1 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:07,040 Speaker 1: This is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 2 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:12,600 Speaker 1: on Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 3 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Drive. I'm Dale Lolly. He is Matt Williamson, 4 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 1: and this is a Tuesday here in Pittsburgh. See you 5 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:42,760 Speaker 1: the news of the day. The Steelers having a ceremony 6 00:00:43,479 --> 00:00:46,680 Speaker 1: viewing of Franco Harris down at Acre Shore Stadium. It 7 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 1: is very well tended by fans. Long lines to uh 8 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 1: to see. Yeah. Um, Franco's wife and and son were there, 9 00:00:55,720 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 1: greeting everybody in the mine. Can you imagine doing that? Um? Yeah, 10 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:04,960 Speaker 1: just kind of another surreal moment and some closure at 11 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:10,680 Speaker 1: least to that portion of everything has happened here. I 12 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:13,120 Speaker 1: don't know if they get an official head COUMP. I 13 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:15,480 Speaker 1: saw lines and they were long. I'm sure there was 14 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 1: a terrible tower two and maybe an iron pop before 15 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:21,200 Speaker 1: you know, people just going and showing their respect. Pretty 16 00:01:21,200 --> 00:01:26,760 Speaker 1: cool situation. Yeah. Um, so we now know a little 17 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:31,560 Speaker 1: bit more, Matt about the playoffs scenarios. Yeah, in the 18 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:35,679 Speaker 1: FC we can actually talk about the playoffs now because 19 00:01:35,680 --> 00:01:38,400 Speaker 1: the Steelers have pulled themselves back into contentions they have 20 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:43,479 Speaker 1: for the playoffs. Um, here's what needs to happen. So 21 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: this week you need obviously, the Steelers need to win 22 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 1: the last two games that that's the given. They need 23 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:55,480 Speaker 1: the Jets to go to Seattle and lose. I haven't 24 00:01:55,480 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 1: looked at any lines yet, but that has to be 25 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 1: about a pick them game or Seattle's favorite. I'm guessing 26 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 1: you would think. But you know, Mike White could be 27 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 1: coming back, which is helpful for them. You also need 28 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:08,880 Speaker 1: the Dolphins to go to New England and lose, and 29 00:02:08,919 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 1: then in week eighteen you need the Jets to go 30 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:16,440 Speaker 1: to Miami and beat the Dolphins. That's it. That is 31 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 1: I haven't seen that. I mean, I figured you're going 32 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:21,240 Speaker 1: to go on and on and on. That's that's gonna happen. 33 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:25,239 Speaker 1: So Miami has to lose out Jets have to lose 34 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 1: them win. Yes, I don't think any of those things 35 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:33,440 Speaker 1: including it is not that far fetched. You can. I'm 36 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:35,680 Speaker 1: pretty sure you can bet a week ahead of advance, 37 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:38,240 Speaker 1: or at least there's lines out. None of those threads 38 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:41,280 Speaker 1: have to be four more. I mean, I'm not even 39 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: sure what Steelers Ravens spread is at the moment, but 40 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:46,920 Speaker 1: they're all gonna be close games. I bet divisional games 41 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:52,080 Speaker 1: weather games in Seattle in New England. Quarterback issues major 42 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 1: quarterback issue. Two a f c S teams. I mean, 43 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 1: I think Mike White will be back. I don't think 44 00:02:57,600 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 1: two is going to play this week. I don't know 45 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 1: if White coming back. I think it's better than Will, 46 00:03:02,919 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 1: It's better than Wilson. And it's not like, oh boy, 47 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 1: look up. Yeah, they weren't scoring points with him either, 48 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:11,639 Speaker 1: but they were, you know, not scoring points. I saw 49 00:03:11,639 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: a think. So both the Jets and Dolphins went winless 50 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:17,520 Speaker 1: in the month of December. Yeah, you told me this, 51 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:20,079 Speaker 1: this is a crazy number. Two. No team that has 52 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:23,080 Speaker 1: ever gone winless in the month of December has made 53 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:27,639 Speaker 1: the playoffs. And you said, there's them, none of them 54 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 1: like that shocked me that there's that many that didn't, 55 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 1: because you would think some great team wins ten games 56 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 1: coming into December, quarterback gets hurt or the last game 57 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: of December they rest somebody, and then they're in the playoffs. 