1 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:07,320 Speaker 1: He's the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson on 2 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:19,160 Speaker 1: Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome 3 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:21,720 Speaker 1: to the Drive. I'm Dale Lolly here with Matt Williamson. 4 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:25,560 Speaker 1: It is a Wednesday in Pittsburgh. That means today was 5 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:27,800 Speaker 1: the first day in Steelers were back on the practice 6 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:29,920 Speaker 1: field as they get ready to play the Denver Broncos 7 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:32,680 Speaker 1: on Sunday. We had the injury report already, all right, 8 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:34,839 Speaker 1: let's dig right in, let's dig right into that. Of course, 9 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:39,720 Speaker 1: Ben Roethlisberger did not practice today. He's got that hip issue. Um, 10 00:00:39,760 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: any more news on the pack. I mean that was 11 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 1: just a weekendo they listed that as well. Yeah, that obviously. 12 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:47,960 Speaker 1: I don't think he wasn't gonna practice Wednesday. Don't practice 13 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:52,599 Speaker 1: Wednesdays anyways. Uh. Chase Claypool limited today. He's coming back 14 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:56,800 Speaker 1: from the promise. Juju Smith Schuster limited today. He's still 15 00:00:56,840 --> 00:00:59,760 Speaker 1: got that rib issue he played Sunday with last Sunday. 16 00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:01,560 Speaker 1: With that, you would think that would not be a problem. 17 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 1: Cam Sutton, however, did not practice today with a groin injury. 18 00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 1: Trey Turner was limited because of an illness. UM. Kevin 19 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 1: Dotson did not practice today. He's dealing with the hip issue. 20 00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 1: Carlos Davis did not practice again. That's like three weeks 21 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:17,679 Speaker 1: in a row for him with that knee injury. But 22 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:20,479 Speaker 1: he's starting to ramp up a little bit. Good chooks 23 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 1: a core for full participation today with the concussion. He's 24 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:26,680 Speaker 1: the practice field. And then you had Rashad Coward and 25 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:30,200 Speaker 1: Kim Hayward limited today. Kim Hayward with a neck that 26 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:33,840 Speaker 1: could just be a day well deserved day off. Had 27 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:36,200 Speaker 1: to list something because listen to telling kid, here's the 28 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:40,120 Speaker 1: thing with Cam. I've asked guys about this before. Um, 29 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:42,400 Speaker 1: he feels like he has to be on the practice 30 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 1: field if he's completely healthy, because it's he's giving the 31 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:51,400 Speaker 1: other guys a a positive reinforcement to practice is important. 32 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:56,520 Speaker 1: And second, yeah, and he feels like as the player rep, 33 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:58,560 Speaker 1: the the union rep, that he needs to be out 34 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:01,560 Speaker 1: there whenever possible. So you say, Cam, you got a 35 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:06,280 Speaker 1: neck injury today, hold you a little bit. Yeah, Okay, Yeah, 36 00:02:06,480 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 1: that all adds up. But I'm sure as that hurts 37 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:10,079 Speaker 1: a little and he has other things that hurt too, 38 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, he's taking a beating. He's played 39 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:16,919 Speaker 1: extremely hard, he's played extremely well. Uh, that doesn't worry 40 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:19,240 Speaker 1: me in the slightest. I'm happy he's not practicing today. 41 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:22,640 Speaker 1: If they're limited today, they're they're probably yeah, gonna be 42 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 1: full participants tomorrow, so you know, listening to that, the 43 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:28,200 Speaker 1: one that worried me most, I guess when the game's 44 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 1: ended were was Dotson. I mean, do you think he's 45 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:33,359 Speaker 1: the one that's least likely to play? Are the ones 46 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:37,520 Speaker 1: we talked about? Um? Yeah, because I would think that 47 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:41,240 Speaker 1: he still needs Like, if he doesn't practice by by Friday, 48 00:02:41,320 --> 00:02:44,360 Speaker 1: he's probably one of those guys that they look at 49 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:46,640 Speaker 1: and say, okay, you need to practice. Yeah. Yeah, he 50 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:49,920 Speaker 1: doesn't get carlaunch anymore. And we've seen the issues on 51 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 1: that offensive line anyways, when you know, because guys haven't 52 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 1: been out there, so you know, I would think so. 53 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:59,520 Speaker 1: And you know they were quite frankly heading into last 54 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:02,400 Speaker 1: week's game, and there was some consideration of replacing him anyways, 55 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:06,000 Speaker 1: right right, Yeah, So, I mean I hope Tray Turner 56 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:08,240 Speaker 1: is not seriously ill or anything like that. But usually 57 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:11,519 Speaker 1: when you see illness on Wednesday, they're cool by Sunday. 