November 14, 2025 • 43 mins
The Drive previews a loaded Week 11 across the NFL, as well as chatting with Steelers Safety Kyle Dugger.
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Your tunes about Drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Good evening, Steeler Nation. How we doing well? That's good
us too. Our number two here, final hour of the
Drive this week, as we come down the home stretch
and are getting closer and closer to a big one
between the Bengals and the Steelers, big one for both teams,
big one for the AFC North outlook, the entire AFC
(00:45):
Conference playoff push. We will go around the league here
in a few minutes in preview and predict all of
these games across the week eleven slate here is we
get closer and closer to the holidays, the road gets narrower, yarrow.
You have got some big games across the NFL this weekend, uh,
and we will get to all of that in just
a few minutes. But before we do that, Matt, the
(01:08):
Steelers Friday practice report, injury report is across the timeline here,
so we've got some substantial news. Let's go all right,
let's go with who's been ruled out at this point.
The Steelers will be without Darius Slay. He's ruled out
with the concussion. Alex Highsmith, and Cole Holcombe ruled out
(01:33):
still Sunday against the Bengals.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
I mean, those are three guys that played a lot
of snaps and it's not a great offense to be
losing dudes. Again, No, it's not.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
And again I think sligh we all expected. Yes, the
other two we were leaning a little more towards the
optimistic side.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Of the I'll be all right.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Especially Yeah, he was limited yesterday in practice, no part
of me. He had not practiced all week and did
not practice again today, so he has been ruled out
for Sunday again, as has Holcombe. He was the one
who was limited in practice yesterday but did it something,
did not practice today, so tough, tough to see in
that regard. Questionable for Sunday is Isaac Sayamalu. Okay, he
(02:21):
was limited. It was limited with the with the peck
limited with the peck injury, but is listed as questionable
and even though he is not practiced all week, Corey
Thrice Junior listed as questionable as well too for Sunday.
Really still hasn't practiced.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Windows windows been open, but yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
So you know, I uh, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Exactly what there, but.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Yeah, intrigued I'm with you. I'm with you on that one,
very very very intrigued by by that one. There. Certainly
I would be surprised, of course.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
But after being on IR, I'm thinking, well, maybe next
week then, yeah, we'll see.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Maybe at least it's a good sign in that regard.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Yeah, maybe at least there's progress.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
I tell you what, It would be a good week
to have him back in theory.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Oh yeah, albeit, I mean he hasn't played, but exactly right.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Albeit, you don't know how rusty he's gonna be and
what he's going to look like and all that, but
you'd like to have as many defensive backs kind of
all hands on deck.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
I mean, if sam does play and Trice doesn't play,
you only have three corners. It's true on game day,
that's true, which makes me lean towards Samuel is going
to get a helmet. I don't know how much you'll play,
but I bet he gets a helmet.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Man.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Yeah, I mean, if I were him, one.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Of those two would almost have to write now that
you mentioned it, that's almost a process of elimination.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Ramsey can always move back. It's a little different than
other such team situations, but you can't just go with
three corners. You're one injury away from not having a nickel, correct, Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
Yeah correct. Roderick Jones will play no full practice participate today. Yeah,
he's over with that groin. He's he's he's set to go.
Green light for him, as is Scotty Miller. We mentioned
that yesterday he had been practicing all week after missing
a couple of weeks with that broken finger. And bro
Peppers as well, too, good full participant today, cleared. Good
(04:21):
to go with that with that groin, no injury designation
for him as well.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Okay, I'd like Peppers on the field.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
I was just going to ask you, like, what do
you what would you like to see his role be
on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
That's the thing. I don't know how exactly he fits
in unless and I shouldn't even throw this out there,
unless Ramsey would be your slot and then Peppers and
Dugger your two safeties. But I think they're pretty happy
and intent on not moving.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
I think they like Ramsey back there, at least especially
until Deshaun Elliott. If Deshaun Elliott gets back. Yeah, yeah,
you want to have kind of like one veteran playing.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
I think he's a safety. Yeah, I mean unless you'd
lose two corners on game day or something, you know, Yes, yes,
I don't wear that leaves Peppers, but yeah, I am interested.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Somebody else in that secondary is gonna have to get
some playing time, Gonna have to get some yeah, yeah, right,
I mean other than the.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Five gonna play a lot.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Five that we know here is gonna play a lot.
Joey Porter Junior obviously, Brandon Echoles obviously, two safeties, the
two starting safeties, Ramsey and soon to be friend of
the show Kyle Duggar.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
But after that, how about Peppers, Who's who's.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Six and seven?
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Right?
