1 00:00:04,120 --> 00:00:07,440 Speaker 1: This is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 2 00:00:07,800 --> 00:00:10,039 Speaker 1: on your twenty four to seven home of the Black 3 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:13,320 Speaker 1: and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 4 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:19,639 Speaker 2: And welcome to the Drive. I am Dale Lolly. He 5 00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 2: is the Matt Williamson and well we were coming to 6 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 2: you a little a little differently today. I am still 7 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:29,800 Speaker 2: down at the upmc rooney Sports Complex here on the 8 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 2: south side. Matt is actually at home Justin's Becken Studio 9 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 2: making sure we're on the air, and we got CJ 10 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:40,840 Speaker 2: here helping make CJ hopefully making sure everybody is hooked 11 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:44,280 Speaker 2: up here on site. And it's just a little different 12 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:47,479 Speaker 2: feeling to the show. But this is what happens when 13 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:51,440 Speaker 2: you get you know, the Thursday night game then followed 14 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 2: by a Thanksgiving situation and you have to adjust, you 15 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:58,480 Speaker 2: have to be ready to you know, adjust on the fly. 16 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:01,440 Speaker 2: And that's kind of what Steelers are doing right now. 17 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:08,679 Speaker 3: Yeah, so not the usual situation for us. Obviously, hopefully 18 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:11,840 Speaker 3: there's not too many delays in communication and usually we're 19 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:14,720 Speaker 3: in the room together and you guys all know that. Well, 20 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:17,920 Speaker 3: we YouTube everything now as well, so that's had a 21 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 3: new feel to the show. But we got a lot 22 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 3: to unpack I mean, this week's getting away from us 23 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:23,560 Speaker 3: pretty quick here, though. 24 00:01:24,160 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 2: It certainly is, and there is a lot to unpack 25 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 2: for this week, not a ton of injury news and notes, 26 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 2: so we'll get to some of that a little bit later. 27 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:35,440 Speaker 2: But Mike Tomlin's saying today that Corey Trice could be 28 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:39,319 Speaker 2: back for this week, and so we'll see. He has 29 00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 2: had that twenty one day window opened on November fourteenth, 30 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:48,600 Speaker 2: so he's about day. They don't have to activate him 31 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:51,440 Speaker 2: this week. They could wait until next week. But he 32 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:55,240 Speaker 2: also mentioned that Montrevius Adams could be back for this game, 33 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:55,760 Speaker 2: which was. 34 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:59,240 Speaker 3: A bad a big one. That would be a big one. 35 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:02,080 Speaker 3: So I'm not putting words in your mouth, but it 36 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:05,560 Speaker 3: sure sounds like Trice is not that he will be 37 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:07,960 Speaker 3: back with the team. You know that he's not going 38 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:10,680 Speaker 3: to go on into reserve for the year or whatever, obviously, 39 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 3: so that's great. I think he has a promising future 40 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 3: and maybe he'll push for a starting job someday and 41 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:21,800 Speaker 3: maybe next year, or maybe he's the number three outside guy. 42 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 3: I have some Sutton concerns at this stage of his 43 00:02:25,639 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 3: Steeler history to line up outside and run with outside, 44 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:32,280 Speaker 3: you know, Jamar Chase t Higgins type. So I'm glad 45 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:35,240 Speaker 3: that Trice is in the mix to some degree. But 46 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:40,040 Speaker 3: Adams really intrigues me because I loved Keanu Benn. I 47 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 3: think he's going to be a great player. I think 48 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 3: he's a thousand times more impactful pass rusher then his 49 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:50,799 Speaker 3: numbers would indicate, and he just bullies people. 50 00:02:51,639 --> 00:02:52,800 Speaker 4: But I don't think he's a nose. 51 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 3: I mean I think that they're kind of holding it 52 00:02:56,240 --> 00:02:59,639 Speaker 3: together with him as a run defender over the center, 53 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 3: and I think his future is more Cam Hayward than 54 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:06,840 Speaker 3: it is Casey Hampton. And we realize nose tackles on 55 00:03:06,880 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 3: this team aren't asked to be Hampton anymore. But Adams 56 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:13,919 Speaker 3: could be a really nice addition just in that regard 57 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:16,520 Speaker 3: for twenty twenty five steps a. 58 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:19,919 Speaker 2: Game, Yeah, I mean even if it's less than as 59 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 2: let's say it's fifteen snaps a game, because how much. Yeah, Like, 60 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:24,799 Speaker 2: for example, this week, you're not going to play a 61 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 2: ton of base defense against the Bengals, No, No, I 62 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:31,440 Speaker 2: mean they live in eleven personnel, so you're going to 63 00:03:31,480 --> 00:03:35,200 Speaker 2: see more, you know, of the nickel defense than anything else. 64 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:38,120 Speaker 2: But you know there are future opponents where you're going 65 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 2: to need a you know, a true run stopping nose tackle, 66 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 2: and that's what Montrevius Adams is. And that's not a 67 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 2: knock on Keanu Benton at all. Remember I mean kem 68 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 2: ofv On Ohoffen when the Steelers first signed him, played 69 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 2: nose tackle for a season. Yeah, and they kicked him outside. 70 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:56,320 Speaker 2: That's kind of who Keanu Benton is in my opinion. 71 00:03:56,320 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 2: I think he's he can do. He can play nose tackers, 72 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 2: but I think he's more you know, better used or 73 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 2: better used as a you know, an up to field 74 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 2: pass rusher. And you know, if you don't have to 75 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 2: have him in there, you know, getting there, you know, 76 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 2: three cars slammed on him every play on rundowns, and 77 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:16,279 Speaker 2: maybe he becomes a more effective pass rusher. 78 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 4: Yeah. 79 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:20,160 Speaker 3: That's what I was thinking too, is if he can, 80 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:22,159 Speaker 3: if you can take some of the off his plate 81 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:27,200 Speaker 3: in the three four and keep him fresher for Nickel 82 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 3: and maybe even give Ogajobi a breather or I'm sure 83 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:33,680 Speaker 3: there's an injury on the horizon, knock on Wood that 84 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 3: you're gonna need the depth. I mean, having an extra 85 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 3: defensive lineman is exactly a problem. 86 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:42,920 Speaker 2: No, absolutely not so we'll see about that. Tom said 87 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:47,360 Speaker 2: that Alex high Smith could return this week, and we'll 88 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,000 Speaker 2: hear from high Smith later in the show. He did 89 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:53,279 Speaker 2: some running today, straight line running and things of that nature, 90 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:55,280 Speaker 2: and and Thomas said they're going to see where that 91 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 2: leads him to later this week. Steelers are six and 92 00:04:58,480 --> 00:05:02,479 Speaker 2: oh this season Matt and Alex high Smith plays, they're 93 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 2: two and three when he doesn't, So there might be 94 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:08,400 Speaker 2: a little something to that. And we talked yesterday about 95 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:10,159 Speaker 2: the you know, there's some of the pass rush issues 96 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:12,720 Speaker 2: or some of the sack issues that they're they've had 97 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:15,920 Speaker 2: this year and lack thereof. I think getting Alex high 98 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:17,560 Speaker 2: Smith back on the field help set And it's not 99 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:19,520 Speaker 2: a knock on you know, some of the guys that 100 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:22,880 Speaker 2: they've used to replace him, uh, they've made some impactful plays. 101 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:26,479 Speaker 2: But I think when he's out there, he gives you. 102 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,719 Speaker 2: I think he's better at setting the edge, you know, 103 00:05:29,880 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 2: in the run game, and I certainly think he is 104 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:33,839 Speaker 2: a premier pass rusher in the in the NFL. 105 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, and that's a small sample size five games being 106 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 3: out and you know, only going two and three during 107 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:44,000 Speaker 3: that stretch, But I also think I think it's a 108 00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 3: testament to he's good. 109 00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 4: You know. 110 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:49,600 Speaker 3: I mean, he's a plus starter for any any team 111 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 3: in the league. He is not just robin to t J. 112 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 3: Watts Batman as he got too often. 