12/20/17-Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans

By: Mike Pelaia

The Steelers are certainly coming out of an extremely tough loss at the hands of the New England Patriots this past Sunday and now they must travel to Houston on Christmas day to take on the Texans.  On paper this matchup looks like an easy win for the black and gold but then you never know what can happen in the NFL.

The Steelers are going to need to get over the lost and concentrate heading into Houston in order to regain the momentum and get things turned back around.  They have shown resiliency all season long, now we’ll see if they can do it again.

Here Are The Keys To Victory:

1. The Steelers will need to keep JaDaveon Clowney away from Ben Roethlisberger.  Clowney is turning into a sack master and is an extremely disruptive player.  The O-line needs to keep Ben upright.
2. Someone, anyone, needs to step up on place of Antonio Brown. My expectation is that JuJu Smith-Schuster will be the guy to do so.  Don’t count out Martavis Bryant He has shown when he’s on that he’s more than capable of being a top receiver.
3. The secondary is going to have to find a way to stop DeAndre Hopkins. He is a top receiver in the league and handful to reckon with. Can Artie Burns get the job done?
4. I think the Steelers need to jump on the Texans early. The best way to cure the hangover of a tough loss is to come out swinging early and often in your next game to ensure confidence is flying high. Keeping the game close for a while may rattle the confidence of the troops.

Here Are A Few Things To Watch:

1. I want to see who steps up for Brown or how the Steelers game plan to do so. Will there be a heavier dose of Le’Veon Bell?
2. Even though JJ Watt won’t be playing, I think his brother TJ Watt is going to be amped up to play in front of his big brother’s home crowd. How will he perform?
3. I’m interested in seeing how Marcus Gilbert plays after missing the last four weeks due to suspension.
4. All eyes should be on the Patriots and Jaguars on Sunday as those two teams still determine where the Steelers seeding falls, along with the Steelers themselves.

I think the Steelers will have an easy time in Houston and enjoy their Christmas holiday with a 34-17 victory.

12/19/17-PODCAST STEEL NATION RADIO Patriots Wrap Up And Texans Preview

By: Mike Pelaia

Well, that was quite a game, huh? Despite the Steelers not winning, I think they proved they can beat the Pats and they may get their shot again in January. I sit down with Ben (no not Roethlisberger), who is back by popular demand, and he joins me in dissecting the game. 

12/18/17-For Once, There May Be A Moral Victory

By: Mike Pelaia

There are no moral victories, or so the saying goes in professional sports. Ben Roethlisberger said as much in the immediate aftermath of the roller coaster ride that was the Patriots win over the Steelers on Sunday evening. “I’m not into moral victories right now. We just lost a game. It doesn’t sit well.”

Normally, I’d agree. I don’t think moral victories typically exist but in this rare circumstance, I think it does. The Steelers were riding an eight-game winning streak, it’s hard to keep an extended streak like that going in the NFL, almost impossible, especially when you’re playing the defending champions who are coming off of a very difficult loss the week prior. 

The Steelers rarely, if ever, beat the New England Patriots.  The odds were stacked against them coming into the game. Compound that with the fact that Antonio Brown was lost for the game and the weight of defeating the Patriots got that much heavier.  But the Steelers DID beat the Patriots, they didn’t beat the refs.  The touchdown to Jesse James should not have been overruled, in my opinion. If the zebras don’t overturn the call, the black and gold win the game, period.

The touchdown was overruled, the Steelers lost, they will move on. But this time, I think they can move on with a moral victory.  This game was theirs for the taking.  It didn’t happen on this night, but it can happen toward the end of January and it doesn’t matter what field they play on.  The Patriots are beatable, specifically if Brown is on the field. 

The Steelers want this game again, they want the rematch, they want to prove they are the better team. They basically did that in all facets of this game, with the exception of the score.  “We’ll see them again and the outcome will be different” said Eli Rogers.  Roethlisberger said he wants the rematch “because that means we made it far”. He’s not wrong that’s what it will mean and if it does happen again, it will in all likelihood be in New England.   “I like a shot at everyone we lose to” said Cameron Heyward.

Tom Brady wasn’t as eager to discuss a rematch. “We have to take care of a lot of business ourselves. That’s a long time down the road.”

