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First Call: Steeler fan's quick change goes viral; Browns collapse official in Cleveland | TribLIVE.com
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First Call: Steeler fan's quick change goes viral; Browns collapse official in Cleveland

Tim Benz
Tim Benz

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Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens is shown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Cleveland.

In Monday’s “First Call,” a Steelers fan pulls off an epic quick change. The Browns meltdown continues. We take a look at Will Grier’s debut with Carolina and Saquon Barkley’s huge day.

Way to come prepared

Here’s one Steelers fan who planned ahead.

He was ready to cheer for Devlin “Duck” Hodges at quarterback.

But when Hodges got benched for Mason Rudolph, it was time for a quick change.

Unfortunately, Rudolph couldn’t save Christmas. He got hurt. I wonder if that guy changed his clothes again when “Duck” returned to the game.

If he goes to Baltimore, what costume will the guy have for Paxton Lynch?

Lovin’ the Lions

Last Monday, we showed you how well some Penn State players did in the NFL.

Well, let’s double dip this Monday.

Saquon Barkley was a beast for the New York Giants.

The running back had 189 yards rushing and 90 yards receiving in a 41-35 overtime win against the Washington Redskins. He had two touchdowns as well.

Barkley’s former backup at Penn State, Miles Sanders, scored for a second consecutive week for the Philadelphia Eagles as they beat the Dallas Cowboys 17-9.

Sanders rushed for 79 yards and had 77 yards receiving in the Philly win.

Meanwhile, former Lions kicker Sam Ficken was great for the Jets against the Steelers. After struggling for much of the last seven games, he nailed all three of his field goals, including a 54 yarder.

You think the Steelers have it rough?

We all know how complicated it is for the Steelers to make the playoffs if they lose to the Baltimore Ravens next weekend.

But have you seen what needs to happen for the Oakland Raiders to qualify?

Good luck with all of that.

Then again, how easy is it going to be for the Steelers to beat the Ravens backups and have the Houston backups beat the Titans?

Oh boy, O.B.J.

Last week it was Jarvis Landry popping off at Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens.

This week it was Odell Beckham Jr. getting heated during 31-15 loss to the Ravens.

After the game Beckham said it had something to do with the officials, and Kitchens said the confrontation was about something having to do with somebody on Baltimore’s side of the field.

Whatever the circumstances, you know who should really be mad? Browns fans. Because this season of promise has blown up in their faces. That defeat officially eliminated the Browns from playoff contention. Finally. They now sit at 6-9.

Can you believe it took that long?

Well that went badly

West Virginia product Will Grier made his first start at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

And it didn’t go well.

That was one of three interceptions by the Colts defense. Grier was also 27-of-44 for 224 yards with no touchdowns. He was sacked five times.

So a pretty bad debut. Carolina fell to 5-10 in a season that Panthers tight end Greg Olsen describe as a “total failure.”

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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