Steelers/NFL category, Page 214
Steelers great Franco Harris dies at age 72Video
Two days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception and three days before his number is scheduled to be retired by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris died. He was 72. No cause of death was revealed, but family friend Curtis Aiken — the former...
First Call: Steelers lose reserve LB; Ravens reclaim WR; praise for Minkah Fitzpatrick; Penguins part of Metro movement
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us news of a Steelers departure and Ravens return. We also have some more recognition for Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. There’s movement atop the Metropolitan Division, and the Penguins are involved. Plus, it’s a busy day for college basketball at one of the local schools. Bidding...
Tim Benz: If Mike Tomlin says Steelers non-losing-season streak is ‘little, silly’ sidebar, then let’s treat it that way
The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t had a losing season since 2003. After 18 consecutive years of being at least .500 or better, the team currently has a 6-8 record. So that streak will end if the team loses any of its remaining three games against the Las Vegas Raiders (Dec. 24),...
Mike Tomlin not providing ‘pound of flesh’ in his handling of Marcus Allen penalty
If fans were hoping Mike Tomlin would criticize Marcus Allen at his weekly news conference Tuesday, they came away disappointed. Tomlin declined to discuss specifics about Allen’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty between the third and fourth quarters Sunday in the Steelers’ 24-16 win at Carolina. He also wouldn’t talk about personal...
Mike Tomlin humbled to coach in Immaculate Reception 50th anniversary game vs. Raiders
Mike Tomlin joked Tuesday that he was sitting in section 135 at Three Rivers Stadium on Dec. 23, 1972, when running back Franco Harris caught a ball above his shoe top and ran for a 60-yard touchdown to complete what has been voted the greatest play in NFL history. In...
Kenny Pickett expected to start Steelers-Raiders matchup on Christmas Eve
Barring a late setback, quarterback Kenny Pickett will return to practice Wednesday and start for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night against the Las Vegas Raiders at Acrisure Stadium. Pickett did not play last Sunday in the Steelers’ 24-16 win at Carolina while dealing with concussion symptoms. He was limited...
Tim Benz: Steelers better remember recent history against Raiders as they celebrate fabled pastVideo
Fortunately, the NFL scheduling format allowed for the Pittsburgh Steelers to host the Las Vegas Raiders this year. It’s also fortunate that the NFL schedule makers placed the Raiders in Pittsburgh during Christmas week to reprise the matchup that led to the Immaculate Reception 50 years ago. Fortunate from a...
First Call: Minkah Fitzpatrick tops AFC free safety voting; Ravens deal with more injuries; Pens-Rangers renew rivalryVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” tells us which Pittsburgh Steeler is tops among his peers in Pro Bowl votes. Meanwhile, a few Ravens are dealing with bumps and bruises on the defensive side of the ball. On the hockey front, the Penguins finally get a crack at avenging last year’s playoff loss...
Steelers prep for threat that is Raiders WR Davante Adams
While most everyone else views Saturday as special because it’s Christmas Eve, Davante Adams will be celebrating it because he will be turning 30. If Adams’ birthday gift is a win, it might be by way of leaving his hosts with a lump of proverbial coal. Adams’ production could go...
Steelers notes: Saturday could be franchise’s coldest game since 1989
Saturday night’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders, both 6-8, isn’t necessarily one for the history books. It could be, though, and not just because of the accompanying celebration of the Immaculate Reception or because it’s the NFL’s latest-ever kickoff for a Christmas Eve game. What might...
5 things we learned: Do you believe in miracles? How Steelers can reach AFC playoffs
Five things we learned from Steelers 24, Panthers 16: 1. Looking ahead If Christmas is the time for miracles, then let’s dig into one the Steelers will need to reached the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 7 seed. With three games remaining, the Steelers still sit in the No. 13...
Mark Madden: Steelers create illusion with old-fashioned victory behind defense, running game
The Pittsburgh Steelers won the old-fashioned Steelers way on Sunday. They rushed for 156 yards. They possessed the ball 36 minutes. They had a 21-play drive that took 12 minutes and ended with a touchdown. They played solid defense, especially in the red zone. They were 12 for 16 on...
