October 31, 2025 • 48 mins
Rob and Max are joined by Missi Matthews to discuss this weekend's matchup against the Colts. They then discuss the injury report, as well as some more Halloween talk.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
This is in the locker room with Chinyon Starks on
Steelers Nation Radio, presented by your neighborhood Forward Store. The
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Speaker 2 (00:38):
Alright, our number two here inside the locker room. And
of course you know when you hear that sound, that tune,
that beat, when the beat drops, of course you all
pause for a second because we gotta pay homage. And
of course welcome in the dynamic third of our broadcasting trio.
And that is the one, the only, Missy Matthews. Missy,
(01:01):
how are you doing this Friday?
Speaker 3 (01:04):
I'm good, Happy Halloween, Ready for tonight, ready for Sunday,
Ready to hopefully get back on track.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Absolutely absolutely, Well, Well, Rob has a question for we.
We we we've now we've now resigned the fact that
all guests will have to answer this question. So Rob,
I will I will lead it off to you, sir.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Yeah, Missy, and I know that you have big plans
tonight and uh big big activities going on in Fox
Chapel this evening. But the question for you, not not
necessarily for kids, because you got kids you're out there
trick or treating with We're not talking about next generation candy,
but what would be your go to if you're trick
or treating and you're a kid right now, what is
(01:43):
the one thing you want to see in your bag?
What's the what is the one candy that is going
to make you the happiest? There you go for two? Yeah,
two for two. Matt Taylor, the play by play voice
of the Colts, also came up with the same response.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
So, good deal.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
You can't go wrong. Yeah, you can't go wrong with
butter and chocolate.
Speaker 5 (02:08):
Yeah, no, you can't, you can't. I totally agree.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Uh, that's a that's a go to, and I think
Missy rightly, So I get a little rankled if you
go to a candy machine, you know, you put your
money in and they don't have a receas, right.
Speaker 5 (02:24):
That's.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Agree?
Speaker 4 (02:27):
Okay, a good deal. So we've got that straightened out.
The hard hitting questions you've come to expect here, So, Missy.
The Steelers Injury Report presented by UPMC, the official healthcare
provider and health plan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. We know
that Deshaun Elliott is banged up. We know that the
Steelers traded for Kyle Duggar. I don't know if any
(02:47):
other injuries are going to play a prominent role on
the team. I think we'll know more after the practice today.
But shouldn't be any excuses and shouldn't be any reason
that this team can't rebound against the Colts, just when
we're talking about guys. Look, injuries are factors, but the
Colts have been very banged up in their secondary. So
hopefully the Stealers have enough, you know, healthy bodies to
(03:10):
go out there and pull off a victory on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Yeah, I think, you know, the only injury that will
be determined, at least in my eyes today is Isaac Samalo.
He's a vet, he hasn't practiced. We know he's dealing
with that peck injury. But you know, even if he
does a little something today, he's a guy that if
he's cleared medically, obviously they could say all right, you
(03:36):
can play Sunday. And I don't think that, you know,
Spencer Anderson having to play guard would be a bad
thing if Isaac needs the time off. But I just think,
you know, he's he's the gel of that offensive line,
the you know, Grizzly veteran, and they've been doing so
well in terms of running the ball and just playing
better as a as a unit. So I wouldn't want
(03:57):
to see him not play, but if it helps him healthy,
I'd be okay with it.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Yeah, And I'm right there with you now, Missy. I
do have to ask this question as I looked at
the injury report as well. Nothing to worry about with
the whole, Darius Slagh. I know it says personal matter,
non injury related, you know, is that something that we
need to worry about or is that something that's just
kind of It is what it is and that that's
(04:25):
just how the practice went.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Yeah, I mean I wasn't obviously expecting to see that
on the injury report. He had spoken the locker room
the day before. But you never know what people are
dealing with behind the scenes. I have not really an
inkling of anything, but I think, you know, obviously today
would be the day since they have to do the
whole you know, did you practice limited full and then
(04:50):
give you the game status. So we've obviously seen though
too that can change on a Saturday a guy can
be downgraded or upgraded. But that's definitely another one Max
that I would say to definitely watch his availability as well.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
You know, Uh, Missy, I think that you brought up
a great point and where you know that that you're
kind of kicking around a little bit that you know,
you have to hope, uh first of all, that the
team can find a way to rebound, right, and we're
looking for some sort of edge against the Colt team,
A Colts team that you know, seven out of eight
opponents haven't found an edge, right, They're seven and one.
(05:30):
They haven't played outdoors very often. You know, maybe you
know I I am. I'm not saying I'm gonna get
up and h and you know, hope for rain on Sunday,
but I I might, you know, I might not be
adverse to a little bit of a drizzle out there,
maybe some wind kicking up on Sunday for a Colts
team that plays indoors and has played most of their
(05:51):
games indoors.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
Yeah, I mean I would rather rain on Sunday than
tonight for Halloween for trick or treating. But that's just selfish. Yeah,
But yeah, I mean, you know, they played five home
games which just seems crazy because I feel like we're
we have not been at home, even though Dublin was
a home game. They played two games that's so far,
so so far, those are all inside. The only game
(06:15):
that they played outside was against the Titans, and that
was Week three, so I can't imagine, you know, it
was the worst weather that they've ever been in in
terms of playing on you know, grass and being outside.
So I'm cool with some Pittsburgh weather, even if it
doesn't drizzle, you know, like damp, frost in the morning, windy, cloudy,
(06:36):
just something to throw them off their game of not
being you know, covered in a temperature controlled environment with
bright light.
Speaker 6 (06:42):
So maybe that.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Will play a factor. Maybe it won't, but it is
just kind of crazy when you look at their schedule
and you're like, man, they've been inside a lot.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
So Max, I have to say, now that you moved
up to the broadcast booth, what is your feeling about,
you know, drizzling a little rain out there, you know,
I mean I feel badly for missing kind of you know.
I I hate when I have to sit up in
that press box and stop my feet because maybe they're
just not warm enough, you know what, I mean, well,
while Missy's out there parading along the sidelines, your your thoughts, Max,
(07:13):
and now that you've moved up to the booth, uh,
you know.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
As much as I do miss being on the sidelines,
you know, and Missy and I having some some some
great adventures inside the you know, the the belly of
the Beast aka the stadium, especially on awakens, where you're
figuring out where everything is and we know, we're just
we're like, hey, hey, where do you go for this?
You know, and figuring out where the bathroom route is
(07:40):
and how far is the locker room from you know,
the tunnel that we that we're allowed access to before
we scan in and scan out. I do say the
ease of the booth is something that that that's very
easy to get to get accustomed to and used to.
You know, they have they have press box, halftime food
and all that other stuff. And I don't have to
(08:01):
wear a jacket or worry about how much I had
to layer up. You know. The heated vest is actually
getting retired Missy, you know this season, which is yeah,
maybe maybe not. I mean, yeah, I guess if I
want to feel toasty, if the world is open and you.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Want to wear a big puppy jacket, you.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Know, yeah, exactly, but you don't you know me, I mean,
you know, I am like the bare minimum when it
comes to heat accessories. So I mean we very few times.
I mean I would say that Raiders game for the
for the Franco fiftieth, that might have been the coldest
game I've ever done. It was that the coldest for
(08:43):
you as well? Or have you done worse? Obviously you've
been on the sidelines.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Yeah, that was colder than the game the playoff game
against Miami. This is way long ago in Pittsburgh, so yeah,
that was Yeah, that was.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Bruce was miserable. That was miserable. And then and then
the Baltimore away game was that two years ago? Uh? Oh?
The ice rain? Oh I got the freezing rain or whatever,
Like I like, I don't miss those moments, you know,
And those are the ones where I'm like, I'm gonna
be sending extra extra you know, good good vibes to you,
(09:21):
and you know, and thinking about all the hot pockets.
What are those yeah those little the little hand warmers.
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm thinking of the hand warmers. Yes,
but the encrustables. Yes, that's that. Those were always a treat,
especially on a cold game, because if you put it
in the jacket with the little heating function almost like
(09:41):
warmed up the sandwich. It was like a nice little
toasty sandwich. But but man, yeah, that's one thing I
do not miss the cold. I'm not going to miss
the cold games because those were we we went through it,
and of course you will still be championing our spirits
down there on the sidelines. But yeah, that's one I
I have to say. I'm not gonna I'm not gonna
(10:01):
miss the cold. So I couldn't tell yeah, exactly, you
couldn't tell it all. You couldn't tell it all. But
but Missy, I do want to turn you know, like
I said, for this game and for the opponent. I mean,
you know, we talked with Matt Taylor. Matt actually brought
something up. He was saying, for as good as his
(10:22):
team has been offensively, defense has been very opportunistic, and
but they've also you know, he also really they've also
given up eleven hundred yards in the air of the
last of the last number of weeks. So that's one
where they are susceptible I mean, what is that one
of the keys. Is it going to be unlocking the
(10:45):
air attack against them, because that seems to be more
of a weakness than their run defense, or you know
kind of what what are some of your keys you're
looking forward to in this game?
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Well, I definitely think, you know, you advantage Steelers when
you're playing a de svent like that and you have
Aaron Rodgers and hopefully you know skys jump off sides
it's called this week. But I just think, you know,
I had to throw that in there. I can't get fined, right,
you know, but in my opinion to make this, you know, kosher.
(11:21):
But I just think that he will be able to
find some weak spots and whether that's in the air,
I still think that getting Jalen Warren going, getting that
run game, trying to you know, make them commit to
not knowing what's happening. Obviously that's what everybody wants to
do on offense. But I just think that when the
(11:42):
Steelers offense does get in that groove, it is it's
very hard to play against Aaron Rodgers when he's wheeling
and dealing and you just don't know what he's doing
in the play action and the fakes, so hopefully that
is something they can exploit. And again it goes back
to Aaron talked about it coach Tomlin Arthur Smith yesterday,
the not settling for the field goals and getting the touchdowns.
