U mad, bro?: Readers skeptical of Steelers’ standing in AFC North, miffed about I-79 cow

The Pittsburgh Steelers just had a bye weekend. Nothing bad happened.

In fact, it went pretty well. Every other team in the AFC North lost while the Steelers were idle.

Pfft! I know, I know. I see where this is going. They are just setting us up for the inevitable disappointment of what’s to come when the Browns visit as big underdogs this weekend.

We’ve seen this fish before! Or — if you live near Interstate 79 north of the city — we’ve seen this cow before.

There is no better place for preemptive disappointment and presumed doom and gloom than “U mad bro?” So here is this week’s post.

Kevin emailed. He doesn’t have faith in Mike Tomlin having the Steelers ready for a contest against a 1-4 team like the Browns.

”His teams are known for not being prepared for games like this one where they should win. It has happened numerous times throughout his mediocre career (never had a losing season, but blowout of the last 5 playoff games). Here is hoping we do not need the pooper scooper after the game.”

See, now you’ve got me thinking. Maybe all that’s needed to avoid the “Typical Tomlin trap game” is a bunch of those “dog poop deterrent” signs around the perimeter of Acrisure Stadium that fussy Karen-types put in their yard near their favorite plants.

“Your team did its ‘duty.’ Now you do yours. Please clean up after your 29th-ranked offense.”

Jerry is dubious of the Steelers’ ability to take advantage of a crippled AFC North.

”I bet they go 500 in the division. Very strong chance they lose to the Browns this weekend.”

Hmmm. I’d say a much stronger chance of that happening in Cleveland. But, yeah. I hear you. It’s certainly possible given Cleveland’s defense, the Steelers’ letdown history (see 2023) and the offense’s inefficiency.

But coming off a bye while Cleveland has to come back from England, at 1-4, with Dillon Gabriel making his first true road start?

Nah. I’ll pick the Steelers, 21-16.

Chad isn’t ready to worry about all this playoff talk yet.

I can't pay playoff standings any attention until the clocks get turned back.

— Chad Syrylo ???????? (@SyryloChad) October 6, 2025

I’d prefer we turn back the clock all the way to 2016. At least back then, they won a few playoff games.

Earlier this week, I couldn’t help myself. I had to subtweet a post I saw on social media about former Steeler George Pickens.

"Steelers media" didn't trade him for a mid-round pick next yr w/ no #2 WR to speak of behind him. The team did that. You think the team did that because of a "narrative" *we* set? Please! Get over yourself. https://t.co/lkBpu9v8bA

— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) October 5, 2025

Somebody calling themselves “Chubbybubbles77” chimed in on the conversation.

“I think the team feeds you guys a ton of (B.S.) and you spit it back out for the pass to the Buffet.”

OK, let me get this straight, “ChubbyBubbles”… if that is your real name.

You really think the team drafted that guy in the second round and from Day 1 started telling us off the record, “Hey, he’s actually a real pain in the neck! You should write that!”

And we did that for them to get free wedding soup at lunch?

Or maybe Pickens just acted like a jerk too often when he was here. Did you ever think of that?

There has to be a reason they punted on him after the draft for just a third-round pick in 2026 with no clear-cut backup to speak of, during a season when the franchise is allegedly “all in.”

You really think that’s how it works, huh?

I will say this, though, the wedding soup is quite good.

David has a complaint about last week’s “U mad, bro?”

“U need more up-to-date movie and song references.”

OK. Wait a second. Timeout!

If you are jabbing me about the “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” GIF I included last week, that had nothing to do with the movie. At all. I was simply looking for a visual with the text “You must be new here.”

That’s what came up. That’s all. Blame AI.

If you are complaining about the previous week’s “U mad, bro,” which included new suggested lyrics for “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” as a potential replacement for “Renegade” at Steelers games, well … yes.

Indeed. You got me. That is a horribly dated reference.

It also wasn’t my idea. That came from an emailer just like you.

So all I can say back to you is, in the words of Elvis Presley, “Clean Up Your Own Backyard.”

Is that dated enough for you?

Finally, this guy is mad at the cow that caused a big traffic jam on I-79 on Wednesday morning.

If he's on I-79 that cow can be charged with a Moooving Violation......

I'll show myself out

— KickSmark My Heart (@TP7187) October 8, 2025

It’s OK. Don’t worry. I have no “beef” with that attempt at humor.

via GIPHY