The bigger part for Pittsburgh now though, may be readying themselves to travel to Houston on Christmas Day.  The game, on paper, looks like a win.  There isn’t any reason the Steelers should lose, the unfortunate part now though is the Jacksonville Jaguars sit just one game back of the black and gold and hold the tie breaker over them. Should the Steelers drop a game in the next two weeks and the Jags were to win out, this loss to New England would essentially drop them from a potential number one seed down to the number three seed.  There’s a big difference in playing three games to get to the Super Bowl and playing two. 

The Steelers will need to approach this next game in Houston with their head held high. They know they’re a good football team, they proved they can play with New England and with a full squad and a removal of a quirky play, they can beat the Patriots anytime anywhere. 

I expect the black and gold to go to Houston and shred the Texans. I expect them to come out of this loss angry, motivated and ready to win the rest of their games, including a run to their seventh Lombardi trophy. The Steelers will be heavy favorites in their remaining two games, they should earn a first round bye and hold a home game in the divisional round. From there, they’ll have to play a quality opponent, but they’ll be favored and I believe they’ll win (though they aren’t going to want to see the Ravens a third time). After that, they will in all likelihood get this game again, albeit in New England for a right to go to the Super Bowl.

They will earn their shot at redemption and that may be a good thing. Beating New England twice in the same year is as tall an order as can be in the NFL. Just ask anyone in the AFC East about that.  Equally as challenging, this year, is beating the Steelers twice. I’m not sure either is possible and the good news is, the Patriots won their game. The Steelers will get their shot at theirs in a months’ time (give or take). 

For now, the Steelers should walk away with the moral victory and head into Houston ready to take care of business.

12/14/17-New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

By: Mike Pelaia

The big game is finally here. The game that everyone has been waiting for since last off-season. The New England Patriots are coming to town and the #1 seed is on the line.  The Patriots just lost on Monday Night Football to the Miami Dolphins and will have a short turnaround to now face an amped up Steelers team on a mission.

I find it problematic that the Pats lost this past week, they rarely, if ever, drop two in a row.  The Steelers need this win to clinch a first round bye, if they lose, it’s still possible they could fall to the 3^rd seed.  If the Steelers do win this game, they could actually knock the Patriots down to the 3^rd seed, if Jacksonville won out.

A lot on the line…

Here Are The Keys To Victory:

1. The defense absolutely must blitz Tom Brady.  Brady is far less effective when he faces mass amounts of pressure.  If the Steelers can not only rush Brady but get to him, they can force him into throws he doesn’t like to make.
2. The offense has to control the clock. Plain and simple. The best defense the Steelers have right now is their offense but in this case, they need to drive the field in methodical fashion, in particular with Le’Veon Bell, to keep the Patriots offense off the field. The black and gold defense has too many holes and gives up too many big plays to get into a high scoring affair with New England.
3. Someone will need to contain Rob Gronkowski. One of the linebackers, I’m thinking Vince Williams, is going to have to keep the Gronk under wraps. Far easier said than done.
4. Maybe most importantly, the coaching staff needs to make adjustments during the game. Keith Butler and Mike Tomlin in particular, have notoriously been out maneuvered by Bill Belichick in this game. It’s time for them to step up and make adjustments on the fly vs. sticking with a plan that doesn’t work.

Here Are A Few Things To Watch:

1. You have to watch all of the ‘Killer B’s.  They have all been on fire lately, how will they top last weeks performance?  It’s nearly impossible!
2. We’ll need to see how Sean Spence and Arthur Moats are used this week. Neither did a very admirable job filling in for Ryan Shazier last week. They’ll need to do a far better job this week.
3. I’m interested to see how the Steelers plan to stop Dion Lewis. He’s another duel threat treat the black and gold get to contend with this week.
4. With all the off-season talk of Big Ben retiring, will this be the last time he and Brady face each other? I’m betting no, but it is possible.

This game has the potential to be a classic and one that could truly determine the Steelers path to the Super Bowl. I think the Steelers will have a better showing than they did in January but I don’t think their defense is ready to stop Brady just yet.  I think these teams will face again in the playoffs and I believe the black and gold will be ready that time but for now, I see the Patriots stealing this one 38-28. 

