First Call: Ex-Steeler makes unlikely play on 'Monday Night Football'; Steelers' remaining odds are growing; latest path for Penguins

Tuesday’s “First Call” shows a lack of faith in the Steelers at the betting window. An ex-Steeler makes a surprising play on “Monday Night Football.” Saquon Barkley’s return was underwhelming. And the Penguins are being nasty to our northern neighbors.

Fading faith: BetRivers.com has the Steelers (5-4-1) as early underdogs in their rematch against the Cincinnati Bengals (6-4). Cincy has been installed as a 4.5-point favorite at home. The Bengals were 24-10 winners at Heinz Field earlier this season.

The Steelers also have the longest odds of the four teams in the AFC North when it comes to winning the division. The first place Baltimore Ravens (7-3) are favored at minus-167. The Bengals are next at +400, slightly in front of the Cleveland Browns (6-5). The Steelers are long shots at +1100.

The Ravens have the third-best odds in the AFC to win the conference at +550, trailing only the Kansas City Chiefs (+350) and the Buffalo Bills (+400).

Among the AFC North teams, interestingly, the Browns are closest to the Ravens in that category at +2000, the Bengals are at +2200, and the Steelers are at +4000.

McLendon’s mitts: Normally, if you are watching a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, the ex-Steeler most likely to impact the game is Antonio Brown.

A.B. didn’t play Monday night against the New York Giants, though. Defensive lineman Steve McLendon did. And he ended up grabbing the first interception of his 12-year NFL career.

12 seasons in the NFL. First INT for the big man. @SteveMcLendon96 #GoBucs

????: #NYGvsTB on ESPN
????: https://t.co/aAVkp2ihhy pic.twitter.com/4iRqC0gZS6

— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2021

McLendon has totaled 12.5 sacks over a dozen years of service time with the Steelers, Bucs and New York Jets. But grabbing an interception is something new for him.

Tampa went on to win 30-10 to improve to 7-3. The Giants fell to 3-7.

Barkley is back: Former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley made his return to the Giants in that game.

This was the first appearance since Week 5 for the 2018 Rookie of the Year. He injured an ankle against the Dallas Cowboys that day and hasn’t played since. The former Pro Bowler was also placed on the covid-19 list on Nov. 3.

Barkley rushed six times for 25 yards against the Bucs. He caught all six of his targets for 31 yards.

His 2020 season was cut short after just two games thanks to a knee injury. His last 100-yard rushing game was 189 yards against Washington on Dec. 22, 2019.

Yo, Canada!: After a 3-1 win Monday night in Winnipeg, the Penguins will look to extend their winning streak to four against yet another Canadian team.

The Pens have won their last three games — all north of the border — against the Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens. The combined score of those contests has been 11-1.

Now the Penguins return home for their next contest. The Vancouver Canucks will visit PPG Paints Arena at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Vancouver is struggling. At 6-11-2, the Canucks have lost six of their last seven. Their most recent defeat was a 1-0 shutout at home against the Chicago Blackhawks, courtesy of former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

It was a 40-save performance from the Flower, resulting in his 68th career shutout and his first this year with the Blackhawks.

Marc-Andre Fleury (40 saves) recorded his 68th career shutout, surpassing Roy Worters (67) for sole possession of 14th place on the NHL’s all-time list.#NHLStats: https://t.co/Ekx0pFrTUv pic.twitter.com/J9dvhGpaIt

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 22, 2021

The Penguins will visit the New York Islanders on Friday, before returning to Pittsburgh to face Montreal again. Then they’ll venture back into Canada for a road trip through Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Seattle and Washington D.C.

After that game against the Canadiens on Nov. 27, the Penguins won’t play again at home until Dec. 11 against the Anaheim Ducks.