent McDuffie has been a key part of Spagnuolo’s secondary since joining the Chiefs as a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft and put on a show against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8.

In Kansas City’s latest win, McDuffie tallied four combined tackles and a quarterback hit and helped hold Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew to just 209 passing yards.

McDuffie spoke to veteran NFL reporter Darren Wilson after the Chiefs’ victory over Las Vegas and previewed Kansas City’s Week 9 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after giving his analysis of Sunday’s game.

Stay tuned to see McDuffie back in action when the Chiefs play Tampa Bay in a Super Bowl LV rematch at Arrowhead Stadium on ‘Monday Night Football’ with a chance to remain undefeated for another week.

Kareem Hunt on return to Chiefs: ‘It’s good to be back’

See what #Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt had to say to veteran NFL reporter Darren Smith after Kansas City’s Week 8 victory over the #Raiders.

The Kansas City Chiefs earned their seventh win of the regular season against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8, and veteran running back Kareem Hunt was a key part of the defending Super Bowl champions’ offensive attack.

Hunt, who is back in Kansas City after a five-year stint with the Cleveland Browns, has emerged as the Chiefs’ leading rusher through seven games, and scored a touchdown against the Raiders.

After Kansas City’s win over Las Vegas, veteran NFL reporter Darren Smith spoke to Hunt in the Chiefs’ locker room at Allegiant Stadium to get his thoughts on returning to the team that drafted him.

Check out Hunt’s full postgame interview with Smith, which was posted to Twitter this week:

Expect Hunt to have his number called early and often when Kansas City takes on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arrowhead Stadium on “Monday Night Football” in Week 9.

Broncos’ release depth chart for game vs. Ravens

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ depth chart ahead of Sunday’s game against the Ravens.

With potential roster changes possibly on deck later this week, the Denver Broncos have released their depth chart ahead of a Week 9 showdown with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Last week, the Broncos elevated linebacker Kwon Alexander and guard/center Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad to the game-day roster. Throckmorton has now maxed out his elevations. Alexander can still be elevated one more time, so we left him on the depth chart below.

Here’s a look at the team’s depth chart going into the Ravens game.

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Marvin Mims Troy Franklin
LT Garett Bolles Matt Peart
LG Ben Powers Alex Palczewski
C Alex Forsyth
RG Quinn Meinerz Alex Palczewski
RT Mike McGlinchey Frank Crum
TE Adam Trautman Greg Dulcich Lucas Krull
WR Courtland Sutton Lil’Jordan Humphrey Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Jaleel McLaughlin Audric Estime
FB Michael Burton Nate Adkins
QB Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson

Broncos defensive depth chart

DE Zach Allen Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach
DE John Franklin-Myers Eyioma Uwazurike
SLB Jonathon Cooper Jonah Elliss
WLB Nik Bonitto / Baron Browning Dondrea Tillman
ILB Justin Strnad (Kwon Alexander)
ILB Cody Barton Levelle Bailey
LCB Pat Surtain Levi Wallace Tremon Smith
RCB Riley Moss Damarri Mathis Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner
S Brandon Jones Devon Key Keidron Smith

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz
P Riley Dixon
H Riley Dixon
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV broadcast map here). The Broncos are considered big underdogs in Week 9.

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Steelers’ T.J. Watt named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

T.J. Watt conquered the Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 8. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his elite play.

T.J. Watt is inevitable.  Opposing quarterbacks can hope and pray to contain him, but there is no stopping the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year.  QB Daniel Jones found this out the hard way when he was on the receiving end of two-sacks and a forced fumble from Watt in Week 8.

For his efforts in the Steelers’ victory over the Giants—compiling seven tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery—Watt has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Pittsburgh fans have enjoyed a plethora of elite pass-rushers in the Steel City, but T.J. personifies a hard-working attitude both on and off the field, arguably more than any Steelers player before him. 

In earning what is now his eighth-AFC Defensive Player of the Week award, Watt’s accomplishments continue to further cement his place among the all-time great defenders to ever play in the NFL.

While Watt is playing at an elite level, his pursuit of another D.P.O.Y award in 2024 is not his ultimate goal, but is instead to bring his team their seventh Super Bowl championship.

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Nick Bolton addresses media after Chiefs’ win vs. Raiders

See what #Chiefs LB Nick Bolton had to say to veteran NFL reporter Darren Smith after Kansas City’s win over the #Raiders.

On Sunday afternoon the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Las Vegas Raiders to continue this season 7-0. Star linebacker Nick Bolton spoke to NFL reporter Darren Smith in the locker room following the big win for the franchise.

Bolton made an incredible 9 tackles in the Chiefs’ latest matchup against the Raiders and was a key part of Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive strategy that held Las Vegas to just 20 points.

In the locker room after the game’s conclusion, Bolton talked to Smith about defensive lineman Mike Pennel’s forced fumble, Kansas City’s red zone defense, and his thoughts on the Chiefs’ Week 9 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Listen to Bolton’s full comments to Smith in this video, which was posted to Twitter:

 

Kansas City will get an extra rest day heading into their tilt against Tampa Bay on “Monday Night Football,” and fans should expect Bolton to make his presence felt in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LV rematch.

Steelers’ WR named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Calvin Austin’s Week 8 breakout game put the NFL on notice, resulting in being named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Ladies and gentlemen, Calvin Austin III has arrived and is being recognized for his elite play in Week 8. Austin has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his dynamic 73-yard punt return for a touchdown. 

With the score tied 9-9 in the third quarter, Austin knew he needed to make a splash play—and that is exactly what he did. After helping his team take the lead with his dynamic punt return, Austin continued to make his presence felt in the receiving game, hauling in 54 yards and two total touchdowns on the night. 

Can Austin keep the momentum rolling, not only contributing to the Steelers’ top spot in the AFC North, but also locking up Pittsburgh’s WR2 spot indefinitely? Only time will tell, but Austin’s fantastic performance seemingly leads to one simple conclusion—this is only the first of many awards Austin will earn during his time in the Steel City.

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