Steelers/NFL category, Page 65
Steelers notes: Justin Fields quickly makes his playoff debut
BALTIMORE — It didn’t take long for Justin Fields to make his NFL playoff debut. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ change-of-pace quarterback, Fields checked in for the third snap from scrimmage of Saturday night’s wild-card round game against the Baltimore Ravens. Fields, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith spent...
Steelers without starting RG Mason McCormick for playoff opener at Ravens
BALTIMORE — Spencer Anderson will make his first career playoff start and fourth start in any meaningful NFL game as an offensive lineman in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ wild-card round postseason opener Saturday night. Anderson will be at right guard in place of rookie Mason McCormick, who will not play against...
Steelers add OT Calvin Anderson from injured reserve, elevate 2 receivers for playoff game
The Pittsburgh Steelers added reinforcements along the offensive line and at wide receiver for their AFC wild-card playoff game at Baltimore on Saturday night. Tackle Calvin Anderson was reinstated from injured reserve, and he will be active for the playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. Anderson provides depth with rookie...
50 years later: Super Steelers reflect on winning 1st Super Bowl, igniting franchise’s legacy
Terry Bradshaw already was feeling immense pressure — internally if not externally — when he took the field for the biggest game of his young NFL career 50 years ago. The sight of an apparently dead body lying in front of him only heightened his anxiety before he led the...
Steelers rookies realize urgency of raised stakes in preparation for Ravens in 1st playoffs
As the Pittsburgh Steelers practiced for Saturday’s AFC wild-card game against the Baltimore Ravens, the stakes started to sink in for four rookies who played significant roles this season. It was a normal game week, save the consequences. “It’s single elimination. Win, you move on; lose, you go home,” center...
‘Living off past glory’: Plenty at stake as Steelers vie to end 8-year drought of playoff wins
Mike Tomlin has a history of guiding the Pittsburgh Steelers to 18 consecutive seasons without a losing record and a dozen NFL playoff appearances, yet the Super Bowl XLIII champion coach knows his story comes with baggage that he refuses to project onto his players. That doesn’t mean he’s immune to...
Steelers tasked with solving NFL’s hottest defense when they face Ravens in wild-card matchup
It’s not lost on the Pittsburgh Steelers that their opponent in the NFL’s wild-card playoff round doesn’t just possess the league’s top-ranked offense but also the stingiest defense over the final eight weeks of the season. Starting with their Week 11 meeting with the Steelers — when they didn’t allow...
4 Downs: Steelers outscored 66-0 in 1st quarters of playoff losing streak, 40-3 in current skid
1. First-quarter blues The only Pittsburgh Steelers losing streak uglier than the one over the past four games they’ve played is the five-game postseason skid they carry into Saturday’s playoff game in Baltimore. The Steelers have been outscored by an average of 13 points per game over the past month...
Steelers’ Cameron Heyward, Chris Boswell earn first-team All-Pro honors
Cameron Heyward continues to show that at age 35, he remains one of the NFL’s top defensive linemen. And, at 33, Chris Boswell has emerged as the league’s most reliable kicker. Two of the elder statesmen on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster were rewarded Friday for their work this season when...
Mark Madden: The recalibration of Mike Tomlin’s legend continues
Denial. It’s tough. With the Pittsburgh Steelers set to finish their traditional late-season skid with a fifth straight loss by losing their wild-card playoff game at Baltimore on Saturday, here’s a bit of hope: Betting the Steelers on the money line is great value. The Steelers are plus-400. A worthwhile...
First Call: John Harbaugh brings up ‘next week’ while discussing Zay Flowers; ex-Steeler up for 49ers’ defensive job
Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh said something that caught the attention of many Pittsburgh Steelers fans. A former Steeler is making a name for himself on the interview circuit for defensive coordinators. The Penguins have a chance to make some noise in the wild-card race this weekend. And Evgeni Malkin...
Football Footnotes: If the Steelers are to upset the Ravens, here are 3 specific fixes they’ll need
When you lose 34-17, as the Pittsburgh Steelers did in Baltimore in Week 16, that means there are plenty of things to correct. That’s particularly true if you face the same opponent in the playoffs three weeks later, as the Steelers are doing Saturday when they visit Baltimore again to...