12/12/17-PODCAST STEEL NATION RADIO RAVENS WRAP UP AND PATS PREVIEW

By: Mike Pelaia

Well, it’s finally here. The showdown. The game everyone has been talking about since last off-season.  Will this be the game the Steelers get past the Pats?  What do I think? Find out right here, along with comments about the Ravens game, the Killer B’s and of course Ryan Shazier.

12/11/17-The Best Defense Is The Offense

By: Mike Pelaia

Ball Control. That’s going to be the key to the Steelers extending their season deep into the playoffs. After a phenomenal performance by the black and gold offense against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football, a 39-38 victory, led by Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell and the latest ‘Killer B’, Chris Boswell, it has become even more apparent to me that the best defense this team has, is its offense.

Over the course of the second half of the season, the Steelers defense has regressed, they’ve been exposed at times and they’ve been susceptible to the big plays. That is a formula for disaster. 

The Baltimore Ravens, who have had very little offensive success this season, dropped 38 points on the now porous black and gold defense.  Sadly, without their all world linebacker, Ryan Shazier, this team is very capable of allowing both big run plays along with big pass plays. Arthur Moates and Sean Spence cannot make up for the loss of Shazier, nor should anyone expect them to, but it does spell trouble for this team. 

The linebacking corps is now weakened, badly, with the loss of their biggest playmaker.  Shazier was a game changer, much like Troy Polamalu in his prime and he leaves a void that it appears nobody can fill. 

That, however, is not the primary issue on this defensive unit. The secondary is weak, even weaker without Joe Haden out there. Time will tell when he returns but I doubt we’ll see him this week against New England.  I like Artie Burns and the upside that he has but he’s not showing me that he’s a number one corner yet.  Coty Sensabaugh looks downright awful filling in for Haden and I don’t even know where to begin on Sean Davis, whom I’m souring on quickly.  This unit gets burned on the regular by guys like Brett Hundley and Jacoby Brissett. Tom Brady doesn’t just burn this team when he plays them, he torches them and brings the whole thing down.

I fear that if the Steelers don’t control the ball and the clock along with it, keeping Brady off the field and other opposing offenses in the playoffs, the San Diego Chargers, whom I think are going to make it in, come to mind, then they could be in for the 39-38 type of games that make everyone watching sweat until the end.

It’s all fine and good when the Steelers eek out a victory, as they did on Sunday night. But how many times can Ben throw for 500 yards? How many times can Brown go over 200?  They shouldn’t have to drop nearly 40 points to win, especially against a dismal Ravens offense. But they had to on this night and that may continue down the stretch without Shazier.

The offense must control the clock, this week in particular, to keep guys like Brady off the field.  The Patriots offense always finds your weakness and in this case, the Steelers now have two layers of weakness.  The middle linebacker position is a mess and the secondary is just plain bad.

Yet, the offense is as good as it gets and can score with anyone. The key, however, is scoring enough points while keeping the other guys off the field. Enter Bell, the man in charge of controlling the tempo of the game. If the Steelers can give him the ball enough times for him to move the sticks and take time off the clock, I think they’ll have a better opportunity for long term success. It would be fantastic to see the black and gold dropping 40 points a game but when you go up against a team like the Patriots or potentially the Chargers, if you’re scoring 40, they’re probably right there with you, making it a game of who has the ball last.

The best defense in these big games, from here on out, is the offense. Control the clock, maintain possession and put up points after a methodical, time consuming drive.

12/7/17-GAMEDAY – Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

By: Mike Pelaia

What can be said about last weeks’ game that hasn’t already? It was a great comeback after a devastating injury to Ryan Shazier. The game was physical, ugly in many ways, scary, yet encouraging at the same time. For the first time this year, I wasn’t displeased with a narrow victory by the black and gold. I realized this team has resiliency and that’s a characteristic that can drive a team through the playoffs.

Yet, we are not there yet. Next up on the docket is the hated Baltimore Ravens. While I fully expect this game to be hard hitting and extremely physical, I don’t expect it to be as violent or as ugly as the Bengal game was this past Monday Night.