58 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 1: But they're both your starting guard. It's it's illness and 59 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:17,679 Speaker 1: it's not COVID. That's the other thing noteworthy. Yeah, he 60 00:03:17,680 --> 00:03:19,520 Speaker 1: would have gone on the COVID list. So it's you know, 61 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:25,120 Speaker 1: guys do get sick, get sick the cold. But the 62 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:27,799 Speaker 1: days of Michael Jordan's, you know, going out onto the 63 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 1: court with with the you know, the fluid a hundred 64 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 1: three degree temperature and being lauded for that those at 65 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 1: the wind that happen anymore, Okay, And again, these guys 66 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:39,360 Speaker 1: seem to get well quick when they're sick or ill 67 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:41,839 Speaker 1: on the way. They do have really good medical and 68 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 1: that's what I'm saying. That was a nice park with 69 00:03:44,440 --> 00:03:46,360 Speaker 1: the Browns. I mean, even if I had the sniffles, 70 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:48,200 Speaker 1: I'd go downstairs. I take this pill when I was fine, 71 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 1: like the next day. And I'm far from an elite 72 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 1: athlete or physical investment like these guys, but they get 73 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:57,040 Speaker 1: they get well quicker anyway. Um, I guess, I mean 74 00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:01,360 Speaker 1: worse comes worse. Haig could move into guard, Turner could 75 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:04,200 Speaker 1: play right tackle. But I mean maybe where I'm just 76 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:07,960 Speaker 1: over analyzing that having both guards being on it, Turner 77 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 1: is gonna be out there. You still have Hassineller and 78 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 1: Finny and Finny it was I've been saying Finney would 79 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 1: be the left guard and he could be the right 80 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 1: guard if you had to or whatever. But oh no, 81 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:19,360 Speaker 1: I'm digging in Wednesday. I'm not I'm not too concerned 82 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:22,239 Speaker 1: about it. Now. If it's this way tomorrow, then you start. Okay, 83 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 1: Now you gotta start looking at the puzzle, the imagination 84 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 1: of the whole. I guess what we're talking to the 85 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: line though, is its chokes guaranteed the starting job if 86 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:34,039 Speaker 1: he's healthy? Do we know that? Is that? Who's to say? 87 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:36,840 Speaker 1: Banner is also out there too? I mean so there's 88 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 1: potentially three options at right, different options. Yeah, so we'll 89 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:46,720 Speaker 1: see how that all works out. Um, but getting healthier. Yeah, 90 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 1: oh and oh that's not too bad. You'd like to 91 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 1: see what the offense now looks. It's it's weird because okay, 92 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:55,120 Speaker 1: you get through the first week, you beat the Bills. Okay, 93 00:04:55,400 --> 00:05:01,720 Speaker 1: the next week, um, you lose uh Doante Johnson late 94 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:04,839 Speaker 1: in the game, so you don't have him in week three? 95 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 1: You get him back, but then you lose Chase Clay. 96 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:13,039 Speaker 1: You know, we can talk about the offense and this 97 00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:14,919 Speaker 1: doesn't look right, and that doesn't look right. You'd like 98 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 1: to see it all together on the field. Like, Okay, 99 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 1: let's the last two games, you know, two weeks ago, 100 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:23,159 Speaker 1: were they need to incorporate Naja Harris into the passing 101 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 1: game where they did nineteen times more? Probably too much. 102 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:29,599 Speaker 1: I thought last week was a nice mix. Yeah, I 103 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:31,880 Speaker 1: think they're finding the blend that works there a little 104 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:33,840 Speaker 1: bit more. Now you bring Clay Pull back into that. 105 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 1: You know, you still got Johnson his twelve targets or whatever. Again, um, 106 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 1: nine catches on thirteen targets. That's that's a good nice 107 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:43,919 Speaker 1: that's a nice ratio. And then you you know, you 108 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:46,520 Speaker 1: can still found a way to get Harris his I 109 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:49,320 Speaker 1: think he had six catches in the passing game. That's fine. 110 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:52,360 Speaker 1: Now you bring Clay Pool back into the equation. What's 111 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:54,680 Speaker 1: this look like? Yeah, a couple of notes on that, 112 00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 1: just with the upcoming opponent. It sounds like Bridgewater didn't 113 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 1: practice today, Big Fangio saying that there's a possibility that 114 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:05,520 Speaker 1: he would practice tomorrow. He's in the concussion protocol field. 115 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:07,479 Speaker 1: I don't know. But for that to work, to go 116 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 1: through the concussion protocol for I don't know the hundredth 117 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 1: time on this show, the way it works is the 118 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: guy has to have a day of physical activity and 119 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:19,400 Speaker 1: then we didn't get that in yet, so he hasn't 120 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:21,560 Speaker 1: done that yet. That's like the one of the last steps. 