113 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 2: Is he'd bember a lot of teams on a lot. 114 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:03,359 Speaker 3: Of teams, right. And I also think probably contributed to 115 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 3: the Preston Smith trade too. Like Herbig's a really good 116 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 3: player and he would be a starter for most teams 117 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:11,080 Speaker 3: in the league as well, and play probably double or 118 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:13,279 Speaker 3: triple the amount of snaps if he wasn't a Steeler. 119 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:16,280 Speaker 3: But I also don't want him wearing down either. He 120 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:19,480 Speaker 3: doesn't look anything like Preston Smith, and you know in 121 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:22,920 Speaker 3: terms of physicality and stopping the run and all those 122 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:26,440 Speaker 3: things too. So once again, having an extra one of 123 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:28,560 Speaker 3: those guys could go a really long way for this 124 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:29,280 Speaker 3: home stretch. 125 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:32,560 Speaker 2: Absolutely. Mike Tomlin also saying. 126 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:36,040 Speaker 3: Today throw one number I dug up was we had 127 00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 3: a really good conversation, really long conversation yesterday about the 128 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:41,160 Speaker 3: pass rush and it needs to be better. And I 129 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 3: think we'll all admit that. And I don't love pressure rate, 130 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:47,159 Speaker 3: but the Steelers are. 131 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:48,760 Speaker 4: Eighth in the league in pressure rate. 132 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:51,640 Speaker 3: I mean thirty six point two percent of opposing dropback 133 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 3: to been deemed under pressure. So it's not like they're 134 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:56,480 Speaker 3: vanished off the planet, you know what I mean. 135 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:59,000 Speaker 2: Right right, Yeah, teams are just they're scheming things up 136 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:02,359 Speaker 2: because they know this. Dealers are built or predicated to 137 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 2: defensively on getting a good pass rush and so the 138 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 2: ball gets out of their hands quickly. You know, even 139 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 2: if it's third and long, you're still maybe throwing short 140 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 2: of the sticks, or maybe you're max protecting or doing 141 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:15,640 Speaker 2: you know, whatever you need to do to kind of 142 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 2: make sure the Steelers don't affect a game with that 143 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 2: pass rush. And those are some of the things that 144 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 2: Tomlins said that the team looked at, you know, the 145 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 2: coaching staff looked at over the weekend, and also red 146 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 2: zone offense and defense, and everybody's focused in on the 147 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 2: red zone offense and certainly the numbers need to be 148 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 2: better there. But defensively, Matt, they've allowed eight touchdowns in 149 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:43,000 Speaker 2: their last nine red zone trips for a defense that 150 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:47,840 Speaker 2: you know has been is a highly compensated b has 151 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:51,640 Speaker 2: been really good in those situations over the past few years. 152 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:55,840 Speaker 2: They're still at fifty just over fifty percent conversion rate. Overall, 153 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:59,560 Speaker 2: there's still eleventh in the league in terms of touchdowns 154 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:03,000 Speaker 2: offensively allowed, but eight out of nine. You want to 155 00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:05,760 Speaker 2: nip that trend in the bud now before it turns 156 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:14,239 Speaker 2: into you know, something that that's even a greater problem. 157 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:15,680 Speaker 3: No question. And again nothing gets easier from here on out. 158 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 3: And I'm talking about the playoffs, you know, I mean, 159 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 3: I think it's a fourgone conclusion. Team is going to 160 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:24,720 Speaker 3: be in the playoffs. But you start losing games or 161 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 3: you know, going down a road now and starting a 162 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 3: bad streak, well then you're in trouble. And I think 163 00:08:31,560 --> 00:08:34,679 Speaker 3: you do need to spend these ten days to nip 164 00:08:34,760 --> 00:08:37,200 Speaker 3: any bad habits in the bud or. 165 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 4: What's red zone play calling? 166 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:42,959 Speaker 3: Look like? What is you know, are we running a 167 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 3: little bit too much on second and long? 168 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:49,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, we're living defensively? Are we playing too much zone? 169 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:51,560 Speaker 2: And maybe we need to do more man right? You know, 170 00:08:51,679 --> 00:08:53,960 Speaker 2: who are we using out there in these certain situations? 171 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:55,640 Speaker 2: So you look at that, you know, how are how 172 00:08:55,640 --> 00:08:58,679 Speaker 2: are teams attacking us in these situations? Both offensively. 173 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 3: We don't need to reinvent the don't have to reinvent 174 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 3: the wheel, but let's tweak it, you know, let's make 175 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:07,200 Speaker 3: it run a little smoother because the road's a lot 176 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:08,360 Speaker 3: about to get a lot rougher. 177 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:12,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, I know everybody likes to focus on the offensive 178 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:14,960 Speaker 2: part of this, and certainly, you know the offense needs 179 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:17,559 Speaker 2: to be better in the red zone, but take this 180 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:22,079 Speaker 2: into consideration as well. So in twenty twenty three, the 181 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:25,560 Speaker 2: Steelers had for the season forty two red zone trips. 182 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:31,120 Speaker 2: They converted their forty seven point six percent rate. They 183 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 2: also had nineteen passing plays of thirty or more yards. 184 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 2: That's for the season. We're eleven games into this thing 185 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:41,400 Speaker 2: this year and they've got forty two red zone trips, 186 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:44,319 Speaker 2: same as numbers they had all of last season. They 187 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:47,360 Speaker 2: also have nineteen passing plays of thirty or more yards, 188 00:09:47,400 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 2: the same exact number they had in the entire season 189 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:53,520 Speaker 2: last year. So you're you're moving the football better, You're 190 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:56,360 Speaker 2: getting more explosive plays. You just have to clean up 191 00:09:56,400 --> 00:10:01,200 Speaker 2: that red zone stuff a little bit. In a difference overall, 192 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:03,319 Speaker 2: it's not you know, they were twenty of forty two 193 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:06,199 Speaker 2: last year in the red zone. Right now they're seventeen 194 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:09,839 Speaker 2: of forty two. So you know you're talking about scoring 195 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 2: three more touchdowns, Well, you do that, it changes the 196 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:14,520 Speaker 2: whole dynamic. 197 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 3: No, no question, And I'm sure there'd be the first 198 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 3: to tell you that we're not thrilled with our red 199 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:23,120 Speaker 3: zone offense and we're taking a step back. And I 200 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 3: just saw it today, George Pickens has the most end 201 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:29,480 Speaker 3: zone targets of any wide receiver in the league. Well, 202 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 3: I would stick with that, but I might also throw 203 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:36,480 Speaker 3: the ball Mike Williams away prior Mooth Washington. You know, 204 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:42,000 Speaker 3: Washington and Williams in particular haven't really been full time 205 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:45,800 Speaker 3: receivers this whole season. Obviously Williams, but Washington's role has 206 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:49,640 Speaker 3: just really grown since the bye basically. So yeah, that's 207 00:10:49,679 --> 00:10:52,920 Speaker 3: some serious beef in the red zone. I'm sure you 208 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 3: can find a nickelback or an undersized linebacker or a 209 00:10:56,200 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 3: five to ten safety on just about every team you 210 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 3: play that's matched up against one of those four. 211 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:03,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, you can get really big down there and kind 212 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:07,680 Speaker 2: of force the matchups that you want as opposed to. 213 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 4: Just a pretty good run blocking group too. 214 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:10,200 Speaker 3: Yeah. 215 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:12,520 Speaker 2: I mean, even if you think back to the interception 216 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:16,280 Speaker 2: you know that that Russell Wilson threw in the game 217 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:21,080 Speaker 2: against the against the Baltimore Ravens two weeks ago at 218 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:24,800 Speaker 2: Darnel Washington matched up on Marlon Humphrey. I mean, Marlon 219 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:30,240 Speaker 2: Humphrey is Baltimore's best cornerback, but it's a it's a. 220 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:33,079 Speaker 4: Size point guard guard power forward, right. 