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Because they're gonna have to They're gonna have to play.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
And Pierre is going to be a core special teamer
even if he's a quote starter on this. That's a
great point too, right, there's a lot of juggling.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
That's a lot of work for him.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
That's a lot of work.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Run up and down the field with Chase and Higgins.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Right, and he'll be a gunner and then be a
gunner Jamar Chase, you know, right, Yeah, don't love that,
don't know, don't love that.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
Don't love that. Uh Matt still still some you know,
some designation for Joe Flacco and that right shoulder as
well too. He's gonna play. I don't think that's sure.
I don't think that part surprises anybody. But that might
be another kind of wrinkle in this one potential fly
in the ointment. How healthy is Joe Flacco? Really?
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (06:10):
And again, can you get to him early in the
first quarter? Can you make that shoulder that's feeling a
little sore in November when those hits are adding up
a little bit more? Can you get to him and
make him uncomfortable early on?
Speaker 3 (06:22):
That's what I'm gonna say is I'm sure he's gonna play,
and I'm sure he'll look great right away, But what
about after you hit him three four times? You know,
you gotta think his chances of finishing the game are lessen, yes,
you know, or his ability to be as sharp throwing
the football or lesson. You know, I might looking for
anyone to get hurt, but completely agree. Yeah, a quarterback
(06:43):
getting hitting the throwing shoulder that's already sore could be.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
A problem, absolutely, right, especially one who's his age, you know,
exactly right, Like you said, you said with Rogers, you know,
there's a big difference between taking those hits and those
bumps and bruises at thirty one and forty.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
One, especially once to see and gets about this point.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
I feel that too, Matt Man. I'm thirty four now,
Oh yeah, those you know, those cross country trips on
a plane after Sunday night football and getting back home
on a couple of hours. Dude, When I was, you know,
when I was twenty four, twenty five, twenty six, working
in minor league hockey, riding on those crappy, dumpy busses
all across the country, I was like, this is fine,
(07:22):
I'll be all right.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Now.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
It's like my sleep schedule gets thrown off once and
I'm like, oh, I'm a wreck. I'm a wreck for
a week to get back on schedule, and I can't
imagine what it's like for those guys, Matt. Before we
go to break, come back, go around the league on
the other side again, we'll continue to tease it and
remind you we will have Kyle Dugger on with us
in the final segment of the show as well. Today, Matt,
(07:46):
Last Night, Patriots take Care of Business twenty seven to fourteen.
Maybe a little closer than comfort. Jets, Yeah, Jets hung
around for a while. The man Drake May looked the
part once again.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
The papers found the end zone three times. Things got a.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Lot good start to the week for my fantasy football team, Henderson, Baby.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
I was torn between Henderson and Aaron Jones, and I
went with Henderson. So I'm glad I got quite well.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
I'm glad you did. I mean Stefan Diggs with nine
receptions in one hundred and five yards. They ran the
ball effectively.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Uh, that is pretty legit too. I mean, the Jets
aren't going to win many more games.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
But I'm nearing credit. They played alright. I thought they
played hard, hung around like I thought Justin Fields did
all right.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
Okay, I mean his numbers weren't great, but he wasn't terrible, right,
you know, he made enough play.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
And accounted for two touchdowns with his arm one on
the ground. You're right, he's throwing.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
To Donny Mitchell, who just got there, John Metchi, right,
he just got there.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
We just got there as well.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
There gone.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
But yeah, I continue to think, man, that Patriots team,
what the ultimate ceiling is, I don't know, and I
don't think we will know until they get into the
playoffs now.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
But they're going to playoffs, but they're.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Going to the playoffs, and they're gonna be dangerous with
that defense, with the wave. Rabel has them playing with
the level up that Drake May has taken this year. Yeah,
that's a team I don't want to see in the posts.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
No, I mean, they're good on both sides the ball.
I think you gotta love Rabel as a coach too.
I mean, I think he's been a massive difference maker.
I think the Patriots have a real shot at the
one seed and getting a buye. I mean, you looked
at our upcoming schedule. They're not going to be a
dog very often. No one more time.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
But I was gonna say they might only have one,
maybe two more games the rest of the way where
they're not favored.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Right, it's a good place to be in if you're
the Patriots.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
I'm buying them. I'm not sure that they can beat
Mahomes or you know what I mean in the playoffs,
you know, but they could be a yeah, yeah, yeah right.
I think that's a little different beast. But they could
be the one seed. That's crazy, right.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
They have a loss since they've lost to the Steelers,
which that game feels like it was years ago.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
It does? It does?
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Man? Eight straight wins they're at I believe so, yeah,
because they were right.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Yes, its right, Yeah they said that last time.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Yeah, yeah, I believe. I believe that's the case. Eight
straight wins, Man, them and the Broncos have just continued
to rattle off wins. The Broncos have a tough one
with the Chiefs rolling into town this weekend.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
There's three or four headliner game, headliner game we'll get.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
To, and you know what, let's do that now. Let's
take a break here. We'll do a little bit of
a beefier around the league segment when we return, and
then we will close down with a conversation with Kyle
Duggar and of course with our score predictions on Steelers Bengles.
