1 00:00:04,040 --> 00:00:07,240 Speaker 1: Is The Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson on 2 00:00:08,640 --> 00:00:17,119 Speaker 1: Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome 3 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:19,920 Speaker 1: to the Drive. I'm Dale Lolly, he is Matt Williamson. 4 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:23,200 Speaker 1: And it is a I guess it's a victory Monday. 5 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 1: It is. It's Monday. It is Steelers one on Saturday. 6 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:29,560 Speaker 1: It just doesn't feel like Monday. The whole weekend bizarre 7 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 1: to me. I mean, not only they play, you know, 8 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:34,199 Speaker 1: a Saturday night game, which is strange since you get 9 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 1: the extra day of you know, digesting it the we 10 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:38,479 Speaker 1: get here, but then you gotta mix in all the 11 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:42,479 Speaker 1: Christmas stuff and we had a family over yesterday. I mean, 12 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:44,760 Speaker 1: heaven forbid, you're getting in the way of football and 13 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 1: obviously all the the Franco stuff on top of that. 14 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:50,839 Speaker 1: It's been a crazy couple of days to digest. It 15 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:55,320 Speaker 1: certainly has the Steelers beating the Las Vegas Raiders thirteen 16 00:00:55,360 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 1: to ten Saturday night. Uh, then needing some help, they 17 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:01,440 Speaker 1: went in the Sunday even with that win, they get them. 18 00:01:01,440 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 1: The seven and eight had Miami one yesterday. I thought 19 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:07,880 Speaker 1: they were gonna destroy them too, or if the Chargers 20 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 1: win tonight or they needed both of those things that 21 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:12,839 Speaker 1: the Steelers would have been eliminated from playoff attention as 22 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:16,880 Speaker 1: it is. Right, the Dolphins lose their fourth game in 23 00:01:16,880 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 1: a row. I'm unbelievable, and look really good early and 24 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:23,320 Speaker 1: then throw it away late. I just think that's who 25 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:30,360 Speaker 1: are running game game. The defense isn't great. Um, you know, 26 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 1: to to it looked like he was targeting some of 27 00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:38,000 Speaker 1: those Green Bay defensive players. Hideous, hideous and lost in 28 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:42,800 Speaker 1: the game. Real yeah. Um, So the Steelers stay alive 29 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:44,880 Speaker 1: and we'll see what happens with the Chargers tonight. I 30 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:47,440 Speaker 1: would expect them to beat the Colts, I would assume, 31 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:49,480 Speaker 1: but they're only like a three point favored something like 32 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 1: that because going in next week, no matter what direct. Yeah, now, 33 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:56,960 Speaker 1: by the time they kick off the game, which got 34 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 1: flexed to the night game next Sunday night, they could 35 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:03,200 Speaker 1: be eliminated by then, depending on, you know, if the 36 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: Dolphins win or not. Because the Dolphins are sitting there 37 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 1: with eight wins right now, they get the nine, the 38 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:11,440 Speaker 1: Steelers can catch them, but they can't beat them a tiebreaker. Um, 39 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:14,560 Speaker 1: Ravens and Bengals already in some team's clinching. I mean, 40 00:02:14,639 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 1: there's some weird playoff stuff going on. There's some really 41 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 1: weird playoffs stuff going on. And in the South Man 42 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:22,160 Speaker 1: you look at this and you go, boy, if they 43 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 1: had an eight teen game schedule right now, yeah, right, 44 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 1: right right, Steelers will probably end up getting in probably 45 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:30,600 Speaker 1: based on yea. You know, there's so many teams in 46 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:32,840 Speaker 1: the league right now that are kind of like, wow, 47 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:35,640 Speaker 1: we're going well, but we're not going to finish. The Jets, 48 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:39,080 Speaker 1: the Patriots, the Dolphins, the Lions, I mean, on and 49 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:41,359 Speaker 1: on and on Washington. I mean, these teams that are 50 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:44,240 Speaker 1: don't know if they're coming back to reality or just 51 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:46,280 Speaker 1: not playing well at the right time, whatever it is. 52 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:51,359 Speaker 1: And meanwhile, the well coached, been around the block, Packers, Steelers, 53 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:53,639 Speaker 1: you know, know how to win this time of year. 54 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:56,519 Speaker 1: And I think there's something to that. Yeah, I think 55 00:02:56,520 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 1: there is two And you know, again we've we've talked 56 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 1: about this a lot. If he'd just gotten one more 57 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:04,280 Speaker 1: of those games early, it would be a much different situation. 