(12:07):
Great in opening drives, you know, get some points in
the first half, but we saw what can happen when
you have a lead and then in the third quarter
things start to go very well for your offense and
you're not holding the ball very long and you're not
getting points and then the other team starts to you know,
come together. So it's definitely something that you know, has
been the topic of discussion. You know, doing better in
(12:28):
the second half in terms of the offense, but I think,
you know, just getting to the red zone was something
that we had kind of been accustomed to. It felt
like at a pretty good percentage, but last week against
the Green Bay, it just wasn't there.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
You know, I think you bring up good points, and
I do think, Missy, that the offense would like to
do more. I agree, However, I think that you know,
you're looking at a Steelers defense that has got some issues, right.
We know that they have been you know, one of
the better sack teams in the league, but that has
(13:03):
dried up. They haven't had a turnover now in three
plus games. They're going against the Colts team that doesn't
give up a lot of sacks, doesn't turn the ball
over a lot. They've given up four more or more
yards and offense in the last two games. That's something
that I think has only happened twice now in in
(13:24):
you know, a huge stretch of time in Steeler's history
that you've given up back to back games from four
hunder to more yards, thirty or more points. Look, the
defense has got to do a better job of giving
the offense an opportunity to win the game at the
very least. And it's a bit mystifying, Missy, because for
three games the Steelers did exactly that. They were causing havoc,
(13:47):
getting turnovers, getting sacks. They held their three opponents to
fourteen point seven points per game.
Speaker 5 (13:53):
And now this turnaround.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
So I don't know what it's gonna take, but this
Steelers defense has got to do a better job of
limiting what the Colts can do. Not easy against the
most explosive offense in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
No, but maybe you know that will be the perfect
medicine for them to do. But I know we basically
said this last week after the Bengals game because it
was on Thursday, and you had to wait so long
to play another game to try to, you know, erase
that because once you play another game, there's there's new tape,
and usually you hope that it's better, of course, but
I do think the defense had to kind of have
(14:26):
a you know, come to Jesus moment, Look, look in
the mirror, what are you doing wrong? How can you
help yourself? How can you help your teammates type thing, because,
as you said, just historic in a bad way of
the numbers and the points that they'd given up, and
you know, just different things like that. And I clearly
losing to Sean Elliott in the game, and you know,
(14:47):
for this week and for however long it takes him
to hopefully get healthy is not good because of what
he meant to that defense. And we saw it earlier
in the season when he missed one or two games
before the Dublin game. So it is definitely not ideal
to lose him at this time. But you still have guys,
You have big name guys, You have guys that are
(15:08):
paid well, and as you said, they've done it. We were,
you know, on a role where it was like, are
we going to get a third game with you know,
five takeaways? Is that possible? It just felt like they
were coming in bunches, and it has been such a
drought in terms of the splashiness that we're accustomed to.
So hopefully, you know, it's not the mental mistakes, the
(15:29):
you know, not minding the gap, different things like that
that play into a potential game like that where they're
not able to stop this cold's offense, which is not
an easy task for anybody. But I think, let alone,
you know, a defense that feels like they're licking their.
Speaker 6 (15:43):
Wounds because it's shocking to the outside and I can't
imagine being part of it where you felt like something
was starting to come along for you.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
You know, in the first few games, especially you know,
New England and whatnot, and then it started to go
completely sideways.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
Yeah, it's it's one of those it's really a head
scratcher trying to unlock that code. And like you said,
no Deshaun Elliott insert Kyle Dugger into that rotation with
Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark and Jabrill Pepper's being in there,
so gotta figure somebody out. Somebody has to step up
(16:25):
as a new guy and uh and take off the
name tag and assume the mantle, right. I mean, that's
just what you have to kind of do in that situation.
You know. Pass rush is one of the biggest things
that always helps the secondary, right, and teams have been
using quick game max protect to kind of neutralize what
(16:47):
our defensive line can do. I mean, you know, when
I watched the Colts, they're not necessarily a max protect
type of team all all the way, but they are
a team that has some really good offensive line. I mean, what,
you know, what has been kind of the sentiment, you
know from Cam and company, you know, TJ and Nick
(17:07):
and everyone, and what's been kind of the player feel about,
you know, the importance of this game and getting back
on track from that perspective defensively and trying to re
establish the pass rush because, like you said, when it's on,
it's like, man, we can't do any wrong, right, you know,
we're about to have another epic day defensively, But because
(17:29):
of the fact that people have been doing that to them,
they haven't been really effective. What's the general mood, you
know around those guys wanting to kind of get back
to those old ways and trying to find solutions to
have makeing excuses.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
They're just gonna ask Danny Dimes, you know, do a
seven step drop back, you know, like just give us
some time, we'll get to you.
Speaker 6 (17:49):
No, I'm kidding.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
I think it's you know, the mixing up with the coverages,
and I think it's also not necessarily the communication, but
everybody knowing exactly where they're supposed to be. I think
a lot time, especially after a loss. You know, there's
the clips that go out through social media, and a
lot of them felt like it was, you know, a
high angle of the defense where it's like that guy
was just completely by himself, and you can't have those things,
(18:14):
especially when the ball is coming out quick like that.
So I don't know if it's necessarily simplifying things, but
as you said, you're adding Kyle Dugger, who had his
first practice yesterday with the Steelers. I think the good
thing is Jabrill Peppers came from the same system and
is able to almost decode the Steeler's language or how
(18:35):
they're calling things. So I'm sure those two are spending
a lot of time together to try to get about
the speed, so it will be interesting to see how
it happens. And I think, you know, just almost the
discipline of playing clean, no penalties, just knowing exactly where
you're supposed to be and when would be huge. And
(18:57):
obviously communication plays a part in that, and you alway
hope that with a really good home crowd, they're making
it loud and miserable for the opposing offense, which in
turn does make it difficult for the defense to communicate.
But hopefully they're able to kind of work through that
and mix things up and get back on the right track,
because there I feel like the splash is what really
(19:19):
gets them going, kind of like you know, when you're
running the ball, well, the offensive linemen are like, yeah,
let's go, and everyone's moving with a little extra pep
in their steps. So hopefully that can happen for the
defense in terms of sacks and splash plays on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
Missy, thank you very much. We hope that when you're
out there trick or shooting with the boys tonight, should
a recis cup wind its way into the container. By
the way, are we going like container shopping bag pillowcase
for the boys to get their Halloween loot or what's
(19:53):
the what's the the receiving implement.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
We're old school, we go pillowcase, you know, probably one
that was like from the mettle and has Spider Man
on it or dinosaurs. Yeah, and then my husband always
wears a huge book bag that they can like dump
it into.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Wow. Wow, right there, that's a pro move.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
Yeah, but like you guys better come find us, give
us some can't give us your candy, wink wink, We'll
hold it for you so you can go get some more.
Speaker 4 (20:24):
No doubt that there will be as as as as
Max put it talking to Matt Taylor about a dad
tax of mom tax with the yeah, they.
Speaker 3 (20:34):
Know, they just they know, they know. If they don't
give it to me, I'm going to steal it. Anyways,
when they.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Go to bed, it's tithing. It's it's Halloween tithing for
the parents because they're the ones. Can yeah, get getting
the costumes and everything ready. Missy, thank you very much,
greatly appreciated. Always looking forward to the broadcast on Sunday
as Steelers will look to get back in the wind column.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
Bye Missy, Bye, Missy. Okay, wonter mind.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
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(21:21):
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Speaker 4 (22:16):
Well, thanks for being with us in the Locker Room,
and you know Max, you know, we're looking at the
keys to this game, and I think when you're talking
about the Colts, you have to begin by talking about
their offense. You have to begin by talking about Jonathan Taylor,
who is leading the league in rushing, leading the league
in rushing touchdowns, very similar to season to the one
(22:38):
he had when he was last healthy in twenty one,
when they led the league in rushing and led the
league in rushing touchdowns. He is a very, very good back.
He's an interesting guy to me because he doesn't look
huge like you see Derek Henry and you think, okay, power, right,
and then he doesn't you know, when he's when he's
moving around in the back door, he doesn't look like
(23:00):
Barry Sanders, right, And when he's running down the field,
it doesn't look like he has unbelievable speed, and yet
he is powerful. He can make guys miss, he can
run away from guys. He has extraordinary balance. You know,
you talk about Jail and Warren always falling forward. This
guy finds a way to always fall forward. He is
(23:23):
a formidable challenge for the Steelers defense.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Yeah, he is a complete back. I mean, that's the
best way to put it. He's a complete back because
he can also pass protect, he can also catch the
ball out of the backfield. He has a multitude of ways,
and they know how to deploy him and get the
ball in his hands. I mean, you're talking about leading
the league in all those categories and the scrimmage yards
(23:49):
just in general. So they do throw the ball to him.
So he does have passing stats on his side as well,
you know. And then he's he's in front of an
offensive line that's a really good group. I mean, he's
got I mean Quentin Nelson. You know, we talk about
just kind of the history of him and Cam Hayward
battling it out, you know, throughout their careers and seeing
(24:11):
each other multiple times. But you know, Bernard Raymond's been
doing a great job at left tackle, Tanner Bordolini at
the center position, Matt Goncalvez or Gonzalvez, you know, he's
been doing a great job at guard, and Braden Smith.
You know, they've they've got a good core five there
(24:32):
that knows how to how to work together, great communicators
in a really solid offensive line. So you couple that
with a Jonathan Taylor and then apparently, you know, just
the wax poetic that Matt Taylor, who was on the
show in hour one, put On was you know, hey,
this group, I mean they're sitting the pace of the NFL, right,
(24:54):
you know, with being one of the number one offenses
and also having the number one record in the league.
