U mad, bro?: Readers not in the Christmas spirit thanks to DK Metcalf’s suspension, NFL refs and Penguins’ struggles
The last thing in the world I want to be is a “Bad Santa.” With that in mind, I’m off on Christmas Day. So I’m making sure to get “U mad, bro?” posted a day earlier than normal because the holiday falls on a Thursday this year. And I know...
Tim Benz’s Steelers stocking stuffers: DK Metcalf ‘whataboutism,’ T.J. Watt’s murky status, resting if Ravens lose
“Breakfast With Benz” is taking a long winter’s nap for Christmas on Thursday morning and the day after. As a result, there will be no “Football Footnotes” on Friday. Instead, we’re offering up a Christmas cornucopia of Pittsburgh Steelers stocking stuffers to ease you into the holiday following Mike Tomlin’s...
‘The kid is now the king’: While passing Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby paid an ultimate tribute
Without a doubt, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was the No. 1 star during Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Crosby’s two points in the first period propelled him beyond Mario Lemieux into first place atop the franchise’s career scoring list with 1,724 points. As for the second star,...
First Call: Lions star unhappy with OPI flags; ex-Steeler at QB for ChiefsVideo
We have some frustration from Detroit after the Lions’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. We also have fallout from the Ravens’ defeat against New England. A former Steeler is now at quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. And Duquesne’s women’s basketball team beat Pitt in The City Game. All that...
Madden Monday: No benefit of the doubt for DK Metcalf
The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a 29-24 upset in Detroit on Sunday. Plus, the Baltimore Ravens lost. So it was a good day all around. Well, except for DK Metcalf. He had a pedestrian four catches for 42 yards, dropped a pass, committed an offensive pass interference penalty and had...
Feats of Strength: Steelers’ dynamic RBs, goal-line stands earn a wild win in Detroit
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers talked about “belief” after the Steelers beat the Miami Dolphins on “Monday Night Football” to improve to 8-6 on the year. It’s a heckuvalot easier to believe in this team now. On Sunday, they beat the Detroit Lions on the road 29-24. That’s a team...
Football Footnotes: Many push-and-pull matchup dynamics will be at play in Steelers-LionsVideo
Playing the matchup game is fun in advance of any NFL contest. It’s particularly enjoyable when the numbers and the chess pieces pull you in opposite directions. That’s very much the case in Sunday’s upcoming Steelers-Lions game. For this Friday’s “Football Footnotes,” we examine glaring X-and-O red flags and some...
First Call: T.J. Watt spotted at Steelers facility; Tristan Jarry already injured for Oilers
In Friday’s “First Call,” we have a T.J. Watt sighting at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ headquarters. A former Steeler went down with an injury on “Thursday Night Football.” Tristan Jarry is already hurt in Edmonton. And we look at the Penguins’ latest attempt to snap their now seven-game losing streak on...
Tim Benz: On Aaron Rodgers and 2 very different kinds of ‘belief’
After the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Miami Dolphins on “Monday Night Football,” Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a message during his postgame interview. “Hopefully, the belief can pick up because it’s tough to play in the cold weather. And if we can take care of business, we’ll be hosting a...
First Call: J.J. Watt updates his brother’s recovery; Steelers look for OLB depth
Thursday’s “First Call” has J.J. Watt’s latest comments on his brother’s health. The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to bolster the ranks at outside linebacker while T.J. Watt recovers from his lung ailment. The Penguins hit the road in hopes of getting off their six-game losing streak. And there are some...
U mad, bro?: Penguins fans fuming, Steelers fans still have complaints despite recent wins
Much like Christmas shopping, Pittsburgh sports fans got the big stuff out of the way early when it came to panic about their local clubs. Look at the reaction after the loss by the Steelers to the Buffalo Bills coming off Thanksgiving. But there are still stocking-stuffer moments to gripe...
First Call: Performance vs. Steelers may get Tua Tagovailoa benched; Steelers work out 2 QBS
Tua Tagovailoa’s performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers might get him benched. The Steelers are working out a former Detroit Lions quarterback. A former passing target of Aaron Rodgers is on the free-agent market. And the Pitt Panthers are itching for a win on the basketball court. All that in Wednesday’s...
On a ‘strange’ night at PPG Paints Arena, the Penguins saw history — but not the kind they wanted
Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid was quick to acknowledge the gravity of the evening. “The storylines were endless for the media and the fans. Whatever you guys wanted to write about, you could write about,” McDavid said. The three-time MVP was right. Heading to his team’s game Tuesday night against...
