Tim Benz Columns category
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 87
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...
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...
U mad, bro?: DK Metcalf’s suspension, Steelers debacle vs. Browns, media coverage of loss blasted by readers
I think we all know what the New Year’s resolutions should be for Pittsburgh’s sports teams in 2026. For the Steelers?: Win a playoff game. Find a long-term answer at quarterback. For the Pirates?: Get a few hits. Finish above .500. For the Penguins?: Stop blowing leads, or figure out...
First Call: Steelers refute Myles Garrett’s postgame claim; John Harbaugh says ‘If Lamar’s ready to go, he’s playing’Video
As the Baltimore Ravens prepare for their game in Pittsburgh on Sunday, head coach John Harbaugh expresses different levels of confidence in quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Pittsburgh Steelers are refuting Myles Garrett’s assessment of their game plan in Cleveland over the weekend. One Browns player says Aaron Rodgers was hot...
Tim Benz: DK Metcalf’s absence can’t be a preemptive excuse for another Steelers slide
There is no excuse for what Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf did in Detroit to get himself suspended for two games. A player can’t make his way over to the crowd, engage with a fan and make forceful contact with a paying customer. It doesn’t matter what the person...
First Call: Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward jab Steelers’ strategy during loss to Browns; Lamar Jackson update
Monday’s “First Call” has Bill Cowher’s idea for the Pittsburgh Steelers to beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. Gambling odds are out on that AFC North showdown. We check in on Lamar Jackson’s health in Baltimore. And some of the Cleveland Browns had interesting quotes after their upset win...
Madden Monday: If Steelers lose to Ravens, Mike Tomlin ‘should be fired before he gets off the field’
With the AFC North on the line, the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) lost to the Cleveland Browns (4-12) by a final score of 13-6 on Sunday. It was a game the Steelers trailed 10-0 after one quarter of play and never managed to catch up. That’s despite the fact that Cleveland...
Airing of Grievances: Possession down disasters, blown opportunities lead to another Steelers failure in Cleveland
Frustrated Pittsburgh Steelers fans and critical media members have used the phrase “Typical Tomlin Loss” to describe ill-timed, momentum-halting, inexplicable defeats during the Mike Tomlin era. The franchise’s result in Cleveland on Sunday was the perfect example. Heading into the game with three straight wins, all Mike Tomlin’s Steelers had...
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...