221 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:35,280 Speaker 2: I mean, if you want that's the matchup you want. 222 00:11:35,320 --> 00:11:37,480 Speaker 2: If you're playing basketball, you want him to post him 223 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:39,920 Speaker 2: up in that situation, you know, you want your you 224 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 2: want your power forward posting up the point the other 225 00:11:41,960 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 2: team's point guard. It just didn't work out. Yeah, it 226 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:48,720 Speaker 2: just didn't work out in that situation. So you know 227 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:50,840 Speaker 2: there are some things schematically that you can do there 228 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 2: in no situation is it. And if they're going to 229 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 2: have Marlon Humphrey, you know, covering you know, your your 230 00:11:56,559 --> 00:11:59,640 Speaker 2: six foot eight tight end, that means that he's not 231 00:11:59,679 --> 00:12:02,360 Speaker 2: covered George Pickens, he's not covering Mike Williams. 232 00:12:02,960 --> 00:12:03,160 Speaker 3: You know. 233 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:06,080 Speaker 2: So there are instances there where you can take advantage 234 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:07,600 Speaker 2: of those kind of things, and you have to recognize 235 00:12:07,600 --> 00:12:10,679 Speaker 2: those kind of things. That's kind of what Tomlin said 236 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 2: when he was asked about the third and four deep 237 00:12:12,559 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 2: ball that Justin Fields threw against the Browns on third 238 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:21,160 Speaker 2: and four. He said, look, we looked at the matchups there. Yeah, 239 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:23,120 Speaker 2: it's third and four, and Justin hadn't thrown a pass 240 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:24,520 Speaker 2: in the game. Now he had warmed up on the 241 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:26,880 Speaker 2: sidelines and done those kind of things, he said, But 242 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 2: we had George Pickens on the outside, matched up one 243 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:33,280 Speaker 2: on one against a cornerback that was not Denzel Ward. 244 00:12:33,880 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 2: It wasn't even Emerson. It was their third cornerback. And 245 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:39,520 Speaker 2: so he said, we feel like that's better than a 246 00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:42,080 Speaker 2: fifty to fifty chance of hitting that play. Now they 247 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:44,200 Speaker 2: didn't hit it, they get the roughing the passer penalty. 248 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:47,719 Speaker 2: But you know, in that situation, you got to be 249 00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:50,319 Speaker 2: willing to take those chances when you get a good matchup. 250 00:12:51,640 --> 00:12:54,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's like a poker player play in the odds. 251 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:57,080 Speaker 3: That doesn't mean you're going to get the card delty 252 00:12:57,240 --> 00:13:01,200 Speaker 3: every time and hit. But if if I should stick 253 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:04,319 Speaker 3: on I don't know. In blackjack, when I have nineteen, 254 00:13:04,360 --> 00:13:06,680 Speaker 3: if I should stick and I win seventy percent of 255 00:13:06,679 --> 00:13:10,240 Speaker 3: those times more often than not, it's the right call 256 00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:13,360 Speaker 3: not to mention the fact that it's not. There is 257 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:16,200 Speaker 3: a human element, and the human is Pickens. You know 258 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:19,760 Speaker 3: who makes up for a lot of your issues, You 259 00:13:19,840 --> 00:13:20,320 Speaker 3: know what I mean? 260 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:24,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, he was. He was also asked today about what 261 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:27,400 Speaker 2: George Pickens' job was supposed to be on the on 262 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:29,760 Speaker 2: the hail Mary throw. He said, well, he was the 263 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 2: point man, which meant that he was the guy who 264 00:13:31,559 --> 00:13:34,000 Speaker 2: was supposed to high point the football down the field. 265 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:36,840 Speaker 2: And tom was then asked, well did he do his 266 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 2: job on that, because obviously everybody saw the result of 267 00:13:39,800 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 2: that that. You know, there was a little scrimmish at 268 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:45,200 Speaker 2: the end of that once the play had finished, and 269 00:13:45,280 --> 00:13:47,640 Speaker 2: Pickens never got involved in that, and he's been getting 270 00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:51,079 Speaker 2: kind of killed for that in some circles. But if 271 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:54,680 Speaker 2: you watch the tape of that, the Browns played him 272 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:55,800 Speaker 2: like he was a punt gunner. 273 00:13:57,320 --> 00:13:58,440 Speaker 3: They never let him. 274 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:00,680 Speaker 2: Get to the middle of the field or get anywhere 275 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:04,520 Speaker 2: near the hail Mary scrum where it was thrown at. 276 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:06,960 Speaker 2: He was interfered with the entire way down the field 277 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 2: and there was no call in that situation. And so Tomlin, 278 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 2: he didn't see Tomlin didn't come out and say that. 279 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:15,160 Speaker 2: He said, but they had a little something to do, 280 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:18,040 Speaker 2: he said, in them being the Browns with with George 281 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:20,480 Speaker 2: Pickens not getting in the being part of that play. 282 00:14:20,920 --> 00:14:22,760 Speaker 2: I mean, it was just the whole way down the field. 283 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:24,880 Speaker 2: It looked like he was. I think it was Emerson 284 00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 2: that was on him, was just basically hand fighting him 285 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:31,840 Speaker 2: the entire way down the field, which should be a 286 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:32,960 Speaker 2: penalty in that situation. 287 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:37,320 Speaker 3: It should And I've thought this for years and I 288 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:39,760 Speaker 3: don't know we've ever had this conversation, but to me, 289 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:42,400 Speaker 3: it's almost like a glitch in the league. 290 00:14:42,520 --> 00:14:44,320 Speaker 2: They swallow their whistle on Hail Mary's. 291 00:14:44,360 --> 00:14:48,200 Speaker 3: They do exactly exactly. Everyone on the planet knows it 292 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:51,560 Speaker 3: because the penalty would be so drastic. I mean, of 293 00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:54,080 Speaker 3: all the pass interference calls you could call over the 294 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:57,400 Speaker 3: years for all around the league. You put the team 295 00:14:57,440 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 3: on the one or you know what I mean, and 296 00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:03,200 Speaker 3: in a desperate situation, and then everyone's going to start 297 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:06,280 Speaker 3: drawing them. So like, I understand why the league does that. 298 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:09,800 Speaker 3: You know, it's almost like hockey with the last thirty 299 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 3: seconds or whatever, because it's the penalty is too much 300 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 3: for the crime. But what's the where do you draw 301 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:17,920 Speaker 3: the line. 302 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:18,640 Speaker 2: In that situation? 303 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 3: Should you know? 304 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:22,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, at the very least it should have been a 305 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 2: five yard defensive holding penalty. I'm not even saying it, 306 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:30,880 Speaker 2: like yeah, I mean at least you move you move 307 00:15:30,920 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 2: the ball five yards, So it's not you know, completely uh, 308 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:37,720 Speaker 2: you know, crazy, but I mean it was there was 309 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 2: obviously it was Newsome that was doing it actually, not 310 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:46,360 Speaker 2: Emerson in that situation. You just basically let him treat 311 00:15:46,440 --> 00:15:48,200 Speaker 2: him like he was a punt gunner and block him 312 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 2: the entire way down the field. And he's obviously he's 313 00:15:51,240 --> 00:15:53,640 Speaker 2: the Steelers' best guy, that's who you would want high 314 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 2: pointing the football in that situation, and they never even 315 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:58,440 Speaker 2: let him get into the play because you held him 316 00:15:58,480 --> 00:15:59,600 Speaker 2: the entire weight down the field. 