All of that still to come as we roll along
West Shuler, Matt Williamson on a Friday. Here, it's the
Drive on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Your tune's about Drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Goal.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Week eleven on tap across the National Football League this weekend,
and there are some big ones. Matt let's jump into it,
let's comb over it, let's go through it. Some thoughts,
some predictions on each of these contests here in Week eleven,
as the holidays approach and the road begins to narrow.
(11:25):
Do you remember last Wednesday, Matt on Best of the West,
ahead of going to Sofi Stadium, I gave you my
top ten favorite stadiums I've ever been to. So I
was number two. Do you buy chance? Remember what was
number one? I won't blame you if you don't mean.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
I would get in a multiple choice, but not filling
the blank.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
It was the Santiago Bernabo right in Madrid, May in Madrid, Spain.
Of course I knew the home of Real Madrid. Well, Matt,
there at nine to thirty our times, someday you're doing
Santiago in a bow. Will be the first ever NFL
game in Madrid?
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Is that the last nine thirty game?
Speaker 2 (12:05):
I believe?
Speaker 3 (12:05):
So, okay, think about that.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
I want to say, I think this is the last one.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
I'll be riating the studio with Tom doing pregame at that.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Point you will be. And so when you're what when
you guys have that game on the TVs, make sure
you're looking and be like.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Oh, West was right.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
That place looks that place looks pretty sick, right, Miami
there is the host team for the first ever NFL
regular season game in Spain. They host the Washington Commanders. Sorry,
Madrid not sending our best and our brightest.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
No it's not. But you don't even get Daniels or
you know.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
It's a beat up roster for both of the teams
as well to Miami two and a half point favorites.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
It's amazing that they're starting to become favorites and respected.
But I'm kind of on board. I mean, I think
he might save his jobs.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
I think they're a pushover.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
I don't think they're a pushover. They moved the football,
they got weapons or fast. I think Washington's in a
terrible spot. I'll think the Dolphins mind points.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
I think it is already late for the Washington Commander. Yeah,
let down of a season after what they did last year.
They don't have their young, promising superstar quarterback.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
They're in a real bind big picture too. They're old.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
I know I've told you this joke before, but Motes
would always make the all right team can couon on three?
When you get to that point in the season where
everyone's making their travel plans and looking forward to januaryyighbor
more so than Miami is definitely more so than Miami.
I think the Commanders are in in in vacation planning
(13:30):
mode and just kind of crawl into the finish line
of the season. I think Miami minus two and a half.
I might even take that number if it was more
like four and a half five and a half. I
think the Dolphins are feeling good about themselves. They've got
a little momentum. They're the host team, and so I
think they'll want to show well over there in Spain.
I like the Dolphins to win and cover.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Washington used to be like the best running team in
the league, and they still can run the ball reasonably well.
But Miami's run defense got a lot better too.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Yes, but their defense isn't.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
Honestly, it's not as bad as you think.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Yeah, must be that mega Fitzpatrick guy on the back end.
Into the one o'clock slate Division rivalry. Here is Atlanta
host Carolina. Now remember Matt last time these teams played
about a month ago.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
He's like the two most unpredictable teams, only.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
Maybe the two most unpredictable teams in the league. Dolphins
might be high on that list too, right Carolina uh
smacked Atlanta around at home thirty to nothing. I think
was the final score, you know, like five six weeks
ago when these teams met. Now they're at the Mercedes
Benz Stadium in Atlanta, another one of my favorite stadiums
in the league. The Falcons a three and a half
point favorite at home.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
I'm going with Atlanta. I don't feel strong about it.
There's a couple of games I feel real strong about.
We'll get to them, some of the bigger ones. But
I just don't know what you didn't get from Carolina.
They usually run the ball on everybody, and I would
think that they have success on the ground. But I
also think Atlanta is just more talented. A guy wanted
to highlight it is Jalen Walker, their first round pick,
the hi out of at Georgia.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
He's really good, starting to come on along.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Yeah, he's he's really good. He's gonna be a really
good player. I'm not big on Pierce, the other guy,
but I think Walker's going to be a star.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
It's been a long time since they've had a defensive
star there, particularly one rushing.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
The quarterback gets sacks. Yeah, yeah, I'll reluctantly take the
Falcons and lay the points.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
I wish that number was a little lower, more than
one and a half two and a half, But I'm
with you. I think Atlanta wants some revenge. I think
Atlanta has been much better at home this season than
they've been on the road, and that loss for Carolina
last week to drop them to five and five was tough.
They might be another one of those they were kind
of gripping the rope and staying in it for a while.
But yeah, is there too much oil on that rope
(15:35):
now and they're about to lose their grip on getting
meaningful games?
