Buffalo’s star running back tells the world why his team was able to exploit the Pittsburgh Steelers on the ground. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t like a question from the media. Linebacker Patrick Queen snaps at a former Steeler via social media.

And the Penguins renew acquaintances with the Flyers in Philadelphia.

All of that is in “First Call” as we return from the Thanksgiving weekend.

Letting it be known

Running back James Cook had 144 rushing yards Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. He and his Buffalo Bills teammates had 249 as a team against the Steelers.

After the game, Cook explained why the Bills found running the ball to be so easy: attack the cornerbacks.

“Coming into the game, we (were) leaning on them,” Cook said via Matt Parrino of Syracuse.com. “They’re one of the worst tackling corner (groups) in the NFL. Just try to get the ball on the edge. We did a pretty good job today.”

Bills had specific plan on how to attack Steelers' run D. James Cook said it was to test the CBs.

"Coming into the game, we leaning on them. They're one of the worst tackling corner (groups) in the NFL. Just try to get the ball on the edge. We did a pretty good job today." pic.twitter.com/YSeL4xJdvG

— Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) December 1, 2025

To be fair to at least one of the Steelers corners, Joey Porter Jr. made some tackles on run plays off the left edge of the Steelers’ defense in the second quarter that could’ve been home runs if he didn’t get Buffalo ball carriers to the ground.

But they were well downfield. If part of what Cook is suggesting is that Porter (and others at his position) didn’t get into tackling position on the edge soon enough, so be it. But there also appears to be plenty of issues in the Steelers’ front seven as well, because Cook was getting to the second and third levels of the defense unscathed.

Trai’s say

During the Steelers’ loss to Buffalo, former Steelers offensive lineman — turned podcast host — Trai Essex took to social media and panned the performance of inside linebacker Patrick Queen.

He's hurt, but I'm over the Patrick Queen experiment. Simply put, he's not a Steelers LB. He's not Farrior. He's not Timmons. He's not Shazier. He doesn't play with that disposition. We missed on that signing. And for our main rival to let him leave, shoulda been a sign.

— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) November 30, 2025

Queen replied.

Never was a pro bowler or all pro but get on here yappin . Got carried your whole career back n forth from the bench stfu!

— ???? (@Patrickqueen_) December 1, 2025

Queen left that game with a hip injury in the first half. He left with six tackles and one quarterback hit.

The former Baltimore Raven has 89 tackles (five for a loss), second on the team. But he has just one sack, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Those numbers are very much in line with last year. That’s not exactly the kind of production the Steelers were looking for after signing him for three years and $41 million prior to the 2024 campaign.

Rankled Rodgers

Two questionable play calls from the Steelers were running plays to Kenneth Gainwell on third-and-9 in the third quarter, and a failed fourth-and-2 run by Gainwell in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was asked about that third-quarter decision. He didn’t like the question.

“You want to start talking philosophical? Is that what you want? It was third-and-9, and they brought pressure off that side. We had a run called. We checked the blocking. And we had a chance,” Rodgers said. “If that thing hits, no one says a (gosh darned) thing. If we block on the front side, on the perimeter, everybody is blocked up. We’ve got to sustain those blocks on the outside, Kenny gets a first down, and no one says a (darned) thing.”

The problem, Aaron, is that running for 9 yards on third down is a long way to go, even if it is blocked up properly. Eight yards is a pretty good run at any time. You needed nine. You got eight.

That’s why the question was being asked. Is that too “philosophical?”

More sports

• Airing of Grievances: 3rd quarter catastrophe, run defense debacle lead to humiliating Steelers loss • Say it isn't so: Steelers fans boo 'Renegade' in 4th quarter of loss to Bills • Madden Monday: There's no nice way to put it — the Steelers are 'gutless'

Turn the page

The Steelers were 2-3 in November. They play in Baltimore to open up December next week.

The Penguins are happy to move on from last month as well. They were 4-5-3 in November. Or, more to the point, 4-8 without the overtime/shootout designations.

They get December underway against their hated rivals from across the state. The Penguins visit Philadelphia on Monday at 7 p.m. As opposed to the Penguins, the Flyers have been hot lately. They have won five of six to improve to 14-7-3 on the season.

The Flyers currently occupy the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 31 points. The Pens have 29 points and hold the second wild card. They are in fourth and fifth place, respectively, in the Metropolitan Division.

The two franchises are tied at 2.79 goals allowed per game, 10th in the league. The Pens have the NHL’s second-best power-play percentage at 30.4%. Philadelphia’s penalty kill is at 86.5%, fourth best in hockey.

The Pens are fifth-best in that department at 84.8%.

Philadelphia won the previous meeting between the clubs 3-2 in a shootout on Oct. 28. The Flyers come to Pittsburgh on Jan. 15 and March 7.

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