58 00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 1: You know, like there'd be some kind of situation like 59 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 1: that where and now it's probably harder than ever. There's 60 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:48,120 Speaker 1: extra playoff spot. But the fact that the league has 61 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 1: such parody you start putting a couple of losses together. 62 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 1: Teams like Green Based are peeking up, and the Steelers 63 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 1: that no one thought any chance to go. It's not 64 00:03:56,880 --> 00:03:59,160 Speaker 1: that crazy of a scenario to think they could get in. 65 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:02,440 Speaker 1: It absolutely isn't. So that's what you need to happen 66 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 1: this week. You need both the Jets and the Dolphins 67 00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 1: to lose, doesn't matter what the Patriots. With the Patriots, 68 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 1: then if the Patriots win this weekend in the Miami, 69 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 1: they we don't have to lose the Bills. That's kind 70 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 1: of a given because the Bills aren't resting anybody either. Okay, 71 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:22,480 Speaker 1: so the Dealers could get out if the Patriots go 72 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:26,600 Speaker 1: to an Oh yeah, okay, so there's a little more, 73 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:28,159 Speaker 1: But I don't think a little more. But I don't. 74 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:31,720 Speaker 1: I don't think that's because as things stand right now, 75 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:37,720 Speaker 1: the Bills need to finish. They're trying, They're they're fighting 76 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 1: Kansas City and maybe Cincinnati. I don't know that anyone 77 00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:43,760 Speaker 1: the a f C can rest any starters with the 78 00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 1: exception of Tennessee and Jacksonville this week potentially, if they 79 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:51,039 Speaker 1: choose to do. I mean, like, I don't know anyone's 80 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:53,040 Speaker 1: even gonna consider it. You know, like the Eagles will 81 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:54,839 Speaker 1: will be able to do it. Probably at some point, 82 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 1: I'm sure there'll be another did Maybe Minnesota can because 83 00:04:57,760 --> 00:04:59,599 Speaker 1: they'll be locked in the division winner. But I don't 84 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:01,839 Speaker 1: know an when the FC can rest on their laurels. 85 00:05:01,880 --> 00:05:06,719 Speaker 1: And this is where just having one by it works 86 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 1: out in the favor of fewer teams resting. Right. Maybe 87 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:11,640 Speaker 1: if you were Kansas City or Buffalo and be like, 88 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:14,960 Speaker 1: we're gonna get one of the top two seats, we'll 89 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:16,719 Speaker 1: get a bye. We're fine. I don't want to go 90 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 1: to Buffalo. I don't want to go to Kansas City, 91 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: but Alan's elbows bugging them. I'd rather rest them and 92 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 1: take my chances, you know. So that's what can happen 93 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:26,440 Speaker 1: this year. No, I wouldn't think so. And so yeah, 94 00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:30,240 Speaker 1: it's it's all on the line. Um, yeah, you know. 95 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:32,640 Speaker 1: So in that regard, maybe the league was right to 96 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:35,400 Speaker 1: make that Steeler game. Yeah yeah, And you know it's 97 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:38,000 Speaker 1: gonna be potentially if enough the Jets go to Seattle 98 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:40,360 Speaker 1: and win, then it's all moods, it is, And they 99 00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:43,520 Speaker 1: always face that problem, you know, with the timing of games. 100 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:45,880 Speaker 1: I don't know which one would have been better or whatever, 101 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:49,279 Speaker 1: but it's always a competitive entertaining game, even to the 102 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:51,720 Speaker 1: national audience. You know, no matter what the records are, 103 00:05:51,760 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 1: the Steelers and Ravens. I don't know if you know 104 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:55,520 Speaker 1: this or not, but what do the Ravens have to 105 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 1: play for? They can still win the division. They can 106 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 1: still win the division because they finished with since A Natti. 