121 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 1: But after that physical activity that you didn't have to 122 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 1: see how the player feels the next day. Yeah, because 123 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 1: a lot of times a guy after that, after that 124 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 1: physical activity doesn't feel you know, sometimes you have a 125 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:37,160 Speaker 1: relapse of some type. That makes sense. The fact that 126 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 1: he didn't practice today is not is actually a bad 127 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,760 Speaker 1: sign for him. It is absolutely poor or four didn't 128 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:46,599 Speaker 1: practice last Wednesday, did a little bit of physical activity 129 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: on Thursday and Friday, but was de cleared out. Yeah, 130 00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:54,279 Speaker 1: this is your quarterback you're talking about, if Bridgewater plays 131 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 1: or not. And frankly, I don't expect him too and 132 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:59,040 Speaker 1: I didn't you know when he got the initial concussion. 133 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 1: Either way, that offense probably isn't gonna drop thirty on 134 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 1: you before you know it. So you know, offensively, a 135 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:07,719 Speaker 1: couple of notes just because of who's coming to town. 136 00:07:07,839 --> 00:07:10,720 Speaker 1: It's gonna be a slug fest no matter what. Frankly, 137 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:13,000 Speaker 1: unless Drew Lock plays and throws four picks before you 138 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 1: know it and Mank is doing end zone dances, you know, 139 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 1: I mean, it's probably gonna be a slug fest between 140 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:20,920 Speaker 1: two really good defenses with a lot of high quality 141 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 1: guys on that side of the ball. So I think 142 00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 1: the next step to the offense, I would like to 143 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 1: see the percentage of plays that are runs go up 144 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 1: in this game. You know, and frankly, if it's three 145 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 1: runs in a row and you point, okay, if it's 146 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:39,160 Speaker 1: zero zero or three nothing or ten seven or you know, 147 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 1: I mean, I think running the ball and really sticking 148 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:45,080 Speaker 1: with it should be a priority for this game. I 149 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:49,000 Speaker 1: also think that you know, we mentioned, yeah, Harris is 150 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 1: getting targets and his role as a receiver was expanded 151 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:57,320 Speaker 1: last week as opposed to just a million dump offs 152 00:07:57,320 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 1: and those type of things. And I think he even mentioned, 153 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 1: you guys, a for that game. You know that that's 154 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:03,680 Speaker 1: not being used in the passing game. That's a dump off. 155 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: I forget how he phrased it to you guys, but 156 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:07,920 Speaker 1: I thought it was pretty interesting and I agree with him. 157 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 1: Now it's time I would see him run slants. I 158 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 1: want to see him run you know, more stuff, and 159 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:17,080 Speaker 1: because he's very capable. And then last note is Claypool 160 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 1: being back for this one I think is a big 161 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 1: deal and if you watch the Ravens game, it's are 162 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:26,480 Speaker 1: only lost. They went deep a lot. I don't know 163 00:08:26,520 --> 00:08:29,080 Speaker 1: what the number was, but Lamar's average of the target 164 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:31,200 Speaker 1: was through the roof. I mean, they're throwing deep and 165 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:35,800 Speaker 1: I'm sure against the Ravens. You know, the Denver defense 166 00:08:35,920 --> 00:08:38,199 Speaker 1: is crowding the line of scrimmage. Let's get a bunch 167 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:39,720 Speaker 1: of guys up there the running lanes and not let 168 00:08:39,800 --> 00:08:43,200 Speaker 1: Lamar beat us. Shots the claypool I think are big 169 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:44,640 Speaker 1: in this one. They took a lot of shots to 170 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 1: Marquis Brown and you know, and that they end up 171 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:49,640 Speaker 1: winning and we run away of the game. Yeah. Um, 172 00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 1: to me, this this game sets up as I said 173 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 1: this on Sunday after the after game, first team to 174 00:08:55,679 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 1: tend double digges might go be planning punts are fine 175 00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:02,880 Speaker 1: play the field position game. Although you'd like to see 176 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:06,800 Speaker 1: these Steelers offense continue to take some strides and to 177 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:09,440 Speaker 1: talk to Ben Roethlisberger today, talked to Kendrick Green, Dante 178 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:12,600 Speaker 1: Johnson and you know they all thought that that you know, hey, 179 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 1: we're starting to see some some progress here. The running 180 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:18,800 Speaker 1: game is starting to produce some stuff. Um again, it 181 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:21,960 Speaker 1: doesn't have to be you know, a hundred forty yards 182 00:09:21,960 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 1: on the ground. No, but but you have to when 183 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 1: you run. Yeah, you have to get positive yardage out 184 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 1: of it when you run the football. Yeah. I mean 185 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 1: it needs to be, you know, not two negative runs 186 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 1: and then you happen to break a six yard or 187 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:39,319 Speaker 1: twice throughout the game type of deal. I mean, there 188 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:42,520 Speaker 1: needs to be some running room. Let this young, very 189 00:09:42,559 --> 00:09:45,720 Speaker 1: talented back get you a lot of yardage on his own, 190 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:47,720 Speaker 1: but don't let it. I mean, if his feet are 191 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 1: stopped before the line of scrimmage time and time again, 192 00:09:50,640 --> 00:09:54,200 Speaker 1: that's gonna be a problem. And frankly, I mean we 193 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:56,560 Speaker 1: haven't seen it, and game script has a ton to 194 00:09:56,559 --> 00:09:58,120 Speaker 1: do with it. And that's why I brought that up first. 