It's it's gonna be a challenge because you can't pick one.
And I thought it was interesting that he said that
they have they still have had one hundred yard receiver.
That's crazy to think, Rob, right, not one game where
(25:15):
one guy in eight games has gone over one hundred
yards receiving, and you're one of the highest scoring offenses
in the league and you don't slow down. Everything's all gas,
no breaks. That was one that was really fascinating to
me is that they still haven't quite unlocked the top receiver.
And that's what I think is really the big difference.
They don't have a top receiver, but you have guys
(25:37):
who do put their hand in the pile. Right. You
have you have Alec Pierce, you have Michael Pittman Junior,
you do have Josh Downs, and then Tyler Warren you
throw in there at the tight end position. I mean,
there's a lot of weapons, but he you know, one
thing matter was he spreads the ball kind of like
Aaron does. So you can't really get a bead on
(25:58):
who's the guy that needs to be back. I mean,
obviously we all think and we propose it's Michael Pittman Jr.
Is there Number one Alec Pierce. You know, he's he's
been okay, but you know also he's battling injury as well,
so his availability, I'm sure we'll find out on Friday,
you know, after the Friday practice report comes out. But
(26:21):
they've got a lot of ways to deploy. And if
you sell out on the run and get the one
on one on the outside, that's when that's when the
wide receivers eat. So it's gonna be really interesting. Pass
rush is going to be key in this.
Speaker 4 (26:34):
So yeah, let me get to that in a moment,
because I didn't want to ask you about that because
I think it's a big part of it. But not
to interrupt you here, although I'm interrupting you. But it
just as we were getting ready for this game with
the matchup with Missy and Matt Williamson yesterday, the show
we do on the Steelers, uh plot different social media platforms,
(26:54):
it just began to remind me more and more of
the matchup to Steelers just had a quarterback playing an
extremely high level who's mobile, can get out of the pocket,
can run, can extend plays in the pocket. And then
you have a terrific running back, although you have to
give the I mean, as much as I like Josh Jacobs,
(27:15):
you got to give the edge to Tailor there. Then
you have outstanding tight ends Tyler Kraft for Green Bay,
Warren for the Colts. Those are really kind of the
guys you've got to limit, and the Steelers weren't able
to do it against Tyler Craft. They've got just as
big a challenge with Tyler Warren. And then you have
the deep ball threat in Christian Watson, who was second
(27:36):
last year in yards perception. You have Alec Pearce who's
number one this year in the NFL and yards perception. Pittman,
that guy that can move the change sure handed down
to another guy who's a dangerous guy as far as
you know, just being able to pick up you know,
that safety valve kind of guy underneath who can pick
up yardage for Daniel Jones. It really the more we
(27:59):
talked about it more, I'm like, man, we just saw
this movie on Sunday against the Packers. It's it's a
very similar sort of group of characters, cast of characters
that the Colts have at their disposal.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
Yeah, and I think that's where it's the challenge, right,
I mean, and and that's where pick your poison. You know,
what what what are we going to do? Are we
gonna are we gonna sell out? To stop the run
and stop Jonathan Taylor who's on this historic pace for him,
and there's milestones that he can achieve that I don't
want to see him achieve, you know, getting to the
nine hundred yards rushing in the first eight games, you know,
(28:37):
and one more touchdown and then he goes into the
elite company of Ladanian, Tomlinson, Emmitt Smith, Shawn Alexander. You know,
there's a number of guys. He would become the sixth
in that line. Terrell Davis is another one. So you know,
he's doing something that's special. But like Matt said, he's
(28:58):
done it before and it never yielded the fruit. The
difference has been to Daniel Jones tree that has now
sprung up in their backyard, and what and and and
how they feel like he's almost like a godsend for
them that they've been in quarterback purgatory since Andrew Luck
just up and retired on them. So, you know, kudos
(29:19):
to them. Let me make sure I give them their
proper due. They are a very good squad, and like
you said, you know, you're number one right now in
the league, So kudos to them. But I do believe
this team can be beat and it's been proven. So
it's not like, oh my gosh, you know this team
is so perfect. No, they've been beaten before and and
they've gone to shootouts at the end of games, you know,
(29:42):
to take the lead right at the end. You know,
you think of that Denver game, you think of you know,
the Chargers game, you think of the Cardinals game. So
it's not like this is just blowout city. But the
more you play, the more confidence you get. And this
team is supremely confident right now because it's worked out
(30:02):
for them. It's literally rolled their way. I mean he
talks about defensively, you come up with a red zone stop,
but you haven't been stopping people all day, and you
get that stop, or you get the effort sack, you know,
not the traditional sack, but the effort sack and look,
look and listen, Louto La two is going to get better.
That's the thing. He's just young and raw right now
(30:23):
and a guy who battled injuries in college. So to
be healthy and consistently healthy at this level is a
huge kudos. But it also helps reinforce it. Hey, you
don't have to be perfect. You have to do your job.
I mean, that's really what it comes down to. And
for them that they've managed well, now your job defensively,
(30:44):
you've got to break that because you know what they
are and you know how people are looking at them
right now. So for the Steelers, you got to come
in and you gotta essentially be the big brother in
this moment, and it has it's a complete team effort game.
To get this victory going to take all three phases,
not just one picking up another and then the other
(31:04):
one does decent, Like, all three phases have to be
kicking from get go until the clock hits all zeros
in the fourth quarter. You are going to have to
do that because this team demands that, they require it
as a team that can score at will.
Speaker 4 (31:19):
So I think that you know, one of the big
matchups for me is going to be this one and
thank you Matt Williamson for Matt's stats. Right, So, what
have we seen when the students defense is at their best,
getting sacks, getting turnovers they were able to and just
harassing the opposing quarterback into making mistakes or into hurrying
(31:42):
and having to get rid of the ball. We saw
that be successful for three consecutive weeks. After there's some
struggles against the Jets and Seattle, this defense really got
it into gear. They have not had a turnover since
the third quarter of the game Dube against the Vikings
and the Colts are So that's the Steelers's strength on defense.
(32:06):
That's that they need to get back to.
Speaker 5 (32:08):
We talk about.
Speaker 4 (32:09):
Formidable challenges like like we saw with Green Bay with
different phases running the ball, tight end, a deep threat,
all that other stuff. Well, the Colts are the first
team in the Super Bowl era to allow fewer than
ten sacks and have fewer than five turnovers in their
first eight games of the season. That's what the Steelers
(32:29):
are trying to create. Sacks and turnovers. That's what the
Colts have been unparalleled at preventing turning the ball over
and opposing sacks.
Speaker 2 (32:41):
Yeah, protectors of the ball right keepers of the possession.
You know, they have done a really good job at that.
And like you said, you know spearheaded by Daniel Jenesen
his decision making. You know, if you speed up his process,
there is a chance. But you have to speed up
the process and it can't be the quick game. You know,
(33:02):
teams have been really killing us underneath stuff getting the
ball out quickly, not able to establish a pass rush.
But if any game it's imperative to get the pass
rush going, this is that one. This is the one
that you must control the emotions early because if it
starts to gain momentum, it starts to game steam. It's
(33:24):
it's it's been it's been proven that you that that
that that that that's a fruitless task. You have not
been able, nobody's been able to really get that done.
So you know, I kind of look at it and
I say, man, you know the challenge is going to
be pass rush for me. That that's that's the one
I'm looking at and saying, Okay, we got we gotta
we gotta circle this one in and say we've got
to beat the pass rush. You've got to beat the
(33:46):
pass protection, and you've got to get in Daniel General's face.
You've got to hit him and knock him on the ground,
even if you're not gonna get the sack. If you're
going to be a get near guy, make sure it's
a very physical get near and you know, and then
you hope for a repeated time of that you start
getting the get hears and the actual sacks turning him
over or Daniel Jones forcing the ball up, you know,
(34:09):
before he gets his read and then it's change and
then it charges them. You know, that's where it's gonna be,
and it's gonna be middle pressure, you know. I think
the exterior pressure is one that kind of forces him,
but he likes to step up in the pocket and deliver,
so that interior pass rush has got to hit home.
Derek Harmon, Cam Hayward, Keanu and Bent and Ya Black
and company. You've got to figure out a way and
(34:30):
then of course we'll see if it's Odamewo or Logan
Lee that's activated for game day. They've been healthy scratches,
you know, last week, but with Daniel quality going down,
I think that's gonna be key. You've got to make
sure you establish a second wave as well. And they've
got to be tenacious as as as as a first unit.
So that's what I'm looking. I'm looking at the end
(34:52):
the trenches side defensively, and that correlates against to the
to the seemingly indomitable a offensive side of the ball
for the Colts. So that's going to be a key matchup.
But I think and I think that also helps the secondary, Right,
I don't have to cover as long if the pass
rush is there, and I can be a little bit
more patient and run with the guy and not be
(35:13):
so on edge that the ball is going to come out,
you know, in one point seven seconds, two point one seconds,
before you've even really gotten out of the break. That's
going to be a really key factor for this Steelers
defense going into the game on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (35:25):
The Keys to the Game presented by your neighborhood, Ford Shore.
The F one fifty is the official truck of the
Pittsburgh Steelers. And again the students face a formidable challenge
against this Colts team, and something happened last night that
makes this win even more important for the students to
pull this upset against the Colts, which we will get
to when we continue in the locker room. Presented by
(35:47):
our neighborhood Fords touring the Steers Pro Shop and see
this Nation Radio apart of the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
This is in the Locker Room with Kenyon Starks on
Steelers Nation Radio presented by your neighborhood Forward Store.
Speaker 2 (36:30):
The F one fifty is the official truck of the.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
Pittsburgh Steelers and by Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct
from the team at the Steelers Pro Shop at shop
dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 6 (36:48):
And it is it is the bellop.