Tim Benz: Steelers flipped the script vs. Miami. Now it’s time for a new ending
The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) reversed the current in a number of ways against the Miami Dolphins (6-8) on Monday night. What has been bad has gotten a lot better. And it’s getting good at the right time. Consider some of the negative trends that were disrupted during the club’s 28-15...
Tim Benz: Quick return to Pittsburgh keeps ’emotions’ at the surface for Tristan Jarry
When goaltender Tristan Jarry spoke with reporters in front of an Edmonton Oilers backdrop Monday, the point was driven home. He’s here in Pittsburgh, but not as a Penguin. Already. Less than a week after being traded away from the Penguins. Now he is expected to start against his longtime...
First Call: Despite ‘MNF’ win, Steelers still underdogs in Detroit; updated Steelers-Ravens AFC North scenarios
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ victory on “Monday Night Football” has done little to swing the odds in their favor to win next week at Detroit. However, they are favored to win the AFC North. The Baltimore Ravens got a confirmation they didn’t want on the injury front, and we examine the...
Feats of Strength: Dominant 3rd quarter, newcomer contributions push Steelers past Dolphins
In many ways, Monday night’s 28-15 win over the Miami Dolphins was a 180-degree flip from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ last home performance against Buffalo. The team was excellent in the third quarter. It built on a 7-3 lead at halftime instead of letting one evaporate. “Renegade” got cheered. Mike Tomlin...
First Call: Raiders blanked in Kenny Pickett’s start; Philip Rivers’ return at 44; looking at the Lions for next week
Monday’s “Fist Call” recaps Kenny Pickett’s rough first start as a Las Vegas Raider. We examine the Steelers’ next opponent in Detroit. We look at Philip Rivers’ NFL return. And the Bengals may have lost more than just a game Sunday. Pickett picked Former Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett made his...
Tim Benz: Gap between Steelers, Dolphins close enough to make Monday’s game very uncomfortable
The Pittsburgh Steelers probably don’t want to view themselves as being in the same neighborhood as the Miami Dolphins, a team that isn’t a true AFC contender. And the Dolphins certainly don’t want to be viewed in the way many people across football have portrayed them — an average team...
Madden Monday: Penguins’ blown leads are ‘in their DNA’; reminder for Kyle Dubas to ‘get back to his original plan’
My knee-jerk reaction to how bad the Pittsburgh Penguins have gotten in the third period of hockey games is to say that it’s mental. It’s psychological at this point. I don’t want to do that, though, because it lets them off the hook. It’s giving them an excuse for what’s...
Football Footnotes: Steelers’ approach if T.J. Watt can’t play; 3rd-down play-calling; Miami’s strengths
As everyone associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers waits for health updates on T.J. Watt, the team has to create plans if he can’t play Monday night against the Miami Dolphins. Given the personnel the Steelers have at outside linebacker, those contingencies would seem obvious. Then again, have you seen the...
Tim Benz: Penguins reverted to the Dark Side on ‘Star Wars’ nightVideo
There was a great disturbance in the force during Thursday’s “Star Wars” night game for the Pittsburgh Penguins. “It was horrible,” defenseman Kris Letang said. “It was not good at all.” Letang was a big part of the Planet Alderaan-esque disintegration during a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. It...
First Call: ESPN projects T.J. Watt’s playing status; ex-MLB GM rips Pirates ‘eye wash’ free-agent offers
Friday’s “First Call” paints a bleak picture when it comes to T.J. Watt’s playing status for Monday night. A former MLB general manager is mocking the Pirates’ alleged contract offers to some significant free agents. The Penguins need to salvage their homestand against some teams from the Western Conference this...
First Call: Kenny Pickett likely to start for Las Vegas; timing changes coming for NFL Draft
Thursday’s “First Call” has updates on former Steelers Kenny Pickett and Darius Slay. Changes to the NFL Draft’s first round are coming in time for the event’s arrival in Pittsburgh. And we preview Thursday’s Penguins-Canadiens game at PPG Paints Arena. Pickett playing Former Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is likely to...
U mad, bro?: Steelers media, NFL officials, Pirates front office on the naughty list this holiday season
When the calendar turns to December, there are always three things you can complain about every year. 1. The cold weather. 2. Mall traffic on McKnight Road. 3. The Steelers. This week reminded me to add two more to the list. • NFL officiating. • What the Pirates are doing...
