It’s not often a Pittsburgh Steelers “Monday Night Football” game gets dwarfed by other topics in the Pittsburgh sports world.

But the team has started 0-3. Sidney Crosby got hurt. Clint Hurdle got fired. And Pat Narduzzi is getting linked to another job.

So, apologies. It’s going to take us a few minutes to get to the Steelers versus the Cincinnati Bengals this week in the “Madden Monday” podcast.

Before we get there, Mark Madden and I need break down how the Pirates screwed up the firing of Clint Hurdle and the reasons why this may — or may not — be an example of scapegoating.

Then we get into the injuries suffered by Crosby and Bryan Rust in the Penguins preseason finale. How serious are they? What will be the ripple effects to the roster?

Plus, Pitt nearly lost to Delaware. Yikes! That may have cost Pat Narduzzi the Rutgers job.

I’m kidding. I think.

And, yes. The Steelers-Bengals game is on the table, too. We analyze Mason Rudolph’s play, the feeling of desperation that exists in Pittsburgh, and the crummy AFC North which wants to keep both of these bumbling teams’ playoff hopes alive.

LISTEN: Tim Benz and Mark Madden tackle the busy Pittsburgh sports scene: 'MNF' preview, Hurdle firing, Penguins injures, Pitt football

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