Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to the team's NFL playoffs loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Why have slow starts become such a problem for Mike Tomlin-coached teams in the postseason? Will yet another loss like this spur owner Art Rooney II to any action? Why couldn't the expensive defense led by T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Patrick Queen, Cam Heyward and Joey Porter Jr. do much to stop Ravens stars Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson? And what changes will come on offense after Russell Wilson, Najee Harris, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth and teammates failed to score more than 17 points for a fifth consecutive game?
Post-Gazette sports writers Adam Bittner and Paul Zeise react live after the Steelers' NFL playoffs matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
On the Friday edition of First 10, columnist Jason Mackey takes a final look at the Steelers' wild card playoff game against the Ravens. Does Mike Tomlin need to trust Russell Wilson and air it out in Baltimore? Can George Pickens put his last few stinkers behind him and be a major factor? And can the defense get pressure on Lamar Jackson? Plus thoughts on the Pirates, what we like about Caleb Ferguson and why they should pursue Randal Grichuk, and what Penn State's loss should mean for James Franklin and Drew Allar.
On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter and Steelers insider Brian Batko preview Pittsburgh's NFL playoffs opener against the Ravens in Baltimore. Why does there seem to be a lack of excitement around the game, both inside the locker room and in the fan base? Are the Steelers embracing their underdog status against the Ravens? And who comes out on top on wild card weekend?
Joel Haas and Lyle Alenstein react to Penn State's gut-wrenching loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinals Thursday night in Miami. Drew Allar's late interception set up the game-losing field goal, but why was he so bad throughout the night? How much blame does James Franklin deserve after another big-game loss? And how do the Nittany Lions recover and make another run in 2025?
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m.
How much should Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith use quarterback Justin Fields in place of starter Russell Wilson in the NFL playoffs matchup with the Baltimore Ravens? Could Wilson's career be at stake in this game, with some pundits arguing it will be hard for him to find another starting job if he fails? What other roster changes may be coming if coach Mike Tomlin and Co. fall short?
Paul tackles those questions and more and also looks ahead to Penn State's College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl vs. Notre Dame. How much does James Franklin need this win for his legacy after a pair of playoff victories so far? Is Drew Allar or Riley Leonard the better quarterback in this game? And which injury looms larger — Abdul Carter’s for Penn State or Jeremiyah Love's for Notre Dame?
Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Brian Batko and Christopher Carter report from the team's final practice availability before its NFL playoffs matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
Why does the mood of the team seem upbeat despite a four-game losing streak to end the regular season? How are players including T.J. Watt, Joey Porter Jr., DeShon Elliott and others maintaining focus on delivering their first playoff wins in Steelers uniforms? What's the latest on injuries and illnesses for players including Cam Heyward, Chris Boswell, Mason McCormick and Donte Jackson? How much will Lamar Jackson and the Ravens miss top receiver Zay Flowers?
How have Arthur Smith, Russell Wilson and Co. changed the offensive game plan since the loss to the Bengals last week? What impact could winter weather have on the game? And will George Pickens be able to step up after his recent slump? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
On his daily first 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to Pitt basketball's loss to Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. What does Jeff Capel's squad need to fix as ACC play kicks into high gear? And can we at least be encouraged by the performance of Cam Corhen in defeat?
Later, Jason gets into the Steelers' NFL playoffs matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Specifically, he ponders things OC Arthur Smith can do to get QB Russell Wilson, WR George Pickens, RB Najee Harris and the offense going in the first quarter after first-quarter struggles against the Eagles, Ravens, Chiefs and Bengals over the past month.
Jason closes the show with his thoughts on the Penguins' loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday that included goalie Tristan Jarry giving up yet another multi-goal lead.
On their weekly Penn State football podcast, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian Nittany Lions insider Joel Haas preview the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup against Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl. Does James Franklin need a win to shed his label of struggling to win big games for good? Or has he done enough with wins against SMU in the first round and Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl? And how important is it for Penn State as a program to beat a Fighting Irish program that's similarly fallen just short of joining the nation's elite programs?
In terms of the matchup itself, does Penn State have the edge in star power with Drew Allar, Kaytron Allen, Nick Singleton, Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren? How many players should O Andy Kotelnicki and DC Tom Allen fear beyond Jeremiyah Love and Xavier Watts, with Rylie Mills out because of injury? What's the injury situation for Carter? Does Allar or Riley Leonard have more to prove in the QB matchup? And which opponent should Penn State prefer to see come out of the Cotton Bowl? A red-hot Ohio State team that they know? Or a talented Texas Longhorns team that they don't?
On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo consider what's at stake for the team -- win or lose -- in its NFL playoffs matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
Is Mike Tomlin closer to the hot seat if he loses? Or validation if he wins in the eyes of GM Omar Khan and owner Art Rooney II? What about coordinators Teryl Austin and Arthur Smith? Does the front office led by Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl have a higher opinion of this season than fans, upset with a long playoff win drought? Or could there still be changes to the coaching staff if the team falls short?
In the second segment, Adam and Ray discuss the future of the the roster's core and how much hingers on a win vs. as loss. Are T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cam Heyward assured of returning next season? Or would there be reason to doubt they could ever deliver in the postseason with another loss? What impact will the game have on extension talks with players including George Pickens? Could Pat Freiermuth or Alex Highsmith be on the trade block despite recent extensions of their own? And how important is it to see young players like Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton step up on the big stage?
Then in the third segment, our duo wades into QB talk. Does Russell Wilson's future in Pittsburgh hinge on this game? How much of an impact could it have on his contract demands in NFL free agency? Will Justin Fields get a second look as the potential starter? And what are the chances outside options like the Jets' Aaron Rodgers could be considered?