First Call: Jason Kelce addresses Batman mask during blowout of Steelers; NHL honors for Marc-Andre Fleury

Tuesday’s “First Call” gets clarification about a sideline moment from the Steelers-Eagles game.

Pitt is getting a watered-down version of Syracuse Saturday.

A former Penguin gets NHL honors. And the Penguins are facing two of the Atlantic Division’s best this week.

The Dark Knight recognizes

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce was spotted wearing a Batman mask on the sideline during his team’s 35-13 beat down of the Steelers Sunday.

The hero Philadelphia deserves. @JasonKelce

????: #PITvsPHI on CBS
????: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/kHi66m0LGX pic.twitter.com/8PwkrVGXki

— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2022

Some saw that as disrespect toward the Steelers as there were still eight minutes left to go in the game.

Showing up @CoachTomlin ...WOW...NOT COOL! #FlyEaglesFly #Steelers #PITvsPHI

— #BigSilz (@DanSileoShow) October 30, 2022

There has been a running-joke Batman theme throughout the year for the 7-0 Eagles. And Kelce insisted he was just playing along, calling himself the “Fat Batman.” He also insisted that he meant no disrespect to the Steelers.

I have nothing but the most respect for @CoachTomlin on multiple levels, not just as a coach. The Batman theme is something our team is having fun with, especially with Halloween being tomorrow night. Absolutely meant no disrespect.

— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) October 31, 2022

To those who are bent out of shape about this, I have just one question. Why … so … serious?

More Tim Benz:

• Tim Benz: Even the most optimistic spin on Steelers after bye rings hollow
• Penguins showing Pittsburgh's offensive woes not limited to Steelers
• Airing of Grievances: Steelers standards sink so far that blowout in Philadelphia seems expected

Orange turning sour

Halfway through the seventh game of their season, the surprising Syracuse Orange were 6-0, ranked 14th, and leading the fifth-ranked Clemson Tigers 21-10 on the road.

But they blew that lead and then ended up getting smoked at home by Notre Dame 41-24 last week.

Now, having fallen to 6-2 and 22nd in the country, Syracuse visits Pitt at Acrisure Stadium Saturday. And they are coming in with some bad injury news.

During that loss to Notre Dame, the Orange lost standout defensive back Garrett Williams. He’s since been diagnosed with a torn ACL and will be out for the rest of the season. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference in pass breakups in each of the previous two seasons and was projected as an NFL Draft pick in 2023. Via the Daily Orange, Syracuse has now lost six players to season-ending injuries, including defensive starters Stefon Thompson (LB) and Terry Lockett (DL).

Quarterback Garrett Shrader was also banged up with an undisclosed injury in that Notre Dame game and couldn’t finish. If he can’t go versus the Panthers, Carlos Del Rio-Wilson will play.

Babers said Saturday that if Shrader is healthy, Shrader is the starter, so obviously he’s not. A QB decision right to the wire for Pitt. Seems to be trending to Carlos Del Rio-Wilson though. https://t.co/PwfDNwQ9Zt

— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) October 31, 2022

Shrader was 11 of 22 for 190 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the loss to the Irish.

Boomin’ in Buffalo

After the Penguins play the 8-1 Boston Bruins Tuesday, they have to travel up to Buffalo to face the Sabres Wednesday night.

The frequently forlorn Sabres are now 6-3 after an 8-3 romp over the Detroit Red Wings Monday night. Tage Thompson was particularly good, tallying six points.

Hat trick or treat...

Sabres center Tage Thompson has three goals and three assists tonight, joining Hockey Hall of Famers Bobby Clarke (1976) and Wayne Gretzky (1989) as players to record six points on Halloween. pic.twitter.com/Fd745pQXY2

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 1, 2022

Now the Sabres have 12 points, second behind the Bruins (16) atop the Atlantic Division. Buffalo also has 37 goals, more than anyone in the Eastern Conference aside from Boston (39).

Have we mentioned the Pens have lost four in a row?

No? Good. Let’s avoid doing that.

A star for the Flower

Former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was named one of the NHL’s three Stars of the Week.

The Minnesota Wild netminder went 3-0-0 with a 1.95 GAA and a .927 SV% in three road starts last week. Fleury made 23 saves and stopped both shootout attempts in a 4-3 win at Chicago on Sunday. That victory was his 62nd career shootout victory, passing Henrik Lundqvist for the most in NHL history.

Marc-Andre Fleury laughing after saves on Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. The wave to Toews has me howling pic.twitter.com/7an5ayqndo

— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) October 31, 2022

The Flower also made 26 saves in a 3-1 win at Montreal last Tuesday. That was Fleury’s 944th game, passing Curtis Joseph for sixth place in NHL history in games played by a goalie.