58 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 1: And the NFC team if you had to beat Miami 59 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:09,120 Speaker 1: or Jets, Jets, just any of those times, you know, 60 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:10,960 Speaker 1: just any of those games, let alone win two of 61 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 1: those three, even two of those three, you're already clinched. 62 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:14,920 Speaker 1: You'd love to play any one of those teams right 63 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:18,000 Speaker 1: now without a favorite against the Patriots, your favorite against 64 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:21,720 Speaker 1: the Browns, Jets, I think your favorite Jets right Um, 65 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 1: that's just you know, but that's not how it doors, 66 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:28,200 Speaker 1: it does you know. I don't want to say, well, 67 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 1: I'm gonna say I told you so. I'm gonna say 68 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,000 Speaker 1: we told you so when we talked about it to buy, 69 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:35,400 Speaker 1: when everybody was talking about this team has done that. 70 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 1: They're just mail in the rest of the season. Uh, 71 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 1: they shouldn't just tank the rest of away. This is 72 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 1: what we told you was going to happen, folks. This 73 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:47,400 Speaker 1: is it. Um. You know, if you had gotten that 74 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:49,800 Speaker 1: game against the Ravens, you've been again, you'd be in 75 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 1: good shape right now. You're good shape right now. And 76 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 1: that was a winnable game obviously. Um, it's it's on record. 77 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:00,600 Speaker 1: Go back and listen to some drive just leading up 78 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:03,000 Speaker 1: to the bye, through the bye, early in the bye, 79 00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:06,480 Speaker 1: even before the season. That pre buy is not going 80 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 1: to be pretty, folks. This is a very very young offense, 81 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:13,040 Speaker 1: tough schedule, back, brutal schedule, and then the bye hits. 82 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 1: Everyone can take a step back a little healthier quarterback 83 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 1: understands what NFL football is all about, as coach says, 84 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 1: as bennin Stadiums, the schedule isn't super easy, but it 85 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:26,280 Speaker 1: eases up tremendously as opposed to having the hardest schedule 86 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:29,000 Speaker 1: in the league. And I think we said eight thousand 87 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:31,719 Speaker 1: times they may not win the Super Bowl this year. 88 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:33,279 Speaker 1: I don't think they're gonna win the Super bowls here. 89 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:35,479 Speaker 1: I don't think they've picked first overall. But I bet 90 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:37,120 Speaker 1: the second half of the season is a lot more 91 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:40,039 Speaker 1: promising than the first. And bingo, that's why you listen 92 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 1: to drive, folks, That's why you do that. I thought 93 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:44,480 Speaker 1: there were some you know, I know, they put only 94 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 1: put up their team points, but I thought there were 95 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:52,560 Speaker 1: some promising again moments in this game, Um, once again, 96 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:57,119 Speaker 1: Kenny Pickett leads a fourth quarter comeback, a game winning 97 00:04:57,160 --> 00:05:01,360 Speaker 1: two minute drive. Um. I thought that they were by 98 00:05:01,400 --> 00:05:04,160 Speaker 1: far the better team. I thought in the Raiders, I didn't. 99 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:06,800 Speaker 1: I mean the Raiders, we talked about it last week. 100 00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:09,920 Speaker 1: They have that high end talent, but no middle class. 