317 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:03,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, We've been thrown a lot of metaphors out here, 318 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:06,080 Speaker 3: but it's like everyone knows Jordan's getting the ball, so 319 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:08,080 Speaker 3: I'm just gonna mug him before he does, you know 320 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:13,160 Speaker 3: what I mean, Like, yeah, yeah, you know what I mean. Yeah. Absolutely, 321 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:15,000 Speaker 3: that whole Hail Mary thing I think has been a 322 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:18,040 Speaker 3: glitch for years and I'm sure the Steelers have benefited 323 00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:21,360 Speaker 3: on both sides of it, of course, but I'm with you. 324 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:24,240 Speaker 3: I mean, at least give you another shot to replay the. 325 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:27,720 Speaker 2: Play, absolutely, especially if it's that blatant. I mean, there 326 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:30,320 Speaker 2: was a reason why Pickens never got involved in the play, 327 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 2: I just and it probably led to some of his 328 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:36,160 Speaker 2: frustration in that situation. If you run forty yards down 329 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:38,800 Speaker 2: the field and the guy's holding you the entire way 330 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:41,920 Speaker 2: down the field, that might tick you off a little bit. 331 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:45,040 Speaker 2: But he is Matt Williamson, player to lose the game, 332 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:48,200 Speaker 2: right man, Right, He's Matt Williamson. I'm Dale Lolly. You're 333 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 2: listening to the drive here on the Steelers Audio Network. 334 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:52,960 Speaker 2: We're gonna take a break when we come back. Got 335 00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:55,160 Speaker 2: some interesting numbers on the Cincinnati Bengals. 336 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:58,880 Speaker 4: There, there were there they are dreams. 337 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:01,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, they're They're very extreme in a lot of different 338 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:03,320 Speaker 2: ways here. But we'll talk more about that when we 339 00:17:03,360 --> 00:17:04,119 Speaker 2: return right after this. 340 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,120 Speaker 1: At least, he's the drive with Dale Lolly and Matt 341 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:14,040 Speaker 1: Williamson on your twenty four to seven Home of the 342 00:17:14,119 --> 00:17:19,040 Speaker 1: Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 343 00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:22,760 Speaker 2: And we are back, gy a, Dale LOLLI he is 344 00:17:23,240 --> 00:17:25,840 Speaker 2: the Matt Williamson and this is the drive on the 345 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:31,680 Speaker 2: Steelers Audio Network. And Matt this Bengals team. The more 346 00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:35,919 Speaker 2: I dug into them today, if you look at the Okay, 347 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:38,879 Speaker 2: they've got the sixth best scoring offense in the league. 348 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:43,119 Speaker 2: They can score points with anybody. The problem is, is 349 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:45,680 Speaker 2: as good as their offense is, for all the good 350 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 2: stuff that their offense does. Their defense is equally bad. 351 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:53,440 Speaker 2: They have the fifth worst scoring defense. So they're scoring 352 00:17:53,480 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 2: twenty seven points per game, they're giving up twenty six 353 00:17:57,240 --> 00:18:02,160 Speaker 2: point nine. They average eleven point one yards per reception. 354 00:18:02,680 --> 00:18:08,240 Speaker 2: They give up eleven yards per reception. They convert forty 355 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:11,680 Speaker 2: five point two percent of their third downs. They allow 356 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:14,480 Speaker 2: forty four point four percent conversion rate on third downs. 357 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:17,959 Speaker 2: They're averaging three hundred and fifty four point three yards 358 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:20,720 Speaker 2: per game. They allow three hundred and fifty five point 359 00:18:20,760 --> 00:18:23,879 Speaker 2: five yards per game. You can see where this is 360 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 2: going here, And how about this step. In the second 361 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:32,200 Speaker 2: and fourth quarters of games, they've allowed ninety five points 362 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:34,920 Speaker 2: in the second quarter. They've allowed one hundred and five 363 00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 2: points in the fourth quarter of games. So in the 364 00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:41,520 Speaker 2: closing moments of the first and second halfs they have 365 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:45,919 Speaker 2: allowed two hundred total points. My comparison, the Steelers have 366 00:18:45,920 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 2: allowed one hundred and eighty six points all season long. 367 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:49,680 Speaker 3: Yeah. 368 00:18:49,760 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's a bad, bad, bad mix. 369 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:57,399 Speaker 3: Well, it's an even steven mix. That is really what 370 00:18:57,480 --> 00:19:00,760 Speaker 3: it is, because half of it is really really good, 371 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 3: led by a great quarterback and a pair of unbelievable 372 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:07,840 Speaker 3: receivers and Chase Brown's really come on strong this last 373 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 3: month or so. Where I mean points per game, they're 374 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:17,200 Speaker 3: at point one different. You know, they produce twenty seven, 375 00:19:17,640 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 3: they give up twenty six point nine. You know, like 376 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:23,960 Speaker 3: that's exactly who this team is. And fortunately for them, 377 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:28,160 Speaker 3: they're good in the penalty world, but they lose all 378 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:31,080 Speaker 3: these one score games and the teams that they've beaten 379 00:19:31,359 --> 00:19:35,919 Speaker 3: are pretty bad, you know, above average. Yeah, ten and 380 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:38,240 Speaker 3: thirty four is the current record of all their wins 381 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:41,840 Speaker 3: put together. You know, I mean something's missing. You know, 382 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 3: you would think you'd be with just the numbers and oh, 383 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:47,720 Speaker 3: by the way, a great quarterback who you should be 384 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:51,119 Speaker 3: around five hundred rough, I would say even slightly above, 385 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 3: you know, I mean if Ben and Brady and those 386 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:56,440 Speaker 3: guys are going to be the guys that win the 387 00:19:56,440 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 3: the one score games that the analytic people tell you shouldn't, well, 388 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:02,920 Speaker 3: I'm saying I'm not blaming Burrow, but you have that 389 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:05,480 Speaker 3: piece of the components, you know, you have that component. 390 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:10,120 Speaker 3: You should be on the plus side of those games. 391 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:12,399 Speaker 3: Not what one in six I think. 392 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 2: One in six, yeah, one in six and one score 393 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:19,119 Speaker 2: games this season and your quarterback is playing out of 394 00:20:19,119 --> 00:20:22,600 Speaker 2: his mind I mean, he's got twenty seven touchdown passes 395 00:20:22,600 --> 00:20:26,639 Speaker 2: and four interceptions. The problem is is opposing quarterbacks have 396 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:29,960 Speaker 2: nineteen touchdown passes and have only thrown six interceptions. So 397 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:33,800 Speaker 2: it's it's like, Okay, Burrows playing like the second or 398 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:36,199 Speaker 2: third best quarterback in the league. The problem is, no 399 00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:38,960 Speaker 2: matter who you seem to play, they're like the fifth 400 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:40,560 Speaker 2: or six best quarterback in the league. 401 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:44,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, on average, you turned the twelfth guy into the 402 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:47,320 Speaker 3: sixth best. You know, right, and you've played. 403 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:51,680 Speaker 2: You've played the Raiders, you've played the Patriots, you've played Carolina, 404 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:55,440 Speaker 2: the Giants. You know, it's not like they've they've played 405 00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:57,240 Speaker 2: a bunch of you know, they played I know they 406 00:20:57,280 --> 00:21:00,879 Speaker 2: played Lamar twice and I get that, and they played 407 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:03,200 Speaker 2: you know, Mahomes and guys like that. But they've also 408 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:07,600 Speaker 2: played some really bad teams. And you know, you lost 409 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:12,040 Speaker 2: to the Patriots in Week one. You know, it just 410 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 2: shouldn't happen that way. 411 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:16,840 Speaker 3: You were talking about points and when they're scored in 412 00:21:16,880 --> 00:21:24,040 Speaker 3: Bengals games, their second half averages thirty point six total 413 00:21:24,119 --> 00:21:28,119 Speaker 3: points scored just in the second half of games. So 414 00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:30,240 Speaker 3: it's like we come out a halftime, you score, I 415 00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:32,879 Speaker 3: score you score, we score, you know, like total no 416 00:21:33,040 --> 00:21:37,520 Speaker 3: defense at all, and Burrow's heating up and ripping you apart. 