Joe Rutter stories, Page 69
Steelers’ 3rd consecutive win puts them squarely in AFC North race
CLEVELAND — Following a three-game losing streak with an equal number of consecutive wins has gotten the Pittsburgh Steelers back into hunt for the AFC North title. The Steelers improved to 4-3 and switched places with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday as a result of their 15-10 victory at FirstEnergy...
Steelers overcome loss of kicker Chris Boswell, rally to beat Browns
CLEVELAND – Playing the entire second half without their kicker forced the Pittsburgh Steelers to adopt a go-for-broke mentality Sunday afternoon on the road against the Cleveland Browns. • Such as when they faced a fourth-and-2 near the goal line in the fourth quarter while trailing by a point. •...
Steelers kicker Chris Boswell injured on fake field goal attempt
CLEVELAND — The Pittsburgh Steelers lost kicker Chris Boswell to a head injury when he was knocked to the ground on a fake field goal attempt against the Cleveland Browns. With the score tied 3-3 and 1 minute, 45 second remaining before halftime, the Steelers attempted a fake field goal...
The good, bad and scary of the Steelers’ storied rivalry with the Browns
Through seven-plus decades of NFL games, through the wins and losses and one tie, there has been one constant to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ rivalry with the Cleveland Browns: The bus ride up the turnpike. With the exception of the Browns’ three-year absence from the NFL in the 1990s, the Steelers...
Run defense expects to be tested often when Steelers face top-ranked Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers used the bye week to identify the reason they had a season-high 14 missed tackles in their most recent game. They are using this week of practice to make fundamental adjustments as they prepare to face the NFL’s most prolific rushing offense. They will use their game...
Lack of interceptions ‘doesn’t really eat’ at Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick
As a two-time, first-team All-Pro free safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick is counted upon to make big plays in the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary. It hasn’t happened yet this season. Playing on a defense that has recorded just two interceptions — only two NFL teams have fewer — Fitzpatrick is searching for his...
After sitting out playoff game, Steelers CB Joe Haden awaits chance to face Browns
Confined to his house because of a positive covid-19 test, cornerback Joe Haden couldn’t believe what he saw unfold on the TV screen in his basement last January as he watched his teammates play his former employer in an AFC wild-card game. Haden watched the Cleveland Browns score a touchdown...
For Steelers, meeting with Browns rekindles ‘shock’ of playoff loss
The last time the Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Cleveland Browns, they trailed by a touchdown one snap into the game, by 28 points after the first quarter and by the end of the night were victims of another home playoff loss. Nine months later, that 48-37 wild-card loss still stings,...
Notebook: Steelers preparing to defend Browns’ ‘personality’ regardless of starting QB
Baker Mayfield or Case Keenum? For Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, it doesn’t matter which veteran quarterback starts Sunday for the Cleveland Browns. Tomlin said Tuesday he’s preparing to defend the system and not the passer when the 3-3 Steelers and 4-3 Browns meet in an AFC North game at...
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin: ‘Never say never, but never’ on coaching college footballVideo
Mike Tomlin isn’t interested in coaching college football. Linked to a couple of college programs by two former NFL players and a former Pittsburgh Steelers executive, Tomlin squashed any talk Tuesday at his weekly press conference. “I don’t have time for that speculation,” Tomlin said. “That is a joke for...
Tight end Eric Ebron staying silent about reduced role in Steelers offense
Keeping quiet never has been easy for Eric Ebron, not in the best of times and certainly not in the worst. The Pittsburgh Steelers tight end has taken veiled shots at former NFL employers in the past, and he has verbally jousted with critics on social media. Ebron, though, has...
Recording, preventing sacks among items on Steelers’ agenda when they return from bye
Mike Tomlin likes to spend the bye week taking an introspective look at the Pittsburgh Steelers, using his time to analyze trends, identify weaknesses and eliminate what he refers to as “known issues.” Despite the Steelers winning back-to-back games to take a 3-3 record into the bye, Tomlin had his...
Steelers to analyze ways to improve tackling on heels of season-worst performance
Mike Tomlin likes to tackle issues when they arise with his Pittsburgh Steelers, but what about when the issue to tackle is tackling itself? The Steelers had a season-high 14 missed tackles last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks and are among the NFL’s worst at bringing ball carriers to the...
