Steelers/NFL category, Page 124

To paraphrase the closing line from the movie “The Silence of the Lambs”, the Pittsburgh Steelers are having an old friend for lunch Sunday. It’s not hyperbole to suggest that when the Steelers get together with Andy Dalton, they feast on him the way Hannibal Lecter does his dining companions....

1. 2-6 to 6-2 With no losing seasons in 15 previous years as an NFL head coach, it might be easy to fall into the trap that Mike Tomlin hasn’t been here before — “here” defined as coach of a 2-6 team. With the most wins of any franchise in...

On a day when the Pittsburgh Steelers activated outside linebacker T.J. Watt from injured reserve, they announced free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick won’t play Sunday because of appendicitis. Fitzpatrick had an appendectomy Saturday after experiencing discomfort in his right side during the team’s walk-through in the morning, a source told the...

After being heavily involved in the passing game in his rookie season, running back Najee Harris has seen that role decrease significantly at the midpoint of his second year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During the bye week, Harris approached offensive coordinator Matt Canada about returning to what worked last season....

The Pittsburgh Steelers could have a change to the composition of their offensive line when they play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. Left guard Kevin Dotson is listed as questionable with an abdomen injury after being a limited participant in practice Friday. Dotson has started all...

The Pittsburgh Steelers still must make the transaction official before 4 p.m. Saturday. That’s the deadline they face to activate outside linebacker T.J. Watt from injured reserve so he can dress Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. It appears to be a formality. Watt acknowledged Friday he will make his...

“Duty. Honor. Country.” Alejandro Villanueva followed the U.S. Military Academy at West Point’s credo when he was there and when he served in the military, and he adhered to it when he played with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Villanueva defied the odds to make it to the NFL, and became one...

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a bye week. New Orleans is coming off a short week. The Steelers are 2-6. The Saints are approximately just as rotten at 3-6. The host Steelers are nonetheless 1½-point underdogs. There isn’t a lot of faith in the Steelers. But if the Steelers...

Here are the most important numbers leading up to the Steelers-Saints game Sunday at Heinz Field. The Steelers are 2-6. The Saints are 3-6. So both clubs are desperate for a win. It’s been five years since New Orleans has had a losing season. It’s been 18 years since we’ve...

NFL MVP candidate Jalen Hurts says he thought he was going to be a Pittsburgh Steeler coming out of college. Pat Freiermuth sings the praises of Heath Miller. The Saints are dealing with plenty of injuries as they head up to Pittsburgh. Matt Murray won’t be healthy enough to play...

With the state of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense this season, it isn’t all that uncommon that their upcoming opponent would have a player who has more career wins as a quarterback than the Steelers’ starter. It wouldn’t be notable, either, if an opposing player had twice as many touchdowns scored...

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the clock Thursday and activated veteran safety Damontae Kazee from injured reserve. Kazee spent the first nine weeks of the season on injured reserve with a forearm/wrist injury that he sustained in the final preseason game. Kazee was designated to return three weeks ago, and if...

Defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi predicted he would be healthy enough to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, and he took a step in that direction at practice Thursday. Ogunjobi, who missed the Oct. 30 loss at Philadelphia with a knee injury, was limited in...

He’s the oldest starter on what is one of the youngest offenses in the NFL. Although Mason Cole doesn’t carry an official captaincy title for the Pittsburgh Steelers, in his first season with team, Cole is making his mark as one of the unit’s leaders. “Mason Cole is a hub...

The Pittsburgh Steelers are having trouble scoring points, which intuitively implies they are having trouble scoring touchdowns. But what might lack most is long touchdowns. The data, indeed, suggests long touchdowns are lacking at a level not seen in decades. SharpFootballAnalysis.com compiled a list of the longest offensive touchdowns scored...

The Steelers took a week off for their bye. Steelers fans did not. My Twitter feed and inbox are proof of that. At 2-6, I didn’t expect that they would. Here’s this week’s “U mad, bro?” A guy named Tim did not appreciate us posting the comments ex-Bengals cornerback Adam...

Thursday’s “First Call” has an interesting anecdote from Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. There is some unfortunate history against the Saints and their head coach that Mike Tomlin is going to have to overcome. Micah Parsons is trying to lure a free-agent star to Dallas. And a few of Duquesne’s former...

During down periods for the first-team offense at recent Pittsburgh Steelers practices, four of the team’s most recognizable players haven’t put the time to waste. Quarterback Kenny Pickett and his three most prized pass-catchers — Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth — often have gathered to work on routes....

Matthew Wright’s first stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers was fresh out of college in 2019. Given Chris Boswell’s struggles the year before, it was reasonable to believe coach Mike Tomlin was genuine when he said the kicker job that season was an open competition. Boswell reverted to form, allowing him...

While two veteran cornerbacks didn’t practice Wednesday for the Pittsburgh Steelers, another was a full participant and could return for the team’s game Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Levi Wallace, who did not play in the Steelers’ 35-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 13 because of a...

For the first time in four weeks, the Steelers play at Acrisure Stadium when they face the New Orleans Saints. They will look to snap a two-game losing streak following road defeats to Miami and Philadelphia. Here is a look at their Week 10 opponent: The basics Coach: Dennis Allen,...

In a move that indicates kicker Chris Boswell’s groin injury is a lingering issue, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Matthew Wright to the 53-man roster Wednesday. Wright had been on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. By signing Wright, the Steelers must keep him on the 53-man roster for at least...

In the NFL’s defensive rankings, the Pittsburgh Steelers stand fourth from the bottom in yards and 10th from the bottom in points. Apparently, $108 million doesn’t buy what it used to. It’s the highest-paid defense in football but nowhere near the best. The Steelers rank 21st in time of possession....

Not long after the midway point of his weekly news conference Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was asked if he is talking to his players about his prior experience being in charge of a 2-6 team. “No,” Tomlin said, before smiling. “I do not.” Tomlin couldn’t suppress a chuckle....