417 00:21:37,600 --> 00:21:40,359 Speaker 3: So like that might happen, folks. This game might be 418 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:42,880 Speaker 3: three nothing at the half and then be thirty three 419 00:21:42,880 --> 00:21:44,800 Speaker 3: to thirty when it's done. You know. I mean it's 420 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:48,320 Speaker 3: just their script, and I think some of it is 421 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:51,240 Speaker 3: the good. You know, Burrow gets a beat on you, 422 00:21:51,320 --> 00:21:54,879 Speaker 3: he's super smart. The Row combinations are tearing you up, 423 00:21:54,960 --> 00:21:56,800 Speaker 3: and you're getting tired trying to run with these guys 424 00:21:56,800 --> 00:22:00,320 Speaker 3: all day long. But then on the other side, the 425 00:22:00,359 --> 00:22:03,439 Speaker 3: pass rush is so bad. I mean, Hendrickson is a 426 00:22:03,760 --> 00:22:07,280 Speaker 3: great player, but the rest of their pass rush is 427 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:10,320 Speaker 3: so bad. So like, let's say you get a ten 428 00:22:10,359 --> 00:22:14,199 Speaker 3: point lead in the fourth quarter, it's never safe, you know. 429 00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:17,840 Speaker 3: I mean, whoever's coming back against you is going to 430 00:22:17,920 --> 00:22:21,240 Speaker 3: have time to throw. And if you have time to 431 00:22:21,240 --> 00:22:24,720 Speaker 3: throw in the fourth quarter in this league, you become 432 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:27,840 Speaker 3: the fifteenth best quarterback becomes a fifth best quarterback, you know. 433 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:30,360 Speaker 3: I mean it's a tough combination for them. 434 00:22:30,720 --> 00:22:33,159 Speaker 2: It really is, and it's just kind of their season 435 00:22:33,160 --> 00:22:35,760 Speaker 2: in a nutshell. I mean, even average yards per play. 436 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:38,480 Speaker 2: We know they have a good offense, they're averaging five 437 00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 2: point seven yards per play, they're giving up five point five, 438 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:44,480 Speaker 2: So you know, it's like everything. 439 00:22:44,119 --> 00:22:47,000 Speaker 3: Is even even steven, Yeah, except for their rush and 440 00:22:47,040 --> 00:22:49,200 Speaker 3: steven with a little bit of bad luck, you know, right. 441 00:22:49,760 --> 00:22:52,600 Speaker 2: I mean, they've they've thrown for four yards then their 442 00:22:52,600 --> 00:22:55,680 Speaker 2: opponents by about four hundred or three hundred more yards 443 00:22:55,760 --> 00:22:58,960 Speaker 2: or so four hundred more yards, but they've allowed four 444 00:22:59,040 --> 00:23:02,400 Speaker 2: hundred more rushing yard than their opponents. And a big 445 00:23:02,440 --> 00:23:04,760 Speaker 2: part of that, the big difference in that, Matt, is 446 00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:08,600 Speaker 2: they've allowed four hundred and one rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks. Now, 447 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:10,959 Speaker 2: I get that you played Lamar twice, and you played 448 00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:16,359 Speaker 2: you know, you played Jaden Daniels, but you can't be 449 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:20,199 Speaker 2: last by over one hundred yards in terms of what 450 00:23:20,240 --> 00:23:24,800 Speaker 2: you've given up to opposing quarterbacks. The Steelers over four hundred. 451 00:23:24,800 --> 00:23:27,040 Speaker 2: You said they've allowed four hundred and one rushing yards 452 00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:28,159 Speaker 2: to opposing quarterbacks. 453 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:29,800 Speaker 3: That's all. 454 00:23:30,119 --> 00:23:32,560 Speaker 2: That's not all Lamar, and that's not all jad and Daniels. 455 00:23:32,560 --> 00:23:35,879 Speaker 2: That's everybody running the ball against you at the quarterback position. 456 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:38,760 Speaker 4: Yeah. I think the Steelers are best. 457 00:23:39,359 --> 00:23:40,080 Speaker 2: They're number one. 458 00:23:40,119 --> 00:23:42,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, yeah, that doesn't shock me at all. 459 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:45,920 Speaker 3: What a was I say about that? Oh? 460 00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:47,640 Speaker 4: Their pass rush. 461 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:51,080 Speaker 3: I mean they get a sack on four point five 462 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:52,840 Speaker 3: percent of opposing dropbacks. 463 00:23:53,440 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 4: The only teams worse. 464 00:23:55,040 --> 00:23:58,320 Speaker 3: Are Atlanta, who hasn't had a pass rush in a decade, 465 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:02,560 Speaker 3: and the Panthers, who have no one most people listeners 466 00:24:02,560 --> 00:24:04,200 Speaker 3: could tell you in their defensive lot. 467 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:07,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's bad. 468 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:09,040 Speaker 3: It's just it's brutal. It's bad. 469 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:14,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, So you know, I understand why people have trepidation 470 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:17,920 Speaker 2: when it comes to the Cincinnati offense. It's a very 471 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:21,399 Speaker 2: good offense. They can score with anybody righting. But the 472 00:24:21,480 --> 00:24:24,960 Speaker 2: problem is is they can't stop anybody. And so you 473 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:28,199 Speaker 2: know that includes I know again we talked about the 474 00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:30,840 Speaker 2: red zone offense in the previous segment. They're thirty first 475 00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:33,320 Speaker 2: in red zone defense. They give up a touchdown seventy 476 00:24:33,359 --> 00:24:36,359 Speaker 2: percent of the time when the opposing offense gets inside 477 00:24:36,359 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 2: to twenty and then it's side to twenty a lot and. 478 00:24:41,320 --> 00:24:43,880 Speaker 3: They get inside of the twenty a lot. And I'm 479 00:24:43,960 --> 00:24:49,000 Speaker 3: trying to find this one too. Uh it's what do 480 00:24:49,040 --> 00:24:51,760 Speaker 3: you say was seventy point five for the year red 481 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:56,440 Speaker 3: zone allowance For the last three games, it's eighty five 482 00:24:56,520 --> 00:24:59,840 Speaker 3: point seven. Yeah, I mean like they're just getting out 483 00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:03,080 Speaker 3: the way way, they're not putting up resistance. 484 00:25:03,280 --> 00:25:08,600 Speaker 2: That's against the Raiders, the Ravens and the Chargers. Now, yeah, 485 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:11,720 Speaker 2: the Ravens offense is really good right now. Yeah, the 486 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:16,240 Speaker 2: Ravens offense is really good. But nobody would confuse Nobody 487 00:25:16,240 --> 00:25:18,720 Speaker 2: would say the Raiders offense or the Chargers offense or 488 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:19,760 Speaker 2: they're not great. 489 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:23,440 Speaker 3: No, no, no, you know, I mean they're work. Chargers 490 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:26,920 Speaker 3: are working progress with a good quarterback. The Raiders are terrible. Yeah, 491 00:25:27,119 --> 00:25:27,600 Speaker 3: I mean that's so. 492 00:25:27,720 --> 00:25:29,120 Speaker 2: I mean, that's what you're I mean, that's what you're 493 00:25:29,119 --> 00:25:32,080 Speaker 2: looking at here. They've allowed thirty six. They've scored thirty 494 00:25:32,119 --> 00:25:36,240 Speaker 2: six touchdowns, which is good. They've allowed thirty six touchdowns. 495 00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:41,879 Speaker 2: The Steelers have allowed twenty. Yeah, they have almost twice 496 00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:45,199 Speaker 2: as many touchdowns allowed as what the Steelers have, you know, 497 00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:47,160 Speaker 2: and then you look at their they're fifteen of twenty 498 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:49,840 Speaker 2: one on field goals. You know. So that's how you 499 00:25:49,920 --> 00:25:51,919 Speaker 2: end up losing some of these close games. You know, 500 00:25:52,119 --> 00:25:55,520 Speaker 2: you're your place kicker, you know who they love, and 501 00:25:55,640 --> 00:25:58,359 Speaker 2: I get it. He's been you know, McPherson's is good, 502 00:25:58,359 --> 00:26:02,040 Speaker 2: but he's not having a great year and no, he's 503 00:26:02,760 --> 00:26:05,720 Speaker 2: you know, it's just, uh, you can't. He's three of 504 00:26:05,800 --> 00:26:08,040 Speaker 2: five between forty and forty nine yards. He's three of 505 00:26:08,160 --> 00:26:13,000 Speaker 2: seven from fifty and beyond in a league that everybody's 506 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:14,480 Speaker 2: making their kicks from fifty and beyond. 507 00:26:16,440 --> 00:26:17,359 Speaker 4: Oh that's huge. 508 00:26:17,920 --> 00:26:23,920 Speaker 3: And I find this team build interesting because they drafted 509 00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:27,480 Speaker 3: offense heavy for a while, you know, Burrow, Chase Higgins, 510 00:26:27,480 --> 00:26:32,359 Speaker 3: et cetera. And then they wisely realize, we're gonna have 511 00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:35,360 Speaker 3: to pay those guys, so we can't go get the 512 00:26:35,400 --> 00:26:38,160 Speaker 3: Hendrickson's and Hilton's and all. 513 00:26:38,280 --> 00:26:39,840 Speaker 2: By him on the open market agents. 514 00:26:40,400 --> 00:26:43,080 Speaker 3: Right, they build a decent defense a couple of years 515 00:26:43,080 --> 00:26:46,720 Speaker 3: ago from other teams free agents, Hendrickson being the poster 516 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:48,880 Speaker 3: boy of that, and he's by far their best guy. 517 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:52,119 Speaker 3: And DJ Reader was another one, you know who's gone 518 00:26:52,160 --> 00:26:56,240 Speaker 3: obviously so wisely. Over the last couple of years, they've 519 00:26:56,359 --> 00:26:58,080 Speaker 3: drafted defense high. 520 00:26:58,640 --> 00:27:00,600 Speaker 4: The problem is they've done it really poorly. 521 00:27:01,080 --> 00:27:05,000 Speaker 3: I mean this year, Chris Jenkins the second rounder, not 522 00:27:05,119 --> 00:27:08,840 Speaker 3: a starter, his book's not written. Who knows Miles Murphy 523 00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:13,000 Speaker 3: in the first round the year before really underachieving. DJ 524 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:18,159 Speaker 3: Turner's Okay, Jordan battle yea stretch I mean, that's our 525 00:27:18,160 --> 00:27:21,560 Speaker 3: top three picks in twenty twenty three. Daxton Hill has 526 00:27:21,560 --> 00:27:22,920 Speaker 3: not worked out in the first round. 527 00:27:23,040 --> 00:27:25,439 Speaker 2: Cam Taylor bri is another one that they drafted. What 528 00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:27,800 Speaker 2: was Taylor brit a second round or third round or somewhere. 