1 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:07,320 Speaker 1: He's the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson on 2 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: Home of the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome back. 3 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:18,520 Speaker 1: I am Dale Lollly with Matt Williamson and Matt Uh. 4 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:22,280 Speaker 1: They're scheduling and they're scheduling, and I know you and 5 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:25,599 Speaker 1: I and Mike Pursuita and Stan Savereign did the Steelers 6 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 1: schedule release show last We were kind of looking at 7 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:31,480 Speaker 1: that thing as it was happening. We just got it 8 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:34,760 Speaker 1: like everybody else, a couple of minutes before the show started. 9 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:37,479 Speaker 1: So we're kind of looking at, you know, how to 10 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:40,720 Speaker 1: schedule breaks down all that stuff. Um, you sent me 11 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:46,159 Speaker 1: this and Warren Sharp broke down the hardest and easiest schedules. 12 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 1: And he looks at this a little bit differently. The travel, 13 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:52,599 Speaker 1: the travel involved, the when you play a team, where 14 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:54,840 Speaker 1: they coming off there by things of that nature. He 15 00:00:54,880 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 1: factors in rest and the what Vegas projects these teams 16 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:03,959 Speaker 1: to be not like it amazed me. It took so 17 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:06,840 Speaker 1: long for someone to come up with not going off 18 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 1: last year's winning percentages, you know, like Denver's a lot 19 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:12,040 Speaker 1: different with Russell Wilson and there a year ago. You know, 20 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: I mean so many teams are with free agency. I mean, 21 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:18,680 Speaker 1: you know, pre you could look at a team, well, 22 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:20,280 Speaker 1: they're gonna be pretty much the same as they were 23 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:22,319 Speaker 1: the year before. There weren't many worse to firsts and 24 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:24,480 Speaker 1: things like that. I'm sure either. I mean, look at 25 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:27,160 Speaker 1: Adams and Tyreek and these guys changing teams, and the 26 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 1: outlook of those teams are drastically different. Yeah. So he 27 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 1: actually has the Steelers with the fourth hardest schedule, and 28 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:37,120 Speaker 1: just looking at it on paper when it came out yesterday, 29 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:39,480 Speaker 1: I was like, this is harder than I thought, you know, 30 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:42,320 Speaker 1: and a lot of it was because they're after I mean, 31 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 1: all the primetime games, short week in Cleveland, things like that. 32 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:49,240 Speaker 1: That I think it's gonna be a tough climb for him. Yeah, 33 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:51,880 Speaker 1: I do as well. Um, you know, looking at that, 34 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 1: he he has the Chiefs with the hardest schedule in 35 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:58,520 Speaker 1: the league. And as I mentioned what we were in break, uh, 36 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 1: the Chiefs open the season with eight consecutive games against 37 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 1: teams at a winning record last year. It's crazy, and 38 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:08,080 Speaker 1: they're the logic behind it. They're gonna be a team 39 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:11,040 Speaker 1: that's in transition a little bit, I think. So I 40 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:13,639 Speaker 1: think they're gonna play a little differently, spread the ball 41 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:16,200 Speaker 1: around a little more. It won't be two guys getting 42 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 1: the ball time and time again. They drafted defense heavily. 43 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 1: The division's brutal. You know, everyone's gunning for them, you know, like, 44 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 1: I'm sure we'll get to this one if we talk 45 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:26,799 Speaker 1: about the Bengals. But it's different being the hunted than 46 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 1: the hunter. Accustomed to that they are. They are much 47 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 1: more so than the Bengals are. The Rams have the 48 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 1: second hardest schedule, the Raiders the third hardest schedule, and 49 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:41,200 Speaker 1: then the Steelers. One little Rams note. I was really 50 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:45,359 Speaker 1: dug into the schedule today on our podcast that so 51 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 1: just so people know, it goes every other year. Last year, 52 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 1: the Steelers had nine home games and eight road games. 