107 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:02,800 Speaker 1: They would need to win out. They would need to 108 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 1: win out or have CINCINNI Cincinnati lose this week to 109 00:06:05,839 --> 00:06:11,400 Speaker 1: Buffalo and then if they beat Cincinnati in week Buffalo 110 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: in Baltimore. I think Baltimore won the first meeting. So 111 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 1: I'm trying to think, what's the motivation to get Lamar 112 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:19,600 Speaker 1: back or what's his motivation? The other question too, well 113 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:22,279 Speaker 1: that's the yeah, that's the flying the ointment too for them. 114 00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:26,159 Speaker 1: Oh you guys wanted Huntly here? He is. His value 115 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: goes up every day he sits out more in my opinion, 116 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 1: So I don't know if we'll see Lamar. We'll talk 117 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 1: injuries the week goes on, but they don't have any. 118 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:36,800 Speaker 1: They won't be resting anybody though, No, I wouldn't think so. 119 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:40,200 Speaker 1: Although you know Calais Campbell didn't play last week. That's 120 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:44,120 Speaker 1: kind of a big deal. Marcus Peters didn't play last week. Um, 121 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 1: you know, if they don't have those guys only had 122 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 1: two cornerbacks play any snaps last week they played the Falcons. 123 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 1: They played the Falcons, which is a weird offense. And 124 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 1: Hamilton's playing more and more, but he's yeah, but they 125 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:00,720 Speaker 1: played two corners with Peters out and he Steven saw 126 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 1: the field. It's a cornerback. I mean, strange stuff. And 127 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:05,599 Speaker 1: playing the Falcons is weird. I mean raying Falcons is 128 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:10,080 Speaker 1: an odd game period, but yeah, in terms of heavy 129 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 1: personnel on those type of things. But they have some 130 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 1: weird trends. So I was just looking at this. I 131 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 1: torn around the internet today and I was looking at 132 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 1: I found John Breaches Weekly Picks here on CBS CBS 133 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 1: dot com. He picks all the games you're on now 134 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 1: we're on two, it's Tuesday. But he picked all the 135 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 1: games and he has the scenario playing out. Did he 136 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:39,080 Speaker 1: do like the playoff tracker or whatever thing that? Well, 137 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:43,120 Speaker 1: he just he just went through his his picture, so 138 00:07:43,160 --> 00:07:45,840 Speaker 1: he's got you know, Miami eight and seven at New 139 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: England seven and eight. Miami is actually New England's favorite. 140 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:53,040 Speaker 1: New England's favorite by two and a half at home 141 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:58,560 Speaker 1: with a good defense. But this will be Teddy Bridgewater's 142 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 1: first game against the Belichick d fence. Yeah, the Dolphins 143 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:05,680 Speaker 1: are three and four this season. When they give up 144 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 1: multiple sacks. Well, the Patriots get after the quarterback their 145 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 1: second in the league in Sax. Yeah, it's a lot 146 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:13,200 Speaker 1: to throw at you. And I'm sure I was actually 147 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 1: wrong about that eight seven teams, it's not seven. I 148 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:22,120 Speaker 1: get that backwards in NFL history have ever gone. That's 149 00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:24,040 Speaker 1: going all the way back as long as they've been 150 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:27,120 Speaker 1: playing games in December. Um, it was a better chance 151 00:08:27,120 --> 00:08:31,160 Speaker 1: to go. The Jets are Dolphins. Well, the Dolphins do 152 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 1: get the Jets at home in Week eight team meeting. 153 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:38,079 Speaker 1: Just the Dolphins just need to win a game. The 154 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 1: Jets need to win them both. I don't know who 155 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 1: I give a better chance to win this week. Jets 156 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 1: in Seattle. Both are on the road, right, Yeah, Jets 157 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:50,160 Speaker 1: are in Seattle, Miami's in New England. But I don't 158 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 1: love how Seattle or New England. The Jets are favored 159 00:08:53,640 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 1: in Seattle by two and a half. Seattle is not 160 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:59,800 Speaker 1: played well, but that's a tough road trip against two coaches. 