Speaker 3 (15:38):
They should be really looking towards tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Yeah, you know, yeah, I agree with you on that.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
One.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
One of these certainly five star matchups to keep an
eye on this weekend, Matt happens in Buffalo, where all
of a sudden, Tampa Bay is looking for a win.
Buffalo's really looking for some wins to keep pace with
the Patriots at high Mark Stadium. I think this is
only one of two one o'clock kickoffs there this year
for the Bills. Oh yeah, So many of their games
(16:05):
being in primetime. I'm pretty sure they only have two
home one o'clock games all season. This is one of them,
and the Bills are five and a half point favorites
at home against Baker and the Bucks.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
I think that numbers too big, say I want the
point one. Yeah, they run the ball extremely well, the Bills,
but Tampa's run defense with v to A in the
middle is really really good. I think these teams are
both on like the same tier, you know, if I
were to tier, I think they're both Tier two teams
right now. No Godwin, no Bucky Irvings. Sounds that they're close.
(16:37):
They might be next week, but they still have enough
on offense. I think they keep this close.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
I do too. This feels to me like this Buffalo
Bills team has done this a couple of times this year,
where they're all the sudden in a tight spot and
they find a way to get it and get a result.
Five and a half is a pretty big number against
against an offense like the Bucks. I think Buffalo wins,
but I'll take the points and this might definitely be
one of those Matt, you and I talk about this sometimes,
(17:04):
they like I would try and tease this and maybe
even get it up to six and a half, seven,
seven and a half, and then I think you'd really
be feeling good about tea.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Yeah, I hear what you're saying, but I think.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
But I still like five and a half.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
There's three or four games that are headliner types that
I think the dog might just as good a chance
to win as the favorite, and this is one of them.
So if you're gonna be five and a half, I'm
very comfortable with that.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
I think I know what a couple of the other
matchups are that you might be talking about, but we
will get to those, and just man, there are there's
some really really good ones this weekend as we continue
to roll along here. This might not be one of them,
but it's very important for Houston. In Nashville at Tennessee
Nissan Stadium, Music City USA, the Texans five and a
(17:48):
half point favorites on the road, despite remember no CJ
Straut a second straight week.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
They won last week without them, they did against.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
The Jags against a better team all home, but against
a better team, I.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
Still think that number is too low to Houston's defense
is maybe the best in the league.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
They might frustrate the heck out of cam warden company.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
I can see six seven, eight sacks. I like Ward,
but Tata says so much around him. I'll definitely take
Houston here. Mills isn't horrible.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Either, No, he's not. He's a competent back up.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
He'll be in the league for eight more years and yeah,
retire in multim.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Let make a decent living for himself. Yeah yeah, uh, Matt.
A big one in the NFC North, A big one
in the NFC wild card picture as the Vikings host
the Bears.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
Yeah, this is a big game.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
The upstart Chicago Bears and a Vikings team that is
kind of at that crossroads of if you win, you
still got plenty to play for. If you lose, you're
really going to be trying to really hurt them.
Speaker 3 (18:46):
In that division, You're then you're clearly fourth.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
And as you and I have talked about, the NFC
feels loaded. It feels like there's going to be at
least one good team that gets left out of the
playoff picture in the NFC Minnesota two and a half
point favorites at home. I think the.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
Bears win it straight out. Yeah, yeah, I mean, this
is one of the good ones I felt really good about. Like,
I think the Bears are playing better. I think they
have the better quarterback, maybe equal coaching at this point,
you know, which is a compliment to both sides. I
mean both really well coached teams. I think the Bears
are pretty decent and we're going to dig into them
in a week and I think there's gonna be some things.
(19:22):
Like they're doing some good things.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
They've won five of their last six. That Loan loss
was a close one in Baltimore. Way take they lost
the Ravens. Their defense gives up a lot of yardage,
but they take the ball away a lot. To me,
this comes down to can Flores find a way to
frustrate and confuse Caleb Williams.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
You know what, though he's getting better and better with
that stuff, he's taking a.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
Lot with that stuff. And I feel like this Vikings
defense has successfully frustrated and confused its opponents less and
less and less throughout the season.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
I think the same thing. It's like, it's good, but.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
It's not what I was last year.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
I think four is a great coach, but there's some
smoking mirrors involved there, and eventually you just need to
have win one on one matchups more and they son
great players. Like I remember we previewed Steelers Vikes. I'm like,
boy that Vikings d might be better than the Steelers, but
I'm not sure how many Vikings would start for the Steelers.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
Harrison Smith three, who knows right? I am with you.
I don't love this one because again this if Minnesota
would have put in a solid performance, it wouldn't surprise
me at all. Bears take a little bit of a
step back on the road. Divisional foe wouldn't surprise me
at all. But I think I'm with you. I'm leaning
towards give me the Bears plus two and a half
as well another one teasing up to three and a
(20:40):
half or four and a half. I really like Chicago.