Speaker 2 (36:53):
Yeph. There we go, There we go, There we go.
Hello nervous, Hello, nervous there but no yep. Early lunch
morning system is engaged. And you know I normally say
go get something healthy and nutritious or something to fill
the soul, something comforting. But you know, today the theme
is candy candy go you know, you know, hungry? Why
(37:16):
wait right, go go grab you a Snickers bar, Go
grab you a Reese's cup. Is apparently everybody except me
really likes Reese's cups.
Speaker 5 (37:23):
On Halloween, Max, have yourself a TwixT bar, you know
what you.
Speaker 2 (37:27):
Know, or some a handful of Reese's pieces. Never hurt. Yeah, yeah,
I means nothing wrong. You can eat.
Speaker 7 (37:37):
You can eat dessert before you eat the you know
your main dish. You know, okay, there's nothing wrong with that. Right,
you're growing up. You can make up your own mind.
This is America. You have freedom of choice. So Max, Uh,
the Steelers have found the lead constricting a little bit
(37:57):
in the AFC North. They run the Vergin kind of
running away with things. They lose to Cincinnati, then they
lose to Green Bay. Now you're four and three, and
last night and on Thursday Night football, we know how
much AFC North teams have struggled on the road.
Speaker 5 (38:13):
Lamar Jackson returned for the Ravens.
Speaker 4 (38:15):
I gotta say, if you didn't watch the game and
you saw the final score twenty eight to six, and
you thought, oh, well, they just kind of took it
to him.
Speaker 5 (38:23):
Man did the Dolphins?
Speaker 4 (38:26):
I mean they needed about eight feet because they kept
shooting themselves in their feet and you know, fumbles and turnovers.
They were marching the ball up and down the field.
It was a frustrating watch because I was rooting for
the Dolphins. I wanted them to win. I wanted them
to pull the upset and they had ample opportunities. Missed
(38:48):
chip shot field goal, just, oh, just an awful game
to watch if you were rooting for the Dolphins, and
if this is what it's like to be a Dolphins fan,
it is tough, man, because that was that was a
painful watch. And now you know, here come the Ravens
and they're three and five. And listen, if you lose
(39:09):
this game on Sunday, you were one one game up
on them and potentially only one game up on the
Bengals pending what they do against the Bears.
Speaker 2 (39:18):
Yeah, it's not a fun place to be with all
that uncertainty. Uh, you want you want to be a
part of you know that, and you're just you're just hoping, like, man, please,
however it takes. We've got to make sure that we
continue to distance ourselves to create the window and the opportunity.
(39:44):
And I'm just hoping, you know, by some by some way,
that that you figure out what the issue is against
this team and and that you can rise to the occasion.
You know, I shouldn't say hope, because hope sounds like
I think it's it's a desperate type situation, but it's
(40:04):
it's not desperation. But you want to see what you
believe in this team, to come true. The opportunities the
complimentary football, you know, using what the offense is now
unlocking with the Steelers, but you need that consistency with them.
And defensively, we know it has to help that defense. Defense,
you know, cannot be on the field week after week
(40:26):
more more than the offense. Right You've got to figure
out a way to win that time of possession. And
you know, the rest of the field around you is
starting to quote unquote gain some steam, gain some momentum
in this process, and you don't want them to get
too far behind. So that's what I'm hoping is the
key in this situation is that is that they can
(40:50):
they can find that little bit of a little bit
of extra that's going to be the difference and unlocking
this team and their cohesion. Because I feel like, man,
this would be a great time for a statement, rob
It's a great statement weekend amidst all of this, and
for them to have a coming up party against one
(41:11):
of the teams is considered one of the best in
the league right now with the best record. Boy, it
just feels like it smells like an upset.
Speaker 4 (41:19):
It feels like one of those games that the Steelers
win but I thought Sunday night was one of those
games that felt like the Steelers win. Thursday night, you
lose to Cincinnati, but you bounce back at home on
a Sunday night game, a prime time game like Tomlins
teems have always been good at that, And again, feelings
aren't facts. Halfway through the game, I felt like the
Steelers are gonna win. At halftime, they were having things
(41:40):
their own way, getting the ball to begin the second
half up sixteen to seven. Yeah, they'd left some points
out there, but an opportunity to put them away, and
then you're leading going into the fourth quarter, and the
memory is that fourth quarter. And now it feels like
a trend with back to back games in which you've
given up over thirty points and facing a team that
(42:00):
is by far the best offense in the NFL, averaging
almost thirty four points per game. And by the way,
the Steelers just making it official. We had our injury
update earlier, but just made it official moments ago that
both Deshaun Elliott and Daniel Aquale had been placed on
injured reserve equalities out for the year or so. That
appears to be the case. Deshaun Elliott, it's an acl
(42:24):
I believe for quality. So he's finished, but I don't
know if they've officially announced it, I guess, is my point.
And Deshaun Elliott, we figured that was probably coming. Kyle
Dugger comes in. There is some room on the roster
to perhaps elevate somebody. Maybe it's Malik Harrison whose window
was up at the linebacker position. Corey Trice who's back
(42:45):
from the hamstring now suddenly he showed up with a
knee yesterday at the cornerback position. So the Steelers will
presumably make a roster move or two before the game
on Sunday, Max and hoping this defense can find a
way to to close down Daniel Jones and UH and
Jonathan Taylor and this very explosive Colts offense.
Speaker 2 (43:08):
Yeah, I mean, that's really what it comes down to.
You're gonna have to do something to jar change, disrupt
and and act in this in this matchup. And that
that's what I'm really thinking in my head is it's
got to be something along those lines that that you
(43:29):
have to do something outside of the norm. You've got
to press you've got you gotta press the issue, and
you know, for for the Steeler squad, it's going to
be really important that they take you know, utilize their
game and they take all of the opportunities that they get.
You can't have those near misses. Remember that that like
Cleveland game, Like how many interceptions and turnovers did they
(43:52):
miss in that game?
Speaker 5 (43:53):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (43:54):
They were just like right there. It was like it
was like, come on those you need those this game? Right?
Do you have to have that opportunity where you take advantage.
It's going to take something opportunistic for this team to trigger,
you know, like a catalyst. You just you need just
one I feel like one play. If you make that
one play early, it's snowballs, right, because that's the biggest
(44:17):
thing we talked about with this with this cold squad, right.
Confidence When you get in tight games and you're able
to overcome and you're able to get a victory, you know,
that's where it's like, oh, there we go. I now
have a reference point. It can be done. It's not
as imsive possible as I thought. And for the Steelers,
that's what is a sack. You know, that turnover, a
(44:37):
recovery you know will then breed. I feel more they
come in bunches, right, But when when you don't do it.
It seems like it's a drought, and you know, special
teams wise, I'm just waiting. I feel it something has
to break in the special teams area where we've got
to get that that return touchdown. I just feel like
(44:58):
Keishawn Williams is on the precipice when he first that
first one and you know, the Jabrill Peppers play, I'm
not even gonna that's just frustrating how they called that one.
But but you know, but I could point to a
number of praise that we're frustrating throughout the season so far.
But that Keishan Williams return that was a beautiful forty
(45:19):
five yard return got called back because of the block
in the back, and I just feel like he's really
close as well to breaking something. And you know, I
think that's where it is. We just need and then
offense has to respond in the same timeframe. You can't
be either or. It has to be and and And
that's how you have to approach this game. It's in
(45:40):
your head, this is a must win for division, you know,
lead and jockeying for position to maintain your edge and
your lead in the division. And no matter what the
rest of the league does, or the rest of your
division does. It's about you, and it's about you. It's
always been about you, and to maintain the lead that
(46:01):
you have the foothold. It starts on Sunday against the
Indianapolis Colts. Yep.
Speaker 4 (46:05):
And by the way, the Colts are an excellent return
team in their own right. They had a kick return
for a touchdown by Ashton Dulan turned back on a
penalty kind of away from the play in the game
against the Raiders in which they also blocked the punt.
So special teams will play a big factor as well.
And you know, the Steelers looking to stem the tide
and get themselves back in the win column. Snap this
(46:27):
two game losing streak. They're three to one in the AFC.
Colts are unbeaten in the AFC, so a big matchup
for both teams as far as jockeying for playoff position
already here as the Steelers get ready here in week
nine to host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon at
Akroshur Stadium. Hey, great job by Nathan Osler the first
(46:51):
time by himself at the controls producing Justin Miller took
the weekend off our normal producer on the show.
Speaker 5 (46:57):
So round of applause for Nathan Art Studio.
Speaker 4 (47:03):
I want to thank Matt Taylor, the outstanding play by
play man for the Colts, Missy Matthews, who is part
of our trio in the broadcasting booth for Max starts,
I'm rob king. Happy Halloween. Max, enjoy your time with
Waiverley and Quincy. Don't be afraid to take that TwixT tax.
Speaker 2 (47:21):
Yeah, no, Dad taxes in full effect tonight, guys, don't
worry about it. I will be I'll be exacting. And
also it's also about refinement, right, you know, you want
to make sure your kids have the best time, but
more so the best quality candy. So sometimes I have
to I have to step in and be the quality
and taste control guy.
Speaker 5 (47:39):
Yes, absolutely right.
Speaker 4 (47:41):
And you've got to be looking at those future dental
bills as well, so you're just looking out for the kids.
Speaker 5 (47:45):
Max, way to go, good.
Speaker 2 (47:46):
Job exactly if I can stem the tie and save
a dollar wherever I can.
Speaker 4 (47:50):
Max on Sunday, my friend, thank you very much, and
we thanked everybody for listening. In the locker Room presented
by our neighborhood, Ford Storing to see this pro shop
on stee his Nation Radio.