161 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:01,520 Speaker 1: But the Check and Carol that have won a lot 162 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 1: of games in December and understand how to cut things out. 163 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:06,800 Speaker 1: And both those teams are still alive. They have a 164 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 1: lot to play for. They're not playing great, but they're 165 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 1: still alive. I bet I take the home teams in 166 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:14,240 Speaker 1: both those cross country trip quarterback coming back after not 167 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:16,680 Speaker 1: having played in three weeks. Yeah, there's a lot of 168 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:19,520 Speaker 1: issues there. To me, those are all coin flip games. 169 00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 1: So he has he has both of the He has 170 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 1: the Patriots winning in the Seahawks winning. He also has 171 00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:31,400 Speaker 1: the Steelers winning. I can see it. I mean, if 172 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 1: you don't turn the ball over. I have a lot 173 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:38,720 Speaker 1: of respect for the Ravens defense, then it's played extremely well. 174 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 1: So I saw this little number because it applies to 175 00:09:42,679 --> 00:09:44,959 Speaker 1: Steelers too. Of course, I'm putting together my stack pack 176 00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:49,160 Speaker 1: first half of the season, first eight weeks e p 177 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:52,840 Speaker 1: A on defense compared to this last eight weeks. You know, 178 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:57,319 Speaker 1: since the midpoint, no one has improved more than the Ravens. 179 00:09:57,800 --> 00:10:00,960 Speaker 1: But the Steelers are like third, you know, like they're 180 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:06,120 Speaker 1: both really playing. They're defensively their best football now when 181 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:08,160 Speaker 1: it matters most well, there are two there are two 182 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 1: benchmarks for both of those teams in that time period 183 00:10:11,480 --> 00:10:16,720 Speaker 1: the Ravens got ro Kwan Smith, the Steelers get what back. Yeah, yeah, 184 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 1: exactly pretty much aligned with both of those times. When 185 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:21,920 Speaker 1: you know both of those periods, Yeah, that adds up. 186 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:24,080 Speaker 1: I hadn't thought of that, but they got nice additions 187 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 1: that they one went out and got the other one 188 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:29,720 Speaker 1: that they had to sit without for a while. But 189 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:32,679 Speaker 1: I don't think the Ravens offense is playing nearly as 190 00:10:32,679 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 1: well as they did earlier. To see, I think you're 191 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 1: playing really bad, really bad. And I think the Steelers 192 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:39,560 Speaker 1: offense I didn't see a similar stat for it has 193 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:41,599 Speaker 1: to be one of the most improved from early in 194 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:44,320 Speaker 1: the season until now. I mean it has to be. Well, 195 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 1: let's just let's just take a look at offensive football 196 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:52,520 Speaker 1: right now in the NFL. Um it is not a 197 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:56,720 Speaker 1: pretty If you like offense, you were not having fun. 198 00:10:56,760 --> 00:10:59,520 Speaker 1: And in today the league office does like I'm curious 199 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 1: how this off season goes in terms of this holding 200 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:05,760 Speaker 1: gonna become legal again. I mean, are they gonna do something. 201 00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:08,040 Speaker 1: I bet they do something to kick start offense. There 202 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:11,000 Speaker 1: is no team currently in the NFL averaging thirty points 203 00:11:11,040 --> 00:11:15,440 Speaker 1: per game. None. That's You've got two teams averaging more 204 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:19,520 Speaker 1: than twenty nine. Okay, Philly, Philly in Kansas City, Kansas City, 205 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: you've got two other teams averaging more than Dallas and Buffalo. 206 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 1: Then you drop all the way down to twenty six 207 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:34,360 Speaker 1: point one. Wow, and that's Detroit and Cincinnati. Then it's 208 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:38,600 Speaker 1: down to twenty five point to Minnesota. San Francis points. Yeah. 209 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:40,880 Speaker 1: San Francisco is at twenty five, and those are the 210 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:44,120 Speaker 1: only teams averaging twenty five or more points per game. 211 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:46,839 Speaker 1: There's not even ten. I mean, how many games have 212 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:50,240 Speaker 1: we seen in recent history with more than fifty points? Totals? 