Scouting the Ravens: Steelers face their biggest rival on the road for first time in playoffs
SCOUTING THE RAVENS Last meeting Ravens beat Steelers, 34-17, on Dec. 21 in Baltimore. Key matchup Ravens TEs Mark Andrews/Isaiah Likely vs. Steelers ILBs/DBs Over Baltimore’s past six games, Andrews and Likely have combined for nine touchdowns, including one TD catch in each of those games for Andrews. Both scored...
Steelers’ 6th all-time leading rusher, Najee Harris recognizes Saturday might be last game with team
In the storied history of a franchise long associated with a run-first offensive mentality, only five Pittsburgh Steelers have more career rushing yards than Najee Harris. Three are in the Hall of Fame, another earned an All-Pro honor and the other has two Super Bowl rings. But after four seasons...
G Spencer Anderson preps to start in playoff debut for Steelers if Mason McCormick can’t play
Spencer Anderson has heard it plenty, particularly since he was drafted by the rival Pittsburgh Steelers some 20 months ago. “Everybody always asks me if I’m a Ravens fan, but I’m not,” Anderson said Thursday from UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “I actually lived closer (as a child) to the Redskins...
Steelers’ Donte Jackson cleared, Mason McCormick questionable for playoff game
As he adjusts to playing with a broken left hand, starting right guard Mason McCormick officially is listed as questionable to make his NFL playoff debut Saturday. McCormick on Thursday was a partial practice participant for the third consecutive day, according to the league-mandated injury report, leaving it up in...
‘It’s my story’: Searching for 1st playoff win, Steelers star T.J. Watt knows legacy is on line
T.J. Watt has one of the most impressive resumes in Pittsburgh Steelers history, yet the superstar outside linebacker accepts what the absence of a playoff victory means to his legacy. Even as he’s one of the game’s most dominant defenders — a seven-time Pro Bowl and four-time All-Pro pick who...
Ravens report: No. 1 WR Zay Flowers won’t play but No. 2 RB Justice Hill will return vs. Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t have to worry about facing the Baltimore Ravens’ top wide receiver in their wild-card playoff game. Zay Flowers will not play Saturday, Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters Thursday. Flowers suffered a knee injury during Baltimore’s regular-season finale last week and did not practice this week....
First Call: Zay Flowers update; Ravens preparing for Justin Fields to get snaps
Thursday’s “First Call” has an update on injured Baltimore receiver Zay Flowers as the Ravens get ready to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. Baltimore is getting ready for both Steelers quarterbacks in the game. The national media spin about Mike Tomlin is in its usual January mode. And we...
U mad, bro?: Fans are either mad at the Steelers or mad at people critical of the Steelers. Pick a side
The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost five of six and are living off of loser points like the raccoons who dig through my garbage can on trash night. Actually, let’s be honest. This year, for the Penguins, every night is trash night. As a result, I’ve gotten quite a few angry...
‘We’re going to follow his lead’: Steelers leaning on QB Russell Wilson’s playoff experience
The Pittsburgh Steelers are putting their playoff hopes in the hands of a 36-year-old quarterback who has won and lost a Super Bowl, something he has in common with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Russell Wilson reflects on his 9-7 postseason record with positivity, as the nine-time Pro Bowl pick chooses...
Ravens injury report for playoff vs. Steelers: Zay Flowers remains out, Justice Hill practices fully
It is becoming increasingly unlikely the Baltimore Ravens will have their No. 1 wide receiver available for Saturday’s playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Zay Flowers again sat out practice Wednesday, according to the injury report. Flowers, who had a team-most 1,059 receiving yards this season, suffered a knee injury...
Steelers injury report: status quo on Mason McCormick, Donte Jackson; MyCole Pruitt out
No news seemingly was good news Wednesday in regards to the statuses of two Pittsburgh Steelers starters for Saturday’s playoff opener. Veteran starting outside cornerback Donte Jackson again was listed as fully practicing and rookie starting right guard as a partial participant for Wednesday’s session, which was held at Acrisure...
With playoffs approaching, Arthur Smith focused on beating Ravens, not another head coaching job
Arthur Smith’s chance to interview for another NFL head coaching opportunity can wait until next week when he’s permitted to discuss job openings. The New York Jets and Chicago Bears requested permission to interview the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator. Per NFL rules, any interview cannot happen until following the wild-card...
Like the Steelers, Ravens own similar recent history of playoff underachievement
The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t the only team with a recent history of underwhelming postseason success. In fact, they might not even be the team enduring the most pressure and scrutiny that takes to field Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium. Whereas the Steelers will be out to end an eight-year...