Speaker 5 (47:59):
Apart of this, there's audio network
This is in the locker room with Chinyon Starks on
Steelers Nation Radio, presented by your neighborhood Forward Store. The
F one fifty is the official truck of the Pittsburgh
Steelers and by Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct from
the team at the Steelers Pro Shop at shop dot
Steelers dot com.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Alright, our number two here inside the locker room. And
of course you know when you hear that sound, that tune,
that beat, when the beat drops, of course you all
pause for a second because we gotta pay homage. And
of course welcome in the dynamic third of our broadcasting trio.
And that is the one, the only, Missy Matthews. Missy,
(01:01):
how are you doing this Friday?
Speaker 3 (01:04):
I'm good, Happy Halloween, Ready for tonight, ready for Sunday,
Ready to hopefully get back on track.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Absolutely absolutely, Well, Well, Rob has a question for we.
We we we've now we've now resigned the fact that
all guests will have to answer this question. So Rob,
I will I will lead it off to you, sir.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Yeah, Missy, and I know that you have big plans
tonight and uh big big activities going on in Fox
Chapel this evening. But the question for you, not not
necessarily for kids, because you got kids you're out there
trick or treating with We're not talking about next generation candy,
but what would be your go to if you're trick
or treating and you're a kid right now, what is
(01:43):
the one thing you want to see in your bag?
What's the what is the one candy that is going
to make you the happiest? There you go for two? Yeah,
two for two. Matt Taylor, the play by play voice
of the Colts, also came up with the same response.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
So, good deal.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
You can't go wrong. Yeah, you can't go wrong with
butter and chocolate.
Speaker 5 (02:08):
Yeah, no, you can't, you can't. I totally agree.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
Uh, that's a that's a go to, and I think
Missy rightly, So I get a little rankled if you
go to a candy machine, you know, you put your
money in and they don't have a receas, right.
Speaker 5 (02:24):
That's.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Agree?
Speaker 4 (02:27):
Okay, a good deal. So we've got that straightened out.
The hard hitting questions you've come to expect here, So, Missy.
The Steelers Injury Report presented by UPMC, the official healthcare
provider and health plan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. We know
that Deshaun Elliott is banged up. We know that the
Steelers traded for Kyle Duggar. I don't know if any
(02:47):
other injuries are going to play a prominent role on
the team. I think we'll know more after the practice today.
But shouldn't be any excuses and shouldn't be any reason
that this team can't rebound against the Colts, just when
we're talking about guys. Look, injuries are factors, but the
Colts have been very banged up in their secondary. So
hopefully the Stealers have enough, you know, healthy bodies to
(03:10):
go out there and pull off a victory on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Yeah, I think, you know, the only injury that will
be determined, at least in my eyes today is Isaac Samalo.
He's a vet, he hasn't practiced. We know he's dealing
with that peck injury. But you know, even if he
does a little something today, he's a guy that if
he's cleared medically, obviously they could say all right, you
(03:36):
can play Sunday. And I don't think that, you know,
Spencer Anderson having to play guard would be a bad
thing if Isaac needs the time off. But I just think,
you know, he's he's the gel of that offensive line,
the you know, Grizzly veteran, and they've been doing so
well in terms of running the ball and just playing
better as a as a unit. So I wouldn't want
(03:57):
to see him not play, but if it helps him healthy,
I'd be okay with it.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Yeah, And I'm right there with you now, Missy. I
do have to ask this question as I looked at
the injury report as well. Nothing to worry about with
the whole, Darius Slagh. I know it says personal matter,
non injury related, you know, is that something that we
need to worry about or is that something that's just
kind of It is what it is and that that's
(04:25):
just how the practice went.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Yeah, I mean I wasn't obviously expecting to see that
on the injury report. He had spoken the locker room
the day before. But you never know what people are
dealing with behind the scenes. I have not really an
inkling of anything, but I think, you know, obviously today
would be the day since they have to do the
whole you know, did you practice limited full and then
(04:50):
give you the game status. So we've obviously seen though
too that can change on a Saturday a guy can
be downgraded or upgraded. But that's definitely another one Max
that I would say to definitely watch his availability as well.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
You know, Uh, Missy, I think that you brought up
a great point and where you know that that you're
kind of kicking around a little bit that you know,
you have to hope, uh first of all, that the
team can find a way to rebound, right, and we're
looking for some sort of edge against the Colt team,
A Colts team that you know, seven out of eight
opponents haven't found an edge, right, They're seven and one.
(05:30):
They haven't played outdoors very often. You know, maybe you
know I I am. I'm not saying I'm gonna get
up and h and you know, hope for rain on Sunday,
but I I might, you know, I might not be
adverse to a little bit of a drizzle out there,
maybe some wind kicking up on Sunday for a Colts
team that plays indoors and has played most of their
(05:51):
games indoors.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
Yeah, I mean I would rather rain on Sunday than
tonight for Halloween for trick or treating. But that's just selfish. Yeah,
But yeah, I mean, you know, they played five home
games which just seems crazy because I feel like we're
we have not been at home, even though Dublin was
a home game. They played two games that's so far,
so so far, those are all inside. The only game
(06:15):
that they played outside was against the Titans, and that
was Week three, so I can't imagine, you know, it
was the worst weather that they've ever been in in
terms of playing on you know, grass and being outside.
So I'm cool with some Pittsburgh weather, even if it
doesn't drizzle, you know, like damp, frost in the morning, windy, cloudy,
(06:36):
just something to throw them off their game of not
being you know, covered in a temperature controlled environment with
bright light.
Speaker 6 (06:42):
So maybe that.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Will play a factor. Maybe it won't, but it is
just kind of crazy when you look at their schedule
and you're like, man, they've been inside a lot.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
So Max, I have to say, now that you moved
up to the broadcast booth, what is your feeling about,
you know, drizzling a little rain out there, you know,
I mean I feel badly for missing kind of you know.
I I hate when I have to sit up in
that press box and stop my feet because maybe they're
just not warm enough, you know what, I mean, well,
while Missy's out there parading along the sidelines, your your thoughts, Max,
(07:13):
and now that you've moved up to the booth, uh,
you know.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
As much as I do miss being on the sidelines,
you know, and Missy and I having some some some
great adventures inside the you know, the the belly of
the Beast aka the stadium, especially on awakens, where you're
figuring out where everything is and we know, we're just
we're like, hey, hey, where do you go for this?
You know, and figuring out where the bathroom route is
(07:40):
and how far is the locker room from you know,
the tunnel that we that we're allowed access to before
we scan in and scan out. I do say the
ease of the booth is something that that that's very
easy to get to get accustomed to and used to.
You know, they have they have press box, halftime food
and all that other stuff. And I don't have to
(08:01):
wear a jacket or worry about how much I had
to layer up. You know. The heated vest is actually
getting retired Missy, you know this season, which is yeah,
maybe maybe not. I mean, yeah, I guess if I
want to feel toasty, if the world is open and you.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Want to wear a big puppy jacket, you.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Know, yeah, exactly, but you don't you know me, I mean,
you know, I am like the bare minimum when it
comes to heat accessories. So I mean we very few times.
I mean I would say that Raiders game for the
for the Franco fiftieth, that might have been the coldest
game I've ever done. It was that the coldest for
(08:43):
you as well? Or have you done worse? Obviously you've
been on the sidelines.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Yeah, that was colder than the game the playoff game
against Miami. This is way long ago in Pittsburgh, so yeah,
that was Yeah, that was.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Bruce was miserable. That was miserable. And then and then
the Baltimore away game was that two years ago? Uh? Oh?
The ice rain? Oh I got the freezing rain or whatever,
Like I like, I don't miss those moments, you know,
And those are the ones where I'm like, I'm gonna
be sending extra extra you know, good good vibes to you,
(09:21):
and you know, and thinking about all the hot pockets.
What are those yeah those little the little hand warmers.
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm thinking of the hand warmers. Yes,
but the encrustables. Yes, that's that. Those were always a treat,
especially on a cold game, because if you put it
in the jacket with the little heating function almost like
(09:41):
warmed up the sandwich. It was like a nice little
toasty sandwich. But but man, yeah, that's one thing I
do not miss the cold. I'm not going to miss
the cold games because those were we we went through it,
and of course you will still be championing our spirits
down there on the sidelines. But yeah, that's one I
I have to say. I'm not gonna I'm not gonna
(10:01):
miss the cold. So I couldn't tell yeah, exactly, you
couldn't tell it all. You couldn't tell it all. But
but Missy, I do want to turn you know, like
I said, for this game and for the opponent. I mean,
you know, we talked with Matt Taylor. Matt actually brought
something up. He was saying, for as good as his
(10:22):
team has been offensively, defense has been very opportunistic, and
but they've also you know, he also really they've also
given up eleven hundred yards in the air of the
last of the last number of weeks. So that's one
where they are susceptible I mean, what is that one
of the keys. Is it going to be unlocking the
(10:45):
air attack against them, because that seems to be more
of a weakness than their run defense, or you know
kind of what what are some of your keys you're
looking forward to in this game?
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Well, I definitely think, you know, you advantage Steelers when
you're playing a de svent like that and you have
Aaron Rodgers and hopefully you know skys jump off sides
it's called this week. But I just think, you know,
I had to throw that in there. I can't get fined, right,
you know, but in my opinion to make this, you know, kosher.
(11:21):
But I just think that he will be able to
find some weak spots and whether that's in the air,
I still think that getting Jalen Warren going, getting that
run game, trying to you know, make them commit to
not knowing what's happening. Obviously that's what everybody wants to
do on offense. But I just think that when the
(11:42):
Steelers offense does get in that groove, it is it's
very hard to play against Aaron Rodgers when he's wheeling
and dealing and you just don't know what he's doing
in the play action and the fakes, so hopefully that
is something they can exploit. And again it goes back
to Aaron talked about it coach Tomlin Arthur Smith yesterday,
the not settling for the field goals and getting the touchdowns.