213 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:53,200 Speaker 1: Tons and tons? Tons and tons? And then would you 214 00:11:53,200 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 1: say six teams or averaging eight scoring twenty five or 215 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:05,480 Speaker 1: more points. So what's the bottom of the league look like. Okay, 216 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:07,240 Speaker 1: we'll take a look at the bottom. So Denver's at 217 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:13,400 Speaker 1: fifteen point five, fifteen point five. Indianapolis is a sixteen 218 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 1: point five. Anyone watch that game last night? Yeah, they 219 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:19,200 Speaker 1: wouldn't if they kept a lille. That's only gonna go down. 220 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:23,840 Speaker 1: Houston is at sixteen point nine. The Steelers are at 221 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:28,120 Speaker 1: seventeen point six. It's better than that recently. Yeah, and 222 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:32,680 Speaker 1: the game Sunday, just you're Saturday didn't. Uh. Tampa Bay 223 00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:36,319 Speaker 1: is at seventeen point seven, Tennessee is at seventeen point nine. 224 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:41,240 Speaker 1: The Rams are at eighteen point seven. They just scored fifty. Uh. 225 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 1: The Jets are averaging eight team point nine, the Commander's nineteen. 226 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 1: Those are the teams under twenty under twenty six or seven. 227 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:54,320 Speaker 1: When I was going to ask you, is which of 228 00:12:54,360 --> 00:12:58,280 Speaker 1: these teams do you think the Steelers offense is better? Alright, 229 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 1: I'm gonna I'm gonna pull them up by yardage here 230 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:04,439 Speaker 1: because the Steelers, Steeler's offense by YARDAGEES has been climbing 231 00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:09,320 Speaker 1: pretty consistently, I can imagine. So Houston's at to seventy 232 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 1: eight point nine at the Botelers definitely. The Rams are 233 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:15,040 Speaker 1: at two eight one point five Steelers, but I give 234 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:16,720 Speaker 1: them a little bit of credit for not for the 235 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 1: fifty point showing against a dismal, downtrotten team, but not 236 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:22,120 Speaker 1: looking as bad as I thought they would at this point. 237 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:26,800 Speaker 1: But Steelers, for sure. The Titans are at Caroline is 238 00:13:26,920 --> 00:13:30,680 Speaker 1: three or six point nine Steelers, but against everyone, not 239 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 1: the Steelers. Caroline has done pretty well lately. But yeah, 240 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:35,760 Speaker 1: I would not trade the Steelers. We just saw those 241 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 1: two offenses on the same field two weeks ago. It 242 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:42,079 Speaker 1: was definitely it was a stark contrast. Indianapolis at three 243 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:46,640 Speaker 1: o nine point nine, Atlanta three fifteen point eight. No, 244 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 1: they're starting to kind of be exposed. I mean they're 245 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:51,720 Speaker 1: so limited, but they run the ball very very well. 246 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:56,199 Speaker 1: Chicago at three sixteen point three, Denver Denver at three 247 00:13:56,240 --> 00:14:00,840 Speaker 1: sixteen point six. They the pay three. It's at three 248 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:03,079 Speaker 1: seven team point two. I mean, and some of this 249 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:05,240 Speaker 1: is just eyeball test. I mean, you ch a full 250 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:08,480 Speaker 1: game of them. I don't have any reservations playing against 251 00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 1: any of those teams you just mentioned. Arizona is at especially, 252 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:16,360 Speaker 1: I mean, no Kyler. I mean the other thing about 253 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:19,120 Speaker 1: them is, like I was telling you for fantasy reasons, 254 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 1: I was going against DeAndre Hopkins. McSorley is never going 255 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 1: to throw outside the number. You know, those guys in 256 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:26,400 Speaker 1: the lineup out. I mean just that they're running around. 257 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:28,920 Speaker 1: I mean, they're really easy to play against. You got 258 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:33,080 Speaker 1: the Jets at three nine point five, Pittsburgh the Giants 259 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:37,760 Speaker 1: at three thirty three point two. That's still the Steelers. 