The g men, the giants at MetLife hosting the Green
Bay Packers who are looking to get back in the
win column.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
James Winston always makes it fun.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Man eat at w couldn't wait? Hold on, everybody, is
there any potential for snow in New Jersey this Sunday?
Could Jamis Winston have himself a second snowball? The Packers
six and a half point favorites at MetLife.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
I don't feel strong on way or another about that
with the line. I bet the Packers win, but they're
hard to kind of count on right now.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Especially against quote unquote bad teams. I know, it's like
they show up against the good teams, they lay duds
against the teams they should beat.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
I think the points at home, I think Winston gives
every team a shot in the arm. People love them.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
They do love them.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Yeah, it kind of wears thin after a while, but
everyone loves them.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
I think I'm gonna lay the points of Green Bay.
Don't love it because they got to win by a
touchdown and you could see a last minute kind of
backdoor cover for the Giants. But I just I'm not
putting my faith in either of the New York teams
to do anything at this point. Jacksonville hosting the Chargers.
Matt stop me if I've said this already. But another
big one for playoff implications this Sun. There's four or
(21:57):
five of these with massive playoff implications.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
So I mentioned on other airways, I don't think I
did yesterday, But listen to Aaron Shotts, who is the
godfather of football analytics and used to be football siders,
that this is the most instrumental, the biggest okay in terms.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
Of winner and loser in their playoff.
Speaker 3 (22:16):
Probably Wings go if it was winning a loss, like
the Jags would really be in trouble with a loss.
Chargers after beating the Steelers would have two really good
AFC wins, be really set, you know, when all your
tie breakers against who you're fighting with.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
The wild Guards three and would have a lot of
tie breakers.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
I'm torn on this one.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
Chargers two and a half point favorites in Jacksonville.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
Yeah, I originally was feeling really strong about Jacksonville just
because I think that Charger O line. I mean, Herbert
cut hit every time he threw and the ball tame
out his hands and two point two. I mean, but
I also have a lot more respect for the Chargers defense.
I have less respect for their line and more respect
for their defense after watching and the play stealers intently,
(23:02):
and some people are already talking about Chargers decordinator we
getting the head job. I mean, like he's doing great,
great stuff. I'll take the points at home for a
desperate Jags team. But my hesitation is I've been a
Laurence supporter for a long time.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
You've head onto that stock a long and most.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
That that limbs getting pretty weak.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Started to become like Bitcoin at this point.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
And I'm such a Herbert fan. I mean, they've clearly
the better quarterback, but I'm gonna take the Jags and
the points at home.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Your two biggest crushes are Herbert in May.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
Yeah, they're pretty high on the list.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
I'm worried about Jacksonville. Like all their wide receivers are
beat up.
Speaker 3 (23:40):
It's a mess.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Yeah, I mean their top three wide receivers are either
hurt or out.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
On ir Orers and Parker Washington.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
Yeah, Parker Washington's banged up now too, Robinson's banged up,
Hunters out. I feel like the Chargers. We talk a
lot about how the Seattle Seahawks make these trips across
the co for the one o'clock games, which are typically
doomsday for West Coast teams. Yeah, and they always end
up winning. I feel like the Chargers are kind of
the stereotype. They come across the coast for these one
(24:09):
o'clock games and they always end up losing. I feel like,
having said that, I don't know, I feel like the
Chargers are onto something. I feel like, despite their ragtag
offensive line, they continue to find ways to win, they
continue to find ways to run the football. I got
some faith that that defense is going to frustrate Trevor
Lawrence and company. I think I'm gonna lay the points
with lay, but I don't like it.
Speaker 3 (24:29):
I can see both sides.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
I don't like this one, and I don't like the
Minnesota Chicago one.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
I love the Chicago one.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
Matt, I know you're gonna love this matchup. Four o'clock game,
A huge one again for divisional and playoff implications between
maybe the two best teams in the NFL at the moment.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
I think the four best teams in the NFL are
playing each other this.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
Game and this week Rams is Seahawks Yeah, and Eagles Lions.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
Yeah. There might tier team one teams right now in
the league.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
Seattle goes to La Sofi Stadiums, scene of the crime
last Sunday night for the Steelers. The Rams a three
and a half point favorite at home against the Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
I also think the winner is probably the MVP leader
in the clubhouse too. I mean, people don't look at
Darnold in that light, but they should.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
They absolutely should right now.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
My vote to be Stafford if I had a vote.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
Drake May is starting to really make some headway in
that conversation too, and I.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Wouldn't forget about my homes. By the way, I I
bet his odds have gotten a little better, but just
thrown that out there. Seattle is also way better. And
the only thing you can complain about with the Rams.