53 00:02:51,639 --> 00:02:56,000 Speaker 1: That's the opposite this year. So the NFC has nine 54 00:02:56,040 --> 00:03:01,119 Speaker 1: home games and eight road games. But the Niners play 55 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 1: the Cardinals in Mexico City and that's considered one of 56 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 1: the road games, so they really only have seven. And 57 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 1: the Rams, interestingly enough, they have nine home games, plus 58 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:15,239 Speaker 1: they play the Chargers on a quote road game, and 59 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:19,080 Speaker 1: so they really have ten home games as opposed to 60 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:22,160 Speaker 1: seven road games for the Rams. Right, but you're defending 61 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:27,720 Speaker 1: Super Bowl champions, So you have division hard yeah. Yeah. Um. 62 00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:29,919 Speaker 1: If you're looking at the other teams in the a 63 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:34,079 Speaker 1: f C North, Cincinnati has uh, they're only two three 64 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 1: spots easier than the Steelers. There he ranked them the 65 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: first number one is the easiest, down to thirty two 66 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 1: is the hardest. He has the Bengals at twenty six. Uh, 67 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 1: they do have a hard schedule. Well, they play three 68 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 1: first place teams, where the Steelers play three second place teams. Right, 69 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 1: and that's a bigger deal of the divisions you don't play, 70 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:57,520 Speaker 1: but the differences. The Steelers have to play the Bengals twice. 71 00:03:57,560 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 1: The Bengals have to play the Steelers twice, which I 72 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:03,320 Speaker 1: assume Warren thinks it's easier for Cincinnati. Um. And all 73 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 1: the way down to the eleven, the eleventh easiest schedule 74 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 1: is Baltimore. Yeah. I'm not sure how that worked out, 75 00:04:09,320 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 1: but just the teams are playing with the third place 76 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 1: they actual fourth, fourth, okay, so they get some bottom feeder. 77 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 1: And then Cleveland is eight in terms of scheduling, And 78 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:22,040 Speaker 1: I brought it up last night on the air. Their 79 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 1: first month sets up really nicely for them. It does. 80 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: Although you want to play either way it stood sets 81 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 1: up nicely for them in terms of who they're playing. 82 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 1: But I think you want to play them early. Yeah, 83 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:39,919 Speaker 1: especially you know the Watson. I'm still I'm still the 84 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:42,479 Speaker 1: belief that DeShawn Watson could wind up suspended for the 85 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 1: entire season. Oh yeah, I mean I think it's a 86 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 1: chance that Week three, when the Steelers go there, he 87 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:51,160 Speaker 1: will not be on the field. The interesting thing will 88 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:54,600 Speaker 1: be if if any of those cases are settled, Like 89 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:56,160 Speaker 1: I don't, I don't know that the league is going 90 00:04:56,200 --> 00:05:00,479 Speaker 1: to do anything until those things are a judic you know, 91 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:03,360 Speaker 1: when does the actual suspension come down? That's a good question. 92 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 1: Do they say, well, this is whill this the whole 93 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:07,680 Speaker 1: thing is still hanging over his head. Did they do 94 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: what what happened last year and in Houston? And and 95 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:12,600 Speaker 1: does the league say, you know what, we're gonna put 96 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 1: him on the Commissioner's exempt list? That too, right, there's 97 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 1: a lot of well this stuff is all taken care of, 98 00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:23,359 Speaker 1: and you're not playing football, and you know we referenced this. 99 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:26,080 Speaker 1: You know, Warren comes up with these strengths and schedules 100 00:05:26,120 --> 00:05:31,120 Speaker 1: based on vegas over underwind totals. Well, you can't bet 101 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 1: on the Browns right now, I don't think, And I 102 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:34,839 Speaker 1: think there's thirty one teams you can bet on in Cleveland. 