Sports category, Page 1437
Mark Madden: T.J. Watt’s injuries — and $80M contract — are real concerns
In October, the headline on my column trumpeted, “T.J. Watt worth every red cent.” That’s still true — when he plays. But Watt is hurt a lot. Watt played sporadically in Sunday’s 36-10 loss at Kansas City. He reportedly has cracked ribs. Watt had one tackle and zero sacks. He...
Steelers vs. Chiefs: What they’re saying after K.C.’s blowout win
Talk in the Midwest in the wake of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 36-10 rout of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday was all about division titles and possible Super Bowl runs. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, many are left wondering how deep of an overhaul the Steelers might consider in the offseason —...
Dak Prescott, Cowboys celebrate with rout of Washington
ARLINGTON, Texas — Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys didn’t have to worry about the NFC East title anymore once they kicked off against Washington. So they took care of the star quarterback’s slump instead. Prescott threw four touchdown passes, DeMarcus Lawrence returned an interception for a score and the...
First Call: Bengals anger Ravens coach with late bomb; Steelers now need help from Chiefs; Browns favored at Heinz Field
In Monday’s “First Call,” the Steelers just got thrashed by the Kansas City Chiefs. Now they need the Chiefs to do the same thing to the Cincinnati Bengals next week. Meanwhile, the Bengals appeared to anger Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh at the end of their game Sunday. Antonio Brown...
Madden Monday on disaster in Kansas City: ‘The Steelers just rolled over and died’
After the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Tennessee Titans last week, we all saw the path to the playoffs. They were going to have to beat the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens in their final two games, after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs this week. I don’t think anyone in...
Wednesday’s Penguins-Maple Leafs game postponed
The Penguins have had yet another game postponed due to covid-19. On Sunday night, the NHL announced the Penguins’ road contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs was postponed. It marks the fourth consecutive game the Penguins have had postponed including the following: Dec. 21 - vs. New Jersey Devils Dec....
Steelers notebook: After quiet game, T.J. Watt mum on possible rib injury
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A week after setting the franchise’s single-season sacks record, T.J. Watt was invisible for much of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 36-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. An injury to his ribs might have been a contributing factor to Watt finishing with just one tackle and no...
Despite blowout loss, Steelers still have path to playoffs
The 36-10 loss in Kansas City on Sunday was like a big hunk of stale coal. But in the spirit of the Christmas season, how about a little black-and-gold helping of hope? If the Pittsburgh Steelers can manage to win their final two games, two weeks from now they might...
Airing of Grievances: Another awful start, rotten possession-down play-calling among usual complaints as Chiefs hammer Steelers
Because we are coming up on New Year’s resolution season, I’d like to make one about my own coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I want to write an “Airing of Grievances” post that doesn’t include complaints about poor play-calling, awful first-half starts, a constant reliance on throwing short of the...
Steelers blown out by Chiefs as playoff hopes take hit
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Pittsburgh Steelers came to this Midwestern outpost and had their division title hopes smoked like so much of this city’s famous barbecue. Playing a game they needed to win to keep pace in the AFC North, the Steelers followed a familiar script of road letdowns....
Covid outbreaks at Virginia, Boston College scuttle Fenway, Military bowlsVideo
BOSTON — The Fenway Bowl and Military Bowl were both canceled because of the pandemic Sunday as coronavirus outbreaks at Virginia and Boston College forced them to call off their postseason plans. The game scheduled for Wednesday at Fenway Park was to pit the Cavaliers against SMU. The Military Bowl...
NFL roundup: Tampa Bay takes NFC South title for 1st time since 2007
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their first NFC South title since 2007 on Sunday when Tom Brady threw for 232 yards and a touchdown and Antonio Brown made a grand return to the NFL in a 32-6 rout of the Carolina Panthers. In his first game since...
Allen’s 3 TDs, McKenzie’s big day push Bills past Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — With their season on the brink and several key players unavailable, the Buffalo Bills trudged into Sunday’s pivotal matchup against the New England Patriots needing somebody to step up. They wound up having too many to count. Josh Allen threw for three touchdowns, Isaiah McKenzie had a...
‘Hot topics’ emerge around Pitt as team arrives in Atlanta for Peach Bowl
Pat Narduzzi called it a “hot topic.” But it was no surprise Sunday when Narduzzi named Pitt tight ends coach Tim Salem the play-caller and interim offensive coordinator, replacing Mark Whipple, for Thursday’s Peach Bowl. Salem is one of only two on-field assistants who have been with Narduzzi through all...
Joe Burrow’s 525 yards, 4 TDs power Bengals past RavensVideo
CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow’s franchise record-breaking 525-yard passing performance clearly meant something to the Cincinnati Bengals, who continued calling deep throws for him late in the fourth quarter with a 20-point lead against division rival Baltimore until the mark was secured. Only three QBs in NFL history have thrown for...
New Penn State transfer Mitchell Tinsley brings proven track record to WR position
Christmas came a little early for the Penn State offense Friday evening when Western Kentucky transfer Mitchell Tinsley announced he is joining the Nittany Lions. Tinsley is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound wide receiver who will use his final year of eligibility at Penn State. In 2021, Tinsley caught 87 passes for...
Steelers vs. Chiefs: Corliss Waitman to make NFL debut as Steelers punter
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Punter Corliss Waitman, who spent the 2020 season on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad, will make his NFL debut against the Kansas City Chiefs. Waitman will replace rookie Pressley Harvin III, who did not make the trip to Kansas City because of the death of his...
Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues placed into covid-19 protocols
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues has been placed into the NHL’s protocols for covid-19, a team spokesperson said. He is not currently part of the Penguins’ active roster. This is the first time the Penguins have had a player in the protocols since Nov. 13. The NHL as a whole...
NHL returning to taxi squads as Penguins remain in holding pattern
The NHL entered 2021 with taxis squads. It will exit 2021 with taxi squads. On Sunday night, the league announced a handful of operational changes to combat the still-present realities of covid-19. Over the past two weeks, well over 100 players — including Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues on Sunday —...
Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., a North Allegheny grad, announces he’ll return in 2022
Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. announced Saturday that he’ll return to the Nittany Lions in 2022. In the Christmas morning message on social media, Porter wrote, “At this time in my life, staying in college and completing my college degree is important to me and my family. After much...
Banged-up Colts shrug off injuries, beat Cardinals
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Indianapolis Colts have beaten some teams with Jonathan Taylor’s legs, some with Carson Wentz’s arm and a few with stellar defense. They added another formula for a victory Saturday night: sheer grit. “We’ve got a ton of ways to beat you,” receiver T.Y. Hilton said. “You...
Chiefs get big boost as receiver Tyreke Hill clears covid protocol; Travis Kelce yet to clearVideo
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill cleared the covid-19 protocols Saturday and will be available Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a source told The Star. Tight end Travis Kelce, linebacker Nick Bolton and rookie tackle Lucas Niang, on the other hand, have not yet cleared. The Chiefs elected to...
Rodgers sets team record as Packers hold off Browns, 24-22Video
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Rasul Douglas and the Green Bay Packers’ pass defense didn’t let the Cleveland Browns spoil Aaron Rodgers’ milestone day. Rodgers surpassed Brett Favre to become Green Bay’s all-time leader in touchdown passes, and the Packers intercepted Baker Mayfield four times in a 24-22 victory over the...
Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III to miss game against Chiefs after death of his father
Rookie punter Pressley Harvin III did not make the trip to Kansas City with the Pittsburgh Steelers and will not play Sunday after the death of his father on Christmas morning. A Steelers spokesman said Harvin was downgraded to out because of “personal reasons.” Harvin wrote on his verified Instagram...
6 Penn State thoughts with Outback Bowl matchup vs. No. 22 Arkansas one week away
We’re firmly entrenched in bowl season now as college football took a break for Christmas Day. And that means we’re one week away from Penn State getting its turn in the postseason against No. 22 Arkansas in the Outback Bowl. The matchup is still scheduled for noon on Jan. 1...
