Tim Benz Columns category, Page 29
Tim Benz: Steelers have to improve upon recent checkered history in Cleveland
It’s not just Steelers players and coaches who need to turn the page on a win over the Baltimore Ravens as quickly as possible. Fans and those of us in the media have to as well. It’s tempting for fans to bask in the afterglow of an eighth win in...
Feats of Strength: Timely turnovers, perfect kicking, George Pickens’ prowess lead Steelers over Ravens
Ten weeks of anticipation for the Pittsburgh Steelers were well worth the wait. That’s how deep we have gotten into the NFL season before seeing the Steelers play an AFC North foe. That’s what they did in Week 11, though, Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, hosting the Baltimore Ravens with the...
Tim Benz: Familiar rivals, different expectations for Steelers-Ravens in 2024
Few things in the NFL are as predictable — and anticipated — as a Steelers-Ravens game with significant stakes and AFC North title implications. The latest chapter of this rivalry is taking on a decidedly different type of anticipation — the expectation of points actually being scored. Usually, the gravitational...
Football Footnotes: Steelers-Ravens part of top-heavy NFL viewing slate full of AFC playoff implications
Sunday’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2) and Baltimore Ravens (7-3) is one of a few excellent contests across the NFL this week. A few. Things are kind of top-heavy in the NFL these days. There are 11 teams with only two or three wins. Then, a big, mushy middle...
First Call: Russell Wilson wants to play at least 5 more years; framework disclosed for NFL’s 18-game scheduleVideo
Friday’s “First Call” has Russell Wilson’s projection for how much longer he wants to play in the NFL. There’s a road map for how — and when — the NFL plans to get to an 18-game season. We examine the basketball version of the Backyard Brawl as well as the...
First Call: Steelers reportedly found a snake in their Washington locker room; DeShon Elliott jabs Ravens, Dolphins
Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Mike Williams is clearing up a perceived shot at former teammate Aaron Rogers. The Steelers apparently had to deal with a pregame locker room distraction in Washington. Safety DeShon Elliott is taking swipes at multiple AFC teams at the same time. And a former Steelers receiver is...
Steelers CB Donte Jackson provides health update, funny interaction with refs after blatant missed holding callVideo
Donte Jackson provided a health update after practice Wednesday as the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for this weekend’s pivotal AFC North game against the Baltimore Ravens. The former Carolina Panther has provided a significant upgrade at the cornerback position since coming on board via trade for wide receiver Dionate Johnson in...
U mad, bro?: Failed fake punt debate; criticism of Steelers media; putrid Penguins failures adding up
What a difference a year makes! Right about this time in 2023, the Steelers were 6-3, but no one was happy because we were all in full-blown “FIRE CANADA” mode. Now the Steelers are a mere one game better at 7-2, yet it feels 180 degrees different around the city....
First Call: Pens have a chance to heat up; Steelers work out former DB; will T.J. Watt get a few calls this week?Video
The Pittsburgh Steelers may be interested in bringing back a familiar face. There’s an interesting trend about the officiating crew for the team’s game against Baltimore on Sunday. The Penguins’ schedule is about to play into their hands. Now, can they actually do something with it? That’s a different conversation....
While Mike Tomlin downplays return with Ravens, Diontae Johnson is ready for any increased snaps against Steelers
Former Steeler Diontae Johnson is coming back to Pittsburgh this Sunday with the Baltimore Ravens. And the veteran wide receiver knows it is going to be a little bit awkward getting around Acrisure Stadium. “Just being back in that stadium where it all started, it’s going to be different,” Johnson...
Tim Benz: Turns out the NFL may have done the Steelers a favor with their back-loaded schedule
When the NFL schedule was released in May, we all wondered what state the Pittsburgh Steelers would be in by the time the crucial AFC North games finally started in Week 11. “I’ll play (the divisional games) whenever they schedule us,” head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. “We’ve got no...
Tim Benz: Penguins can’t explain away ‘humbling’ 7-1 beatdown
Wanna know how bad the Pittsburgh Penguins were Monday night against the Dallas Stars? They allowed Dallas’ hockey team to outscore Dallas’ football team. Your final score Sunday: Philadelphia Eagles 34, Dallas Cowboys 6. Your final score Monday: Dallas Stars 7, Pittsburgh Penguins 1. The Stars showed good sportsmanship and...