195 00:09:58,840 --> 00:10:01,920 Speaker 1: I do believe that it could be against the box 196 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:05,319 Speaker 1: or the seventy eight Steelers or whatever. But with this 197 00:10:05,440 --> 00:10:08,079 Speaker 1: line and this running back, if they run the ball 198 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:13,439 Speaker 1: thirty times, it's gonna go for over a hundred yards 199 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: and it's gonna be fruitful. I mean, this is how 200 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:19,240 Speaker 1: the league works. You know, running the ball twenty times 201 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 1: would be right, right, right, exactly, But this game, this 202 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:24,600 Speaker 1: is the kind of game that sets up to do 203 00:10:24,679 --> 00:10:27,200 Speaker 1: that exact This isn't a team that's gonna put you know, 204 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:29,960 Speaker 1: you're gonna look up the scoreboard. Oh man, it's already seventeen. Nothing. 205 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 1: Things would have to go really badly for that to happen, 206 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:35,200 Speaker 1: really badly for that to happen. Yeah, exactly, And it could. 207 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 1: I mean they could have They could take the opening 208 00:10:37,240 --> 00:10:40,079 Speaker 1: kickoff back for a touchdown and then the next one 209 00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:42,720 Speaker 1: six or after that, and then you're in trouble again, 210 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: or you know, tons of penalties are self inflicted errors. 211 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:47,800 Speaker 1: I mean, but even even if it did turn into 212 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:51,280 Speaker 1: something like that, we're still gonna sit on the ball. 213 00:10:51,400 --> 00:10:53,079 Speaker 1: Do yeah, Do you have a lot of faith that 214 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:55,240 Speaker 1: the Broncos are gonna go Boy, they got four team 215 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:58,080 Speaker 1: points in the first quarter, they're gonna score forty. No, No, 216 00:10:58,120 --> 00:10:59,840 Speaker 1: they're not gonna score forward it. I mean, even if 217 00:10:59,840 --> 00:11:01,240 Speaker 1: they get a gift or two, they're not gonna score 218 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:02,720 Speaker 1: for the Spelter are going to score for it either, 219 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 1: you know. I mean, it's how the game's gonna go 220 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:09,120 Speaker 1: of the time. So you know, the old adage of 221 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:12,560 Speaker 1: any drive that ends with a kick is fine, okay, 222 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:14,800 Speaker 1: you know, I think that's the way to look at 223 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:17,600 Speaker 1: it in this game. Again, if it's three very basic 224 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:21,640 Speaker 1: runs for the first and ten, second and seven, third 225 00:11:21,679 --> 00:11:24,680 Speaker 1: and five and you punt, it's not the the end 226 00:11:24,720 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 1: of the world in this game, because it might pay 227 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:27,720 Speaker 1: off the fourth quarter. You would hope that if you 228 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:32,160 Speaker 1: get the third and four in December, yeah, you know, um, 229 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:34,400 Speaker 1: you could be able to convert that. Yeah. I mean, 230 00:11:34,480 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 1: it's just a different script than what we've been accustomed 231 00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:40,800 Speaker 1: to with Josh Allen and car and the weapons and 232 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:43,719 Speaker 1: Bengals have and certainly Aaron Rodgers, you know, like, man, 233 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:46,079 Speaker 1: we better get to be in this thing, you know, 234 00:11:46,120 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 1: against a lot of those teams where this one's different. 235 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:52,960 Speaker 1: You know, the more I've thought about that Green Bay game, Um, 236 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 1: that wasn't that impressed with the Packer. They gifted the 237 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 1: Packers four teen points and they had a turnover. It's 238 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:03,240 Speaker 1: onny one that the Packers turned into a touchdown and 239 00:12:03,280 --> 00:12:06,920 Speaker 1: they had the punt from their own twenty or nine 240 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 1: team whatever it was twenty that was turned into a 241 00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 1: twenty yard punt there went nowhere. So you gave him 242 00:12:12,559 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 1: the ball at the forty like your gift. At the 243 00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:17,520 Speaker 1: very least, you're gifting the Packers six points or now 244 00:12:17,559 --> 00:12:19,920 Speaker 1: the defense is allowed to stop them in those situations, 245 00:12:19,960 --> 00:12:22,000 Speaker 1: of course, and they haven't in the last few instances. 246 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:24,839 Speaker 1: But it's Aaron Rodgers at home. Yeah, I mean errors 247 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 1: against Aaron or work, you know. I mean frankly that 248 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:31,640 Speaker 1: that harvn punt was a bigger deal than people made 249 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 1: it out. Let's pretend it's the down before and Ben 250 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:38,040 Speaker 1: throws the twenty yard pass. It gets picked off. Oh 251 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:42,320 Speaker 1: my god, the same thing happened. That kind of gotase 252 00:12:43,240 --> 00:12:45,160 Speaker 1: of everything else that happened in that game. It kind 253 00:12:45,160 --> 00:12:46,960 Speaker 1: of got overlooked. Now I made note of it in 254 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:49,920 Speaker 1: my you know, that was that's the second was one 255 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:52,959 Speaker 1: of the top ten most important players. That the question. 