Our special teams aren't great, and Seattle's like best.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
No leads changed their kicker the Rams rightday last week.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
I think. Doesn't shock me. I know that everything's been
in flux. This is another one where I am very
confident to take the points. I'm not saying Seattle's gonna win,
but I think that that give him a.
Speaker 2 (25:48):
You give them more than a field goal, you're gonna
take it. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
I give them like a forty nine percent chance to win,
kind of like I did Bears Vikes. So if you're
gonna give me points, sign me.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Up, Matt. If you're gonna give me Seattle points on
the road, I'm gonna take them. Every time. Handful of
years is win road games.
Speaker 3 (26:07):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Yeah, it doesn't matter if it's if it's if it's
Carol or McDonald coaching, doesn't matter if it's Gino or
if it's Darnold at.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
Quarterbacks Coast or East Coast.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
All they do is win road games. The last couple
of years that this Seattle team has the secret sauce
for winning on the road. You're gonna give me Seattle
more than a field goal on the road. Yeah, I'm
taking the Seahawks plus three and a half nothing. Another
one of those games where nothing would surprise me. Rams
might be the best team in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
They would be my boat right now for number one,
but it's not.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
And that it'll also probably be one of those bowl
game type fifty to fifty atmospheres there. I'm sure there's
a lot of seas fans in Arizona, Matt. The Niners
look to get back on track and kind of hang
around the divisional and the wild card playoff conversation despite
the just laundry list of injuries they've had this year.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
Arizona's got a ton of injuries right now.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Arizona's got a ton of injuries too. So in Glendale
at State Farm Stadium there Arizona a two and a
half point underdog. At home, the Niners laying two and
a half.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
I don't think the Niners. I just think Shanahan has
I mean, we obviously know he's a good coach. He's
won a lot of games this league, but this year
more than ever, I just trust him to deal with
the injuries better, you know, minimize the weaknesses that are
creating a job of it's ow. I don't know Arizona
can do that. You know their staff and Brissett's gonna
kind of turn into a pumpkin too. You know, yes,
(27:29):
we might get party in this game.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
We very well could. That is something to keep an
eye on. I think this will be a battle for
San Francisco, but I think they'll find a way to
get it done in the end. In Cleveland, Matt the
lowest over under of the week as the yeah as
the Baltimore Ravens head to Cleveland. You know what's funny is,
remember last week we had so many double digit spreads.
(27:52):
They're just like ten and a half, twelve and a half,
fourteen and a half.
Speaker 3 (27:55):
Last night was a huge one, right.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Biggest spread of Sunday is Baltimore seven and a half
point favorites. That's it.
Speaker 3 (28:01):
That's number one.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
That's the only more than a touchdown favorite. Green Bay
six and a half. But this is the only one
that's like even close. Really, Uh, Baltimore seven and a
half point favorites a four to twenty five kickoff in Cleveland.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
I don't feel great about it, but I'll take the point.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
I mean might lean that way too.
Speaker 3 (28:18):
Really, I just think the Browns d is very, very
legit at home. There's still some questions about the Ravens.
Like I was asked today the Ravens back. I'm like, well,
I picked them to win the Super Bowl. I don't
know that they're back to like the best team in
the league. Yeah, I think they're back to being way
(28:39):
better than they've been exactly. Yes, formidable, a playoff caliber team,
But if I were to repick, I wouldn't pick them
as the best team in the league. They still have.
They still showed a lot of warts early in the season.
D line O line that's you know, questionable.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
Whether in Cleveland looks okay. That's always something you got
to keep an eye on this time of year. Yeah,
small chance of precipitation gonna be like thirty eight degrees
so cold but not freezing.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
Lamar's off the injury report, by the way, too, that
was just like a one day blip or whatever.
Speaker 2 (29:13):
Hey, twenty five mile an hour wins, though expected during
kickoff in Cleveland, m we'll see. I'm leaning towards taking
the points as well too. I think Baltimore wins, but
I don't think they blow them out. I think the
Browns keep it tight. That's what the Browns have done
against good teams this year.
Speaker 3 (29:28):
Yeah, I think Judkins can run a little bit, and
you know.
Speaker 2 (29:31):
I think I will take the seven. But this might
be another one that I would try and put part
of a part of a teaser and maybe get it
up to nine and a half instead of seven and
a half. Matt two more to get to and they
are two more five stars. This is one of those sundays.
Don't get me wrong, I'm gonna be jacked up and
be excited to be at Akrocher Stadium, But this is
one of those sundays I wish I could just order pizza,
(29:52):
that I wish I was just a civilian. I wish
I was just a muggle. I say that to my
wife all the time. You get the Harry Potter reference there,
and I've never.
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Seen one minute Kerry Potter.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
And wizards called non wizards muggles, Okay, basic people who
don't know magic, like civilians. Civilian I wish I was
just a muggle on Sunday and could just sit there
with my feet up and order some pizza and order
some wings.