103 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 1: Isn't one of them, you know. So he has some 104 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:40,239 Speaker 1: other interesting things in there too, like teams with most 105 00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 1: road games in a row. You know, certain things like 106 00:05:43,160 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 1: that I think are pretty interesting too. I mean, I 107 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 1: sent you some stuff. Just keep scrolling down. You'll find 108 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 1: some interesting nuggets there too. But like I want to 109 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:53,600 Speaker 1: when the when the Steiler schedule came out like a 110 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:56,680 Speaker 1: seven fifty eight right before we went on the air 111 00:05:56,839 --> 00:05:58,800 Speaker 1: last night, I looked at that Browns game in week 112 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: three and thought, man, you know you got the short 113 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:07,080 Speaker 1: week on the road Thursday night, and it's a pivotal 114 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:10,600 Speaker 1: a f C North playoff gat game. I know it's 115 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:14,359 Speaker 1: a short trip, but that's a brutal situation. Um, but 116 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:18,640 Speaker 1: if Watson's not there, ain't so bad, not so bad, right, 117 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:20,719 Speaker 1: I'd rather get them then then they're gonna be aym 118 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:25,520 Speaker 1: L a lot easier to let to play against. Um. 119 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:27,880 Speaker 1: You know, I look at that wind total. We talked 120 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 1: about that last week of seven and a half, and 121 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:34,320 Speaker 1: somebody asked me today would you predict the Steeler's record 122 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:38,400 Speaker 1: to be, and I'm like, why didn't. I haven't and 123 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna go through all seventeen games. I said, 124 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:44,120 Speaker 1: they'll be somewhere. They'll be between seven and nine, maybe 125 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:46,800 Speaker 1: ten wins if everything works out. Well, but that's where 126 00:06:46,839 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 1: that's where there, that's their window. Yeah, so well you 127 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,160 Speaker 1: know that that's right around the number in Vegas, Yeah, 128 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 1: I said, because I think that I know that that's 129 00:06:57,520 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 1: where they typically are, even on a down year. You know, 130 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:03,599 Speaker 1: down here for them is eight and eight. That if 131 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:05,280 Speaker 1: if it were me and I was looking at it 132 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:07,160 Speaker 1: and saying, okay, seven and a half, I would probably 133 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 1: would go the over because again, I don't think they're 134 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 1: gonna go six and six and eleven either, right, you know, 135 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:18,160 Speaker 1: so the worst case scenario is seven in ten, I 136 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:20,240 Speaker 1: think eight wins are more likely than the seven, right, 137 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 1: So yeah, I would go over the total. A couple 138 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 1: of notes, just you know, I thought my head, the 139 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 1: things we talked about last night, I thought Mike pursued 140 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: I had a really good, uh point about playing since 141 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:35,000 Speaker 1: in week one two because they're gonna be high on themselves, 142 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 1: you know, like I think that's a good time to 143 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 1: get the Bengals where they think there might be better 144 00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:41,400 Speaker 1: than they are, you know what I mean. Well, there's 145 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 1: also this as well. Is Tee Higgins gonna be ready 146 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 1: to start the season. I never forgot about that one. 147 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 1: He had shoulder surgery. Um, they said, well he may 148 00:07:51,080 --> 00:07:54,360 Speaker 1: miss part of training camp or all of training camp. Okay, 149 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 1: Well that could morph into he may miss the first 150 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:58,560 Speaker 1: couple of weeks of the season, or he may not 151 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 1: be up to speed, you know. And I mean this 152 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 1: is the case for a lot of teams too, but 153 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 1: a lot of new old lineman usually take a while 154 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:09,000 Speaker 1: to