Steelers vs. Panthers: What they’re saying in Carolina after loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers run the South — the NFC South. With a fairly convincing 24-16 victory over the Carolina Panthers Sunday afternoon, the Steelers completed a sweep of the worst football division in the NFL. Seriously. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lead the division with a 6-8 record. The Panthers are...
Madden Monday: Steelers ‘would’ve been smarter to play Mitch Trubisky all season’
Back when “the standard” really was “the standard” for the Pittsburgh Steelers, no one would be hunting for a silver lining at 6-8 and last place in the AFC North. But standards surrounding the Steelers have slipped dramatically over the past six years since their last playoff win, so we...
First Call: T.J. Watt’s milestone; J.J. Watt’s big day; Raiders set to face Steelers after unreal win over Patriots
Monday’s “First Call” shows us why the Las Vegas Raiders will be heading into Pittsburgh on cloud nine. Two of the Watt brothers — T.J. and J.J. — have something to brag about coming off of Sunday’s NFL action. James Conner keeps a streak going in Arizona. And ex-Steeler JuJu...
Feats of Strength: Steelers win run game battle, 3rd downs, red zone en route to victory over Carolina
Congratulations to the 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers. They are the undisputed champions of the NFC South. That’s right, thanks to their 24-16 victory over the Carolina Panthers Sunday, the Steelers swept all four of their scheduled games against NFC South opponents after also beating New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Atlanta earlier...
Marcus Allen’s costly unsportsmanlike conduct part of highly penalized Steelers performance
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When the third quarter ended Sunday in the Steelers’ 24-16 win at Carolina, the Panthers were facing a fourth-and-27 and preparing to punt near midfield following sacks by Alex Highsmith and Cameron Heyward. When play resumed, the Panthers had a new set of downs at the 24...
With Mitch Trubisky at QB, Diontae Johnson turns in a perfect 10 in Steelers’ win over Panthers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When quarterback Mitch Trubisky was benched at halftime of Week 4, it happened after a locker room dustup with wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Making his first start for the Pittsburgh since that game, Trubisky turned to none other than Johnson to be his most trusted receiver Sunday....
Steelers use running game, defense to defeat Carolina
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t want this third quarter to resemble so many others they had put on display this season. They didn’t want to have an all-too-familiar three-and-out. Or two. Or a drive that resulted in a field goal. They wanted a touchdown, something they had achieved...
Steelers to face Panthers without leading tackler Myles Jack
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Despite being upgraded to questionable a day earlier, inside linebacker Myles Jack is inactive for the first time this season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jack, who leads the Steelers with 100 tackles, will miss the 1 p.m. game against the Carolina Panthers with a groin injury. Jack...
How 2 Steelers fans nabbed the Immaculate Reception ball — and still have it today
Call it the Immaculate Handoff. Fifty years ago Friday, Jim Baker and his then-14-year-old nephew, Bobby Pavuchak, attended the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff game against the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium. On that day, Dec. 23, 1972, they witnessed what is generally regarded as the greatest play in NFL history:...
Steelers greats recall The Immaculate Reception as it turns 50Video
Editor’s note: This story originally published on Dec. 18, 2022, three days before the death of Franco Harris. Franco Harris remembers what he said to himself going into the huddle moments before the defining play of his Pro Football Hall of Fame career. “The thoughts that come into your mind...
As season winds down, Steelers have handful of players eyeing bigger roles on defense
Teryl Austin doesn’t believe in the phrase “Wait till next year.” Not with four games remaining and not with the 5-8 Pittsburgh Steelers mathematically still in the hunt for the final spot in the AFC playoffs. Even if the Steelers are eliminated Sunday when they face the Carolina Panthers at...
Mitch Trubisky named starter for Steelers after QB Kenny Pickett ruled out
On the day the Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Carolina for their game against the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, they downgraded quarterback Kenny Pickett to out because of concussion symptoms. Pickett had been listed as doubtful Friday, but he was ruled out from playing after the team went through...
Steelers 4 Downs: Third-down defense among best in NFL since bye
1. Third down’s the charm Over the first two games of the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers were allowing opponents to convert third downs at a rate that, in relation to the current standings, would be the worst in the NFL. Over their past five games (since their bye), the Steelers...