256 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:55,240 Speaker 1: That's twice now kicking the ball out of his own 257 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:58,040 Speaker 1: end zone, that he's had a j V punt, right, 258 00:12:58,040 --> 00:13:00,520 Speaker 1: So that's when you can't have the JV put right, 259 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:03,080 Speaker 1: you get the full field work, kick away, kick it 260 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 1: as far as you can. I don't care if you 261 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:07,360 Speaker 1: kick its seventy yards and they return at twenty right, right, right, 262 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 1: I'll kick your coverage, but don't leave us in our 263 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:14,280 Speaker 1: own end. Right. This is your chances. That's a punter's dream. 264 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:16,160 Speaker 1: This is your chance to just kick the crap out 265 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 1: of the ball, big strong guys, what you know, that's 266 00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:20,280 Speaker 1: what you do best. Kill it, you know, crush it 267 00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:24,439 Speaker 1: to get the driver out, you know. Um so, I 268 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:26,600 Speaker 1: mean that's twice, not like you said, he's a rookie punter. 269 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 1: That's a worry. It's definitely because it has you know, 270 00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:34,679 Speaker 1: especially when you're trying to play the field position game right. 271 00:13:34,760 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 1: You can't lose them. You can't lose those. You can't. 272 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:39,120 Speaker 1: You can't have a twenty yard punt. You just can't. Know, 273 00:13:39,200 --> 00:13:41,520 Speaker 1: you can't. You can't allow big returns. You can't allow 274 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:43,680 Speaker 1: twenty yard puns. You know. You gotta be smart with 275 00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:48,679 Speaker 1: your your your game management. Every little small, nuanced yard. 276 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:51,640 Speaker 1: If he kicks one forty yards and there's no return 277 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 1: on it, that's better than kicking Oh yeah, right right right, 278 00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:58,720 Speaker 1: I mean, give me a boomer that's thirty five in 279 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:00,199 Speaker 1: the air. They has to call a fair cat at you. 280 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:02,560 Speaker 1: You know you can't do that. You can't. That's the 281 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:05,120 Speaker 1: one thing. Because they get five yards and they get 282 00:14:05,160 --> 00:14:08,120 Speaker 1: three points. That's as good as that's as good as 283 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 1: every bit as important as Roethlisberger getting sacked and fumbling 284 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:13,400 Speaker 1: in that situation, it's the same thing. I mean, it's 285 00:14:13,400 --> 00:14:16,920 Speaker 1: basically a turnover. I mean, especially against that guy who's 286 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:21,000 Speaker 1: made a living just killing people's when they make a mistake. 287 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:25,680 Speaker 1: This feasts self mistakes, so you know, and there's there's 288 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:27,280 Speaker 1: not a lot of Aaron Rodgers in the league, but 289 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 1: there's a lot of dudes and that you can't do 290 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:31,000 Speaker 1: that against without question, you know. I mean there's some 291 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:34,480 Speaker 1: great quarterbacks that are on schedule still there are. This 292 00:14:34,560 --> 00:14:37,280 Speaker 1: is not one of them, this one. No, it isn't. Yeah, 293 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:39,840 Speaker 1: this this is a game that you look at this 294 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 1: Steelers have four or five next games are at home. 295 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:46,160 Speaker 1: Four the next five at home. Would you be surprised 296 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:49,640 Speaker 1: if they win four? Hey, take up when you're four 297 00:14:49,680 --> 00:14:55,640 Speaker 1: home games? No, I would not be surprised, especially I 298 00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:58,000 Speaker 1: guess something with Seattle. I'm really getting ahead of myself. 299 00:14:58,000 --> 00:14:59,960 Speaker 1: But they play Thursday, so they're gonna have a nice 300 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:02,400 Speaker 1: long week. But they have a lot of issues too. 301 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:04,560 Speaker 1: I mean, we're not talking about upcoming opponents much. But 302 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:08,840 Speaker 1: I don't think it's crazy or overly optimistic or blowing 303 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:12,120 Speaker 1: smoke up our listeners, butts that the Steelers beat the 304 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:15,200 Speaker 1: Broncos in Seattle and then go into a bye with 305 00:15:15,280 --> 00:15:17,680 Speaker 1: a whole different way of looking at it. As we've 306 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 1: seen over the years, the Steelers typically on a night 307 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:24,240 Speaker 1: game at home, show up well, it doesn't seem to 308 00:15:24,280 --> 00:15:27,480 Speaker 1: matter who they're playing. Um, you know, after that, then 309 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 1: you have your bye week that comes in a nice 310 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 1: opportunity to say, it's probably be pretty useful. Maybe you 311 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:36,080 Speaker 1: get step onto it back after the bye. That very nice. Yeah, 312 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:38,560 Speaker 1: then you're at Cleveland, then you get Chicago and Detroit 313 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:42,920 Speaker 1: at home. I mean, you could can see like four 314 00:15:42,920 --> 00:15:45,440 Speaker 1: out of five in this stretch. I'm not gonna say 315 00:15:45,440 --> 00:15:48,120 Speaker 1: that's what you the expectation should be. No, I don't 316 00:15:48,160 --> 00:15:49,840 Speaker 1: even know the spread in this game, but they'll probably 317 00:15:49,880 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 1: be a dog against Seattle here, don't you think it 318 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 1: depends on I think it depends on how this game 319 00:15:54,080 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 1: goes and what the Seattle. What the Seattle against the Rams. 320 00:15:57,120 --> 00:15:59,280 Speaker 1: You know, they're definitely favorite against the Bears and Lions, 321 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 1: even if they could beat Authority in the next three 322 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:04,160 