gel, you know. They they basically rebuilt their offensive line. 155 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 1: And then the Steelers host the Patriots, who new England 156 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:16,800 Speaker 1: has an awful start to the schedule. They're the unfortunate 157 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:18,559 Speaker 1: team that's to go to Miami. And when we talked 158 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 1: about that last night, I said, well, they don't play 159 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 1: a new head coach until they play Miami in Week 160 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:27,640 Speaker 1: seven or what that is? The Patriots have a new 161 00:08:27,640 --> 00:08:32,320 Speaker 1: offensive coordinator. His name is Bill Belichick, right right, A 162 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:35,680 Speaker 1: defensive minded guy. A defensive minded guy. What's that going 163 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:38,720 Speaker 1: to look like? That's not such a bad time to 164 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:41,160 Speaker 1: catch them either. I don't think it is either, especially 165 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:43,520 Speaker 1: like I said, they're they're Week one is in the 166 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:48,080 Speaker 1: heat in Miami, which I hate for any opposing team. 167 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:50,959 Speaker 1: And I'm not saying there won't be fresh and week two, 168 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 1: but that's gonna take a lot out of him for 169 00:08:52,880 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 1: a Week one game. And then we mentioned Week three 170 00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 1: with the Browns. You know, probably no Watson um. I 171 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:01,520 Speaker 1: was on the air withstand today and he asked me, 172 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:03,960 Speaker 1: you know, boy, the schedule is tough. These first six 173 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:07,600 Speaker 1: games look tough. Would you take three and three right now? 174 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 1: I think I would think you'd always take two. I 175 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 1: think you'd be happy with that with a new basically 176 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:15,640 Speaker 1: a new offense. If you're five hundred through the first six, 177 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:17,880 Speaker 1: you think you'd take that. I mean, there's Tampa on 178 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:20,720 Speaker 1: their Buffalo. There's some tough ones. So let's run down 179 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:23,840 Speaker 1: the schedule here real quick. Week one a one o'clock 180 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:28,480 Speaker 1: game on September eleventh at Cincinnati. We already spoke about 181 00:09:28,520 --> 00:09:30,439 Speaker 1: that one. Then of course a week to another one 182 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 1: o'clock game against the Patriots at home. That's the home opener, 183 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 1: and they turn around and go Thursday night. That's an 184 00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:43,559 Speaker 1: Amazon Prime game. That'll be the third that's at Cleveland. 185 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:45,840 Speaker 1: Week four, they come back home, they get a little 186 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 1: bit of a You play three games in eleven days, 187 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:50,800 Speaker 1: and then you get a little bit of a break 188 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:53,320 Speaker 1: in between before you play the Jets. But they have 189 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:57,000 Speaker 1: two weeks before the season opener this year too, so 190 00:09:57,120 --> 00:10:00,679 Speaker 1: you should be quite resting, healthy, and so I'd much 191 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:02,559 Speaker 1: rather play. If you're gonna play that stretch of three 192 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:05,240 Speaker 1: games in eleven days, you'd rather do it in Week 193 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 1: one as we and you would think you're healthy. Yeah, 194 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 1: you know it's healthy. You're gonna be Week four at 195 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 1: home against the Jets at one o'clock. That's the October two, 196 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:19,560 Speaker 1: October nine at Buffalo, one o'clock. I mean that's tough 197 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:22,280 Speaker 1: for anybody, and there's no question about that. I'd really 198 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,160 Speaker 1: you know, the last couple of times they played the Bills, 199 00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:28,480 Speaker 1: they've been night games. Yeah, and that's not fun to 200 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:30,560 Speaker 1: play a night game in Buffalo. Those times are a 201 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:33,079 Speaker 1: little yeah, so that that kind of works out a 202 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 1: little bit better. Week six, the Steelers host the Buccaneers. 