The Steelers stopped a losing streak last week and beat a team that came to Pittsburgh with the best record in the NFL.

You didn’t think that would stop the irresistible force that is “U mad, bro?” did you?

This week’s edition includes a quiet trade deadline, continued excuse-making for George Pickens, a handsy cornerback, a head coach who can’t win even when he wins, talkative talk show hosts, hockey analogies, draft day conspiracies and Australian wildlife.

Imagine what would’ve happened if they had lost.

Let’s start with this guy on social media. He wants fewer pass interference and holding penalties from Joey Porter Jr.

I heard Joey Porter Jr dressed up as a koala bear for the Steelers Halloween party last night. pic.twitter.com/lqzdJzt2E6

— Local Hero™ (@HofSpillane) October 31, 2025

Yeah, but if he looked that adorable while committing a penalty, what official is ever going to throw a flag?

via GIPHY

@JoeRao-q5r posted a comment on this week’s “Madden-Benz: Unfiltered!” 

“Steelers lose: Fire Tomlin!!

Steelers win: He’s a GENIUS !!”

Of course. Sure. Exactly. You knew here?

Someone calling themselves @2hipop is unhappy that the Steelers didn’t add anyone at the trade deadline.

”This offense can’t match the Bills, KC and Ravens score for score in the playoffs! They needed more weapons, plus D only shows up part-time.”

Well, to be fair, the offense not only matched but also surpassed the best offense in the NFL on Sunday.

To your point, though, they only did so because the defense showed up — and created six turnovers.

I don’t know if Jakobi Meyers or Radshid Shaheed helps them win 38-35 over K.C. or Buffalo in the playoffs. But their presence certainly would’ve helped.

And this team was by no means going to be crippled at the draft next year if they had given up two of their potential nine picks between the third and sixth rounds to get one of them.

More sports

• Mark Madden: Penguins should create hype by starting rookie Sergei Murashov vs. Capitals • Pitt coaches challenge Mason Heintschel to further elevate game, learn from mistakes • WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling happy to be reunited with Aaron Rodgers, join Steelers practice squad

Frank is also agitated about the Steelers’ stagnation at the trade deadline.

“I do think the draft being here made them reluctant to part with high picks. You’re 100% correct. No idea who started ‘all in.’”

I can tell you who started “The Steelers are all in!”

Us! You! The media and fans. It’s our fault.

As far as the draft thing goes, I hope you are wrong. But maybe you aren’t.

The notion of owning the draft board just because the event is here in Pittsburgh is silly. Sure, make seven or eight picks like usual and give the crowd a chance to pop once an hour or so.

But they don’t need each of the potential 12 picks. What if they can’t — or don’t want to — swing a deal to move up for a quarterback in the first round come springtime?

Who is running this show? Omar Khan or Kyle Dubas? What are the Steelers gonna do? Draft the football version of Bill Zonnon just because they held every pick?

They should’ve used some of them as currency on Tuesday.

On Monday night, I mocked George Pickens for getting a taunting penalty during Dallas’ loss to Arizona.

George Pickens was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after his catch. pic.twitter.com/9K4ktpaw3n

— ESPN (@espn) November 4, 2025

Repeated Pickens apologist @TheRel_BigShawn doesn’t see a problem with what he did.

It was weak. He handed the ball to the DB he caught the pass on.

— Your Bigness (@TheRel_BigShawn) November 4, 2025

It was illegal. It was right in front of an official. It was unnecessary. It was avoidable. It cost his team yards.

If it was so “weak,” why bother doing it in the first place? What was to be gained? How was doing that going to help his team?

It was a dumb thing to do. Posts like yours that enable him and make excuses for him are dumb, too. They just encourage him to do it again and hope he gets away with it.

Finally, this guy is mad because he thinks I talk too much — on a, um, talk show.

Specifically, my “Friday Football Show” livestream with Mike DeCourcy. 

Benz sets records with non stop talking

— David D. Lori (@LoriD64674) October 31, 2025

It’s two people talking for an hour about football. That’s sorta the point. What were you expecting to see when you clicked the link? An interpretive dance troupe? A video montage of scenic landscapes?

A koala hugging a person’s ankle?!

I’m confused about your level of expectation when you comment about a sports talk show and complain about someone … talking.

I learned a little American Sign Language in high school. Would it help if I tried that instead?

That one seems pretty straightforward to me.

Watch: Tim Benz and Mark Madden wrap up the Steelers-Colts game and look ahead to Steelers-Chargers this weekend

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---