(12:07):
Great in opening drives, you know, get some points in
the first half, but we saw what can happen when
you have a lead and then in the third quarter
things start to go very well for your offense and
you're not holding the ball very long and you're not
getting points and then the other team starts to you know,
come together. So it's definitely something that you know, has
been the topic of discussion. You know, doing better in
(12:28):
the second half in terms of the offense, but I think,
you know, just getting to the red zone was something
that we had kind of been accustomed to. It felt
like at a pretty good percentage, but last week against
the Green Bay, it just wasn't there.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
You know, I think you bring up good points, and
I do think, Missy, that the offense would like to
do more. I agree, However, I think that you know,
you're looking at a Steelers defense that has got some issues, right.
We know that they have been you know, one of
the better sack teams in the league, but that has
(13:03):
dried up. They haven't had a turnover now in three
plus games. They're going against the Colts team that doesn't
give up a lot of sacks, doesn't turn the ball
over a lot. They've given up four more or more
yards and offense in the last two games. That's something
that I think has only happened twice now in in
(13:24):
you know, a huge stretch of time in Steeler's history
that you've given up back to back games from four
hunder to more yards, thirty or more points. Look, the
defense has got to do a better job of giving
the offense an opportunity to win the game at the
very least. And it's a bit mystifying, Missy, because for
three games the Steelers did exactly that. They were causing havoc,
(13:47):
getting turnovers, getting sacks. They held their three opponents to
fourteen point seven points per game.
Speaker 5 (13:53):
And now this turnaround.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
So I don't know what it's gonna take, but this
Steelers defense has got to do a better job of
limiting what the Colts can do. Not easy against the
most explosive offense in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
No, but maybe you know that will be the perfect
medicine for them to do. But I know we basically
said this last week after the Bengals game because it
was on Thursday, and you had to wait so long
to play another game to try to, you know, erase
that because once you play another game, there's there's new tape,
and usually you hope that it's better, of course, but
I do think the defense had to kind of have
(14:26):
a you know, come to Jesus moment, Look, look in
the mirror, what are you doing wrong? How can you
help yourself? How can you help your teammates type thing, because,
as you said, just historic in a bad way of
the numbers and the points that they'd given up, and
you know, just different things like that. And I clearly
losing to Sean Elliott in the game, and you know,
(14:47):
for this week and for however long it takes him
to hopefully get healthy is not good because of what
he meant to that defense. And we saw it earlier
in the season when he missed one or two games
before the Dublin game. So it is definitely not ideal
to lose him at this time. But you still have guys,
You have big name guys, You have guys that are
(15:08):
paid well, and as you said, they've done it. We were,
you know, on a role where it was like, are
we going to get a third game with you know,
five takeaways? Is that possible? It just felt like they
were coming in bunches, and it has been such a
drought in terms of the splashiness that we're accustomed to.
So hopefully, you know, it's not the mental mistakes, the
(15:29):
you know, not minding the gap, different things like that
that play into a potential game like that where they're
not able to stop this cold's offense, which is not
an easy task for anybody. But I think, let alone,
you know, a defense that feels like they're licking their.
Speaker 6 (15:43):
Wounds because it's shocking to the outside and I can't
imagine being part of it where you felt like something
was starting to come along for you.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
You know, in the first few games, especially you know,
New England and whatnot, and then it started to go
completely sideways.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
Yeah, it's it's one of those it's really a head
scratcher trying to unlock that code. And like you said,
no Deshaun Elliott insert Kyle Dugger into that rotation with
Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark and Jabrill Pepper's being in there,
so gotta figure somebody out. Somebody has to step up
(16:25):
as a new guy and uh and take off the
name tag and assume the mantle, right. I mean, that's
just what you have to kind of do in that situation.
You know. Pass rush is one of the biggest things
that always helps the secondary, right, and teams have been
using quick game max protect to kind of neutralize what
(16:47):
our defensive line can do. I mean, you know, when
I watched the Colts, they're not necessarily a max protect
type of team all all the way, but they are
a team that has some really good offensive line. I mean, what,
you know, what has been kind of the sentiment, you
know from Cam and company, you know, TJ and Nick
(17:07):
and everyone, and what's been kind of the player feel about,
you know, the importance of this game and getting back
on track from that perspective defensively and trying to re
establish the pass rush because, like you said, when it's on,
it's like, man, we can't do any wrong, right, you know,
we're about to have another epic day defensively, But because
(17:29):
of the fact that people have been doing that to them,
they haven't been really effective. What's the general mood, you
know around those guys wanting to kind of get back
to those old ways and trying to find solutions to
have makeing excuses.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
They're just gonna ask Danny Dimes, you know, do a
seven step drop back, you know, like just give us
some time, we'll get to you.
Speaker 6 (17:49):
No, I'm kidding.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
I think it's you know, the mixing up with the coverages,
and I think it's also not necessarily the communication, but
everybody knowing exactly where they're supposed to be. I think
a lot time, especially after a loss. You know, there's
the clips that go out through social media, and a
lot of them felt like it was, you know, a
high angle of the defense where it's like that guy
was just completely by himself, and you can't have those things,
(18:14):
especially when the ball is coming out quick like that.
So I don't know if it's necessarily simplifying things, but
as you said, you're adding Kyle Dugger, who had his
first practice yesterday with the Steelers. I think the good
thing is Jabrill Peppers came from the same system and
is able to almost decode the Steeler's language or how
(18:35):
they're calling things. So I'm sure those two are spending
a lot of time together to try to get about
the speed, so it will be interesting to see how
it happens. And I think, you know, just almost the
discipline of playing clean, no penalties, just knowing exactly where
you're supposed to be and when would be huge. And
(18:57):
obviously communication plays a part in that, and you alway
hope that with a really good home crowd, they're making
it loud and miserable for the opposing offense, which in
turn does make it difficult for the defense to communicate.
But hopefully they're able to kind of work through that
and mix things up and get back on the right track,
because there I feel like the splash is what really
(19:19):
gets them going, kind of like you know, when you're
running the ball, well, the offensive linemen are like, yeah,
let's go, and everyone's moving with a little extra pep
in their steps. So hopefully that can happen for the
defense in terms of sacks and splash plays on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
Missy, thank you very much. We hope that when you're
out there trick or shooting with the boys tonight, should
a recis cup wind its way into the container. By
the way, are we going like container shopping bag pillowcase
for the boys to get their Halloween loot or what's
(19:53):
the what's the the receiving implement.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
We're old school, we go pillowcase, you know, probably one
that was like from the mettle and has Spider Man
on it or dinosaurs. Yeah, and then my husband always
wears a huge book bag that they can like dump
it into.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Wow. Wow, right there, that's a pro move.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
Yeah, but like you guys better come find us, give
us some can't give us your candy, wink wink, We'll
hold it for you so you can go get some more.
Speaker 4 (20:24):
No doubt that there will be as as as as
Max put it talking to Matt Taylor about a dad
tax of mom tax with the yeah, they.
Speaker 3 (20:34):
Know, they just they know, they know. If they don't
give it to me, I'm going to steal it. Anyways,
when they.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Go to bed, it's tithing. It's it's Halloween tithing for
the parents because they're the ones. Can yeah, get getting
the costumes and everything ready. Missy, thank you very much,
greatly appreciated. Always looking forward to the broadcast on Sunday
as Steelers will look to get back in the wind column.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
Bye Missy, Bye, Missy. Okay, wonter mind.
Speaker 4 (21:01):
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team at the Steelers Pro Shop at Shop dot Steelers
dot com. Back with the keys to the game from
Max Starks when we continue. In this Halloween edition of
the Locker Room presented by our neighborhood Forard Store and
the Steers Pro Shop on Steelers Nation Radio, a part
of the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
The Room with.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
Kenyon stars on Steelers Nation Radio presented by your neighborhood
Ford Store.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
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Speaker 4 (22:16):
Well, thanks for being with us in the Locker Room,
and you know Max, you know, we're looking at the
keys to this game, and I think when you're talking
about the Colts, you have to begin by talking about
their offense. You have to begin by talking about Jonathan Taylor,
who is leading the league in rushing, leading the league
in rushing touchdowns, very similar to season to the one
(22:38):
he had when he was last healthy in twenty one,
when they led the league in rushing and led the
league in rushing touchdowns. He is a very, very good back.
He's an interesting guy to me because he doesn't look
huge like you see Derek Henry and you think, okay, power, right,
and then he doesn't you know, when he's when he's
moving around in the back door, he doesn't look like
(23:00):
Barry Sanders, right, And when he's running down the field,
it doesn't look like he has unbelievable speed, and yet
he is powerful. He can make guys miss, he can
run away from guys. He has extraordinary balance. You know,
you talk about Jail and Warren always falling forward. This
guy finds a way to always fall forward. He is
(23:23):
a formidable challenge for the Steelers defense.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Yeah, he is a complete back. I mean, that's the
best way to put it. He's a complete back because
he can also pass protect, he can also catch the
ball out of the backfield. He has a multitude of ways,
and they know how to deploy him and get the
ball in his hands. I mean, you're talking about leading
the league in all those categories and the scrimmage yards
(23:49):
just in general. So they do throw the ball to him.
So he does have passing stats on his side as well,
you know. And then he's he's in front of an
offensive line that's a really good group. I mean, he's
got I mean Quentin Nelson. You know, we talk about
just kind of the history of him and Cam Hayward
battling it out, you know, throughout their careers and seeing
(24:11):
each other multiple times. But you know, Bernard Raymond's been
doing a great job at left tackle, Tanner Bordolini at
the center position, Matt Goncalvez or Gonzalvez, you know, he's
been doing a great job at guard, and Braden Smith.