203 00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:42,320 Speaker 1: That's a one o'clock game. Week seven at Miami, that's 204 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 1: that first game against a new head coach. That's an 205 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:47,240 Speaker 1: eight twenty game. It's a Sunday night er, knowing that 206 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 1: they were gonna be at Miami. I was worried it 207 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:50,280 Speaker 1: was gonna be one of the first couple of games. 208 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:53,400 Speaker 1: The other interesting part of that, because it is a 209 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 1: Sunday night game, how does how does the new head coach, 210 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 1: Mike McDaniels, Right, does he handle that with his team 211 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:03,600 Speaker 1: for his first night game? Right? Oh? Those kinde of 212 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:06,240 Speaker 1: things are difficult, dealing with all those night games, all 213 00:11:06,280 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 1: to travel, and I don't think that's advantageous for the 214 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:13,520 Speaker 1: Steelers either, you know, road games at night. I mean 215 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:15,319 Speaker 1: you don't get back to your bed until four or 216 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 1: five in the morning or something like that. I mean, 217 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:19,040 Speaker 1: that's a hard thing to overcome. And I just want 218 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 1: to throw us out there. I think that's gonna be 219 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 1: tough on the Bengals. You know, they haven't done that 220 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:27,000 Speaker 1: before the Week eight. They didn't turn around and go 221 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:30,760 Speaker 1: to Philadelphia. That's a one o'clock game. That's always been 222 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:33,199 Speaker 1: a tough one for the Steelers. Stand mentioned last night 223 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:37,200 Speaker 1: that they historically haven't played well there. They have not. Yeah, yeah, Uh. 224 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:39,280 Speaker 1: Then they get their Week nine by right in the 225 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 1: middle of the season. Can't be anymore in the middle 226 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:44,360 Speaker 1: and weeknight that is dead smacked up in the middle. 227 00:11:44,679 --> 00:11:47,880 Speaker 1: Would you prefer it was earlier later? I would prefer 228 00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:49,960 Speaker 1: it was middle or late. I mean, that's that's fine 229 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:52,600 Speaker 1: right there. Week nine is perfect. Actually. The one thing 230 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:54,520 Speaker 1: I would like though, is I wish one of their 231 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:57,120 Speaker 1: road games was coming out of the bye. Yeah, you know, 232 00:11:57,280 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 1: because you'd have that extra day of you know, you'd 233 00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:03,240 Speaker 1: be well side. As I mentioned last night, the game. Again, 234 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:06,040 Speaker 1: they had the game against the Eagles, then they had 235 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:09,960 Speaker 1: their by. Then they host the Saints that's one o'clock 236 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 1: game on November. Then they host the Bengals on November. 237 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 1: They don't leave the state of Pennsylvania for a month. Yeah, 238 00:12:17,559 --> 00:12:20,079 Speaker 1: right right, And you can talk about easy travel. Even 239 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 1: Philadelphia is a thirty five flight, thirty five minute flight. 240 00:12:24,960 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 1: And I know we've mentioned this before, but in case 241 00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:30,200 Speaker 1: people missed it, the Steelers travel less mileage than any 242 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 1: team in the league. I found it interesting as soon 243 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:34,640 Speaker 1: as you looked at the schedule, you're looking at it 244 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:37,200 Speaker 1: from a travel perspective, you know, like, well, I have 245 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 1: to fly what two or three times like regular season 246 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:44,040 Speaker 1: until they go to Miami in Week seven, Right, there's 247 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:46,120 Speaker 1: only two or three flights for you period, right, Like, 248 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:48,440 Speaker 1: you're probably drive into Philly and Indy and you know, 249 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 1: pretty pretty easy. Week twelve is another night game, back 250 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:56,040 Speaker 1: to back night games. They played the Bengals on Sunday 251 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:58,880 Speaker 1: night game on November twenty. They come out of that 252 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:02,160 Speaker 1: within Monday night game in the extra day, which I 253 00:13:02,200 --> 00:13:04,960 Speaker 1: think is important after playing a night game. But this 254 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:07,160 Speaker 1: is my least favorite part of