Speaker 3 (30:12):
I'm gonna do that, and I'm not a muggle or.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
Big shirk uh four in Denver Mile High Stadium, Broncos
looking to really keep a stranglehold on the AFC West
Chiefs looking to not go five hundred and get back
in the win column. Kansas City despite an eight game
win streak and home advantage for Denver, Kansas City a
three and a half point favorite.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
Ooh, last I saw it was two and a half,
and I was pretty excited about that. Three and a
half with that defense might change my mind. I mean,
that's a terrible big that's a big difference.
Speaker 2 (30:46):
It's a big difference.
Speaker 3 (30:47):
It's a big difference. I'm still going with Kansas City.
Uh Andy Reid off a bye. I think this is
this isn't exactly analytical, but this is probably the first
time in five years that Reid Mahomes, Kelsey Jones, Spagnolo,
I've actually had to worry about how the regular season
(31:08):
might go, right, you know what I mean, Like and frankly,
I think they're better this year than they were last year.
And they were like fifteen to two last year and
they're one game over five hundred now.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
They were really fifteen and one in the games that
they tried to win, yest, yeah, because they're one of
Their second loss was the last week of the season
against the Broncos when they started.
Speaker 3 (31:27):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know don is hard to play.
But they've done it. That is good.
Speaker 2 (31:32):
But they don't have certain You and I talked a
little about big crossroads Sunday For a lot of these teams,
a lot of these games, a lot of these divisional races.
To me, the Chiefs exemplify that. Yeah, it's put up
a shut up time.
Speaker 3 (31:45):
Oh yeah, So they can't be like, oh, we'll just
turn it on. You're right, you're five and four and
do you want to a third place in your division?
Speaker 2 (31:51):
You wan know something crazy? Right now? They're five and
four and third place in their division. Do you want
to know who the betting favorite in that division still is?
Speaker 3 (31:57):
Oh? I know it's Chiefs.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
You want to know who the Souper Bowl betting odds
favorite still is?
Speaker 3 (32:03):
The Chiefs?
Speaker 2 (32:04):
And overall slightly better than the Eagles in the Rams.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (32:10):
So if you're the Kansas City Chiefs and you're still
favored to win your division and your favor to win
the Super Bowl, you can't fall to five. Like eventually
the results start to matter.
Speaker 3 (32:19):
A loss year. This is the first time you're scared
for five years.
Speaker 2 (32:23):
You remember, like, do you remember, like two weeks ago
when I was laughing I mentioned it on the show
for like ninety seconds when Lane Kiffin was like, we
should just let Las Vegas pick the twelve teams for
the college football Playoff because they their lines are always
so good and they know this stuff so well. Why
don't we just let Vegas? And I was like, oh, yeah,
tell that the James Franklin and Penn State who lost
back to back weeks is three touchdown favorites, which really
(32:44):
just let Vegas. This is one of those moments. Vegas
is almost always right. I've been to Vegas many times.
I see the big buildings, the casinos. The perception of
the Chiefs needs to change. If they fall to five
and five, I'm sorry. The games matter.
Speaker 3 (32:58):
The results matter with a loss, yes.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
But if they go into eight and two, Denver Mile
High Stadium, crazy environment, good Broncos team, great Broncos defense.
Then I'm starting to be like, Okay, maybe they can
just turn the switch on and they're going to be
all right. This is a real big narrative game for Kansas.
Speaker 3 (33:16):
But if I were to ask you who's your pick
in the AFC to go to the Super Bowl this
year today Friday, would it be the Chiefs. I think
they'd be mine to win it all.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
But I think it says more about how I feel
about the Colts and the Broncos and the Patriots that
I don't trust any evening of them to go to
the Super Bowl.
Speaker 3 (33:34):
Like Kansas City going to New England Nation Championship game
be favored by ten points.
Speaker 2 (33:39):
Okay, So if you ask me that question right now again,
if I have to put a chip on one team,
it would be the Chiefs if they lose Sundays. But
I'll also tell you this right now too, and this
might be a little bit of a cop out, but
you can tell me if this is fair or not,
if you're giving me the Chiefs or the field in
the AFC. This is the first time in seven or
eight years that I'm taking the field.
Speaker 3 (33:58):
I'm definitely taking the field.
Speaker 2 (33:59):
Yeah, yeah, last, but certainly not least here. Matt Detroit
in Philadelphia. Good Sunday night. This is good. I'll be
home in time to pizza and wings and be a
muggle and enjoy myself for this one. Detroit in Philly.
The Eagles two and a half point favorites. This could
be an NFC Championship preview.
Speaker 3 (34:19):
They could. Both these teams are really really good. They're
also my Tier one. I like how the Eagles defense
is playing the Lions within the Campbell taking over as
a play caller gave them a jolt. They got the
ball like in Gibbs and Jamison Williams hands more. They're electric,
fast playmaker types. And frankly, I would take the home
(34:40):
team in this game. Both those places are hard to play.
