30 years later, Steelers DBs remember fighting for ‘Harbaugh’s Hail Mary’ in AFC Championship game
How much can happen in 6.28 seconds? That’s about as long as it takes to get to “…dawn’s early light” in the Star Spangled Banner. Unless you are talking really fast, you can get to “…for which it stands” in the Pledge of Allegiance, and the letter “I” in the...
‘Dry January’: Steelers’ drought of playoff wins eventually pushes Mike Tomlin away
After the holidays end, I know a lot of people who try to do “dry January.” Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh Steelers seem committed to really going dry in January every year. After Monday night’s 30-6 defeat at the hand of the Houston Texans, the Steelers have now failed to win a...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s immediate change of course raises questions about his departure
Less than a day after a playoff loss to the Houston Texans, Mike Tomlin ended his tenure as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. “After much thought and reflection, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Tomlin said via a statement issued by the organization....
First Call: Texans hijack ‘Renegade’; Houston DB wants Aaron Rodgers to sign pick-6 ball
The Houston Texans stole “Renegade” after their playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. We have a favored candidate for the Baltimore Ravens head coaching job. The hottest hockey team on the planet is coming to PPG Paints Arena. And the Duquesne Dukes host a conference rival. All...
Airing of Grievances: ‘Same story’ Steelers can’t stop run, can’t score TDs during latest lopsided playoff loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers were only up 3-0 after the first quarter against the Houston Texans on Monday night, but based on how the previous six playoff games had gone, it felt like 300-0. In the first quarters of those six most recent playoff games (all losses) the Steelers gave up...
First Call: Talk of Aaron Rodgers staying in Pittsburgh next year; George Pickens is not happy about the All-Pro vote
In Monday’s “First Call,” we examine the prospect of an Aaron Rodgers reboot in Pittsburgh in 2026-27. We look at the odds for next week’s games in the NFL Divisional Round. George Pickens feels like he got snubbed in All-Pro voting. And the Patriots left the Chargers baffled Sunday night....
Madden Monday: ‘Not that optimistic’ about Steelers’ chances to upset Houston
I think the Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of reason for hope when it comes to beating the Houston Texans in their first-round playoff game Monday night. Houston is a three-point favorite. I’m picking the Texans to win 23-20 in overtime. But I’m not going to be stunned if the Steelers...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ defense must meet standard set by Texans
Comparing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive and defensive units against those of the Houston Texans, there’s no doubt which bunch has had the best season. It’s Houston’s defense. That group allowed the fewest yards (4,713) in the NFL during the regular season, as well as the second fewest points (17.4). It...
Tim Benz: Suddenly for Dan Muse and the Penguins, the only struggle is to find complaintsVideo
After his first win as a Pittsburgh Steeler in Week 1 of this NFL season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers spun this quote about the nature of his team’s 34-32 victory over the New York Jets. “It’s like a coach’s dream journal,” Rodgers said. “To win but also have some correctable moments.”...
Football Footnotes: Refuting recent Chris Boswell concerns; noteworthy Steelers-Texans stats; Mike Tomlin mind games
We were going to post our weekly Friday “Football Footnotes” whether the Pittsburgh Steelers were in the playoffs or not. But since they are, it sure makes things a lot more fun. Here’s a look at a few interesting leftovers from Mike Tomlin’s Tuesday press conference, some potentially misplaced concerns...
First Call: Injury updates on key Houston CBs; assistant coach from Super ’70s Steelers retires at age 87Video
There is a significant injury update coming from Houston as the Texans prepare to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs Monday night. A member of the Super ’70s Steelers coaching staff is finally retiring. We preview Pitt’s next basketball game against a longtime foe. Plus, we preview the upcoming...
Tim Benz: With spotlight on Texans’ defense, Steelers need improved effort with 2nd look at C.J. Stroud
In advance of the Steelers-Texans playoff game Monday night, a significant percentage of the attention has been paid to Houston’s defense. Rightfully so. It’s No. 1 in terms of fewest yards allowed (277.2 yards per game) and second when it comes to points allowed (17.4). The other side of the...
First Call: Jerome Bettis critical of Steelers’ home crowd vs. Ravens; big-name QB enters NFL Draft
Thursday’s “First Call” has some interesting comments from Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis about the crowd at Acrisure Stadium. The NFL Draft just got an interesting submission. Russell Wilson is making offseason headlines. And we get some praise for one of Robert Morris’s hockey captains. ______________________________ Ty time With the...
U mad, bro?: Media coverage of DK Metcalf, lack of faith in Steelers challenged by readers
The Steelers swept their arch rivals. They qualified for the playoffs. They won the AFC North. Yet they still somehow managed to do it while making us all a little crazy along the way. As a result, our first “U mad, bro?” of 2026 picks up where 2025 left off....
Tim Benz: Steelers’ playoff optimism is legit. But don’t ‘unpack’ those bags until it’s proven true
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was asked Tuesday about the importance of the team finally winning a playoff game for the first time since the 2016-17 season. It’s a slump that has now lasted almost a decade. It is hanging over the entire franchise and Tomlin’s personal legacy. “I’m certainly...
First Call: Details about John Harbaugh’s firing and future; updated Steelers ‘Here We Go’ song
We have an update to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Here We Go” song. There is a lot of news surrounding the departure of John Harbaugh from the Baltimore Ravens. Ben Roethlisberger has some advice for the Steelers’ defense. And Duquesne looks to rebound from a home conference loss on the basketball...
Tim Benz: Happy trails, Harbaugh. You’ll be … missed?
After 18 years coaching the fiercest rival of the Pittsburgh Steelers, John Harbaugh was fired by the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday. His last game as head coach in purple and black will go down as one of the most memorable games in the rivalry between the two franchises — a...
Connor Heyward’s opinion on the ‘Tush Push’ has changed after learning to run it
Steelers tight end Connor Heyward admits that he was never a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles’ “Tush Push.” When all the conversation about banning the short-yardage shove kicked into high gear this offseason, Heyward wasn’t lending any support to the team at the other end of the Pa. Turnpike. “I...
First Call: Stunning stat about Steelers-Ravens final kick; Russell Wilson’s potentially costly commentVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some trash talk from Le’Veon Bell toward a current Steelers defensive back. A former Pitt standout thinks the Steelers have little hope in their next game against Houston. Russell Wilson may have cost his current team some money on the way out the door. And that...
Tim Benz: DK Metcalf must repay the ‘opportunity’ granted by his teammates
I couldn’t make out which one of DK Metcalf’s teammates was singing. I was just stunned that someone so young even knew the lyrics. But once the Steelers’ wide receiver made his return to the locker room Monday afternoon, I distinctly heard someone crooning the refrain John Sebastian’s “Welcome Back.”...
First Call: Texans early favorites in Pittsburgh; Mitch Trubisky shines for Bills; Kenny Pickett struggles for Vegas
Monday’s “First Call” looks at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round playoff opponent. One former Steelers quarterback was outstanding Sunday, while two others ended up getting benched. And an AFC North coach is upset about the moments after Myles Garrett got his NFL sack record. ______________________________ We have a problem. It’s Houston...
Madden Monday: Steelers beating Ravens will lead to Mike Tomlin ‘coaching (here) forever,’ Aaron Rodgers returning in ’26
As mind-bending as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens was on Sunday night, that’s how confused and conflicted our Mark Madden is while sifting through everything that happened during it. “Just a crazy game. It will go down as an all-time classic, an instant classic in this...
Feats of Strength: Aaron Rodgers’ response drives and early defensive stands help Steelers clinch AFC North over Baltimore
A missed (or partially blocked) extra point from the always reliable Chris Boswell. A desperation heave on fourth down to Isaiah Likely, the tight end at the center of so much officiating controversy from the last wild affair between these teams. A missed field goal as time expired from a...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin looks to win the psychological game in Pittsburgh before welcoming Baltimore
Before Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin attempts to win Sunday night’s AFC North showdown with the Baltimore Ravens, he is attempting to win the PR game with his own fans. And maybe his players. And probably himself. “Welcome to AFC North championship week, as I like to refer to it,”...
First Call: Historic result looms for season’s final AFC North battle; ex-Steeler critical of Aaron Rodgers’ decision-making
Our last “First Call” of 2025 features some inflammatory quotes from a former Steeler about Aaron Rodgers’ decision-making. We’ll see a first in AFC North history at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday between Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The Penguins wrapped up 2026 on a strong note. And the Robert Morris men’s hockey...