the schedule after that 255 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:10,679 Speaker 1: is just looking at the football teams and Steelers are 256 00:13:10,679 --> 00:13:13,880 Speaker 1: gonna play. I think Atlanta is the easiest opponent. Do 257 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:15,680 Speaker 1: you agree with that? But you get them in a 258 00:13:15,760 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 1: really tough time. I don't mind that though, if you're 259 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:21,959 Speaker 1: gonna like this isn't like you played at Indianapolis and 260 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:25,480 Speaker 1: then you play at Baltimore. No, I know, I'm just 261 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:28,679 Speaker 1: thinking that. Well, here's my point is that you're at 262 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 1: Indie Monday night, so you get home Tuesday am at 263 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:34,720 Speaker 1: like five in the morning, you crawl into your bed, 264 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 1: and then you got to go to the road again 265 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:39,520 Speaker 1: a couple of days. I mean, you should still beat Atlanta, 266 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 1: don't get me wrong, but I wish that that was 267 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:44,199 Speaker 1: a little easier set up. But I guess you're right. 268 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:46,000 Speaker 1: I mean, it would be worse if that fact that, 269 00:13:46,360 --> 00:13:48,200 Speaker 1: I just think that they're not doing any team any 270 00:13:48,240 --> 00:13:51,400 Speaker 1: favor of going on the road after a road Monday 271 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 1: night game, and I think that plays in the Warren 272 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:59,160 Speaker 1: Sharp's yea. Then it's back home again, Uh, Sunday, December 273 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:04,920 Speaker 1: eleven against the Ravens. Yeah, it gonna be a Ravens 274 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:07,680 Speaker 1: are bunched together. And then they're back on the road 275 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 1: December eighteenth at one o'clock game at Carolina And I'm 276 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:15,199 Speaker 1: thinking by then it's Matt Corral time. Oh yeah, you 277 00:14:15,320 --> 00:14:20,960 Speaker 1: know right. Yeah. Week sixteen, it will be a Christmas 278 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 1: Eve game at eight fifteen pm, so we'll be celebrated. 279 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:28,920 Speaker 1: I'll be celebrating Christmas Day in uh at the stadium. 280 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:31,720 Speaker 1: That's a game against the Raiders. Of course that being 281 00:14:31,760 --> 00:14:35,480 Speaker 1: the Reception. Fifty year anniversary of the Immaculate Reception is 282 00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: the twenty three, so uh, there'll be a lot of 283 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 1: fan fair around that real quick on the Raiders. Um 284 00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:43,600 Speaker 1: My co host on the podcast is the Niners guy. 285 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 1: I've mentioned that before, and his Niners are playing in 286 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:52,720 Speaker 1: Vegas New Year's Eve. Like he said, that's the tickets 287 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 1: that they there, that's the first game sold out. I 288 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 1: mean everyone's Vegas New Year's Eve. I might as well 289 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 1: go for like a week, you know, like there's some 290 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:03,680 Speaker 1: fun destination ones like that. Uh well, the Steelers instead 291 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:06,360 Speaker 1: will be at Baltimore on New Year's Day, so I'll 292 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:09,840 Speaker 1: get to celebrate New Year's even Baltimore. The hopefully don't 293 00:15:09,880 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 1: get shot, and I have mixed feelings about that too, 294 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 1: Like having to division games that close to me is 295 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 1: all about injuries, momentum, how you're playing. You know, you 296 00:15:20,520 --> 00:15:22,960 Speaker 1: mentioned last night if it would be like last year 297 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:26,000 Speaker 1: where you get the late season Ravens great, you know 298 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 1: they're all injured. They were a much worse team than 299 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:30,360 Speaker 1: they were to start of year. You know, we'll see absolutely. 300 00:15:30,720 --> 00:15:33,160 Speaker 1: And then that week eight team game to close out 301 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:36,160 Speaker 1: the season that is to be determined, That will be 302 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:40,120 Speaker 1: on h January seven or eight, with the time to 303 00:15:40,160 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 1: be determined depending on whether or not that game matters 304 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 1: in That makes perfect sense playoff standings. Do you remember 305 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:49,240 Speaker 1: them ever announcing it like that? Before that they've actually 306 00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:52,160 Speaker 1: just flat out told you, like, don't book your tickets yet. 307 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:55,640 Speaker 1: I could change. Yeah, that makes sense. So um again, 308 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:58,880 Speaker 1: I'm not an easy schedule. The preseason, we'll have Seattle 309 00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:01,080 Speaker 1: coming to Pittsburgh in the first game of the preseason. 