101 00:05:10,040 --> 00:05:13,039 Speaker 1: But yeah, there's just you know, nothing else there. And 102 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: he dominated the line of scrimmage. If you look at 103 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 1: Josh Jacobs. He came into this thing as hot as 104 00:05:18,040 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 1: any back in the league. UH five carries for twenty 105 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 1: six yards on the opening possession, and then uh ten 106 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 1: carries for eighteen yards after that, which was their whole 107 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:32,039 Speaker 1: offense to you wrote this in your ten thoughts first drive, 108 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:35,080 Speaker 1: very nice drive, Raiders, you could tell us they scripted 109 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:37,800 Speaker 1: things out. They did, Okay, here's what you wanted. God 110 00:05:37,839 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 1: they expected well done. After that, it was jumped. I 111 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:42,720 Speaker 1: mean it really was. It was total dominance by the 112 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 1: Stealer defense after the first drive. First drive still counts, 113 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:49,480 Speaker 1: don't go wrong, but they average three point three yards 114 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:53,360 Speaker 1: per play after the first drive per play, not per 115 00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:56,920 Speaker 1: rush per play. I think Jacob's average three point nine 116 00:05:56,920 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 1: for the day two point nine, two point nine, which 117 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 1: which was definitely his lowest of the whole season. Again 118 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:07,640 Speaker 1: they I mean, this isn't the total script but especially 119 00:06:07,640 --> 00:06:10,760 Speaker 1: on third downs, you saw a lot of Pierre banging 120 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:14,880 Speaker 1: around Adams CAZy over the top. I texted you, I mean, 121 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:19,919 Speaker 1: Casey is an underreported nice addition to this team because 122 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:22,640 Speaker 1: you know he has that free safety capabilities, but then 123 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:25,080 Speaker 1: he allows making to go play man coverage against Waller, 124 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:28,240 Speaker 1: who you know had a couple of Yeah, I mean, 125 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:30,400 Speaker 1: Waller is a good player. But if those two can 126 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,600 Speaker 1: play their own reindeer games and you can play ten 127 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 1: on ten against the others, they need double atoms and 128 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:38,159 Speaker 1: everything else is basically dedicated to stop the run. You 129 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:41,560 Speaker 1: know your linebackers are just gearing towards run. That's a 130 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 1: heck of a game plan I worked out really well. Yeah, 131 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 1: I thought. I thought the defensive line maybe played its 132 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:48,240 Speaker 1: best game of the season led by Camp. I mean 133 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:51,160 Speaker 1: Cam was superstar. That was might have been one of 134 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 1: the best games of his career. And saying something he 135 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:57,920 Speaker 1: just dominated the rookie. I mean, I like Dylan parm 136 00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 1: I wish he was a Steeler, but welcome of the 137 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:03,040 Speaker 1: league with a wound up. Let's talk I hatward for 138 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:07,000 Speaker 1: a second. Like back to the narrative at the bye. 139 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:09,920 Speaker 1: You know they should tank. You know, draft picks are 140 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 1: more important than wins. That Tell that guy that, and 141 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:20,640 Speaker 1: tell the whole organization after Christmas Eve night when he 142 00:07:20,680 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 1: comes running out with the thirty two flag and every 143 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:26,400 Speaker 1: other member of the team's looking at him like I 144 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:28,160 Speaker 1: want to be like that, you know, like he was 145 00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 1: that youngster one time and learned from winning organization, and 146 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:35,400 Speaker 1: he's gonna pass it down to the next group. That 147 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:37,880 Speaker 1: to me is worth so much more than ten picks 148 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 1: in the draft. And then you get to win in 149 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:42,520 Speaker 1: the end and your quarterback realizes all this and this 150 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:44,120 Speaker 1: is what's like to be a Steeler, This was like 151 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 1: to be a professional. This what's like to be a star. 152 00:07:46,440 --> 00:07:48,440 Speaker 1: Kind of a perfect storm. They're not that, you know, 153 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:51,240 Speaker 1: not that they would want to lose a guy like 154 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 1: Franco Harris, but he dies in a night that your 155 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 1: honor before the night that you're honoring him. By the way, 156 00:07:56,880 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 1: Cam got snubbed for the Pro Bowl, No, I didn't 157 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 1: even think of that. I mean, is there a defensive 158 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 1: tackle that was more impactful on Sunday than that one? Right? Right? 