You know, they've they've got a good core five there
(24:32):
that knows how to how to work together, great communicators
in a really solid offensive line. So you couple that
with a Jonathan Taylor and then apparently, you know, just
the wax poetic that Matt Taylor, who was on the
show in hour one, put On was you know, hey,
this group, I mean they're sitting the pace of the NFL, right,
(24:54):
you know, with being one of the number one offenses
and also having the number one record in the league.
It's it's gonna be a challenge because you can't pick one.
And I thought it was interesting that he said that
they have they still have had one hundred yard receiver.
That's crazy to think, Rob, right, not one game where
(25:15):
one guy in eight games has gone over one hundred
yards receiving, and you're one of the highest scoring offenses
in the league and you don't slow down. Everything's all gas,
no breaks. That was one that was really fascinating to
me is that they still haven't quite unlocked the top receiver.
And that's what I think is really the big difference.
They don't have a top receiver, but you have guys
(25:37):
who do put their hand in the pile. Right. You
have you have Alec Pierce, you have Michael Pittman Junior,
you do have Josh Downs, and then Tyler Warren you
throw in there at the tight end position. I mean,
there's a lot of weapons, but he you know, one
thing matter was he spreads the ball kind of like
Aaron does. So you can't really get a bead on
(25:58):
who's the guy that needs to be back. I mean,
obviously we all think and we propose it's Michael Pittman Jr.
Is there Number one Alec Pierce. You know, he's he's
been okay, but you know also he's battling injury as well,
so his availability, I'm sure we'll find out on Friday,
you know, after the Friday practice report comes out. But
(26:21):
they've got a lot of ways to deploy. And if
you sell out on the run and get the one
on one on the outside, that's when that's when the
wide receivers eat. So it's gonna be really interesting. Pass
rush is going to be key in this.
Speaker 4 (26:34):
So yeah, let me get to that in a moment,
because I didn't want to ask you about that because
I think it's a big part of it. But not
to interrupt you here, although I'm interrupting you. But it
just as we were getting ready for this game with
the matchup with Missy and Matt Williamson yesterday, the show
we do on the Steelers, uh plot different social media platforms,
(26:54):
it just began to remind me more and more of
the matchup to Steelers just had a quarterback playing an
extremely high level who's mobile, can get out of the pocket,
can run, can extend plays in the pocket. And then
you have a terrific running back, although you have to
give the I mean, as much as I like Josh Jacobs,
(27:15):
you got to give the edge to Tailor there. Then
you have outstanding tight ends Tyler Kraft for Green Bay,
Warren for the Colts. Those are really kind of the
guys you've got to limit, and the Steelers weren't able
to do it against Tyler Craft. They've got just as
big a challenge with Tyler Warren. And then you have
the deep ball threat in Christian Watson, who was second
(27:36):
last year in yards perception. You have Alec Pearce who's
number one this year in the NFL and yards perception. Pittman,
that guy that can move the change sure handed down
to another guy who's a dangerous guy as far as
you know, just being able to pick up you know,
that safety valve kind of guy underneath who can pick
up yardage for Daniel Jones. It really the more we
(27:59):
talked about it more, I'm like, man, we just saw
this movie on Sunday against the Packers. It's it's a
very similar sort of group of characters, cast of characters
that the Colts have at their disposal.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
Yeah, and I think that's where it's the challenge, right,
I mean, and and that's where pick your poison. You know,
what what what are we going to do? Are we
gonna are we gonna sell out? To stop the run
and stop Jonathan Taylor who's on this historic pace for him,
and there's milestones that he can achieve that I don't
want to see him achieve, you know, getting to the
nine hundred yards rushing in the first eight games, you know,
(28:37):
and one more touchdown and then he goes into the
elite company of Ladanian, Tomlinson, Emmitt Smith, Shawn Alexander. You know,
there's a number of guys. He would become the sixth
in that line. Terrell Davis is another one. So you know,
he's doing something that's special. But like Matt said, he's
(28:58):
done it before and it never yielded the fruit. The
difference has been to Daniel Jones tree that has now
sprung up in their backyard, and what and and and
how they feel like he's almost like a godsend for
them that they've been in quarterback purgatory since Andrew Luck
just up and retired on them. So, you know, kudos
(29:19):
to them. Let me make sure I give them their
proper due. They are a very good squad, and like
you said, you know, you're number one right now in
the league, So kudos to them. But I do believe
this team can be beat and it's been proven. So
it's not like, oh my gosh, you know this team
is so perfect. No, they've been beaten before and and
they've gone to shootouts at the end of games, you know,
(29:42):
to take the lead right at the end. You know,
you think of that Denver game, you think of you know,
the Chargers game, you think of the Cardinals game. So
it's not like this is just blowout city. But the
more you play, the more confidence you get. And this
team is supremely confident right now because it's worked out
(30:02):
for them. It's literally rolled their way. I mean he
talks about defensively, you come up with a red zone stop,
but you haven't been stopping people all day, and you
get that stop, or you get the effort sack, you know,
not the traditional sack, but the effort sack and look,
look and listen, Louto La two is going to get better.
That's the thing. He's just young and raw right now
(30:23):
and a guy who battled injuries in college. So to
be healthy and consistently healthy at this level is a
huge kudos. But it also helps reinforce it. Hey, you
don't have to be perfect. You have to do your job.
I mean, that's really what it comes down to. And
for them that they've managed well, now your job defensively,
(30:44):
you've got to break that because you know what they
are and you know how people are looking at them
right now. So for the Steelers, you got to come
in and you gotta essentially be the big brother in
this moment, and it has it's a complete team effort game.
To get this victory going to take all three phases,
not just one picking up another and then the other
(31:04):
one does decent, Like, all three phases have to be
kicking from get go until the clock hits all zeros
in the fourth quarter. You are going to have to
do that because this team demands that, they require it
as a team that can score at will.
Speaker 4 (31:19):
So I think that you know, one of the big
matchups for me is going to be this one and
thank you Matt Williamson for Matt's stats. Right, So, what
have we seen when the students defense is at their best,
getting sacks, getting turnovers they were able to and just
harassing the opposing quarterback into making mistakes or into hurrying
(31:42):
and having to get rid of the ball. We saw
that be successful for three consecutive weeks. After there's some
struggles against the Jets and Seattle, this defense really got
it into gear. They have not had a turnover since
the third quarter of the game Dube against the Vikings
and the Colts are So that's the Steelers's strength on defense.
(32:06):
That's that they need to get back to.
Speaker 5 (32:08):
We talk about.
Speaker 4 (32:09):
Formidable challenges like like we saw with Green Bay with
different phases running the ball, tight end, a deep threat,
all that other stuff. Well, the Colts are the first
team in the Super Bowl era to allow fewer than
ten sacks and have fewer than five turnovers in their
first eight games of the season. That's what the Steelers
(32:29):
are trying to create. Sacks and turnovers. That's what the
Colts have been unparalleled at preventing turning the ball over
and opposing sacks.
Speaker 2 (32:41):
Yeah, protectors of the ball right keepers of the possession.
You know, they have done a really good job at that.
And like you said, you know spearheaded by Daniel Jenesen
his decision making. You know, if you speed up his process,
there is a chance. But you have to speed up
the process and it can't be the quick game. You know,
(33:02):
teams have been really killing us underneath stuff getting the
ball out quickly, not able to establish a pass rush.
But if any game it's imperative to get the pass
rush going, this is that one. This is the one
that you must control the emotions early because if it
starts to gain momentum, it starts to game steam. It's
(33:24):
it's it's been it's been proven that you that that
that that that that's a fruitless task. You have not
been able, nobody's been able to really get that done.
So you know, I kind of look at it and
I say, man, you know the challenge is going to
be pass rush for me. That that's that's the one
I'm looking at and saying, Okay, we got we gotta
we gotta circle this one in and say we've got
to beat the pass rush. You've got to beat the
(33:46):
pass protection, and you've got to get in Daniel General's face.
You've got to hit him and knock him on the ground,
even if you're not gonna get the sack. If you're
going to be a get near guy, make sure it's
a very physical get near and you know, and then
you hope for a repeated time of that you start
getting the get hears and the actual sacks turning him
over or Daniel Jones forcing the ball up, you know,
(34:09):
before he gets his read and then it's change and
then it charges them. You know, that's where it's gonna be,
and it's gonna be middle pressure, you know. I think
the exterior pressure is one that kind of forces him,
but he likes to step up in the pocket and deliver,
so that interior pass rush has got to hit home.
Derek Harmon, Cam Hayward, Keanu and Bent and Ya Black
and company. You've got to figure out a way and
(34:30):
then of course we'll see if it's Odamewo or Logan
Lee that's activated for game day. They've been healthy scratches,
you know, last week, but with Daniel quality going down,
I think that's gonna be key. You've got to make
sure you establish a second wave as well. And they've
got to be tenacious as as as as a first unit.
So that's what I'm looking. I'm looking at the end
(34:52):
the trenches side defensively, and that correlates against to the
to the seemingly indomitable a offensive side of the ball
for the Colts. So that's going to be a key matchup.
But I think and I think that also helps the secondary, Right,
I don't have to cover as long if the pass
rush is there, and I can be a little bit
more patient and run with the guy and not be
(35:13):
so on edge that the ball is going to come out,
you know, in one point seven seconds, two point one seconds,
before you've even really gotten out of the break. That's
going to be a really key factor for this Steelers
defense going into the game on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (35:25):
The Keys to the Game presented by your neighborhood, Ford Shore.
The F one fifty is the official truck of the
Pittsburgh Steelers. And again the students face a formidable challenge
against this Colts team, and something happened last night that
makes this win even more important for the students to
pull this upset against the Colts, which we will get
to when we continue in the locker room. Presented by
(35:47):
our neighborhood Fords touring the Steers Pro Shop and see
this Nation Radio apart of the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
This is in the Locker Room with Kenyon Starks on
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Speaker 2 (36:30):
The F one fifty is the official truck of the.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
Pittsburgh Steelers and by Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct
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dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 6 (36:48):
And it is it is the bellop.