310 00:16:01,640 --> 00:16:05,600 Speaker 1: Like Seattle hasn't traveled enough. That's at the longest travel 311 00:16:05,640 --> 00:16:07,960 Speaker 1: schedule in the league this year. They're by far number one, 312 00:16:08,040 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: and now they're coming They're coming to Pittsburgh for a preseason. 313 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:13,880 Speaker 1: Why would they ever have a West East preseason. I mean, 314 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:16,000 Speaker 1: that's not fair to the road team, whoever it is. 315 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:17,880 Speaker 1: But then the Steelers are going to Jacksonville. That's not 316 00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:21,400 Speaker 1: much different. I guess not. I mean someone yeah. Uh. 317 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 1: And then the final uh in Week three of the preseason. Uh, 318 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 1: you don't mind going to jackson August that's fine. Is 319 00:16:29,440 --> 00:16:32,120 Speaker 1: against the Lions to finish things up. And we're talking 320 00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:36,120 Speaker 1: about ticket sales Steeler fans, I would be uh doing 321 00:16:36,160 --> 00:16:38,280 Speaker 1: everything you can to get those Week one tickets in 322 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:41,840 Speaker 1: since you know, bring the Black and Gold to Since yeah, 323 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:45,040 Speaker 1: if possible, Yeah, absolutely, yeah. But there's some fun destination 324 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:47,800 Speaker 1: ones too for the fans. Yeah. Yeah, it should be 325 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:50,680 Speaker 1: an interesting buck on flights. You get a Monday night 326 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 1: or in Indianapolis. We love indian and he's a good time. 327 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:54,880 Speaker 1: We can tell you some hot spots. Yeah, plenty of 328 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:57,680 Speaker 1: tickets still available to the Falcons I'm sure, I'm sure. 329 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:01,400 Speaker 1: Easy to get to write. Yeah, actually in the Carolina 330 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:03,600 Speaker 1: game again another easy when to get to Why not 331 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:06,440 Speaker 1: go to Miami in October? Why would you not? Why 332 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:09,639 Speaker 1: would you not? Absolutely, that's a night game. You can 333 00:17:09,680 --> 00:17:11,480 Speaker 1: be all kinds of spend all day Saturday at the 334 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:16,080 Speaker 1: beach right on Miami Beach and party all night. Uh, 335 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:18,520 Speaker 1: do what you want to do. And yeah, so that's 336 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:21,920 Speaker 1: the schedule. We'll see how it works out for the Steelers. Um, 337 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:25,280 Speaker 1: everybody overreacts to the schedule because the NFL is so 338 00:17:25,359 --> 00:17:27,200 Speaker 1: smart about putting it out now and there's not much 339 00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:31,760 Speaker 1: else to talk about. But it looks tough. It does, 340 00:17:30,560 --> 00:17:33,200 Speaker 1: and you knew it was going to be difficult. And 341 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 1: when you into it, I mean, they play, you know, 342 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:38,040 Speaker 1: a lot of good teams. I again, I look at 343 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:40,320 Speaker 1: things and say, I just know that, you know, they're 344 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:45,760 Speaker 1: probably gonna be somewhere around five. That's the reality of 345 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:49,040 Speaker 1: the situation. And people said, well, how do you know that, Well, 346 00:17:49,680 --> 00:17:52,640 Speaker 1: history is pretty strong. Yeah, I mean if you look 347 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:55,760 Speaker 1: at I mean, I really think they knew this. Matt. 348 00:17:56,920 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: Of the current head coaches in the NFL, there is 349 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:08,399 Speaker 1: one who has a better than five hundred record against 350 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:10,680 Speaker 1: teams who finished the season with it better than five 351 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:13,119 Speaker 1: dred records? Okay, not necessarily. Did you play them and 352 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:15,240 Speaker 1: they're one? And oh yeah, that doesn't doesn't mean any 353 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:17,160 Speaker 1: people can play it like they say that all the time. 354 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:19,280 Speaker 1: I don't care about that. I don't care about that either. 