First Call: Steelers' optimistic odds of winning the AFC North; why George Pickens wasn't ejected

Monday’s “First Call” has updated odds on the future of the Pittsburgh Steelers after things went their way over Thanksgiving weekend.

We also provide a referee explanation about why George Pickens wasn’t ejected in Cincinnati. Joe Burrow got hurt during the game. The AFC playoff picture is taking shape.

And the Robert Morris men’s hockey team does a little community outreach while playing a home series against a conference rival.

Odds and ends

It was a successful holiday weekend for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not only did they win their road game in Cincinnati 44-38, but the AFC rival Baltimore Ravens also lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 24-19.

Eagles take the lead on the QB sneak.

????: #PHIvsBAL on CBS/Paramount+
????: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/kAXXjX8ms6

— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024

That means the Steelers have strengthened their hold on the AFC North division lead by improving to 9-3. The second-place Ravens dropped to 8-5. They have a bye next week as the Steelers host Cleveland.

As a result, the Steelers now have a 59.1% chance of winning the division, according to DraftKings. They are minus-180 favorites. Baltimore is at plus-125 with a 40.8% chance to win it. The Cleveland Browns (3-8) are at plus-100,000 with a 0.1 probability.

The Steelers host Cleveland on Sunday and visit Baltimore on Dec. 21.

Burrow Banged up

Apparently, Joe Burrow was injured during the loss to the Steelers. According to ESPN.com’s Ben Baby, the Cincinnati quarterback “had a very noticeable limp as he walked through the locker room after the defeat.”

Burrow claimed he caught a cleat on his right leg on the very first play of the game. He said it caused a cut that bled significantly.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow walked with a heavy limp after the game. He said he got cleated on the first play of the game, which caused a gash that drew a good amount of blood.

Burrow: on how he felt: "It's always tough to tell right after the game. We'll know more on Tuesday."

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 1, 2024

Burrow and the Bengals don’t play again until a Monday night date in Dallas. Burrow was still 28-38 for 309 yards and three touchdowns. The Steelers sacked him four times and intercepted him once.

Related:

• Madden Monday: Steelers’ win in Cincinnati doesn't outweigh remaining hurdles
• Feats of Strength: Russell Wilson's huge day, key defensive splash plays secure Steelers shootout over Bengals
• 5 things we learned in Steelers’ win over the Bengals: Stripping Joe Burrow was by design

Division done

One division in the AFC has already been wrapped up. It’s the AFC East. The Buffalo Bills (10-2) claimed the title Sunday Night with a 35-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers (5-7).

Despite a snowstorm, Buffalo QB Josh Allen threw for two touchdowns, ran for one, and scored another when he got an improvised pitch back from receiver Amari Cooper in the third quarter.

WHAT THE?!?!?!?!

????: #SFvsBUF on NBC/Peacock
????: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/tO1I6KTQRM

— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2024

The NFL is counting that as a receiving TD. That makes Allen the first quarterback in NFL history to catch a TD, run for a TD and pass for a TD in a single game.

This is Buffalo’s fifth straight division crown. The 11-1 Kansas City Chiefs have also clinched a playoff spot but have yet to secure the AFC West.

Houston beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-20 on Sunday. So that improves the Texans to 8-5. They are sitting atop the AFC South, with Indianapolis in second place at 6-7.

Holster your guns

George Pickens got two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties Sunday. The first was for taunting Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt. The second was for making a finger-gun gesture to the crowd.

The NFL doesn’t like finger guns. However, Pickens was not ejected despite drawing two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the same game. Via an NFL pool report after the game, referee Shawn Hochuli stated that Pickens was allowed to stay on the field despite the second unsportsmanlike penalty “because it wasn’t a taunt directed at an opponent.”

Referee Shawn Hochuli said via pool report that George Pickens wasn't ejected for the second unsportsmanlike penalty because it wasn't a taunt directed at an opponent.

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 1, 2024

Pickens finished the day with three catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. “He’s got to grow up in a hurry,” head coach Mike Tomlin said after the win.

Can’t ‘bear’ to leave

The Robert Morris men’s hockey team played a rare home weekend series over the weekend. They split against American International College, winning the first game 4-1 on Friday and dropping the second game on Saturday 4-2.

Saturday was “Teddy Bear Toss” night. After the Colonials’ first goal of the game — scored by Cam Garvey early in the first period — fans threw Teddy Bears and other stuffed animals on the ice to benefit holiday toy giveaway efforts for the Light of Life Rescue Mission.

Garvey also netted the Teddy Bear Toss goal last year against Arizona State.

That was the first home series for RMU since they played Lindenwood the first weekend of November. They don’t return home until Canisius visits on Jan. 14. Next weekend, they travel to RIT.

The women’s team had Thanksgiving weekend off. They play at Syracuse next weekend.