159 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 1: He probably had that in the back of his mind 160 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:10,320 Speaker 1: or the middle of his mind, you know. I mean, 161 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 1: he just was in the backfield all day. And this 162 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:15,400 Speaker 1: is off topic with Hayward, but since we brought him up, 163 00:08:16,040 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: I hope he gets Walter Baton Man of the Year. 164 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:20,600 Speaker 1: I mean he deserves he deserves it, and I mean 165 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:22,960 Speaker 1: it usually goes to someone's been around the league for 166 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,160 Speaker 1: a while, has a big body of work, that happens 167 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:27,240 Speaker 1: to be really good of a football player. I mean, 168 00:08:27,520 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 1: they always say that's the the biggest award in the league. 169 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:32,560 Speaker 1: I'd probably rather the m v P. But that's I mean, 170 00:08:32,559 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 1: I'm a little picky that way. But I think he's 171 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:37,319 Speaker 1: that could be next on the resume for him. That's 172 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:39,000 Speaker 1: a nice one to put on the mannel. Oh yeah, 173 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:41,280 Speaker 1: get to wear it on your jersey forever and absolute. 174 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:43,520 Speaker 1: And I can tell you for a fact that that 175 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:46,720 Speaker 1: you know, when you when you're talking Hall of Fame 176 00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:49,320 Speaker 1: stuff that does come up, it should and things like 177 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:52,320 Speaker 1: that do matter. J. J. Watt and Larry Fitzgerald, Eli, 178 00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 1: guys like that recently that are Hall of Fame type 179 00:08:54,720 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 1: dudes have that that on the resume. But the Steelers 180 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:01,960 Speaker 1: ran the ball effective. Uh, they threw the ballfectly, no 181 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:05,360 Speaker 1: sacks allowed. Um did a nice job against that pass 182 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:08,600 Speaker 1: rush and Crosby. Any concerns people had about Kenny Pickett 183 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:11,960 Speaker 1: in his hands, I mean that was my I do 184 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 1: a podcast just saying these are the things I wrote 185 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 1: down before the game. How does Kenny handle weather? You know? 186 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:20,920 Speaker 1: Step one, I'm gonna playing much worse wetter than that. 187 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:23,160 Speaker 1: I mean, maybe it's a rainstorm in his thirty six 188 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 1: or something. But that's as difficult he passed that test. 189 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:29,600 Speaker 1: I was. That was a big takeaway from me in 190 00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:31,400 Speaker 1: that game because I didn't know. I wouldn't saying he 191 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 1: can't do it, just you know, um, you know, he 192 00:09:34,280 --> 00:09:36,600 Speaker 1: out played Derek Carr in that game. He did, he did. 193 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 1: I thought the Steelers were clearly the better team. Um, 194 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:42,960 Speaker 1: A lot of it wasn't beautiful, you know football, but 195 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:46,800 Speaker 1: considering the conditions and first half was no penalties. That 196 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:50,439 Speaker 1: went by about ten minutes, Like first quarter, especially the 197 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:53,079 Speaker 1: first quarter, you know, the ball barely hit the ground 198 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 1: and then it's okay, that's over. We're gonna be out 199 00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 1: of here by eleven. Yeah. And then I mean, my 200 00:09:59,760 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 1: my family over yesterday for Christmas, and my aunt who's 201 00:10:02,559 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 1: been watching football for sixty years and she never claims 202 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:07,800 Speaker 1: to be an expert, She's like, that was the most 203 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:11,200 Speaker 1: boring half of football I've ever seen. I'm like, yeah, 204 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:13,160 Speaker 1: kind of, but in a good way. I was fine 205 00:10:13,160 --> 00:10:14,880 Speaker 1: with it. You know, go into half, you know, even 206 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 1: Stephen basically and take it from there. I mean, I 207 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:22,079 Speaker 1: enjoy watching good defense. Um, that doesn't bother me. Uh So, 208 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 1: you know, I've seen a lot of it over the years. 