Speaker 1: games without a doubt. Um, you know there there's a 323 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:07,840 Speaker 1: slight favorite over the Broncos right now. Um, you know, 324 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:10,400 Speaker 1: and then and they're basically equal teams. Broncos have a 325 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:13,360 Speaker 1: better schedule, but I mean, the Broncos would probably a 326 00:16:13,360 --> 00:16:15,880 Speaker 1: three point favorite in their building something like that. Yeah, 327 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:19,040 Speaker 1: but they're they're similar styles. This is not a bad 328 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:23,040 Speaker 1: matchup stylistically for the Steelers. So you know, if you 329 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:25,000 Speaker 1: if you do happen to win four out of five, 330 00:16:25,040 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 1: maybe win all five, who knows. I mean the Browns 331 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:30,560 Speaker 1: are playing well defensively right now, but offensively they're not 332 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:33,480 Speaker 1: playing well. No. No, I mean there there's five winnable 333 00:16:33,520 --> 00:16:36,800 Speaker 1: games there and would be quite an accomplishment. Obviously, four 334 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:39,120 Speaker 1: out of five would be quite an accomplishment based on 335 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:41,360 Speaker 1: what we've seen thus far. I mean they could go 336 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 1: oh and five. I don't think they will think they 337 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:46,880 Speaker 1: beat I think they'd beat Chicago Detroit very hard to 338 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:50,640 Speaker 1: lose the Chicago and Detroit. Yeah, um, you know, then 339 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:54,720 Speaker 1: it's at the Charges, at the Bengals, Baltimore, Minnesota, Tennessee. 340 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:59,760 Speaker 1: Minnesota and Tennessee aren't scary. Yeah, at Kansas City, Cleveland 341 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:02,840 Speaker 1: and them, and then at Baltimore. That's this is where 342 00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:04,400 Speaker 1: I get to this. I look at this and go, Okay, 343 00:17:04,440 --> 00:17:06,399 Speaker 1: these people saying that the Steelers are somehow going to 344 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 1: go have a top five pick, right, you're out of 345 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:11,800 Speaker 1: your mind right, There's there's a lot of bad teams 346 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:13,360 Speaker 1: in the league. I mean, they're a start, I mean, 347 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:16,359 Speaker 1: and this team isn't one of them. Jacksonville plays tennesse 348 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:19,760 Speaker 1: See this week, I think, assuming they lose, which I'm 349 00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:21,760 Speaker 1: sure they're like a ten point dog in their coaches 350 00:17:22,400 --> 00:17:27,919 Speaker 1: because Tennessee just lost. But that's the twentie lost in 351 00:17:27,920 --> 00:17:29,880 Speaker 1: a row for the Jags. If they lose this week, 352 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:32,399 Speaker 1: which I'm sure they're a dog, only one team in 353 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:34,960 Speaker 1: history has done that. And I'm not sure they're the 354 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:37,359 Speaker 1: worst team in the league, right, And they've lost twenty 355 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:39,920 Speaker 1: in power ranking yesterday, and they're not the worst team 356 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:43,800 Speaker 1: the right, and they're they're gonna probably lose twenty in 357 00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:46,600 Speaker 1: a row. Only the expansion Bucks have done that. Wonderful thing. 358 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 1: Could you imagine if Tennessee somehow lost to the Jaguars 359 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:55,439 Speaker 1: and they're probably still the best team in at the visions, right, 360 00:17:55,920 --> 00:17:58,080 Speaker 1: and they'd be they've being still be in first place 361 00:17:59,240 --> 00:18:01,240 Speaker 1: the Colts play this week, but I know this is 362 00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: not the world works, and this gets a little rosy. Actually, 363 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:05,840 Speaker 1: they would still be in first places. They've already beaten 364 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:07,440 Speaker 1: the Colts, so even if they if they lost in 365 00:18:07,480 --> 00:18:10,960 Speaker 1: the Colts one, Tennessee would technically still be in first 366 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:13,680 Speaker 1: place in that division having just lost to the Jets 367 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:15,840 Speaker 1: and Jacks and Jacks. Wow to have the first two 368 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:18,879 Speaker 1: picks in the draft the past year, Yeah nasty. I 369 00:18:18,920 --> 00:18:22,119 Speaker 1: mean again, the Steelers have issues and they're in a 370 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:24,560 Speaker 1: tough division, but they're better than all the Ay South teams. 371 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,080 Speaker 1: I know that. You know, that's four teams right there, 372 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:30,720 Speaker 1: and we're not even talking Lions and Bears and Giants. 373 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:32,920 Speaker 1: And you know, the Steers are not going to pick 374 00:18:32,920 --> 00:18:35,000 Speaker 1: in the top five, folks, They're They're definitely not. I 375 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:37,800 Speaker 1: don't even know that they'll pick in the top ten. Again. 