529 00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:32,439 Speaker 3: He was a sixtieth thick overall. He's second Zachary Taylor 530 00:27:32,480 --> 00:27:35,720 Speaker 3: in the third round of twenty twenty two. I don't 531 00:27:35,720 --> 00:27:37,359 Speaker 3: even think he plays, you know what I mean. So 532 00:27:37,520 --> 00:27:41,280 Speaker 3: you're investing all these early picks on the defensive side 533 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:44,120 Speaker 3: of the ball and getting nothing for your investment. 534 00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:47,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, some of the Turner hurt. 535 00:27:49,119 --> 00:27:50,760 Speaker 3: I'm not sure. I thought he. 536 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:56,160 Speaker 2: Left that game against a Charger with a shoulder injury. Yeah, 537 00:27:56,160 --> 00:27:58,000 Speaker 2: he has a broken clavical so he's out. 538 00:27:58,760 --> 00:27:58,879 Speaker 3: Now. 539 00:28:00,119 --> 00:28:01,919 Speaker 2: Now you're counting on some of these other guys that 540 00:28:02,119 --> 00:28:03,919 Speaker 2: weren't as good as him. 541 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:04,199 Speaker 3: You know. 542 00:28:05,480 --> 00:28:08,479 Speaker 2: It's just the defense is a problem for them, It 543 00:28:08,520 --> 00:28:09,000 Speaker 2: really is. 544 00:28:09,359 --> 00:28:12,680 Speaker 3: It really is. Yeah, And it's hard to say if 545 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:17,560 Speaker 3: lu and Marumo is still a great innovative defensive coordinator 546 00:28:17,720 --> 00:28:22,399 Speaker 3: or not. His resume has fallen down the drain for 547 00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:25,399 Speaker 3: the last year plus now, I mean almost two years. 548 00:28:26,160 --> 00:28:27,800 Speaker 4: But he also does a very good players. 549 00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:31,840 Speaker 2: The fun the strange thing is Matt is two years 550 00:28:31,840 --> 00:28:34,399 Speaker 2: ago and this was largely the same guys here in 551 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:39,959 Speaker 2: this team, other than a few notable exceptions. And you know, 552 00:28:40,160 --> 00:28:44,040 Speaker 2: they still had Logan Wilson, Jermaine Pratt, Trey Hendrickson. You know, 553 00:28:44,120 --> 00:28:47,360 Speaker 2: Hubbard was there, bj Hill was there. It was Hill recent. 554 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:50,520 Speaker 2: You know that he'll he's been there for the last 555 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:52,840 Speaker 2: two or three. Yeah, you know a lot of these 556 00:28:52,840 --> 00:28:55,400 Speaker 2: guys are holdovers. They got von Bell back this year 557 00:28:55,440 --> 00:28:57,000 Speaker 2: after getting rid of him two years ago, you know, 558 00:28:57,040 --> 00:28:58,920 Speaker 2: after two years ago, and he missed. He wasn't there 559 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:01,880 Speaker 2: last year where they brought him, and the results have 560 00:29:01,920 --> 00:29:03,400 Speaker 2: not been anything close to the same. 561 00:29:05,320 --> 00:29:08,160 Speaker 3: No, And I think all those guys got older, slash worse, 562 00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:13,040 Speaker 3: you know, and the linebackers, Pratt, Wilson. I still think 563 00:29:13,040 --> 00:29:15,520 Speaker 3: Wilson is a pretty good player, but they re up 564 00:29:15,600 --> 00:29:18,280 Speaker 3: those guys and maybe you should have done a better 565 00:29:18,360 --> 00:29:20,800 Speaker 3: job self scouting, you know, like maybe these guys aren't 566 00:29:20,800 --> 00:29:23,240 Speaker 3: the answer. They're getting better, but they're not good enough 567 00:29:23,240 --> 00:29:24,000 Speaker 3: to win with, you know. 568 00:29:24,760 --> 00:29:26,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, So I mean that that's certainly the weakness on 569 00:29:26,840 --> 00:29:28,760 Speaker 2: this team, and you can attack this team through the air. 570 00:29:28,800 --> 00:29:34,000 Speaker 2: I mean, we mentioned Taylor britt He got benched last week. 571 00:29:34,280 --> 00:29:36,600 Speaker 2: They pulled, they can they just put him on the bench. 572 00:29:36,640 --> 00:29:38,480 Speaker 2: And that was when you were already missing Dj Turner. 573 00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:41,520 Speaker 2: So you're starting two cornerbacks you benched. Well one got 574 00:29:41,520 --> 00:29:44,680 Speaker 2: benched and the other one got you know, injured. So 575 00:29:44,720 --> 00:29:46,640 Speaker 2: we'll see what they, you know, run out there this week. 576 00:29:46,680 --> 00:29:49,280 Speaker 2: I mean the backups are Josh Newton and DJ Ivy, 577 00:29:51,400 --> 00:29:54,760 Speaker 2: you know, not exactly household names. And who among that 578 00:29:54,800 --> 00:29:56,920 Speaker 2: group is covering George Dickens. 579 00:29:57,840 --> 00:30:01,280 Speaker 3: Yeah right right, I mean there other than Hendrickson, I 580 00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:05,480 Speaker 3: really struggle to find a strength or a well above 581 00:30:05,520 --> 00:30:08,520 Speaker 3: average starter or a guy that would start for the Steelers, 582 00:30:08,600 --> 00:30:12,000 Speaker 3: you know, like that doesn't mean they're all bad, but 583 00:30:12,600 --> 00:30:17,320 Speaker 3: the plays, yeah, no, right, and especially when you add 584 00:30:17,400 --> 00:30:20,800 Speaker 3: up the investment financially and through the draft with high 585 00:30:20,800 --> 00:30:24,000 Speaker 3: picks these last couple of years, you need Miles Murphy 586 00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:25,600 Speaker 3: to be a player, you know what I mean. Like, 587 00:30:25,680 --> 00:30:29,160 Speaker 3: and he's just one example, and secondary seems to be crumbling. 588 00:30:29,280 --> 00:30:32,520 Speaker 3: And okay, you brought von Bell back because your safety 589 00:30:32,520 --> 00:30:34,640 Speaker 3: has made a lot of mental errors and you and 590 00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:38,840 Speaker 3: you ask a lot of the safety position in this defense. Well, 591 00:30:38,880 --> 00:30:41,080 Speaker 3: he's a year older and a year slower, and he 592 00:30:41,240 --> 00:30:43,800 Speaker 3: wasn't the you know, the best athlete to begin with. 593 00:30:44,600 --> 00:30:48,240 Speaker 2: Right, right, yeah, So it's you know, I again, I 594 00:30:48,280 --> 00:30:51,520 Speaker 2: get why people have trepidation going into this game because 595 00:30:51,560 --> 00:30:56,200 Speaker 2: of Cincinnati's offense, But the Steelers should be well yeah, yeah, 596 00:30:56,240 --> 00:30:58,600 Speaker 2: the Steelers should be able to move the ball consistently 597 00:30:58,680 --> 00:31:01,440 Speaker 2: against these guys, and they haven't stopped people in the 598 00:31:01,440 --> 00:31:03,920 Speaker 2: red zone. And and so again, when when I talk 599 00:31:03,960 --> 00:31:06,880 Speaker 2: about the red zone stuff, you know, it's such a 600 00:31:06,880 --> 00:31:10,960 Speaker 2: small sample size for both quarterbacks. You know that that 601 00:31:12,120 --> 00:31:14,320 Speaker 2: let's let's wait to see how this thing plays out. 602 00:31:15,160 --> 00:31:16,960 Speaker 2: Is kind of my point with that. I mean, if 603 00:31:16,960 --> 00:31:21,200 Speaker 2: you look at it, you know, nobody was complaining. 604 00:31:21,240 --> 00:31:22,280 Speaker 3: You know, if you look. 605 00:31:22,160 --> 00:31:25,080 Speaker 2: At Russell Wilson's first start, they were four or six 606 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:28,400 Speaker 2: in the red zone scoring touchdowns. Now they went oh 607 00:31:28,440 --> 00:31:30,960 Speaker 2: for four against the Giants in the red zone the 608 00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:33,160 Speaker 2: following week. Giants actually have one of the top red 609 00:31:33,240 --> 00:31:36,160 Speaker 2: zone defenses in the league. Like this, that's not out 610 00:31:36,200 --> 00:31:38,640 Speaker 2: of the norm. They went three for four against Washington 611 00:31:38,680 --> 00:31:40,720 Speaker 2: in the red zone. Well then they went oh for 612 00:31:40,800 --> 00:31:43,880 Speaker 2: four against the Ravens. And you know, so over those 613 00:31:43,880 --> 00:31:46,400 Speaker 2: two games, you're you know, you're seven of what seven 614 00:31:46,400 --> 00:31:49,040 Speaker 2: of fourteen, that's actually not. 615 00:31:49,040 --> 00:31:54,520 Speaker 3: Bad, yes, but good. Maybe we'll look back at the 616 00:31:54,560 --> 00:31:58,240 Speaker 3: year and be like the Giants and Ravens games or anomalies, 617 00:31:58,280 --> 00:32:00,400 Speaker 3: you know, they were the one offs. They where you're 618 00:32:00,640 --> 00:32:04,719 Speaker 3: worst two of the Wilson era, you know, since he 619 00:32:04,760 --> 00:32:08,760 Speaker 3: took over, that's quite possible or that's the norm, and 620 00:32:08,800 --> 00:32:11,880 Speaker 3: then you're worried, you know. But yeah, I do think 621 00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:16,360 Speaker 3: this game and I hesitate to say this because maybe 622 00:32:16,400 --> 00:32:19,200 Speaker 3: they'll have twelve snaps in the red zone in this game, 623 00:32:19,320 --> 00:32:21,600 Speaker 3: and that doesn't mean it's fixed or it's broken, you know, 624 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:24,160 Speaker 3: I mean maybe off twenty I don't know, but you 625 00:32:24,200 --> 00:32:27,480 Speaker 3: would think you should be able to score in the 626 00:32:27,480 --> 00:32:29,800 Speaker 3: red zone against these guys though, you know what I mean, right, 627 00:32:30,120 --> 00:32:32,000 Speaker 3: they're the worst team out there against it. I mean, 628 00:32:32,560 --> 00:32:35,520 Speaker 3: but the teams are allowed to get better too. What 629 00:32:35,560 --> 00:32:38,480 Speaker 3: do you think Cincinnati's practicing right now? Right? 630 00:32:38,880 --> 00:32:43,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, so you know, I don't get overly wrapped up 631 00:32:43,640 --> 00:32:46,400 Speaker 2: in the overall numbers at this point in the season. 632 00:32:46,560 --> 00:32:50,080 Speaker 2: You know, if it becomes a long term trend, you know, 633 00:32:50,080 --> 00:32:53,080 Speaker 2: where you're going over four, over four, over three over 634 00:32:53,120 --> 00:32:56,400 Speaker 2: and over again, then okay, I get it, But again, 635 00:32:56,840 --> 00:33:00,720 Speaker 2: you know, Russell Wilson, over the course of his career 636 00:33:00,720 --> 00:33:02,680 Speaker 2: has been good in the red zone. I don't think 637 00:33:02,720 --> 00:33:05,640 Speaker 2: that's necessarily you know, the be all end all that that, 638 00:33:05,760 --> 00:33:08,000 Speaker 2: oh he can't score in the red zone anymore. I 639 00:33:08,000 --> 00:33:10,000 Speaker 2: don't think that's the case. I just think that they're 640 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:14,000 Speaker 2: you know, had a couple of bad games against I 641 00:33:14,040 --> 00:33:16,160 Speaker 2: don't know if you heard this on the broadcast last night. 642 00:33:16,920 --> 00:33:18,520 Speaker 2: I think over the last I think they said over 643 00:33:18,560 --> 00:33:21,920 Speaker 2: the last four weeks, the Ravens have had the best 644 00:33:21,960 --> 00:33:24,600 Speaker 2: red zone defense in the league. 645 00:33:24,800 --> 00:33:28,800 Speaker 3: Oh really, Yeah, so that doesn't surprise him, you know. Yeah, 646 00:33:28,840 --> 00:33:31,240 Speaker 3: so you know that's that's a stiff test. 647 00:33:31,640 --> 00:33:34,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, so you know, that's what you kind of expect 648 00:33:34,040 --> 00:33:39,000 Speaker 2: out of that Ravens defense. They made some changes, they've adjusted, 649 00:33:39,040 --> 00:33:41,240 Speaker 2: guys are getting used to the new play caller and 650 00:33:41,240 --> 00:33:43,360 Speaker 2: things of that nature. So I mean, the Ravens are 651 00:33:43,440 --> 00:33:45,719 Speaker 2: going to get better, and they got better last night 652 00:33:45,760 --> 00:33:49,160 Speaker 2: and you know, beat the Chargers. But you got to 653 00:33:49,160 --> 00:33:51,760 Speaker 2: figure these kind of things out and find ways to win. 654 00:33:51,760 --> 00:33:53,959 Speaker 2: And that's the bottom line. I mean, as much as 655 00:33:54,000 --> 00:33:56,600 Speaker 2: you complain about the red zone offense or whatever, they're 656 00:33:56,600 --> 00:33:59,360 Speaker 2: still eighting three, Like you're not three and eight trying 657 00:33:59,400 --> 00:34:04,800 Speaker 2: to fix these things as you're eighting three. 