209 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:27,480 Speaker 1: I mean, he Denver's offense, you know, tripping all over them. 210 00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:29,880 Speaker 1: I mean, these are these you know the Raiders is 211 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 1: this was This was not shutting down the Carolina Panthers 212 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:38,000 Speaker 1: a week before, right, this is a much more accomplished offense, 213 00:10:38,400 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 1: much more accomplished quarterback. I mean the stud receiver, not 214 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:44,080 Speaker 1: that Moore as a joke, leading in the leading rusher 215 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:45,960 Speaker 1: in the NFL. I mean, this is a much more 216 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:49,240 Speaker 1: difficult challenge. And Waller and Renfroe coming back as well. 217 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:51,520 Speaker 1: I mean I was a little worried about that aspect 218 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:52,920 Speaker 1: of it. They didn't play as much as I thought. 219 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:55,440 Speaker 1: They both were like the mid twenties with snaps, but 220 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:58,560 Speaker 1: still they I saw Rent for a running free to 221 00:10:58,559 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 1: come a couple of times. Waller man to make his 222 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:03,559 Speaker 1: attention a lot. So they made an impact. Oh no, 223 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:05,960 Speaker 1: there's no doubt. And you I mean those guys were 224 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:08,800 Speaker 1: on the field on third downs, important, the important downs, 225 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 1: when they were down inside the red zone and things 226 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:12,760 Speaker 1: of that nature. That's a desperate Raiders team too. I 227 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 1: mean they were actually in a better position than the Steelers. Right, right, 228 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:20,480 Speaker 1: we're heading into that game because they have more conference 229 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:23,520 Speaker 1: wins and you know, um, so they needed that win. 230 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:26,040 Speaker 1: You know, people in Las Vegas right now we'll be 231 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 1: talking about they really positioned themselves. They have a shot 232 00:11:29,160 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 1: now going into the into the Yeah, they're they're well, 233 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:36,360 Speaker 1: they're not dead yet. They still have a They need 234 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:39,200 Speaker 1: like six teams to lose out to have a chance 235 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 1: to get in, and they need to win out and 236 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 1: they play Kansas City and uh San Francisco in their 237 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:50,480 Speaker 1: last two weeks. Good luck with that. But the Steelers 238 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:54,000 Speaker 1: stay alive. Um, get to win and we're going to 239 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:56,360 Speaker 1: get the Sea obviously get the playoff. But the fact 240 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:59,280 Speaker 1: that they're relevant post Christmas, considering how they started the 241 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:02,120 Speaker 1: season isn't complish. Right. You could be in Cleveland right now. 242 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:05,080 Speaker 1: I'd be worried if I were that which so which 243 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 1: sold the farm for this to be a Super Bowl season. 244 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:11,840 Speaker 1: And I forget what stat you sent me today about 245 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:15,480 Speaker 1: like three touchdowns three touchdowns? I believe in their inte 246 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:20,559 Speaker 1: offensive possessions with the Shawn Watson at quarterback, they've scored 247 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:24,000 Speaker 1: three touchdowns. And the folks from New Orleans look like 248 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 1: they wanted to play in the cold a lot more 249 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 1: than the folks from Cleveland, you know, like the Marii 250 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 1: Cooper's on record hating it is Watson never played a 251 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:32,679 Speaker 1: cold game, you know, like they're in a bad spot. 252 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 1: They're in a really bad spots and they're still on 253 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:36,760 Speaker 1: the docket for the Steeler and they don't have the 254 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:39,720 Speaker 1: first round draft pick the right like cat problems right 255 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:41,800 Speaker 1: right right, And and the Ravens I don't know if 256 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:44,520 Speaker 1: they're gonna get la R back. Yeah, they're going to playoffs. 