Steelers coaches maintain WR James Washington still big component of offense
James Washington’s absence for much of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first game without wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was hard to miss in their 23-20 overtime win Sunday night against Seattle. The fourth-year wide receiver, whose playing time was expected to increase with Smith-Schuster out for the rest of the season, was...
Mike Tomlin got explanation, not ‘clarity’ about way officials handled end of regulation vs. Seattle
Mike Tomlin took his concerns to NFL offices regarding the way the final moments of regulation unfolded Sunday night when play was halted and the Seattle Seahawks were given time to spike the ball and then kick a tying field goal. “I got an explanation,” Tomlin said after a bye-week...
5 things: Chris Boswell becoming a sure thing again in Steelers’ kicking game
Five things we learned from Steelers 23, Seahawks 20: 1. Wizard of Boz His 2018 struggles a distant memory, Chris Boswell continues to be an unsung hero for the Steelers. Boswell’s 52-yard field goal with 1 minute, 30 seconds left tied the score, and his third field goal, from 37...
Turnover helps Steelers to overtime win vs. Seahawks
Mike Tomlin didn’t want the Pittsburgh Steelers to disappoint the franchise’s four newest Hall of Fame members who were honored during a prime-time showcase Sunday night at Heinz Field. The Steelers complied, even though they blew a 14-point second-half lead, watched a frenetic final seconds result in a tying field...
Hall of Famers get rings, chance to catch up with former Steelers teammates at alumni weekend
Wiping tears from his eyes with a Terrible Towel, an emotional Troy Polamalu talked about writing the Hall of Fame speech that preceded his appearance Sunday night at Heinz Field. Polamalu, along with Bill Cowher, Alan Faneca and Donnie Shell, received their Pro Football Hall of Fame rings during a...
Steelers activate tackle Zach Banner from injured reserve
Right tackle Zach Banner will be available to return from ACL surgery when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night at Heinz Field. Banner, who had a setback in the preseason that delayed his recovery, was activated from injured reserve Saturday. He replaces wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster,...
After rehabbing MCL tear, RB Anthony McFarland awaits return to Steelers
Considering how infrequently he played as a rookie, the last thing running back Anthony McFarland wanted was a medical issue derailing his second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not surprisingly, an MCL tear sustained during the preseason and a trip to injured reserve were not exactly the start McFarland had...
Behind Najee Harris, Steelers’ running game starting to see some daylight
From a big-picture perspective, Najee Harris is treating the Pittsburgh Steelers’ breakthrough running performance last weekend with the same mindset as a straight-ahead back that keeps fighting for extra yards. He doesn’t want to see his efforts — or the team’s — go backward. When the Steelers host the Seattle...
WRs Chase Claypool, James Washington resume full practice participation for Steelers
After losing JuJu Smith-Schuster to a season-ending shoulder injury last weekend, the Pittsburgh Steelers got some positive news Friday about the availability of two other starting wide receivers. Chase Claypool and James Washington returned to practice after being limited participants Wednesday and Thursday, and they no longer are listed on...
Fireworks to serve as reminder for fans to enter Heinz Field at Steelers games
Pittsburghers enjoy a good fireworks show, and the Steelers are doing their part to help fans get their fix. These fireworks, though, are for informational purposes and not strictly entertainment. Starting Sunday, the Steelers are introducing a program in which they will set off fireworks as a reminder to fans...
Wife of Steelers inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky dies
The wife of Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky died Friday morning, the team announced in a statement. Rayme Olsavsky and Jerry have three children: Joseph, Emma and Dominic. “The Pittsburgh Steelers have heavy hearts with the unfortunate passing of Rayme Olsavsky,” the Steelers said. “Words cannot express our...
Steelers try to make up for lack of history facing Seahawks backup Geno Smith
If the Pittsburgh Steelers cued up videotape from the last time Geno Smith started an NFL game, they went back to the 2017 archives. If they looked for tendencies from when the former West Virginia quarterback last received regular playing time, they dug back to find 2013 footage. The lack...