658 00:34:03,320 --> 00:34:06,280 Speaker 3: And one of the Ravens. Though, just from watching that game, 659 00:34:06,840 --> 00:34:09,000 Speaker 3: that started to really show up with the Steelers that 660 00:34:09,080 --> 00:34:12,680 Speaker 3: really affects their past defense is the Ravens pass rush 661 00:34:12,760 --> 00:34:14,719 Speaker 3: is starting to get back to where we think it 662 00:34:14,760 --> 00:34:17,200 Speaker 3: can be. You know, Matta Bouquet and o Ways coming 663 00:34:17,239 --> 00:34:20,480 Speaker 3: into his zone like that was part of the things 664 00:34:20,520 --> 00:34:23,560 Speaker 3: contributing to their terrible pass defense. Like I do not 665 00:34:23,680 --> 00:34:25,239 Speaker 3: think the Ravens are going to end up as the 666 00:34:25,239 --> 00:34:27,640 Speaker 3: thirty second best pass defense or whatever one's all said 667 00:34:27,640 --> 00:34:28,120 Speaker 3: and done. 668 00:34:28,719 --> 00:34:33,120 Speaker 2: No, nor do I. But again, you know, you take 669 00:34:33,120 --> 00:34:35,520 Speaker 2: your chances against them because you've beaten them made at 670 00:34:35,560 --> 00:34:38,520 Speaker 2: the last nine times. You know, maybe, yeah, maybe you 671 00:34:38,560 --> 00:34:41,799 Speaker 2: are the Lamar Jackson kryptonite because nobody else defends him 672 00:34:41,800 --> 00:34:44,760 Speaker 2: as well as you do. Now that can certainly change, 673 00:34:44,800 --> 00:34:48,440 Speaker 2: but all you can do is win the games and 674 00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:50,560 Speaker 2: then worry about the rest of it later. If you 675 00:34:50,640 --> 00:34:52,520 Speaker 2: if you win the game, and if they if they 676 00:34:52,520 --> 00:34:54,120 Speaker 2: go in and beat the Bengals and go oh for 677 00:34:54,200 --> 00:34:56,600 Speaker 2: four in the red zone. Again, does it in the 678 00:34:56,600 --> 00:34:59,080 Speaker 2: grand scheme of things, does it matter? You know what, 679 00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:02,240 Speaker 2: let's say, get in the explosive plays that you're getting 680 00:35:02,600 --> 00:35:05,920 Speaker 2: out of your offense help compensate for that a little 681 00:35:05,920 --> 00:35:08,879 Speaker 2: bit more than a little bit. I mean, you had 682 00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:11,480 Speaker 2: you had. If you remember last year, the first like 683 00:35:11,560 --> 00:35:13,640 Speaker 2: seven or eight games of the year, you're talking about 684 00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:16,840 Speaker 2: how the Steelers had no explosive plays. Their longest touchdown 685 00:35:16,880 --> 00:35:19,600 Speaker 2: pass was like eleven yards. Well that's not been the 686 00:35:19,640 --> 00:35:20,239 Speaker 2: case this year. 687 00:35:21,800 --> 00:35:24,759 Speaker 3: I mean, people were certainly fearing the deep ball, you know, 688 00:35:24,880 --> 00:35:29,239 Speaker 3: like to me offensively, if you want to nitpick and 689 00:35:29,360 --> 00:35:32,880 Speaker 3: say things that what worries you most about the offense, 690 00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:35,640 Speaker 3: it's not the red zone defense to me, because I 691 00:35:35,680 --> 00:35:37,840 Speaker 3: think there's a really good chance that that works itself 692 00:35:37,840 --> 00:35:40,799 Speaker 3: out because I know who this quarterback is and I 693 00:35:40,920 --> 00:35:45,520 Speaker 3: like their red zone pass catchers. But the running game 694 00:35:45,560 --> 00:35:46,239 Speaker 3: needs to be more. 695 00:35:46,160 --> 00:35:48,279 Speaker 4: Consistent to me, I mean, I don't think you can be. 696 00:35:48,280 --> 00:35:53,040 Speaker 3: A four yard running, four yard cloud of dust running game. 697 00:35:53,120 --> 00:35:55,719 Speaker 3: Not that there's they get their share of explosives, don't 698 00:35:55,719 --> 00:35:58,399 Speaker 3: get me wrong, but it's not as consistent as it's 699 00:35:58,480 --> 00:36:01,160 Speaker 3: been when it's coming. You know, it's been a hard 700 00:36:01,160 --> 00:36:01,880 Speaker 3: thing to count on. 701 00:36:03,200 --> 00:36:07,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, I agree, I agree. So yeah, we'll see 702 00:36:07,560 --> 00:36:10,080 Speaker 2: where this goes. But certainly there's a lot to the 703 00:36:10,239 --> 00:36:13,040 Speaker 2: like with some of the matchups against the Cincinnati defense. 704 00:36:13,640 --> 00:36:18,719 Speaker 2: And you know, if you look at the Bengals, they 705 00:36:18,840 --> 00:36:22,799 Speaker 2: have lost Matt this season three games where they have 706 00:36:22,840 --> 00:36:26,000 Speaker 2: scored thirty three or more points. The rest of the 707 00:36:26,080 --> 00:36:29,440 Speaker 2: league has lost only two of those games. 708 00:36:30,680 --> 00:36:33,880 Speaker 3: Wow, So I mean pretty amazing. 709 00:36:34,120 --> 00:36:37,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, yeah, they have some big scoring games. 710 00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:39,600 Speaker 2: But when they have those big scoring games, they give 711 00:36:39,640 --> 00:36:42,040 Speaker 2: them up as well. And you look at the games 712 00:36:42,040 --> 00:36:43,600 Speaker 2: with you know, some of the games that they've won, 713 00:36:44,160 --> 00:36:46,160 Speaker 2: even some of the games they scored ten points against 714 00:36:46,200 --> 00:36:50,239 Speaker 2: New England in the opener, they had seventeen against the Giants. 715 00:36:50,640 --> 00:36:52,719 Speaker 2: They won that game seventeen to seven, but they had 716 00:36:52,760 --> 00:36:56,360 Speaker 2: seventeen points. They scored twenty one against Cleveland, they scored 717 00:36:56,400 --> 00:37:02,840 Speaker 2: seventeen against Philadelphia. They've had some bad games offensively as well, 718 00:37:03,440 --> 00:37:06,839 Speaker 2: you know, so they're it's it's kind of a mixed 719 00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:10,279 Speaker 2: bag for them. And you know, if you can turn 720 00:37:10,320 --> 00:37:13,440 Speaker 2: Burrow over once or even twice in this game, or 721 00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:15,520 Speaker 2: get a fumble or whatever it might be, goes a 722 00:37:15,520 --> 00:37:18,040 Speaker 2: long way towards winning, because you know, it's just not 723 00:37:18,239 --> 00:37:21,120 Speaker 2: a very stout defense whatsoever. 724 00:37:22,480 --> 00:37:25,160 Speaker 3: And as you mentioned, he has turned the ball over 725 00:37:25,200 --> 00:37:29,160 Speaker 3: against the Steelers. I mean, like that's not irregular for him, 726 00:37:29,239 --> 00:37:33,319 Speaker 3: especially compared to the other division. The Steelers have caused interceptions 727 00:37:33,360 --> 00:37:36,120 Speaker 3: and forced him into bad throws and I'm sure they'll 728 00:37:36,160 --> 00:37:36,520 Speaker 3: hit him. 729 00:37:37,160 --> 00:37:40,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely, Yeah, stand in the pockets. So he's a tough, 730 00:37:40,680 --> 00:37:41,719 Speaker 2: tough sob. 731 00:37:42,560 --> 00:37:45,360 Speaker 3: He really is. And this doesn't really affect the Steelers, 732 00:37:45,360 --> 00:37:49,120 Speaker 3: but it does really affect the Bengals and something they 733 00:37:49,239 --> 00:37:52,560 Speaker 3: absolutely need to examine and also messes up some of 734 00:37:52,600 --> 00:37:57,040 Speaker 3: their early season numbers. They start so slow every year, 735 00:37:57,280 --> 00:37:59,759 Speaker 3: I mean because they don't play anybody in the preseason, like, 736 00:38:00,040 --> 00:38:02,640 Speaker 3: and they keep doing it over and over and dig 737 00:38:02,680 --> 00:38:04,640 Speaker 3: themselves this hole that they got to climb out of 738 00:38:04,719 --> 00:38:05,239 Speaker 3: every year. 739 00:38:05,880 --> 00:38:09,000 Speaker 2: Absolutely absolutely, and you can't keep you can't afford to 740 00:38:09,080 --> 00:38:12,160 Speaker 2: keep doing that. You're right now, you're four and seven. 741 00:38:12,280 --> 00:38:14,040 Speaker 2: We started zero to three, so you're four and four 742 00:38:14,040 --> 00:38:14,759 Speaker 2: in your last eight. 743 00:38:15,920 --> 00:38:18,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, and you're playing like even Steven now but before 744 00:38:19,400 --> 00:38:19,960 Speaker 3: you did. 745 00:38:20,440 --> 00:38:23,520 Speaker 2: Right, absolutely, let's get to another break. He is the 746 00:38:23,680 --> 00:38:26,239 Speaker 2: Matt Williamson. I'm Dale, Lolly. You're listening to the drive 747 00:38:26,280 --> 00:38:28,960 Speaker 2: here on the Steelers Audio Network, Matt, and I will 748 00:38:29,000 --> 00:38:30,759 Speaker 2: be back with more, right, after this. 749 00:38:35,080 --> 00:38:38,400 Speaker 1: This is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 750 00:38:38,800 --> 00:38:41,000 Speaker 1: on your twenty four to seven Home of the Black 751 00:38:41,040 --> 00:38:46,160 Speaker 1: and Gold cast in Steelers Nation Radio. 752 00:38:47,040 --> 00:38:49,560 Speaker 2: And welcome back to the Drive. I'm Dale Lolly, he 753 00:38:49,760 --> 00:38:53,200 Speaker 2: is the Matt Williamson and Matt. We saw a game 754 00:38:53,320 --> 00:38:57,520 Speaker 2: last night the Ravens knockoff the Chargers thirty to twenty 755 00:38:57,520 --> 00:39:02,120 Speaker 2: three out in Los Angeles. Just the playoff standings in 756 00:39:02,200 --> 00:39:05,920 Speaker 2: the AFC as we get into Week thirteen here starting 757 00:39:06,360 --> 00:39:10,480 Speaker 2: on Thursday night with three games on Thursday, one on Friday, 758 00:39:10,800 --> 00:39:13,600 Speaker 2: and then everybody else playing Saturday or Sunday and Monday 759 00:39:13,640 --> 00:39:17,080 Speaker 2: this week. But as things currently stand now, the Ravens 760 00:39:17,120 --> 00:39:20,920 Speaker 2: move up into the five spot in the AFC playoff standings, 761 00:39:21,160 --> 00:39:23,799 Speaker 2: and now both they and the Steelers have a tiebreaker 762 00:39:23,880 --> 00:39:27,440 Speaker 2: over the Chargers. Denver is still in the seventh spot. 763 00:39:27,440 --> 00:39:29,960 Speaker 2: That the Chargers fall down to the sixth spot in 764 00:39:30,000 --> 00:39:36,120 Speaker 2: the AFC playoffs. And little stat I saw today, since 765 00:39:36,120 --> 00:39:39,520 Speaker 2: they've gone to the seventeen playoff format in twenty twenty, 766 00:39:40,800 --> 00:39:45,839 Speaker 2: teams that are in the playoff spots at Thanksgiving hold 767 00:39:45,880 --> 00:39:48,720 Speaker 2: onto those playoff spots seventy eight percent of the time. 768 00:39:50,120 --> 00:39:52,000 Speaker 2: So I mean, I think if you're looking at this 769 00:39:53,239 --> 00:39:56,600 Speaker 2: your playoff spots, you might see some change. Maybe somebody 770 00:39:56,680 --> 00:39:59,640 Speaker 2: knocks off either Denver or La, you know, for one 771 00:39:59,680 --> 00:40:02,920 Speaker 2: of those playoff spots there in the AFC. You know, 772 00:40:03,080 --> 00:40:05,480 Speaker 2: Miami being five and six right now being the closest 773 00:40:05,600 --> 00:40:10,960 Speaker 2: to that, but by and larger, your playoff field is almost. 774 00:40:10,719 --> 00:40:16,040 Speaker 3: All but set pretty much. Yeah, I mean, like I'm 775 00:40:16,080 --> 00:40:18,960 Speaker 3: pretty sure that Indy has the eighth seed right now. 776 00:40:19,000 --> 00:40:22,920 Speaker 2: Correct, they're nine. Miami's actually eight game because Miami's five 777 00:40:22,960 --> 00:40:24,400 Speaker 2: and six, India is five and seven. 