257 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:46,120 Speaker 1: I mean, I think you look at these next two 258 00:12:46,160 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 1: games and they're definitely winnable games. Um, you know, it 259 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:51,240 Speaker 1: would have been blown away if you told me this 260 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:53,000 Speaker 1: team ended up nine and eight. Yeah, I mean it's 261 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 1: still possible. It's still possible, and some might say might 262 00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:01,560 Speaker 1: be probable. Yea, given on you know, I don't expect 263 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:05,080 Speaker 1: if if Lamar Jackson doesn't start this week, and I 264 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: don't think he will do them. They're not losing two 265 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:10,240 Speaker 1: games Tyler Hurrtly, I'd be shocked. I mean that Ravens 266 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 1: D's playing very, very well, and it's gonna be a 267 00:13:13,720 --> 00:13:19,880 Speaker 1: raven Steeler of course, but I like, I don't think 268 00:13:19,880 --> 00:13:22,680 Speaker 1: the Steelers lose a turnover battle like that. Dramatically is 269 00:13:22,679 --> 00:13:25,040 Speaker 1: the first time around, and the Ravens can't throw the 270 00:13:25,040 --> 00:13:27,680 Speaker 1: ball at all, you know, and they've seen the run 271 00:13:27,720 --> 00:13:30,360 Speaker 1: game two weeks ago. Yeah, and oh, by the way, 272 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:32,719 Speaker 1: is we talked about coming out of that Ravens game 273 00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:36,440 Speaker 1: they got embarrassed defensively. It's been a little different since. 274 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:39,400 Speaker 1: I think they might be up. Hey, these guys just 275 00:13:39,440 --> 00:13:41,719 Speaker 1: embarrassed us three weeks ago. Let's let's go out there 276 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 1: and show them. Cams lead as they've been doing. And yeah, 277 00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:47,440 Speaker 1: play a lot better. I mean I thought that defensive line, 278 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:50,360 Speaker 1: I thought, ok, Joe, he played well. Again, Cam played well. 279 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 1: Obviously that Adams had a good game, Adam. I mean, 280 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:56,240 Speaker 1: you can go right up on this job. I mean 281 00:13:56,280 --> 00:13:59,240 Speaker 1: it was they were impactful. There was one long run 282 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:03,160 Speaker 1: called back. Jacobs had the Highsmith's side, but he was 283 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:05,120 Speaker 1: face mask to no end. Like I've heard. A couple 284 00:14:05,160 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 1: of people were tweeting me saying, yeah, you said they 285 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:09,840 Speaker 1: only had two long plays, But how about that one 286 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:11,440 Speaker 1: that got called back? Like that, what have you got called? 287 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:15,000 Speaker 1: He got called back because because that's why they called it, 288 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:17,760 Speaker 1: because it contained guy by the face. They weren't calling 289 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 1: anything and you had to murder somebody. For it to 290 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 1: be called when you grab the guy who's setting the 291 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 1: edge by the face mask and you go outside should 292 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:29,520 Speaker 1: have been it should have been an actual like holding 293 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 1: and a face mask because you held in mask. And 294 00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:36,360 Speaker 1: you're right, I mean the refs, God bless him. I 295 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:38,040 Speaker 1: would have been done the same. It was all the 296 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 1: swallowed the whistles. There's something really had to be egregious 297 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 1: to get called, and that was egregious. And I made 298 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 1: the joke before like it's like pumping a minor league 299 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:49,160 Speaker 1: game like this, calling strike after strike, Like we don't 300 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:51,440 Speaker 1: really need ten year old game. We're gonna be We're 301 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 1: gonna be out here that the strike shones a little 302 00:14:53,360 --> 00:14:55,480 Speaker 1: bit bigger, you know, when the kids are just learning 303 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:58,080 Speaker 1: how to pitch. I don't need walk after walk, and yeah, 304 00:14:58,480 --> 00:15:00,680 Speaker 1: we'll get out of here a little quicker, right. I 305 00:15:00,760 --> 00:15:02,480 Speaker 1: was sitting next to I. I sitting next to Bob 306 00:15:02,560 --> 00:15:04,800 Speaker 1: Labriola in the in the press box on game days 307 00:15:04,880 --> 00:15:08,680 Speaker 1: at home, and and after that run, He's like, where's 308 00:15:08,720 --> 00:15:11,000 Speaker 1: Highsmith at? And then I saw the flag coming. I'm like, 309 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:12,920 Speaker 1: I'm gonna guess he was held on that play. And 310 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:14,840 Speaker 1: then they showed they showed it and they called the penn. 311 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 1: I'm like, oh, yeah, he got held by those two. 312 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:20,760 Speaker 1: I know what hasn't been quite back to being what 313 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 1: uh those two have secured the edge really well too. 314 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 1: Like it's easy to