260 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:41,800 Speaker 1: I mean, the run threat of Jones and Barkley is 261 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:45,000 Speaker 1: something compared to a lot of these teams you've mentioned, 262 00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:47,000 Speaker 1: but I definitely would much rather play against the Giants 263 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:48,520 Speaker 1: and the Steelers. I don't even know why I hesitated 264 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:51,160 Speaker 1: on that one. The Commanders at three thirty six point four. 265 00:14:51,240 --> 00:14:55,239 Speaker 1: They pulled their quarterback and I like their weapons. Steelers 266 00:14:55,440 --> 00:14:57,800 Speaker 1: they did just pulled their quarterbacks, pulled their quarterback because 267 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 1: it wasn't playing them on them. The Saints at three 268 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 1: thirty seven, Steelers, the Ravens at three forty two point three. 269 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 1: That one's tough with Lamar. Currently, it's definitely the Steeler, 270 00:15:12,960 --> 00:15:15,200 Speaker 1: but they're a challenge to play again. So we just 271 00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 1: saw that. I mean, they're so unique and physical. Um 272 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 1: with them, but they're passing game is as bad as 273 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:24,080 Speaker 1: anyone we've mentioned. It's it's Chicago's is better. It's Chicago 274 00:15:24,120 --> 00:15:28,360 Speaker 1: is better, Denver's better, the Texans are better. I say, Steelers. Uh, 275 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 1: you got Green Bay at three forty two point six. Packers. Okay, 276 00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:36,600 Speaker 1: I like what they're doing lately. Watson's emerged there. I 277 00:15:36,640 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 1: know he's banned up, but Rogers is back to looking happy. 278 00:15:39,400 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 1: And you know you got Tampa Bay at three point three. 279 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:48,040 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, they're a hard hard watch. So here's the 280 00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:50,600 Speaker 1: Tampa Bay They've been on TV more than any other 281 00:15:50,640 --> 00:15:53,560 Speaker 1: team in the league, and it is just atrocious to watch. 282 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:56,600 Speaker 1: You remember what Ben's average time to throw was last 283 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 1: two point three something like that, two two point two nine. 284 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:02,960 Speaker 1: So well, Brady's fastest in the league this year, and 285 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:05,440 Speaker 1: he's like a two three nine or something like that. Whatever, 286 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 1: it's similar to Ben's number. Do you know what his 287 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:12,480 Speaker 1: number was last week? One eight eight? People are like, boy, 288 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:15,400 Speaker 1: what's wrong with Mike Evans? I need more than two 289 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 1: seconds to get open, you know, on a Ford R ball, 290 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:22,960 Speaker 1: it just comes out now. I mean, in a way, 291 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 1: his age is killing them because he's not going to improv. 292 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:28,480 Speaker 1: He doesn't want to get hit. But if he wasn't 293 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:31,640 Speaker 1: unbelievably mentally sharp, they wouldn't even get a first out. 294 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:35,760 Speaker 1: I mean, you expect Mike Evans and Godin these guys 295 00:16:35,800 --> 00:16:38,000 Speaker 1: to get down field and one point eight eight seconds 296 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:43,280 Speaker 1: off pressman coverage, like they're horrible. The Raiders at three 297 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:46,360 Speaker 1: seven point six. I'll take the Raiders. I mean, I 298 00:16:46,360 --> 00:16:48,600 Speaker 1: know we just saw them, but I'll take the Raiders. 299 00:16:48,720 --> 00:16:52,800 Speaker 1: They've had a pretty good year offensively. Uh So, basically 300 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:54,920 Speaker 1: from here up, you're gonna take those teams on offense. 301 00:16:55,680 --> 00:16:57,760 Speaker 1: But that's all. But like we didn't listen a lot 302 00:16:57,760 --> 00:17:00,320 Speaker 1: of tea right right, right right, that's a lot as 303 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:02,320 Speaker 1: currently playing. Like I know, that was like middle of 304 00:17:02,320 --> 00:17:07,399 Speaker 1: the road. Now the red zone offense is still something 305 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:10,879 Speaker 1: of an issue. Explosive playser an issue. Explosive playser issue, 306 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:13,080 Speaker 1: but that's young quarterback stuff. Oh, I know. I mean 307 00:17:13,080 --> 00:17:17,080 Speaker 1: those things are correctable. I mean they're Um, one more 308 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:19,520 Speaker 1: playmaker wouldn't kill this team in the off season. Maybe 309 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:23,119 Speaker 1: that's Austin, Maybe that's somebody that's we have not yet met. Um, 310 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:25,800 Speaker 1: but Picket's gonna be better with those things too. How 311 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:27,679 Speaker 1: much better is George Pickens going to be next year? 312 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:30,400 Speaker 1: How much better pet Friarmouth gonna be next year? We've 313 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:34,000 Speaker 1: talked about the learning curve for tight ends, right. Um. 314 