Here Are The Keys To Victory:

1. The Steelers need to somehow put the Shazier injury behind them. Often times, teams can get up during the moment but suffer a massive hangover the following week. The black and gold will be tested this week to see just how resilient they are and if they are capable of playing for Shazier; not worrying about him during game time (as hard as that may be to do).
2. Whoever replaces Shazier needs to be able to call the right defenses out. That won’t be easy. Shazier was easily the Steelers best defensive playmaker. His absence creates a void that must be filled but not only his replacement but the other 10 guys on the field. No one guy can replace Shazier. My suggestion is to finally allow James Harrison to suit up, start him at OLB and move either TJ Watt or Bud Dupree to the inside. I think that gives this team the best chance to win.
3. I think the game will be tight and ball control will be pivotal. Le’Veon Bell is a huge key to controlling the clock and moving the sticks. He must get the ball 25 times, or more, this week.
4. As I usually say in this game, special teams will be key. In a close affair, whoever wins the special teams battle usually comes out on top. All sides of special teams must play mistake free football. The littlest flip in field position due to a special teams gaffe, could cost the Steelers the game.

Here Are A Few Things To Watch:

1. Just sit back and enjoy Antonio Brown.  Not only is he making a Hall of Fame career happen before our eyes but he’s now making the case to be considered the greatest wide receiver of all time.
2. Big Ben talked about the lack of respect he has for the Bengals and the respect he does have for the Ravens. Just watch the game unfold and see what he means. These teams play hard but you can see the respect they share. I expect a tight, hard fought contest.
3. I think Jesse James will be an important check down target for Roethlisberger this week. Look for him to have 5 or more catches and a possible score.
4. I certainly anticipate a game that comes down to the wire, possibly to the last minute or two. In games like that, you always have to keep your eye on Chris Boswell. He’s been pretty solid in the clutch and may have to be again this week.

This game will be a close one and one that will be won late. I think the Steelers will continue to roll along and get past the Ravens, beating them 24-20.  It won’t be easy but the Steelers will head into the showdown with the Patriots with an 11-2 record.

12/5/17-PODCAST STEEL NATION RADIO BENGALS WRAP UP AND RAVEN PREVIEW

By: Mike Pelaia

After that wild win in Cincinnati, I fly solo to cover the Steelers victory as well as preview the Raven game coming up. Of course we discuss Ryan Shazier as well.  Sending out good thoughts for Shazier.

Listen to the podcast here: 

12/5/17-There Is No Quit In This Team

By: Mike Pelaia

I’ve written many things about this black and gold team this season, especially after the losses to the Bears and Jags and the poor performances against the Colts and Packers but the one thing I have learned in the past few weeks; there is no quit in this team.

They may not destroy the teams they are supposed to, they may not play perfectly, they may not even play good football at times but there is no quit in this team.

The black and gold have found ways to win games on the last play of the game the past two weeks, thanks to huge drives led by their future Hall of Fame quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, their all world wide receiver, Antonio Brown and their super star running back, Le’Veon Bell. But one more ‘B’ that needs to be added to the mix of ‘Killer B’s’ is kicker Chis Boswell. As his offense has played with ice water in their veins to drive down the field to set him up, Boswell has stayed cool, calm and collected in the clutch and delivered the winning kick as time expired in consecutive weeks. There just is no quit in this team.

The Steelers left Cincinnati with a W but with a lot of bumps, bruises and injuries to overcome as they prepare for the Baltimore Ravens this coming Sunday night. The most important is obviously the injury to Ryan Shazier and one that could leave any team rattled. The Steelers were visibly upset in the immediate aftermath of the injury. Honestly anyone watching the game had to be upset, I know I was. But the amazing thing that came from it was the resolve the team showed after. To rally from a 17-0 deficit and win the game, on the road, in prime time against a very heated rival proves one main thing, there is no quit in this team.

I have been a critic of Mike Tomlin over the years for many things but I will sing his praises this week. He could have let the team get off track against the Bengals and completely fall apart. At one point during the game I was thinking that this very article may be how the Steelers were in danger of not only losing the number one seed, but perhaps the division as well; I was beginning to envision a three game slide. I was wrong and I have to credit Tomlin for that. He was able to maintain the focus of his troops and truly lead them to the victory. There is no quit in him and his team reflects that.

Now, on a short week, he needs to maintain that resolve and focus and navigate this team to another victory in prime time against another hard hitting AFC North opponent who is also battling for a playoff spot.

The Ravens are on almost as good of a roll as Pittsburgh is but one thing I think I’ll realize this week, should the Steelers fall behind early, or even late, is they will still have a fighting chance to win as there is no quit in this team.