give credit to the D line 315 00:15:26,320 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 1: and the big guys, and you're right, they were playing 316 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 1: extremely well, but those two set the edge well. A 317 00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:34,320 Speaker 1: lot of edge pass rushers don't like they're just here 318 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:36,400 Speaker 1: for the you know, for the glory and the sacks, 319 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 1: and you know those guys aren't. Yeah, um, so you 320 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 1: know it's just all around. Um, great effort. I don't 321 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:48,120 Speaker 1: know how Manca Fitzpatrick caught the interception that he that 322 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:51,000 Speaker 1: he had. Um, Mallette had a nice one. Sutton made 323 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 1: a nice play in the football there to get that one. Um, yeah, 324 00:15:54,280 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 1: he didn't take the ball away through the air. And 325 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:58,560 Speaker 1: I thought Pressley Harvin had a strong game kicking and 326 00:15:58,840 --> 00:16:02,480 Speaker 1: poor conditions, which was not that had not been something 327 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:05,000 Speaker 1: that had been his strong suit. I read that in 328 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 1: your ten thoughts too. I thought that was a really 329 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 1: good point because but in a you know, in his 330 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:10,560 Speaker 1: field position game like that, there were a couple of 331 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:12,600 Speaker 1: kicks he had that they got them out of. You know, 332 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:15,080 Speaker 1: if he he pooches were kicks one out of bounds, 333 00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 1: which the Raider the Raiders kicker did game. It was problematic. Um, 334 00:16:20,560 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 1: but that's a good point, is I hadn't thought of that. 335 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: But the Georgia Tech guys a rookie come Thanksgiving or 336 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:30,120 Speaker 1: so he struggled was stromed Weather. He'd never done it before. 337 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:33,600 Speaker 1: Well this year was or that night was definitely better. 338 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 1: I mean, I still think they should add a punter 339 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:38,000 Speaker 1: or to the training camp roster. They always do, of course, 340 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:42,040 Speaker 1: but yeah, I mean that was a stepan right direction. Absolutely, so, Um, 341 00:16:42,080 --> 00:16:45,840 Speaker 1: you know, they they've kept themselves uh relevant for another week. 342 00:16:46,240 --> 00:16:49,400 Speaker 1: Being relevance a big accomplishment. And this year's NFL there 343 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: I think they're already nine teams eliminated going into going 344 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 1: in after this weekend, there could be more. Well the 345 00:16:56,560 --> 00:16:59,600 Speaker 1: culture already out, so there's already division winners. Like there's 346 00:16:59,600 --> 00:17:02,440 Speaker 1: a locked up than there usually is the day after Christmas. Yeah, 347 00:17:02,480 --> 00:17:04,240 Speaker 1: there's definitely more than half and half knots. I'll be 348 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:07,920 Speaker 1: interested to see. Um when we look at the power 349 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 1: rankings tomorrow, Like where do you put the Steelers team now? 350 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:13,239 Speaker 1: Because I mentioned to you like I'm gonna be more 351 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:17,160 Speaker 1: critical this week than in previous weeks. Like, don't tell 352 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:20,560 Speaker 1: me they're not better than Washington or Cleveland. Yeah, the 353 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:22,959 Speaker 1: neighborhood they've been keeping like Washington has been like ten 354 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:25,920 Speaker 1: guys ahead of They've won what four of their last five, 355 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:28,760 Speaker 1: five of the last seven. Yeah, I mean, if they're 356 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:31,080 Speaker 1: in a pretty good little run here, and they're not 357 00:17:31,119 --> 00:17:33,600 Speaker 1: beating bad team. It's not the Texans time and time again, 358 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:35,920 Speaker 1: teams that have been on par with them in the 359 00:17:35,960 --> 00:17:38,320 Speaker 1: power ranks and whatnot. Absolutely, they're beating a lot of 360 00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:40,320 Speaker 1: those teams that were in their neighborhoods. So you get, 361 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 1: I think you do have to adjust for that. I 362 00:17:42,840 --> 00:17:47,520 Speaker 1: looked at the Football Outsiders UM D v o A 363 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:52,360 Speaker 1: rankings since the bye week. The Steelers are seven overall 364 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:56,320 Speaker 1: as the team seven seven, and that's warranted. You can't 365 00:17:56,320 --> 00:17:58,480 Speaker 1: tell me the Jets are anymore or I mean, a 366 00:17:58,520 --> 00:18:01,400 Speaker 1: lot of teams are dropping off. And I do believe 367 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:06,720 Speaker 1: that