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:36,040 Speaker 1: A thing that I like and I don't like is 315 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 1: the static keep referencing too, is the Chiefs of Steelers 316 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:42,200 Speaker 1: have the most ten play drives or ten or more 317 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:44,560 Speaker 1: play drives in the league, which is kind of a 318 00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:48,280 Speaker 1: backhanded compliment, but it's also hard to do. I mean, 319 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:50,919 Speaker 1: the fact that you can sustain more ten play drives 320 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 1: than anybody means you're not screwing things up and you're 321 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:56,960 Speaker 1: consistently getting yardage. It also means you're not scoring from distance. 322 00:17:57,800 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: But even that, even that is picked up. There was 323 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 1: a while there over their longest touchdown was from like 324 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 1: seven yards. Well, now that's changed dramatically over the last 325 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:09,600 Speaker 1: you know, the second half of the season. You know, 326 00:18:09,760 --> 00:18:12,400 Speaker 1: you know, those things are getting better and explosive plays 327 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:15,000 Speaker 1: across the league or unbelievably now, yeah, I mean even 328 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:19,800 Speaker 1: the Chiefs minus Hill they generate offense, they're much better 329 00:18:19,840 --> 00:18:22,879 Speaker 1: offensive skills, of course, and they do generate big plays 330 00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:25,720 Speaker 1: and they have they have a nice combination of both, 331 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 1: but they don't have the explosives they had in the 332 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:29,600 Speaker 1: Hill ere you know, I mean they're running too three 333 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:32,320 Speaker 1: tight end sets in Kansas City is doing that in 334 00:18:32,359 --> 00:18:35,640 Speaker 1: some regard to protect their defense, which isn't very good. 335 00:18:35,720 --> 00:18:39,840 Speaker 1: They're dumping at the McKinnon. The Dolphins have that explosive offense, 336 00:18:40,359 --> 00:18:42,280 Speaker 1: but then when they're when they don't make those plays, 337 00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:44,800 Speaker 1: they give up touchdowns because their defense stinks. Yeah, and 338 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:46,600 Speaker 1: they're not eating a lot of clock from running the 339 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:49,400 Speaker 1: wall and things like that too. So the fact that 340 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:52,480 Speaker 1: the Steelers eat a lot of clock is really important 341 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:55,080 Speaker 1: in this. Yeah, I mean Baltimore is the same way. 342 00:18:55,080 --> 00:18:57,600 Speaker 1: They want to possess the football to protect the defense. 343 00:18:57,640 --> 00:19:00,399 Speaker 1: Not that the defense is bad, but are out there 344 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:01,840 Speaker 1: too much. I don't know what defense it is in 345 00:19:01,920 --> 00:19:05,040 Speaker 1: today's NFL. They're gonna get picked apart. You're gonna get 346 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:08,000 Speaker 1: picked apart. So, you know, I look at the offense 347 00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:11,920 Speaker 1: and again, it's trended up all season long. We didn't 348 00:19:11,920 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 1: think it was gonna take five giants steps forward, you know, 349 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:18,840 Speaker 1: I mean baby steps. I remember looking at this early 350 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:22,520 Speaker 1: in the season, and you know, when Mitch Drabrisky was 351 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:25,359 Speaker 1: the quarterback, they were averaging two nine yards a game. 352 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:29,400 Speaker 1: So the fact that they're now at three twenty takes 353 00:19:29,440 --> 00:19:31,240 Speaker 1: a lot to get out of the hold, to even 354 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:34,679 Speaker 1: start improving on that. No, you'll you'll take it. So 355 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:39,360 Speaker 1: where does three twenty rank, like twenty something like that too? 356 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 1: Maybe in that neighborhood it's yeah, okay, okay, where they 357 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:48,480 Speaker 1: were thirties in the thirties for the first month of 358 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:50,119 Speaker 1: a half. I mean, if you you look at Football 359 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:55,760 Speaker 1: Outsiders d v O a UM, the offense has dramatically 360 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 1: improved dramatically, is at you know, the defense has followed 361 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 1: suit and some of that. You know, I get it. 362 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:03,199 Speaker 1: It's some of that's who you play. Well, I get it. 363 00:20:03,440 --> 00:20:06,439 Speaker 1: Everybody plays some of those games. So the offense is 364 00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:08,879 Speaker 1: now in overall offensive d v o A is eighteen. 