Pittsburgh Steelers Seek Answers as Bengals Loom on the Horizon
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 is especially important for Pittsburgh,
00:01 who still gets to play the Bengals twice,
00:05 'cause of course they get to play the Bengals twice
00:07 without Joe Burrow.
00:09 Let's start with this game,
00:10 and then we can dive out for the AFC North odds
00:13 and what is on the table here.
00:15 If you look at this spot today, Joe,
00:16 the status of a favorite now up to two and a half points
00:20 for Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
00:22 This is, to me, very simple.
00:26 The result, though, is always up in the air.
00:28 The Browns are better,
00:30 because the Steelers are not all that good.
00:31 They haven't outgained any of their opponents.
00:33 They're running hot.
00:35 Minnesota last year, right?
00:37 They won all these one-score games.
00:39 We knew they weren't good, and it came back to bite them.
00:42 They lost to Daniel Jones in a playoff game.
00:46 Pittsburgh's not very good,
00:48 but is this the week it bites them
00:49 and they lose here to Cleveland?
00:51 - I think it does, and you talk about very good
00:53 in terms of the Cleveland Browns.
00:55 That's what they are,
00:56 especially on the defensive side of the ball.
00:58 Their front seven, Kev, is holding opposing offenses
01:00 to 91 rushing yards per game,
01:02 less than three and a half yards per carry,
01:04 but more importantly, only about 160 passing yards per game
01:08 heading into this matchup.
01:10 Why is that important?
01:11 Because you look at Pittsburgh's quarterback,
01:13 Kenny Pickett, Donnie, over the last three weeks,
01:15 he hasn't thrown for more than 160 yards,
01:18 inconsistent in terms of third down offense.
01:21 They did get the rushing attack going
01:22 with Jaylon Warren last week, utilizing a lot of motion
01:26 that helped them against the Green Bay Packers,
01:28 but I think they're gonna struggle today,
01:30 and that's where this game is gonna be won or lost,
01:32 on the defensive side of the ball,
01:34 and that's why I favor the home team
01:36 in terms of the Cleveland Browns in this matchup.
01:38 - I just can't take Cleveland here,
01:39 because the last time I saw Dorian Thompson-Robinson,
01:42 it was a pathetic effort against the Baltimore Ravens,
01:44 but I understand.
01:45 Look, I'm also an optimist here.
01:46 It's going to only get better.
01:47 It can't get any worse than it did,
01:48 and also, when you're trying to level it and say,
01:50 "All right, well, is he gonna be more prepared?"
01:53 Yes, he is.
01:53 Joe, as you always like to point out,
01:54 you get a full week of practice,
01:55 and the game plan's put in for you,
01:57 not for Deshaun Watson.
01:58 That's going to make a difference,
01:59 but how charmed of a life do the Pittsburgh Steelers lead
02:02 at this point right now?
02:03 I mean, DTR in this game, you're looking at coming in
02:04 maybe a four, four and a half, five-point number here,
02:07 if it was Deshaun Watson, turns into a minus one and a half,
02:10 but now we're starting to get that public sentiment back,
02:11 saying, "Hold on, Cleveland is better,
02:13 "even with a rookie quarterback against Kenny Pickett
02:15 "and the Pittsburgh Steelers."
02:16 It's really kind of hard to fathom for me,
02:18 and it's one of those where, if I'm watching this morning,
02:20 guys, if that line goes to three,
02:22 I have to take the Pittsburgh Steelers as a principal player.