376 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:40,880 Speaker 1: I think they're gonna I think they write the ship 377 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:43,600 Speaker 1: this week. We'll see later in the week. I haven't 378 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:45,920 Speaker 1: seen an injury report yet for Denver other than the 379 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:49,960 Speaker 1: not gonna be an easy game. No, they're hard to 380 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,840 Speaker 1: play defensively, They're they're a bear to play against. But 381 00:18:52,880 --> 00:18:55,640 Speaker 1: you're playing at home. Yeah, yeah, you know, and they're 382 00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:57,840 Speaker 1: owing to at home though, I mean not that home. 383 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:01,320 Speaker 1: The field doesn't matter. I actually think the home teams 384 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 1: this year have not done well. Home teams are thirty 385 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:07,159 Speaker 1: one and thirty three this year. How about that? Right 386 00:19:07,160 --> 00:19:08,480 Speaker 1: off the top, man, I would say, how do you 387 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:11,600 Speaker 1: know that? Like a wizard? Wasn't last year? And we're 388 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:14,119 Speaker 1: like exactly like it was a little I think it 389 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:17,040 Speaker 1: was a little over fifty for the for the await team. 390 00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:19,680 Speaker 1: For the reason for that, though last year it made 391 00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:24,399 Speaker 1: sense the reason for it though this year, Okay, we 392 00:19:24,480 --> 00:19:26,720 Speaker 1: know who the bad teams are. Oh yeah, we've mentioned 393 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:28,960 Speaker 1: a bunch of them. Yeah, uh, there's more. There's more 394 00:19:28,960 --> 00:19:33,200 Speaker 1: beyond that. Miami, Miamis have been bad and you could 395 00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:36,280 Speaker 1: go there. They're about ten to twelve really bad teams 396 00:19:37,119 --> 00:19:39,760 Speaker 1: that aren't gonna beat Yeah, they're not gonna beat anybody 397 00:19:39,800 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 1: but each other. Yeah. And even at that, Atlanta goes 398 00:19:43,040 --> 00:19:45,520 Speaker 1: into New York and beats the Giants exactly, and that 399 00:19:45,600 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 1: they play that ten times. It's five five, and they 400 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:49,399 Speaker 1: don't really beat hard than anybody else, you know, but 401 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 1: when they play those other teams, they typically you know, 402 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:54,919 Speaker 1: and in years past, when you look at the home 403 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:58,320 Speaker 1: field advantage gets you sixty in the NFL, Yeah, which 404 00:19:58,359 --> 00:19:59,960 Speaker 1: is a big number one it's all said and done, 405 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:04,200 Speaker 1: But fifty one fifty two isn't that much different. Whatever. 406 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:06,960 Speaker 1: I have a feeling the Steelers are to be playing 407 00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:10,000 Speaker 1: at home. Though I've seen, uh, you know, that number 408 00:20:10,040 --> 00:20:12,240 Speaker 1: was trending in the other direction in recent years. I 409 00:20:12,280 --> 00:20:13,960 Speaker 1: think it was down to like the last few years, 410 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:19,000 Speaker 1: like fifty. But it's still a home field advantage advantage. 411 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:21,760 Speaker 1: And to me, that's why you know, the last the 412 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:24,000 Speaker 1: last time the Steelers played at home obviously, you know, 413 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:26,959 Speaker 1: against the Bengals two weeks ago. Ten thousand no shows. 414 00:20:27,840 --> 00:20:31,919 Speaker 1: Ten thousand no shows. I didn't realize that that's a 415 00:20:31,920 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 1: lot of it's a lot of seats, a lot of 416 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:37,600 Speaker 1: empty seats there. I'm not going to admonish people, tell 417 00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:40,919 Speaker 1: people what to do. They they they paid paid for 418 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:42,920 Speaker 1: your tickets. You can set them on fire, you can 419 00:20:43,359 --> 00:20:44,800 Speaker 1: you know, wear them as a dress. I don't care 420 00:20:45,280 --> 00:20:48,240 Speaker 1: with them. But don't get a little shocking though, Yeah, 421 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:50,760 Speaker 1: don't get angry. But you know there were ten thousand 422 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:56,040 Speaker 1: Steeler fans in Green Bay. Yeah, at least like so 423 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:58,280 Speaker 1: it just doesn't add up. I mean, I think the 424 00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 1: home fans need to do a better. Y'bab was showing up. 425 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:03,239 Speaker 1: If you want your team to win, you want your 426 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 1: team to you can help that a little to have 427 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:08,600 Speaker 1: a home field advantage show up. Yeah. Yeah, and if 428 00:21:08,640 --> 00:21:10,560 Speaker 1: you're not gonna show up, sell your tickets. Yeah, I 429 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:13,800 Speaker 1: get someone out there that's gonna wave with those things. 430 00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:17,720 Speaker 1: Have a few irons um side note, the one theory 431 00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 1: I heard about why road before COVID why road teams 432 00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:23,199 Speaker 1: are starting to do better. It's travels easier now than 433 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:25,600 Speaker 1: it used to be. It's a lot more luxurious, it's 434 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:27,439 Speaker 1: not as hard on their body. I mean, I don't know, 435 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:29,800 Speaker 1: maybe there's still bad teams are just really bad, and 436 00:21:29,840 --> 00:21:32,439 Speaker 1: the good teams you're yeah, you know, as in crowd noises, 437 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:34,960 Speaker 1: the key and it's not the trapl worle sleeping in 438 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:36,679 Speaker 1: a hotel the night before and you get the you know, 439 00:21:36,720 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 1: everything's in helmet now in terms of communication, that helps 440 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:42,160 Speaker 1: you can definitely hear better. Yeah, so that's all part 441 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:44,360 Speaker 1: of it as well. I'm really look forward to this game, though. 442 00:21:44,440 --> 00:21:46,160 Speaker 1: I mean, I think it's real easy to be down 443 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:49,280 Speaker 1: on this team right now. Boy, they're disappointing. There's a 444 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:51,480 Speaker 1: lot of aspects that are disappointing, there's no doubt about it. 445 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:53,359 Speaker 1: But I think this matchup is going to be a 446 00:21:53,359 --> 00:21:56,520 Speaker 1: fun one that plays to their strengths. It absolutely does, 447 00:21:56,760 --> 00:21:59,280 Speaker 1: you know, I think it's again, it's not a team. 448 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:01,560 Speaker 1: You know, you look at like even as much as 449 00:22:01,560 --> 00:22:05,440 Speaker 1: you want to rip on the Bengals, and offensively they're 450 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:09,280 Speaker 1: legit and defensively they're at least average to above average. 