365 00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:11,879 Speaker 1: That's for the season. See the schedule. To me, the 366 00:20:11,880 --> 00:20:16,199 Speaker 1: anomaly isn't post by boy, you've had it easy. The 367 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:19,440 Speaker 1: anomaly is pre buy Oh boy, did you have it hard? 368 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:20,880 Speaker 1: You know what I mean? You gotta go to filling, 369 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 1: you gotta go to Buffalo when those teams are rolling 370 00:20:23,040 --> 00:20:26,119 Speaker 1: to go to Miami when they were playing one right, exactly, 371 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:29,399 Speaker 1: like that was one of the most difficult stretches at 372 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:31,400 Speaker 1: any team the league had to deal with. You open 373 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:34,440 Speaker 1: with Cincinnati, you know, right, you know what you've dealt 374 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:36,600 Speaker 1: with since is kind of middle of the road. That's 375 00:20:36,680 --> 00:20:39,960 Speaker 1: kind of what everyone's dealing with, right, So no, I hear, 376 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,159 Speaker 1: it's you know, it's interesting and that you know. So 377 00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:45,919 Speaker 1: we opened this talking about potential playoffs. Um what you 378 00:20:45,920 --> 00:20:52,760 Speaker 1: know what the playoff situation is? Um? I was thinking 379 00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:55,440 Speaker 1: about this last night or you know, I was sitting 380 00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 1: and sitting around I'm like, you know, if the Steelers 381 00:20:57,840 --> 00:20:59,600 Speaker 1: were to get in I know people because immediately when 382 00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:02,160 Speaker 1: I tweeted out what the playoff scenarios were, well, they'll 383 00:21:02,200 --> 00:21:04,800 Speaker 1: just go to Buffalo or Kansas City and lose. Well, 384 00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:06,760 Speaker 1: there's no guarantee that a they would go to Buffalo 385 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:08,720 Speaker 1: or Kansas City, they could end up still going to 386 00:21:08,720 --> 00:21:13,119 Speaker 1: Cincinnati if they did get in. I said, which one 387 00:21:13,160 --> 00:21:15,080 Speaker 1: of those would you rather not play? To me, it's 388 00:21:15,119 --> 00:21:18,520 Speaker 1: Kansas City. I think the last place I want to 389 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:20,919 Speaker 1: go around. One of the playoff game for the Steelers 390 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:24,840 Speaker 1: is the Chief because here's here's my reasoning with that 391 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:27,800 Speaker 1: they've beaten in the last two years. They've beaten Buffalo 392 00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:31,600 Speaker 1: and Cincinnati. Cincinnati, you don't mind, because they're better than 393 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:33,800 Speaker 1: they should be. Favorite game, but you know that, you 394 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:36,280 Speaker 1: know you've played them a lot, You've played Buffalo a lot, 395 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:38,680 Speaker 1: and you've played the Bengals tight. And yes, you've played 396 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:41,359 Speaker 1: Kansas City a lot twice in the last year. But 397 00:21:42,440 --> 00:21:44,440 Speaker 1: it hasn't gone well. And they still got my homes 398 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:50,399 Speaker 1: Burrow and Allen are wonderful, mahomes is transcended, Yeah, yeah, 399 00:21:50,720 --> 00:21:53,320 Speaker 1: but there's more around those other guys. I don't know. 400 00:21:53,359 --> 00:21:55,600 Speaker 1: I mean, I definitely would pick the Chief last in 401 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 1: their building, so we'll get in ahead of ourselves with that. 402 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:02,560 Speaker 1: But though is we're doing power ranks next segment? Yes, 403 00:22:03,119 --> 00:22:05,840 Speaker 1: and I promised people will listen to and Williamson, you're 404 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:09,040 Speaker 1: a Homer. I have not looked at this NFL to 405 00:22:09,080 --> 00:22:11,200 Speaker 1: the ones we usually look at, but I did look 406 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:13,600 Speaker 1: at just a random one and did a random podcast. 407 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:16,680 Speaker 1: I have the Steelers ranked pretty high with how they're 408 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:21,160 Speaker 1: playing right now against Team X, team IY team it'll 409 00:22:21,160 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 1: be much higher. I bet than hands puts them at probably, 410 00:22:24,119 --> 00:22:25,200 Speaker 1: And I would get a lot of heat if I 411 00:22:25,240 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 1: did one right now because I'd have them pretty high. 412 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:30,200 Speaker 1: Subscribe now to S and r's newest podcast, to Godfather 413 00:22:30,240 --> 00:22:33,080 Speaker 1: of Pittsburgh Sports is talking nothing but Steelers. It's Severeign 414 00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:37,240 Speaker 1: on Steelers. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday. Subscribe today. 415 00:22:37,320 --> 00:22:39,720 Speaker 1: They're available on the Steelers Mobile app, the I Heart 416 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:43,000 Speaker 1: Radio app, and wherever you get your podcasts. He is 417 00:22:43,040 --> 00:22:45,840 Speaker 1: Matt Williamson. I am dale Ally you're listening to the 418 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:48,640 Speaker 1: Drive here on Steelers Nation Radio. We'll get to those 419 00:22:48,680 --> 00:22:50,560 Speaker 1: power rankings when we return right after this