Steeler Updates

Week 6 features another Steelers W

Writing Contributor: Colton Whitlock

The Pittsburgh Steelers got back into the NFL action hosting the Cleveland Browns in week 6. They headed into this game with a 3-1 record after taking their bye week to rest. Their new challenger in the Browns are not having as great of a season, going in to Sunday at a 1-4 record. Cleveland rookie QB Dillon Gabriel looked to get his first career win in only his second start.

The divisional square off started with a very uneventful first half, featuring no touchdowns. The Steelers led after the first quarter with a 3-0 lead, and extended it to 9-3 at halftime. The first touchdown of the game was finally scored in the third quarter courtesy of a 12 yard pass to tight end Connor Heyward from Aaron Rodgers. Followed by one more at the beginning of the fourth quarter with another passing touchdown by Rodgers, this one a 25 yarder to wide receiver DK Metcalf. Cleveland failed to find the end zone once, despite Dillon Gabriel throwing the football 52 times, resulting in a final score of 23-9. 

Pittsburgh extends their divisional lead improving to a 4-1 record, along with the Cincinnati Bengals losing in Green Bay to the Packers. The Steelers now sit at the number 2 seed in the AFC playoff picture, only half a game behind the Indianapolis Colts at a 5-1 record. The Steelers will have a short week to prepare for their Thursday Night game against the Bengals. 

Pittsburgh atop of the AFC North after week 5

Writing Contributor: Colton Whitlock

Week 5 was the first week of bye weeks in the NFL, and the Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the four teams that had this week off. The division rivals of Pittsburgh and the Ravens, Bengals, and Browns all took the field Sunday, and with the Steelers starting the week off 1 game above the Cincinnati Bengals for first place in the AFC North, things could not have gone better for the black and gold.  

The great week started off with the Cleveland Browns traveling to London, England to face off against the Minnesota Vikings for a 9:30 AM EST start time. The Browns started new rookie Quarterback from Oregon Dillon Gabriel against Minnesota after 40 year old Joe Flacco struggle in the first quarter of the regular season. Although Gabriel had a great NFL debut passing for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions, the Browns still fell short in London 21-17. Cleveland loses their second straight and goes to a 1-4 record.

The Baltimore Ravens followed the Browns with a way uglier loss than the morning game. The Ravens, without their star quarterback Lamar Jackson, hosted the Houston Texans in a battle of 1-3 teams. Baltimore struggled deeply, losing by a final score of 44-10. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush threw 3 picks with the rushing offense only totalling 44 rush yards. Texans quarterback CJ Stroud looked like his rookie self throwing for 4 touchdowns and only missing his recievers as many times. Baltimore now starts 1-4 for the first time since 2015 and puts them in more danger to miss the playoffs since 2021.

Lastly, Pittsburgh finished their Sunday best by watching their biggest threat as of right now, the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals, another team without their starting quarterback in Joe Burrow who has been out since week 3, is not expected to return until December. Backing him up is Jake Browning, who has helped his offense score only 13 points over the last 2 weeks against Minnesota and Denver. Browning and the Bengals offense improved from the last 2 weeks against the Detroit Lions, but they needed to improve way more to beat one of the NFC's top teams. Cincinnati lost 37-24 with wide receiver Jamarr Chase recording 2 touchdowns and over 100 yards. The Bengals are now 1 and a half games back of the Steelers for first place in the AFC North.

So with Pittsburgh's rivals going 0-3 in week 5, they are in the driver's seat and have a chance to pad their playoff chances more facing Cleveland in week 6 and Cincinnati on Thursday Night Football in week 7.  Pittsburgh is now the 3rd seed in the AFC Playoff Picture, only behind the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts, who are both 4-1, a half game above the Steelers. 

Steelers Hold On against Vikings in Dublin 

Writing Contributor: Colton Whitlock

The Steelers flew 3,500 miles overseas to Dublin, Ireland to play against the Minnesota Vikings for an interleague game in week 4. Both teams went into the game with a 2-1 record, atop their respective divisions. While Aaron Rodgers is still getting used to his new team, the Vikings started another Veteran Quarterback in Carson Wentz, who led Minnesota to a 48-10 blowout win in week 3. 

Pittsburgh was in control through most of the game, leading 21-6 after 3 quarters. Kenneth Gainwell had 2 rushing touchdowns in the 1st and 3rd quarters, with the biggest play of the game being an 80 yard receiving touchdown by new Steeler DK Metcalf. Although it looked like the Steelers had already sealed the game, the Vikings scored 2 touchdowns in the 4th quarter, making it 24-21 with less than a minute left. Minnesota had one more chance to complete the comeback, but the Steelers defense prevailed and helped the team improve to 3-1 on the season.

"The Steelers had me scared towards the end of the game, but I'm glad the defense stepped up and got the job done." Junior Patrick Nee expressed. "We looked a lot more organized," Senior Nate Sofaly said. "With that being said, we still need to stay locked down on 3rd downs and key plays," he followed.

Pittsburgh now has sole possession of first place in the AFC North, with the Bengals losing another rough game on Monday night game against the Broncos. The Steelers will take this upcoming bye week to rest and prepare for upcoming divisional games against Cleveland and Cincinnati. 

Steelers Get By Patriots 24-17 in New England 

Writing Contributor: Colton Whitlock

The Steelers traveled 700 miles north for week 3 to face a non-divisional rival in the New England Patriots. Although it has been 2 seasons since the Steelers and Patriots have squared off, the hate for each other has not changed one bit.

With Pittsburgh and New England being used to the good old fashioned matchup with Quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady in the 2000s and 2010s, things have changed a bit since then. The new offense playcallers are veteran Aaron Rodgers for the Steelers, and 2nd year man Drake Maye for the Patriots.

The Steelers were looking to bounce back after their first home loss of the season against the Seahawks, while the Patriots got their first win in Miami against the Dolphins. Pittsburgh got back over a .500 winning percentage with a 5 turnover performance by the defense, including 4 fumbles forced. But Aaron Rodgers and the offense wasn't exactly pretty.  Rodgers went 16/23 on completions with 2 passing touchdowns and an interception, with the whole offense only totaling 203 yards. 

Pittsburgh improves to 2-1 on the season, and is tied for first place in the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals after being blownout by the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota will travel to Dublin, Ireland to face the Steelers for a 9:30 AM kickoff next Sunday.