December is often about head coaches, you know, understanding, 368 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:09,520 Speaker 1: this is my team, now, this is how I have 369 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:11,960 Speaker 1: to win. These are my weaknesses that I have to 370 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:16,520 Speaker 1: not let get exposed to no end, And Alma's won 371 00:18:16,520 --> 00:18:18,399 Speaker 1: a lot of games post By in his career, in 372 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:20,680 Speaker 1: this time of year in his career, yeah, oh, there's 373 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:22,840 Speaker 1: no doubt. I mean, you know, when when they're at 374 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 1: least reasonably healthy, they're usually very competitive. In the month 375 00:18:26,320 --> 00:18:29,640 Speaker 1: of December. Does Mike McDaniel have the answers? Doesn't look 376 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:31,720 Speaker 1: like it does Robert Sala of the answers, You know 377 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:33,639 Speaker 1: what I mean, right, I mean Belichick does. He just 378 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:36,880 Speaker 1: does make a players. That's gonna be the interesting matchup 379 00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 1: this week so the Steelers can still get in. They 380 00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:46,120 Speaker 1: need a Jets loss this weekend in Seattle very possible, 381 00:18:46,119 --> 00:18:48,520 Speaker 1: which is very possible, Seattle's dropping off. They need a 382 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:51,679 Speaker 1: Miami loss in New England and then in New England 383 00:18:51,720 --> 00:18:55,000 Speaker 1: loss in week eighteen. Do they play the Jets, they 384 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:58,440 Speaker 1: play they play Buffalo, the Jets play the Jets, and 385 00:18:58,560 --> 00:19:00,359 Speaker 1: play the Dolphins, So you then need to gets to 386 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:04,159 Speaker 1: beat the Dolphins. Okay, none of those seem crazy, not 387 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:06,440 Speaker 1: the way everybody's playing right right, right right, I mean 388 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:08,840 Speaker 1: they're all unlikely, but I didn't think the Seiers will 389 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:11,560 Speaker 1: getting in last year either. You also need the Titans 390 00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:15,920 Speaker 1: to lose out, which looks highly likely, highly likely. Did 391 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:20,800 Speaker 1: you have you seen their playoff situation Jags Titans, this 392 00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:24,560 Speaker 1: upcoming week matters, not right, it all comes It all 393 00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:26,679 Speaker 1: comes down to that last week's playoff star for them 394 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:30,520 Speaker 1: in week eighteen. So like I would rest Derrick Henry 395 00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:34,240 Speaker 1: you know who care I mean, rest Jeffrey Simmons, you know, 396 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:36,400 Speaker 1: guys like that that have been beating up all years. 397 00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:38,400 Speaker 1: Think the only way it would matters if you win 398 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:43,600 Speaker 1: this week and the Jags lose and then you tie. Yeah, 399 00:19:43,760 --> 00:19:45,760 Speaker 1: but there's a lot of talk that people might, you know, 400 00:19:45,840 --> 00:19:48,040 Speaker 1: Lawrence might not play the fourth quarter this week, you know, 401 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:50,800 Speaker 1: treat like preseason. It's kind of I've never heard of 402 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:54,080 Speaker 1: that before. Yeah, you rest the last second to last week. 403 00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:56,439 Speaker 1: This is the kind of situation that the league has 404 00:19:56,480 --> 00:20:00,880 Speaker 1: opened itself up to with this seventeen game. Seventeenth game, 405 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:05,639 Speaker 1: I should say, um, but yeah, it's fun schedules and 406 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 1: schedule and you try to win him as many as 407 00:20:08,119 --> 00:20:12,480 Speaker 1: you can, which are doing absolutely what's in front of 408 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:15,280 Speaker 1: him and like their chances he's last two. Yeah, we'll 409 00:20:15,320 --> 00:20:18,080 Speaker 1: see see how these play know their formula and you 410 00:20:18,119 --> 00:20:20,600 Speaker 1: know they're building for something for next year. To absolutely 411 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 1: you can check out the Steelers weekend review. It's hosted 412 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:25,840 Speaker 1: by Wesley Euler. It's a recap of the previous game 413 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:27,680 Speaker 1: as well as a look at the Steelers next opponent. 414 00:20:28,119 --> 00:20:31,440 Speaker 1: New episodes drop every Tuesday. They're available on the Steelers 415 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:34,800 Speaker 1: Mobile app, the I Heart Radio app, and wherever you 416 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:38,680 Speaker 1: get your podcasts. He is Matt Williamson. I am Dale Lally. 417 00:20:38,760 --> 00:20:41,439 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Drive here on Steelers Nation Radio. 418 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:46,120 Speaker 1: We'll be back with segment two right after this Black 419 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:50,639 Speaker 1: and Gold football leaves. You're listening to s N