355 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:20,960 Speaker 1: What what was this team when it was all said 356 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:23,760 Speaker 1: and done. Mike Tomlin is fifty two and fifty in 357 00:18:23,760 --> 00:18:28,120 Speaker 1: those games, and that includes Belichick of course, Beli six 358 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:32,040 Speaker 1: in games of that. Then you're looking at Andy Reid 359 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:35,480 Speaker 1: is seventy and eighty five. Wow, I mean noticeably under 360 00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:40,200 Speaker 1: and he cares fifty and seventy. Wow. Mike McCarthy is 361 00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 1: sixty three and one. John Harbaugh is forty and sixty three. 362 00:18:46,040 --> 00:18:48,760 Speaker 1: I would think there'd be more. Yeah, I'm a little 363 00:18:48,760 --> 00:18:50,639 Speaker 1: shocked by those, to be honest with you. That's the 364 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 1: guys who have who have coached at least ten years. 365 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:55,879 Speaker 1: So it doesn't include some of the gun't you know. 366 00:18:55,880 --> 00:18:58,080 Speaker 1: I haven't really cut their teeth yet. But that's if 367 00:18:58,119 --> 00:19:01,440 Speaker 1: you look at that. I mean, I'm surprised the Patriots 368 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:04,720 Speaker 1: aren't higher. There's some Cleveland years in there and things 369 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:07,119 Speaker 1: of that nature. But still a lot of years with 370 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:10,639 Speaker 1: Brady Um and the other thing that you always hear 371 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:14,000 Speaker 1: Steeler fans says, well, Mike Tomlin can't can't he always 372 00:19:14,040 --> 00:19:17,600 Speaker 1: he always loses the bad teams. Well again, teams that 373 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:21,679 Speaker 1: finished the season with a losing record, Tomlin is sixty 374 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:26,080 Speaker 1: two thirty and one. Wow, that's gonna be near the top. 375 00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:29,359 Speaker 1: That's six seventy two winning percentage against. And some of 376 00:19:29,359 --> 00:19:31,320 Speaker 1: them are seven and nine, you know, right, they're not 377 00:19:31,440 --> 00:19:34,920 Speaker 1: all you know, oh and sixteen and seventeen teams either, Um, 378 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:38,159 Speaker 1: thirty four, six and one at home. It does I 379 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:40,000 Speaker 1: know we've talked about this a lot, but it does 380 00:19:40,080 --> 00:19:42,919 Speaker 1: bother me that just because the team's a three and 381 00:19:42,920 --> 00:19:45,600 Speaker 1: a half point dog, that they happen to win the game. 382 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:48,280 Speaker 1: You know, like this happens across the league all the time. 383 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:53,719 Speaker 1: Back in the day, you know, the Patriots were always favored, right, 384 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:57,080 Speaker 1: So if they go sixteen and o every year, right, right, 385 00:19:57,119 --> 00:19:59,560 Speaker 1: how many games where they dogs? You know? Very rarely? 386 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:03,400 Speaker 1: So um, you know, I I think that Tomlin gives 387 00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:06,840 Speaker 1: you a chance. Yeah, and you know the five night games. 388 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:10,440 Speaker 1: We all know Tomlin's record, that's true. Night games, I 389 00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:14,280 Speaker 1: mean that are outstanding. Yeah, I guarantee they win one 390 00:20:14,359 --> 00:20:19,399 Speaker 1: or two that they're four plus point dog. Yeah. I 391 00:20:19,440 --> 00:20:22,159 Speaker 1: mean it's just history shows it. But I do believe 392 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:23,800 Speaker 1: this too. I don't think they're a super Bowl contender. 393 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:27,600 Speaker 1: I don't think they're basement contender, right. I think they're 394 00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:30,320 Speaker 1: you know, they're not gonna pick first. They'll be in 395 00:20:30,359 --> 00:20:32,760 Speaker 1: the mix for a playoff spot, I think so. Yeah, 396 00:20:33,040 --> 00:20:34,760 Speaker 1: much like they were last year. And what they do 397 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:37,720 Speaker 1: with that after that fact is who knows. I just 398 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:39,440 Speaker 1: don't know. But you want to get into the tournament. 399 00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:42,560 Speaker 1: That's the that's the idea highly successful year I think 400 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:44,840 Speaker 1: for this year, considering how young the offense is and 401 00:20:44,840 --> 00:20:48,159 Speaker 1: the changes and where you're at quarterback wise, and then 402 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:49,840 Speaker 1: go in the off season with a ton of caps 403 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:52,720 Speaker 1: base and another decent draft, and you know, a couple 404 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:55,440 Speaker 1: more pieces, right right, right? Yeah, for sure we're gonna 405 00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 1: take another break. Uh. He is Matt Williams and I 406 00:20:57,880 --> 00:20:59,800 Speaker 1: am Dale Lalley. You're listening to the Drive here on 407 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:03,280 Speaker 1: Dealer's Nation Radio. We'll be back with more right after 408 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:03,399 Speaker 1: this