Tim Benz and Mark Madden return for this week’s edition of “Unfiltered” on TribLive’s Facebook page to talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Heinz Field.
The Browns came into the game with a 4-1 record and hoped to shake off the Steelers dominance – that didn’t happen. The Steelers throttled the Browns, 38-7.
Benz and Madden dig into whether heralded Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is good enough to play at the top level, and whether the Browns offensive is actually being held back by Mayfield’s play.
Madden says the the next time Mayfield films a commercial, Case Keenum should step-in halfway through and finish up the filming.
Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. didn’t seem to take the loss well, he pouted on the sideline in the closing minutes of the game. Madden says he’s a lesser Antonio Brown.
The guys feel that the game showed more who the Browns are, than who the Steelers are.
On the Steelers front, a few players did suffer injuries, including linebacker Devin Bush, who is likely to be out for the rest of the year. Madden and Benz discuss whether the Steelers should try to trade for a player to replace Bush. Maybe even try to use Juju Smith-Schuster as part of a deal.
In the meanwhile Madden thinks the player that stepped in for Bush, Robert Spillane, might be able to hold his own next week against the Tennessee Titans. Spillane is a meat-and-potatoes type player that can help stop the run. But Madden says against a offense that features an athletic quarterback, like the Baltimore Ravens, who are coming up soon, he won’t be able to help and Bush’s absence will be felt.
But the Titans have become a well-rounded team that the Steelers will have to deal with. Both teams are 5-0 and will be a real test for the Steelers. Madden calls it a de facto playoff game for the AFC hierarchy.
The guys also discuss hockey broadcaster Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick retiring, all the former Pirates pitchers in the World Series, the Penguins’ signing of Cody Ceci and respond to some reader comments.
Watch the show here:
