First Call: Steelers early underdogs in Baltimore; Patrick Mahomes injures ankle

In Monday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers are already underdogs for Saturday’s game in Baltimore. The Chiefs are monitoring Patrick Mahomes’ injured ankle before their Saturday date with Houston.

A pair of former Steelers found the end zone in wins for their teams. Mason Rudolph saw some action for Tennessee.

A WPIAL star had a banner day for the Duquesne women’s basketball team, and the Robert Morris hockey teams had a good weekend.

History doesn’t matter

The Steelers (10-4) have beaten the Baltimore Ravens (9-5) eight times in their past nine tries. They haven’t lost in Baltimore since 2019.

They also have a one-game lead on the Ravens in the AFC North. But the oddsmakers don’t seem impressed with Pittsburgh coming off of Sunday’s performances from the teams.

Before the Steelers dropped a 27-13 decision in Philadelphia (12-2), the Ravens rolled over the hapless New York Giants (2-12) by a final score of 35-14. According to ESPNBet, Baltimore is a 6 1/2-point favorite heading into Saturday’s game between the clubs in Maryland.

If the Steelers win, they’ll claim the division title. If the Ravens win, the race will come down to the final two weeks.

It’s possible that line could drop if the Steelers have positive injury news on George Pickens and T.J. Watt. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com simply said that the Steelers are “hopeful” that Pickens will return for the Ravens game from his “Grade 2” hamstring injury that he suffered after practice Thursday in advance of the team’s win over Cleveland last week.

After Sunday’s defeat in Philly, Watt said he suffered an ankle injury, and his X-rays were negative.

More sports

• Airing of Grievances: Tackling woes, failed conversion downs sink Steelers' latest attempt to win in Philadelphia
• Steelers star T.J. Watt leaves with ankle injury, X-rays negative
• Madden Monday: On loss to Philly — 'I never felt the Steelers were in danger of winning that game'
• Steelers vs. Eagles: What they're saying in Philadelphia after win

How does it look?

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns. He left the game in the fourth quarter and did not return. Carson Wentz finished out the game’s final 5:23 as the defending Super Bowl champions won 21-7.

K.C. plays in Houston on Saturday, then comes to Pittsburgh on Christmas Day.

“We’ll get into the rehab part, the treatment part, and try to get back on a short week,” Mahomes said via the Associated Press after the game. “With all the adrenaline from the game, it’s hard to tell now (if he can play). Usually, it’s the day after when you get a good sense of it.”

Head coach Andy Reid said that Mahomes was lobbying to return to the game.

Patrick Mahomes’ mental toughness is next level. pic.twitter.com/ztWo924FFd

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 15, 2024

“It’s not broken. That’s all I can tell you,” Reid said. “We’ll have to see how it goes down the road.”

The two-time NFL MVP was 19 of 38 for 159 yards and two touchdowns before exiting the contest. One of those throws was to former Steeler JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Mahomes to JuJu gives the @Chiefs an early lead!

????: #KCvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+
????: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/cXIN0P1SDL

— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024

That was Smith-Schuster’s only catch of the day and his second TD of the year. Wentz threw just two passes and completed them both for a total of 20 yards.

Not alone

Smith-Schuster wasn’t the only former Steeler to find the end zone; James Conner did as well.

The running back had a big game for the Arizona Cardinals during a 30-17 win over the New England Patriots. He had 110 rushing yards, a pair of touchdowns and five catches for 28 yards.

Dashing through the end zone, in a one-horse open sleigh, over the fields we go, @JamesConner_ laughing all the way#ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/3GspjfojFb

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 15, 2024

James Conner adds another TD!

????: #NEvsAZ on CBS/Paramount+
????: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/jwhckhFhX6

— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024

For the former Pitt Panther, that was his fifth 100-yard game of the year and his first since Nov. 3. Those were also his first rushing touchdowns since Nov. 10.

Meanwhile, Mason Rudolph put up two touchdowns, an interception and 209 yards on 21-of-26 passing for the Tennessee Titans. He replaced Will Levis who tossed three interceptions on 12 passes. Tennessee (3-11) lost 37-27 to Cincinnati (6-8).

What a game

Megan McConnell had a fantastic game as the Duquesne women’s basketball team rolled over Canisius, 90-66.

The senior guard from Chartiers Valley scored a career-high 35 points and added nine steals to go along with six assists.

Watch out!! ????‍♀️#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/ZQZgx5sibM

— Duquesne Women's Basketball (@DuqWBB) December 15, 2024

McConnell was 14 of 21 (.667) from the field, including five 3-pointers en route to the first 30-point effort of her career. The Dukes improved to 8-2 with the win. They next play at noon Saturday against Bowling Green before the men’s team takes the court at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.

The men welcome U.C. Irvine at 2:30. The Anteaters are 9-1. Dru Joyce III’s Dukes got their third win of the season Saturday, 65-47, in Akron against Towson. Cameron Crawford had 13 to lead the way.

Good weekend all around

The Robert Morris men’s hockey team took both games in a weekend series at Canisius. Meanwhile, the women’s team grabbed a shootout victory and a regulation win at Long Island University.

The men’s team posted victories of 5-2 on Saturday and 3-1 on Sunday. Tanner Klimpke and Walter Zacher had goals in both games for RMU.

Colonials on a roll????????????????

Great assist by Mitch Deelstra to the Buffalo native Walter Zacher for his 10th goal of the season???? pic.twitter.com/LkI1YHuIuV

— RMU Men's Hockey (@RMUMHockey) December 14, 2024

GOALLLLLL????

Klimpke scores off the rebound! pic.twitter.com/ZbcYZkyxu8

— RMU Men’s Hockey (@RMUMHockey) December 15, 2024

The Colonials are now 8-7-2 with a 5-5-1 conference record. They have 18 points, tied for fifth place in Atlantic Hockey. Derek Schooley’s club is off until a trip to Arizona for the Arizona State Desert Classic on Jan 3-4.

As for the women’s team, Janelle Evans notched a shootout winner Friday after the game ended in a 1-1 overtime tie.

Nasty shootout winner by Janelle Evans???? pic.twitter.com/nJ0Tdy836r

— RMU Women's Hockey (@RMUWHockey) December 13, 2024

Saturday’s game resulted in a 3-1 Colonials win behind 22 saves on 23 shots from Maggie Hatch. The results improve RMU’s record to 6-12-2. They next play Jan. 3-4 at home against Yale.