Speaker 2 (36:53):
Yeph. There we go, There we go, There we go.
Hello nervous, Hello, nervous there but no yep. Early lunch
morning system is engaged. And you know I normally say
go get something healthy and nutritious or something to fill
the soul, something comforting. But you know, today the theme
is candy candy go you know, you know, hungry? Why
(37:16):
wait right, go go grab you a Snickers bar, Go
grab you a Reese's cup. Is apparently everybody except me
really likes Reese's cups.
Speaker 5 (37:23):
On Halloween, Max, have yourself a TwixT bar, you know
what you.
Speaker 2 (37:27):
Know, or some a handful of Reese's pieces. Never hurt. Yeah, yeah,
I means nothing wrong. You can eat.
Speaker 7 (37:37):
You can eat dessert before you eat the you know
your main dish. You know, okay, there's nothing wrong with that. Right,
you're growing up. You can make up your own mind.
This is America. You have freedom of choice. So Max, Uh,
the Steelers have found the lead constricting a little bit
(37:57):
in the AFC North. They run the Vergin kind of
running away with things. They lose to Cincinnati, then they
lose to Green Bay. Now you're four and three, and
last night and on Thursday Night football, we know how
much AFC North teams have struggled on the road.
Speaker 5 (38:13):
Lamar Jackson returned for the Ravens.
Speaker 4 (38:15):
I gotta say, if you didn't watch the game and
you saw the final score twenty eight to six, and
you thought, oh, well, they just kind of took it
to him.
Speaker 5 (38:23):
Man did the Dolphins?
Speaker 4 (38:26):
I mean they needed about eight feet because they kept
shooting themselves in their feet and you know, fumbles and turnovers.
They were marching the ball up and down the field.
It was a frustrating watch because I was rooting for
the Dolphins. I wanted them to win. I wanted them
to pull the upset and they had ample opportunities. Missed
(38:48):
chip shot field goal, just, oh, just an awful game
to watch if you were rooting for the Dolphins, and
if this is what it's like to be a Dolphins fan,
it is tough, man, because that was that was a
painful watch. And now you know, here come the Ravens
and they're three and five. And listen, if you lose
(39:09):
this game on Sunday, you were one one game up
on them and potentially only one game up on the
Bengals pending what they do against the Bears.
Speaker 2 (39:18):
Yeah, it's not a fun place to be with all
that uncertainty. Uh, you want you want to be a
part of you know that, and you're just you're just hoping, like, man, please,
however it takes. We've got to make sure that we
continue to distance ourselves to create the window and the opportunity.
(39:44):
And I'm just hoping, you know, by some by some way,
that that you figure out what the issue is against
this team and and that you can rise to the occasion.
You know, I shouldn't say hope, because hope sounds like
I think it's it's a desperate type situation, but it's
(40:04):
it's not desperation. But you want to see what you
believe in this team, to come true. The opportunities the
complimentary football, you know, using what the offense is now
unlocking with the Steelers, but you need that consistency with them.
And defensively, we know it has to help that defense. Defense,
you know, cannot be on the field week after week
(40:26):
more more than the offense. Right You've got to figure
out a way to win that time of possession. And
you know, the rest of the field around you is
starting to quote unquote gain some steam, gain some momentum
in this process, and you don't want them to get
too far behind. So that's what I'm hoping is the
key in this situation is that is that they can
(40:50):
they can find that little bit of a little bit
of extra that's going to be the difference and unlocking
this team and their cohesion. Because I feel like, man,
this would be a great time for a statement, rob
It's a great statement weekend amidst all of this, and
for them to have a coming up party against one
(41:11):
of the teams is considered one of the best in
the league right now with the best record. Boy, it
just feels like it smells like an upset.
Speaker 4 (41:19):
It feels like one of those games that the Steelers
win but I thought Sunday night was one of those
games that felt like the Steelers win. Thursday night, you
lose to Cincinnati, but you bounce back at home on
a Sunday night game, a prime time game like Tomlins
teems have always been good at that, And again, feelings
aren't facts. Halfway through the game, I felt like the
Steelers are gonna win. At halftime, they were having things
(41:40):
their own way, getting the ball to begin the second
half up sixteen to seven. Yeah, they'd left some points
out there, but an opportunity to put them away, and
then you're leading going into the fourth quarter, and the
memory is that fourth quarter. And now it feels like
a trend with back to back games in which you've
given up over thirty points and facing a team that
(42:00):
is by far the best offense in the NFL, averaging
almost thirty four points per game. And by the way,
the Steelers just making it official. We had our injury
update earlier, but just made it official moments ago that
both Deshaun Elliott and Daniel Aquale had been placed on
injured reserve equalities out for the year or so. That
appears to be the case. Deshaun Elliott, it's an acl
(42:24):
I believe for quality. So he's finished, but I don't
know if they've officially announced it, I guess, is my point.
And Deshaun Elliott, we figured that was probably coming. Kyle
Dugger comes in. There is some room on the roster
to perhaps elevate somebody. Maybe it's Malik Harrison whose window
was up at the linebacker position. Corey Trice who's back
(42:45):
from the hamstring now suddenly he showed up with a
knee yesterday at the cornerback position. So the Steelers will
presumably make a roster move or two before the game
on Sunday, Max and hoping this defense can find a
way to to close down Daniel Jones and UH and
Jonathan Taylor and this very explosive Colts offense.
Speaker 2 (43:08):
Yeah, I mean, that's really what it comes down to.
You're gonna have to do something to jar change, disrupt
and and act in this in this matchup. And that
that's what I'm really thinking in my head is it's
got to be something along those lines that that you
(43:29):
have to do something outside of the norm. You've got
to press you've got you gotta press the issue, and
you know, for for the Steeler squad, it's going to
be really important that they take you know, utilize their
game and they take all of the opportunities that they get.
You can't have those near misses. Remember that that like
Cleveland game, Like how many interceptions and turnovers did they
(43:52):
miss in that game?
Speaker 5 (43:53):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (43:54):
They were just like right there. It was like it
was like, come on those you need those this game? Right?
Do you have to have that opportunity where you take advantage.
It's going to take something opportunistic for this team to trigger,
you know, like a catalyst. You just you need just
one I feel like one play. If you make that
one play early, it's snowballs, right, because that's the biggest
(44:17):
thing we talked about with this with this cold squad, right.
Confidence When you get in tight games and you're able
to overcome and you're able to get a victory, you know,
that's where it's like, oh, there we go. I now
have a reference point. It can be done. It's not
as imsive possible as I thought. And for the Steelers,
that's what is a sack. You know, that turnover, a
(44:37):
recovery you know will then breed. I feel more they
come in bunches, right, But when when you don't do it.
It seems like it's a drought, and you know, special
teams wise, I'm just waiting. I feel it something has
to break in the special teams area where we've got
to get that that return touchdown. I just feel like
(44:58):
Keishawn Williams is on the precipice when he first that
first one and you know, the Jabrill Peppers play, I'm
not even gonna that's just frustrating how they called that one.
But but you know, but I could point to a
number of praise that we're frustrating throughout the season so far.
But that Keishan Williams return that was a beautiful forty
(45:19):
five yard return got called back because of the block
in the back, and I just feel like he's really
close as well to breaking something. And you know, I
think that's where it is. We just need and then
offense has to respond in the same timeframe. You can't
be either or. It has to be and and And
that's how you have to approach this game. It's in
(45:40):
your head, this is a must win for division, you know,
lead and jockeying for position to maintain your edge and
your lead in the division. And no matter what the
rest of the league does, or the rest of your
division does. It's about you, and it's about you. It's
always been about you, and to maintain the lead that
(46:01):
you have the foothold. It starts on Sunday against the
Indianapolis Colts. Yep.
Speaker 4 (46:05):
And by the way, the Colts are an excellent return
team in their own right. They had a kick return
for a touchdown by Ashton Dulan turned back on a
penalty kind of away from the play in the game
against the Raiders in which they also blocked the punt.
So special teams will play a big factor as well.
And you know, the Steelers looking to stem the tide
and get themselves back in the win column. Snap this
(46:27):
two game losing streak. They're three to one in the AFC.
Colts are unbeaten in the AFC, so a big matchup
for both teams as far as jockeying for playoff position
already here as the Steelers get ready here in week
nine to host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon at
Akroshur Stadium. Hey, great job by Nathan Osler the first
(46:51):
time by himself at the controls producing Justin Miller took
the weekend off our normal producer on the show.
Speaker 5 (46:57):
So round of applause for Nathan Art Studio.
Speaker 4 (47:03):
I want to thank Matt Taylor, the outstanding play by
play man for the Colts, Missy Matthews, who is part
of our trio in the broadcasting booth for Max starts,
I'm rob king. Happy Halloween. Max, enjoy your time with
Waiverley and Quincy. Don't be afraid to take that TwixT tax.
Speaker 2 (47:21):
Yeah, no, Dad taxes in full effect tonight, guys, don't
worry about it. I will be I'll be exacting. And
also it's also about refinement, right, you know, you want
to make sure your kids have the best time, but
more so the best quality candy. So sometimes I have
to I have to step in and be the quality
and taste control guy.
Speaker 5 (47:39):
Yes, absolutely right.
Speaker 4 (47:41):
And you've got to be looking at those future dental
bills as well, so you're just looking out for the kids.
Speaker 5 (47:45):
Max, way to go, good.
Speaker 2 (47:46):
Job exactly if I can stem the tie and save
a dollar wherever I can.
Speaker 4 (47:50):
Max on Sunday, my friend, thank you very much, and
we thanked everybody for listening. In the locker Room presented
by our neighborhood, Ford Storing to see this pro shop
on stee his Nation Radio.
Speaker 5 (47:59):
Apart of this, there's audio network
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