Pitt insider Stephen Thompson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is joined by Toledo insider Kyle Rowland of The Toledo Blade to break down all things college football ahead of Thursday's Pitt-Toledo matchup in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. The guys discuss current injuries for both teams, look ahead to possible starting lineups, and provide their picks for the game. For more sports, visit post-gazette.com.
On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey talks about the Steelers' current laundry list of injuries and the much-needed impact of George Pickens' return. He also discusses the importance of getting DeShon Elliott and Donte Jackson back in the lineup and how the running game will be key to defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Pittsburgh on Christmas Day, on Netflix, in Week 17. Jason also analyzes what Wednesday's game means for the Steelers' NFL playoff hopes and AFC North title chances. He wraps up the show by expressing his belief in what the Penguins are doing, as well as what the Pirates are telling us with signing Andrew McCutchen and no one else this week. For more sports, visit post-gazette.com.
On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes former Steeler Derek Watt to preview a big week for his football family. How will T.J. Watt perform amid his injury in a crucial NFL Week 17 matchup on Christmas against Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs? Does he deserve the NFL's defensive player of the year (DPOY) award for his work in 2024? Is J.J. Watt ready for his big role on the first-ever Netflix broadcast of an NFL game? And what are Derek's thoughts on the Steelers' special teams excellence this season, including a monster season from Chris Boswell? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
On their weekly Pitt sports mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson answer reader questions. Among them: What did Jeff Capel's men's basketball team do differently during this nonconference season that has the Panthers set up so well in the NET rankings? Will that help when it comes time to seek a bid to the NCAA tournament? What should fans expect from the matchup between Pitt and Toledo in the GameAbove Sports Bowl? What young players could we see in action that haven't gotten a chance yet? And should Damian Dunn slot back into the Panthers' starting lineup when he returns from injury or has Zack Austin earned the right to stay there? Our duo tackles those topics and more.
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news around 5 p.m. Eastern. Should the Steelers considering bringing back Diontae Johnson to bolster their receiving corps, even with George Pickens returning from injury and Calvin Austin III showing promise? Is T.J. Watt healthy enough to make the big plays this defense needs in NFL Week 17 vs. the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs? And should we be concerned at all about Russell Wilson after his costly turnovers Saturday against the Ravens?
Paul tackles those questions and more on the Steelers front. Then offers his thoughts on James Franklin, Penn State and the College Football Playoff first round this past weekend. Then wraps the show with reaction to Andrew McCutchen's return to the Pirates.
On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to analyze the defense's many issues ahead of an NFL Week 17 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. Does this group need more splash plays from stars including T.J. Watt, Minah Fitzpatrick and Cam Heyward to regain elite status? What is happening with Patrick Queen and others in stopping the run? Might the return of Larry Ogunjobi this week help? And how can the pass defense blow fewer assignments amid injuries to DeShon Elliott, Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson?
Our duo tackles those questions and more on that side of the ball, then talks offense. Has OC Arthur Smith's game plan been faulty in the past two losses against the Eagles and Ravens? How much did Russell Wilson's two critical turnovers this week overshadow an ability to move the ball? Can Smith get the ball to Pat Freiermuth more often? And what difference can the return of George Pickens make for this unit? Especially for the running game with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren?
Later, Chris and Ray give their predictions for what might happen in this week's Christmas matchup with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Co. at Acrisure Stadium.
On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the Steelers' NFL Week 16 loss to the Ravens in Baltimore with 10 post-game thoughts. How encouraging Patrick Queen's message of accountability, and to what degree is he emerging as a leader on this defense? Why was Russell Wilson's QB play encouraging despite his pair of costly turnovers? Has the Ravens' Lamar Jackson started to figure out coach Mike Tomlin's defense? How worried should we be about the banged-up secondary amid a key injury to Joey Porter Jr.? Why did Jaylen Warren out-touch Najee Harris in the running game? Where was tight end Pat Freiermuth in the passing game? And how far from 100% is T.J. Watt right now? Jason tackles those questions and more.
Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo report from the team's South Side facility ahead of their NFL Week 17 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day. Could some key players including George Pickens, DeShon Elliott, Donte Jackson, Justin Fields and Larry Ogunjobi return from injury? What's the status of newly injured names like Joey Porter Jr. and Ben Skowronek? How can OC Arthur Smith and QB Russell Wilson get TE Pat Freiermuth more involved in the offense after a quiet outing against the Ravens on Saturday? And how can Mike Tomlin get more out of his defense after Patrick Queen, Minkah Fitzpatrick and others struggled to contain Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to a costly NFL Week 16 loss to the Ravens in Baltimore. Can coach Mike Tomlin fix his struggling defense amid injuries to T.J. Watt, Joey Porter Jr., DeShon Elliott, Larry Ogunjobi and Donte Jackson? Is the defensive line a problem with names including Dean Lowry and Isaiahh Loudermilk not producing? How much blame does QB Russell WIlson deserve for a pair of turnovers that sidetracked an otherwise productive day from Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Calvin Austin III within OC Arthur Smith's offense? When might George Pickens return from injury? And where does this loss leave the Steelers in the AFC North race with a tough matchup against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs looming on Christmas.
Post-Gazette sports writers Adam Bittner and Paul Zeise react live after the Steelers' NFL Week 16 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Did Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and the running game bounce back after a tough outing against the Eagles? How did Russell Wilson, Mike Williams, Pat Freiermuth, Calvin Austin III and the passing game perform without the injured George Pickens? What kind of a factor was T.J. Watt defensively after the injury he battled over the past week? And how well did teammates including Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Queen execute in slowing down Ravens stars including Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers?