First Call: Ex-Browns star jabs the Steelers again; honors for Marc-Andre Fleury; James Conner gets a playoff score

Tuesday’s “First Call” features another shot at the Pittsburgh Steelers from ex-Cleveland Browns star Joe Thomas. Some honors for Marc-Andre Fleury. Another highlight for James Conner. And gambling advice for Round 2 of the NFL playoffs.

Not done yet

Apparently, ex-Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas had more to say about the Steelers on Twitter.

As we mentioned Monday morning, the former All-Pro spent part of Sunday night mocking the Steelers’ 42-21 first-round playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

.@Steelers, congratulations on your playoff participation trophy

— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) January 17, 2022

That was ironic in the sense that Thomas never even played in a playoff game during his 11 seasons in Cleveland. Also, because the Steelers never would’ve gotten to the postseason this year if it weren’t for two wins against the Browns.

After hordes of Steelers fans clapped back at Thomas with those rebuttals, the 10-time Pro Bowler decided to double down.

…maybe the fact that Steelers fans got so triggered by this was proof that my tweet recognized a huge insecurity ????????you guys have Mason Rudolph under center next year???? good luck winning 5 games https://t.co/TxZVGYwUXk

— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) January 17, 2022

Geez. Another unnecessary cheap shot by a Cleveland Brown on poor Mason Rudolph. I didn’t see a response from Rudolph on his Twitter account.

One for the road

Former Steeler James Conner didn’t post huge rushing totals (752 yards) in his first year with the Arizona Cardinals.

But the running back was a stud in the red zone, scoring 15 rushing touchdowns plus three more through the air.

Conner didn’t stop in the regular season, as he scored again for Arizona during their playoff game Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams.

James Conner is still a TD machine. #RedSea #SuperWildCard

????: #AZvsLAR on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2
????: NFL app pic.twitter.com/ENUfTPnmq4

— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2022

Unfortunately for Conner and company, that was the lone trip into the end zone for the team. L.A. won easily, 34-11. The Rams visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round.

Early lines

BetRivers.com already has lines out on next week’s divisional round playoff games.

In that Rams-Bucs game, Los Angeles is a 2.5-point underdog. After the Chiefs beat the Steelers last week, they are 2.5-point home favorites over the Buffalo Bills.

The Green Bay Packers are 5.5-point favorites at home against the San Francisco 49ers. And the Cincinnati Bengals are 3.5-point underdogs in Nashville against the Titans.

I was 6-0 last week (5-1 against the spread) with playoff picks. This week I’m taking all the home teams to cover except the Tennessee Titans. In that game, give me the Bengals +3.5 points and on the +150 moneyline.

Fine Flower

Marc-Andre Fleury made a highlight reel save against another former Penguins player Monday night.

The ex-Penguins goaltender committed grand theft on Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann in this clip.

Another day in the office with ???? pic.twitter.com/F3wghxMifM

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 18, 2022

Fleury stopped 35 of 37 shots on the night. But Seattle won in a shootout 3-2, breaking a nine-game losing streak.

The Flower was also named NHL second star of the week. Against Columbus, Montreal and Anaheim, Fleury stopped 88 of the 92 shots he faced, compiling a 3-0-0 record, 1.32 goals against average, .957 save percentage and one shutout.

Fleury’s 3-0 shutout win over the Ducks on Saturday was his 70th shutout. He’s just the 14th goaltender in NHL history to earn at least 70 career shutouts.