451 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:11,280 Speaker 1: They've been good. They've been good. The same thing with 452 00:22:11,320 --> 00:22:14,920 Speaker 1: the Raiders. The Raiders have some offensive weapon this team, 453 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:16,920 Speaker 1: not at the moment. Not at the moment. He's out 454 00:22:16,920 --> 00:22:20,960 Speaker 1: as well, being handlers out, quarterback issues, old lines decent 455 00:22:21,119 --> 00:22:23,040 Speaker 1: but not great. Are they going to run the ball, 456 00:22:23,240 --> 00:22:25,480 Speaker 1: you know, times against the Steelers and have a lot 457 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:28,679 Speaker 1: of success? I don't know. Maybe I don't. I don't know. 458 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:30,439 Speaker 1: I don't think so. I mean, if I was on 459 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:32,360 Speaker 1: their side of the coin analyzing it, I might say 460 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:36,120 Speaker 1: the same thing, like, let's get Javonte seventy five percent 461 00:22:36,160 --> 00:22:38,920 Speaker 1: of the carries instead of fifty. That's not going to happen, 462 00:22:38,960 --> 00:22:42,320 Speaker 1: though they probably won't. They're not. They're just kids fifty 463 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:45,399 Speaker 1: fifty split and you know, forget who the hot hand is. 464 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:48,200 Speaker 1: None of that matters. We're just gonna If I were 465 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:50,120 Speaker 1: them too, I would still if we run it three 466 00:22:50,119 --> 00:22:52,639 Speaker 1: times and punt, that's okay. You know, let's try to 467 00:22:52,680 --> 00:22:54,919 Speaker 1: dominate the line. Of scrimmage in the fourth quarter. I mean, 468 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:56,639 Speaker 1: I think they have similar approaches no matter who their 469 00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:58,720 Speaker 1: quarterback is. Yeah, I mean that's they want to play 470 00:22:58,800 --> 00:23:01,280 Speaker 1: close to the they want to play the Broncos want 471 00:23:01,359 --> 00:23:05,879 Speaker 1: to play like it's they have to. Yeah, you know 472 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:10,040 Speaker 1: that's why Bridgewater got the call over lock turn the 473 00:23:10,040 --> 00:23:13,040 Speaker 1: ball over be their neil O'Donnell. We'll have to let 474 00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:14,720 Speaker 1: the defense to its job. These are supposed to be 475 00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 1: two of the best defenses in the league, and I 476 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:19,880 Speaker 1: think they both are when right, you know, I mean 477 00:23:19,920 --> 00:23:23,080 Speaker 1: the numbers don't hundreds and bear it out, but it's 478 00:23:23,080 --> 00:23:27,639 Speaker 1: only been four games. Yeah, I mean Denver's numbers have 479 00:23:27,720 --> 00:23:29,800 Speaker 1: been good, but who have they played. You know, if 480 00:23:29,800 --> 00:23:33,159 Speaker 1: you give the Steelers Denver schedule, right, they're probably at 481 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:35,800 Speaker 1: least three in one right now. Yeah, I think Denver's team, 482 00:23:36,480 --> 00:23:38,840 Speaker 1: the teams they've played have a collective five wins this 483 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:41,520 Speaker 1: year or something like that. I mean it's five because 484 00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:44,720 Speaker 1: it's the Jets, Giants, and Jaguars. Yeah, it's who they played. 485 00:23:44,720 --> 00:23:47,159 Speaker 1: The Jags have none in the last twenty and then 486 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:48,800 Speaker 1: they just played the Ravens. So the Ravens had three 487 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:50,640 Speaker 1: of those three of them and Jets happened to get 488 00:23:50,680 --> 00:23:52,440 Speaker 1: one this week. You know, they started to play a 489 00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:54,480 Speaker 1: little bit better, but the Jets version they played was 490 00:23:54,520 --> 00:23:56,119 Speaker 1: not as good as the Jets version they got to win, 491 00:23:56,359 --> 00:23:59,199 Speaker 1: certainly not. No, so this is a good you know, 492 00:23:59,280 --> 00:24:02,600 Speaker 1: this is his test for the Broncos very much, saying 493 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:05,959 Speaker 1: how good are we can we go into Pittsburgh and win? Right? 494 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:08,840 Speaker 1: For the Steelers, this is just that we gotta get right. Yeah, 495 00:24:08,880 --> 00:24:11,679 Speaker 1: all right. I mean this Steelers are that don't care 496 00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:13,439 Speaker 1: about style points, any of that kind of stuff. But 497 00:24:13,440 --> 00:24:16,600 Speaker 1: if you're kind of looking through Denver lens is, we 498 00:24:16,640 --> 00:24:18,399 Speaker 1: know the Steelers are a little down. This isn't the 499 00:24:18,480 --> 00:24:21,560 Speaker 1: usual trip to Pittsburgh over the last twenty years. Probably 500 00:24:22,280 --> 00:24:24,040 Speaker 1: are we the team to just go in there and 501 00:24:24,280 --> 00:24:27,120 Speaker 1: business trip handle business? Be the team that we think 502 00:24:27,119 --> 00:24:29,720 Speaker 1: we're better than keep up with the rest of the West, 503 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:32,120 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, that would be a big accomplishment 504 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:33,720 Speaker 1: for them. No matter how it happens, they leave here 505 00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:35,480 Speaker 1: with the win. I'm probably gonna look at Denver a 506 00:24:35,520 --> 00:24:38,400 Speaker 1: little different. Yeah, I agree, But we saw these two 507 00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:42,280 Speaker 1: teams last year. The final score ended and it wasn't 508 00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:44,760 Speaker 1: really that close. It wasn't that was the game. Sutton 509 00:24:44,800 --> 00:24:48,760 Speaker 1: got hurt too, right, trying to think that was a 510 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:51,760 Speaker 1: game that Lock gut her Lock started the gaming and 511 00:24:52,200 --> 00:24:54,440 Speaker 1: James Dry School that came in and it wasn't a 512 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:58,200 Speaker 1: late touchdown right right, a big deal. But anyways, we're 513 00:24:58,200 --> 00:24:59,720 Speaker 1: gonna take a break. When we come back, we'll talk 514 00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:03,720 Speaker 1: with Ob Labriola, editor of Steelers Digest and Steelers dot Com, 515 00:25:03,760 --> 00:25:06,360 Speaker 1: as we do every Wednesday. He is Matt Williamson. I'm 516 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:08,920 Speaker 1: Dale Lali. You're listening to the Drive here on Steelers 517 00:25:09,080 --> 00:25:14,040 Speaker 1: Nation Radio. He's Black and Gold fan, Heaven Snr.