778 00:40:25,440 --> 00:40:27,080 Speaker 3: Okay, I knew there was a half game difference. I 779 00:40:27,080 --> 00:40:30,120 Speaker 3: thought it was the other way around. I just don't 780 00:40:30,120 --> 00:40:32,560 Speaker 3: look at India as a playoff team, like I'd have 781 00:40:32,600 --> 00:40:35,520 Speaker 3: a really hard time imagining them getting in the top seven. 782 00:40:35,680 --> 00:40:39,880 Speaker 3: They basically Miami, and I just don't think they're capable, 783 00:40:39,960 --> 00:40:42,160 Speaker 3: you know, I mean just the eyeball test, the sniff test, 784 00:40:42,280 --> 00:40:46,960 Speaker 3: you know, where Miami and the Bengals, I know, they 785 00:40:46,960 --> 00:40:49,479 Speaker 3: almost have to be perfect, but at least I could 786 00:40:49,480 --> 00:40:54,799 Speaker 3: see them playing playoff level football to sneak in that backspot. 787 00:40:55,400 --> 00:40:59,879 Speaker 3: But other than that, to your point, the seven might 788 00:41:00,120 --> 00:41:03,200 Speaker 3: be set, and I feel like either the Ravens or 789 00:41:03,239 --> 00:41:06,359 Speaker 3: Steelers is going to be the five. The Houston's pretty 790 00:41:06,440 --> 00:41:09,640 Speaker 3: much guaranteed to be the four. One and two are 791 00:41:09,680 --> 00:41:12,719 Speaker 3: going to be between Buffalo and KC. You know, so 792 00:41:13,560 --> 00:41:16,200 Speaker 3: not only do we almost know the seven, but I 793 00:41:16,200 --> 00:41:20,080 Speaker 3: think we have a pretty good idea of what spots 794 00:41:20,080 --> 00:41:21,760 Speaker 3: they're going to be in two. 795 00:41:22,440 --> 00:41:26,799 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm with you, and you know, it's just a 796 00:41:26,840 --> 00:41:30,200 Speaker 2: matter of positioning, non seating. And you know that win 797 00:41:30,320 --> 00:41:32,680 Speaker 2: by the Ravens last night, it was actually a big 798 00:41:32,719 --> 00:41:35,960 Speaker 2: win for them. And here's another reason why if they 799 00:41:36,000 --> 00:41:39,520 Speaker 2: had lost that game, they would have fallen to four 800 00:41:39,560 --> 00:41:42,560 Speaker 2: and five in the conference. They're five and four right 801 00:41:42,600 --> 00:41:45,319 Speaker 2: now in conference play, which could be a factor in this. 802 00:41:46,000 --> 00:41:49,160 Speaker 2: They're two and two within a division. The Steelers are 803 00:41:49,160 --> 00:41:51,480 Speaker 2: one and one. The Steelers are five and two right 804 00:41:51,520 --> 00:41:54,279 Speaker 2: now in the conference. That's why this game against the 805 00:41:54,320 --> 00:41:57,080 Speaker 2: Bengals is kind of doubly important in many ways. And 806 00:41:57,239 --> 00:41:59,880 Speaker 2: Cincinnati's two and five, by the way, in the conference. 807 00:42:00,520 --> 00:42:02,520 Speaker 3: That's what I say, if they get another conference since 808 00:42:02,520 --> 00:42:04,880 Speaker 3: he's not gonna win division, they get another conference loss. 809 00:42:05,840 --> 00:42:07,640 Speaker 2: Even if they went out, even though they finished at 810 00:42:07,719 --> 00:42:09,919 Speaker 2: nine to eight, they're probably gonna lose tie breakers left 811 00:42:09,920 --> 00:42:10,359 Speaker 2: and right. 812 00:42:11,560 --> 00:42:15,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, it really plays out poorly for them. I 813 00:42:15,600 --> 00:42:16,960 Speaker 3: just wanted to make a couple of notes of just 814 00:42:17,239 --> 00:42:19,320 Speaker 3: how the game played out last night too, if you 815 00:42:19,320 --> 00:42:24,239 Speaker 3: don't mind. Yeah, I mean I thought Baltimore it was 816 00:42:24,360 --> 00:42:26,400 Speaker 3: just more talented. I mean, like I thought, it just 817 00:42:26,440 --> 00:42:31,640 Speaker 3: became more and more obvious that the Chargers and Commanders 818 00:42:31,719 --> 00:42:34,880 Speaker 3: to me for first year head coaches and maybe you 819 00:42:34,960 --> 00:42:39,040 Speaker 3: might even put Seattle in there, have had successful seasons, 820 00:42:39,160 --> 00:42:41,280 Speaker 3: you know, like I think they're already over the hump 821 00:42:41,360 --> 00:42:46,320 Speaker 3: of this experiment is going to work. But especially Washington 822 00:42:46,360 --> 00:42:49,920 Speaker 3: and the Chargers, they need another offseason for sure. You know, 823 00:42:50,000 --> 00:42:53,120 Speaker 3: Like when the Chargers get down and the only guy 824 00:42:53,120 --> 00:42:58,000 Speaker 3: that's worth a crap catching the ball is Mconkey, I 825 00:42:58,000 --> 00:43:00,440 Speaker 3: don't care who your quarterback is. I mean, Quentin Onsen 826 00:43:01,120 --> 00:43:05,000 Speaker 3: screws things up left and right. Palmer seems like he's 827 00:43:05,040 --> 00:43:08,160 Speaker 3: a dollar short as well. The tight ends aren't dynamic, 828 00:43:08,880 --> 00:43:12,080 Speaker 3: that they're really hurting at that position, which is exactly 829 00:43:12,120 --> 00:43:14,160 Speaker 3: what we thought in the preseason. Like this isn't a 830 00:43:14,200 --> 00:43:15,200 Speaker 3: surprise to anyone. 831 00:43:15,480 --> 00:43:18,040 Speaker 2: Taking made a difference as well. 832 00:43:19,320 --> 00:43:22,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, just speed and explosiveness. 833 00:43:21,440 --> 00:43:25,600 Speaker 2: Overall was like six yards of carry and you know 834 00:43:25,640 --> 00:43:28,040 Speaker 2: you didn't have him midway through the second quarter on 835 00:43:28,600 --> 00:43:31,120 Speaker 2: uh basically, and and that you know they had no 836 00:43:31,200 --> 00:43:36,319 Speaker 2: running game at the big deal. Yeah, yeah, I mean. 837 00:43:36,680 --> 00:43:41,000 Speaker 3: Yes, And boy he's playing well too, And people think, Wow, 838 00:43:41,040 --> 00:43:43,480 Speaker 3: they got a lot invested in this offensive line. They're 839 00:43:43,520 --> 00:43:46,640 Speaker 3: they should They're set for years, They're set for years 840 00:43:46,640 --> 00:43:50,200 Speaker 3: of tackle. The interior row line doesn't really move anyone. 841 00:43:50,320 --> 00:43:55,120 Speaker 3: Bradley Boseman is not winning against you know, most defensive 842 00:43:55,160 --> 00:43:58,560 Speaker 3: tackles in this league consistently. So they still need a 843 00:43:58,600 --> 00:44:00,920 Speaker 3: lot of pieces and I thought that really showed up 844 00:44:00,960 --> 00:44:03,840 Speaker 3: in the second half whenever they're trying to come back, 845 00:44:03,960 --> 00:44:06,120 Speaker 3: you know, I mean it's different if it's a seventeen 846 00:44:06,160 --> 00:44:08,080 Speaker 3: to sixteen game and you can grind it out and 847 00:44:08,120 --> 00:44:11,080 Speaker 3: punt and win in the margins and harbor it up. 848 00:44:11,200 --> 00:44:13,880 Speaker 3: But when it's a drop back passing game and you 849 00:44:13,880 --> 00:44:17,720 Speaker 3: have no running game without Dobbins or push up the middle, 850 00:44:18,560 --> 00:44:20,799 Speaker 3: best of luck justin you know, I mean, you can 851 00:44:20,840 --> 00:44:21,680 Speaker 3: only do so much. 852 00:44:22,080 --> 00:44:24,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely, And sometimes you do have to look at 853 00:44:24,960 --> 00:44:28,319 Speaker 2: that strength of victory stuff. And if you look, if 854 00:44:28,360 --> 00:44:30,680 Speaker 2: you look at it right now, Baltimore has the best. 855 00:44:31,120 --> 00:44:33,200 Speaker 2: Cleveland actually has the best strength of victory because they've 856 00:44:33,239 --> 00:44:37,960 Speaker 2: beaten Steelers and Ravens this season. But if you look 857 00:44:38,000 --> 00:44:40,600 Speaker 2: at the the teams that are in the playoffs right now, 858 00:44:41,480 --> 00:44:44,480 Speaker 2: the Ravens strength of victory is five twenty two. The 859 00:44:44,520 --> 00:44:47,560 Speaker 2: Steelers are second at four sixty two, then the Chiefs 860 00:44:47,560 --> 00:44:52,000 Speaker 2: at four fifty five, Buffalo's at four point fifty, and 861 00:44:52,040 --> 00:44:55,080 Speaker 2: then it falls off at a great amount. You got 862 00:44:55,080 --> 00:44:58,040 Speaker 2: Houston at four hundred, you get the Chargers at three 863 00:44:58,040 --> 00:44:59,640 Speaker 2: point thirty three, and you get the Broncos at three 864 00:44:59,680 --> 00:45:04,720 Speaker 2: twenty five. Right now, it's really reflective. Yeah, Miami strengthen 865 00:45:04,800 --> 00:45:09,240 Speaker 2: victory sixty three. 866 00:45:07,920 --> 00:45:11,840 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, And the Bengals must be terrible. 867 00:45:11,960 --> 00:45:14,480 Speaker 2: They're to twenty seven to our point about their their 868 00:45:14,520 --> 00:45:16,680 Speaker 2: their wins coming against teams that are combined ten and 869 00:45:16,760 --> 00:45:17,480 Speaker 2: thirty four. 870 00:45:19,160 --> 00:45:21,120 Speaker 3: Seven. And I think that's the worst in the conference. 871 00:45:22,520 --> 00:45:24,120 Speaker 4: That's awful, it really is. 872 00:45:24,840 --> 00:45:27,640 Speaker 3: And again I think that's reflective of who are the 873 00:45:27,680 --> 00:45:31,400 Speaker 3: best four teams in the AFC and the ones with 874 00:45:31,640 --> 00:45:33,480 Speaker 3: the ones that you mentioned there, I think are the 875 00:45:33,480 --> 00:45:35,680 Speaker 3: best four teams Kansas City, Buffalo and the two. 876 00:45:35,600 --> 00:45:36,520 Speaker 4: AFC North teams. 877 00:45:37,239 --> 00:45:40,240 Speaker 3: Now, I don't think any of us were worried about 878 00:45:40,239 --> 00:45:43,400 Speaker 3: the Ravens after losing the Steelers. Oh, they're no good anymore. 879 00:45:43,640 --> 00:45:46,200 Speaker 3: But I did I did mention that their pass rush 880 00:45:46,239 --> 00:45:51,320 Speaker 3: seems to be coming around, fewer blown coverages, which you 881 00:45:51,400 --> 00:45:54,760 Speaker 3: knew was going to get fixed. And they ran the football. 882 00:45:54,880 --> 00:45:57,759 Speaker 3: You know, they realized who they were and they ran 883 00:45:57,800 --> 00:46:00,479 Speaker 3: their football with the big back as well as Hill. 884 00:46:00,560 --> 00:46:02,200 Speaker 3: You know, they didn't even need Lamar to do a lot. 885 00:46:02,280 --> 00:46:04,040 Speaker 3: I mean, get back to who you are. 886 00:46:05,160 --> 00:46:08,279 Speaker 2: Yeah, the next play that Joey Bosa makes in a 887 00:46:08,360 --> 00:46:11,120 Speaker 2: game that I watch will be the first. Like, is 888 00:46:11,120 --> 00:46:13,359 Speaker 2: there a more overpaid, over hype player in a league 889 00:46:13,360 --> 00:46:13,680 Speaker 2: than him? 890 00:46:14,800 --> 00:46:17,480 Speaker 3: Yeah? Along those I said that this offseason too, Like 891 00:46:17,600 --> 00:46:21,799 Speaker 3: it seemed like when the Chargers were you know, they're 892 00:46:21,840 --> 00:46:24,680 Speaker 3: taken over with a new coach and he knows that 893 00:46:24,719 --> 00:46:27,880 Speaker 3: they're in cap hell, so they get rid of Allen, 894 00:46:27,960 --> 00:46:30,640 Speaker 3: they get rid of Mike Williams. There was talk about 895 00:46:30,719 --> 00:46:33,640 Speaker 3: Mac both. I mean, they were the big ticket items. 896 00:46:33,680 --> 00:46:36,040 Speaker 3: I'm like, Boso would be my first cut. That guy's 897 00:46:36,239 --> 00:46:41,000 Speaker 3: never on the field, He's invisible all the time. If 898 00:46:41,000 --> 00:46:42,640 Speaker 3: he didn't put a lot of money in the bank 899 00:46:42,719 --> 00:46:45,600 Speaker 3: for his reputation five years ago, or if his last 900 00:46:45,680 --> 00:46:48,680 Speaker 3: name was Williamson. He may be on his third team 901 00:46:48,719 --> 00:46:50,080 Speaker 3: by now. Yeah. 902 00:46:50,280 --> 00:46:54,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, it just doesn't make any place, so no anything. 903 00:46:54,400 --> 00:46:55,799 Speaker 4: He's always hobbling around, and. 904 00:46:55,880 --> 00:47:00,879 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely he is. Matt Williamson, I am. You're listening 905 00:47:00,960 --> 00:47:04,040 Speaker 2: to the Drive here on the Steelers Audio Network. That's 906 00:47:04,080 --> 00:47:05,600 Speaker 2: going to do it for our number one of the 907 00:47:05,680 --> 00:47:07,919 Speaker 2: Drive here on the Steelers Audio Network, Matt, and I'll 908 00:47:07,960 --> 00:47:10,400 Speaker 2: be back with our number two right after this