First Call: Diontae Johnson to ‘ramp up’ participation for Ravens vs. Steelers; Bengals miss on veteran additions
Tuesday’s “First Call” has lots of news out of Baltimore as the Ravens (7-3) prepare to battle the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2). The Cincinnati Bengals swung and missed on a pair of veteran free agents. And the Duquesne football team is riding high with more in-season honors. Hey, hey, Diontae! We...
New Steelers WR Mike Williams has a dart for ex-Jets teammate Aaron Rodgers
Before wide receiver Mike Williams became a Pittsburgh Steeler, he was a New York Jet. After a loss to Buffalo earlier this season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was critical of Williams for not running a proper “red line” (the center track of an outside deep pattern) route late in the game....
First Call: Commanders lament pivotal plays against Steelers; Kenny Pickett enters game for EaglesVideo
A pair of Washington Commanders are facing the music after some plays didn’t go their way in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Kenny Pickett closes out a win for the Eagles. Things aren’t too great in Dallas with the way the Cowboys are playing lately. Meanwhile, Dallas’...
Madden Monday: Debating Zach Ertz’s catch, Steelers’ fake punt, T.J. Watt’s holding calls, Jaylen Warren’s fumbleVideo
There were so many calls, decisions and moments to digest from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday that no two people were going to agree on all of them. During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden and I certainly did not. For instance, I...
Feats of Strength: George Pickens, Russell Wilson, new additions come up huge as Steelers edge Commanders
It was a wild scene in Washington, D.C. Western Pennsylvania was very much in the spotlight. Lots of emotional swings. Plenty of ups and downs. A big comeback. Quite a few surprises. And I’m just talking about Tuesday during Election Day. They hadn’t even gotten to the football game between...
Tim Benz: If you didn’t like Erik Karlsson’s performance in Carolina, you’re going to hate his own analysis of itVideo
The only thing worse than the performance of Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson on Thursday night was his own assessment of it. The Penguins lost to the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-1. He was held without a point, was a minus-3, and was the only defenseman on the team who failed to register...
First Call: Paul Skenes, Livvy Dunne to appear on ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’; key Ravens injury before Steelers gameVideo
Friday’s “First Call” features some fun for Pittsburgh Pirates starter Paul Skenes. The Ravens may have lost a key player in advance of their game against the Steelers next week. Najee Harris shares his thoughts on Saquon Barkley’s jaw-dropping highlight last week. We look at bounceback opportunities for Pitt and...
Football Footnotes: Beyond trying to slow Jayden Daniels, here are 5 other matchups to watch during Steelers-Commanders
Without a doubt, Sunday’s feature matchup during the Steelers-Commanders game is going to be how the Pittsburgh defense handles Washington rookie sensation Jayden Daniels. The first-year quarterback has a passer rating of 106.7 — the fifth-best in the NFL. His 71.5% completion percentage is third-best. That said, the Steelers have...
Duquesne refuses to use lack of continuity as an early season excuseVideo
There were a few obvious on-court reasons why Duquesne lost its home opener to Lipscomb on Monday night 77-72. • The Dukes missed nine free throws that could have made a difference, and 14 3-point attempts, going 6 for 20 beyond the arc. • They struggled to convert some open...
First Call: Mike Williams heard calls from Steelers fans; Commanders’ plan to balance Terrible Towels in D.C.
New Pittsburgh Steeler Mike Williams talks about his recent exposure to Acrisure Stadium. We get some background on Diontae Johnson’s trade to Baltimore from Carolina’s perspective. The Washington Commanders have a plan to counterbalance a potential influx of Steelers fans populating their stadium on Sunday. And the Penguins are running...
U mad, bro?: Fans unload on plodding Penguins and Steelers’ trade deadline coverage
In terms of crafting “U mad, bro?” for this week, I’m in the wrong line of work. If I was a political reporter, I’m sure my social media mentions and emails would be overflowing with rage and anger in the wake of the election. But for the purposes of this...
First Call: Why the Packers gave Preston Smith to Pittsburgh; roster adjustments after Steelers’ trades
There’s some residue to sort through on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster after their two trade deadline pickups. We try to find answers as to why the Packers were so willing to part ways with Preston Smith. There are injury issues to watch in Baltimore and Cincinnati. And the Ravens are...
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers says Mike Williams ‘will be good in that locker room’ after trade to SteelersVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired New York Jets receiver Mike Williams on Tuesday afternoon. It’s believed that part of the reason Williams was made available — or that Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers pushed so hard to acquire Las Vegas receiver Davante Adams — was that Rodgers wasn’t wild about Williams as...