You're very familiar with teams going in the Eagles on
a night game is not gonna be fun. And the
spread's not enough for me to go away. Yeah, I mean,
I'm taking the home team, and it's not quite enough
for me to give it to the Lions. That's right.
Speaker 2 (35:00):
If it was three and a half or four and
a half, you'd be like, give me the line with
the points.
Speaker 3 (35:03):
Yeah, I'd take three and a half the Lions anywhere
against anybody.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
I think I'm gonna lay the points with the Eagles
as well. I think I'm with you on that, just
because much like the Chiefs, like I'm I'm gonna give
the Eagles the benefit of the doubt until it until
they prove me.
Speaker 3 (35:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
And I think the Lions have earned a lot of
that too. But Philly, especially at home, man, it is
tough to go in there and win Sunday night environment.
Those people are gonna be all jacked up on cheese,
steaks and cheap beers, and I think it'll be a
great game. I think Philly pulls it out in the end. Matt,
there is our Week eleven Slate. Man, you said it,
(35:39):
and you were correct. That is a great I mean
there are like five or six almost MutS must watch
games in there, including Steelers and Bengals. On the other side,
we're gonna talk to newest safety of your Pittsburgh Steelers,
Kyle Dugger, and we are also going to give our
prediction for what we think will happen in Steelers. All
(36:00):
of that and more as we wrap this thing up
when we return with a special guest, Well Shuler, Matt Williamson.
It's the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers
Audio Network, your tunes.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
About Drive on your twenty four to seven home of
the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
Back on the Drive here on a Friday, getting ready
for a big AFC North clash between the Bengals and
the Steelers at home Sunday at one o'clock. Joining us
now a new member of the Steelers secondary, of course,
Safety Kyle Douggar. Kyle, thank you so much for taking
the time. And I imagine these last couple weeks have
(37:00):
in a little bit of a whirlwind for.
Speaker 3 (37:01):
You, no doubt. And Uh, I wouldn't say WorldWind.
Speaker 5 (37:06):
Uh, it's just been a lot of work. Uh, definitely
would have been on the pedal.
Speaker 3 (37:10):
So, Kyle, I'm curious. There's another newer member of Sante
Samuel of the secondary, and I have no idea if
he's a player or not. And I'm not asking any
inside scoop on that, but if he were to play,
he's kind of in the same situation as you were,
not many days to prepare for the new team. What
would you recommend to him? You know, make that transition
a little easier.
Speaker 5 (37:31):
Uh, just a lot of film out of uh, being
in playbooks, spending a lot of time with the coaches,
and just kind of making the most of every second
up until game day.
Speaker 3 (37:43):
As far as studying that game had to be a
lot to digest for you. You doing it live, it was.
It was fun.
Speaker 2 (37:50):
I said that, Well, Kyle, I got to imagine too,
like you, you know, to to use a Mike tomlinism.
You did a great job of hopping on the moving
train colts win and getting ingrained with everything you were
being asked to do. Is that maybe a little bit
easier when you've got a veteran coach like Mike Tomlin,
a defense that is, you know, also full of experienced
(38:12):
veterans like TJ and Cam and Ramsey and Slay. Did
that at least make things a little bit more comfortable,
a little bit easier on your end.
Speaker 5 (38:20):
Most definitely those guys specifically in that situation, obviously making
plays all around me and in.
Speaker 3 (38:27):
The communication was huge.
Speaker 5 (38:29):
They were you know, they obviously knew the situation that
we're making sure that we were communicating every snap and
just flowing at the defense.
Speaker 3 (38:38):
So I know you and Jabriel Peppers haven't been on
the field together as a stealer yet, but I would
imagine coming from one system and helping you translate it
into this system. That Peppers has been a useful guy
from you coming from New England, right for sure.
Speaker 5 (38:54):
Yeah, and like a personal translator, simplifying everything for.
Speaker 2 (38:58):
Me, Kyle. Obviously, it's not a simple task for you
guys this Sunday against one of the NFL's high flying
offense veteran quarterback and Joe Flacco, maybe the best receiver
in the NFL, and Jamar Chase and another incredible one
in t Higgins. What's kind of the task at hand
to slow down this Bengals offense that's been putting up
(39:20):
a lot of yards, putting up a lot of points
the last few weeks.
Speaker 5 (39:24):
I would say making them one dimension is definitely attesting
the goal stopping a run and then just executing shooting
our defenses and winning our one eleven. But definitely making
a one dimension will make things easier.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
Kyle. My last question for you is you were drafted
by Bill Belichick, right, Yeah, obviously one of the greatest
coaches in NFL history. Like, what kind of influence did
he have on you early in your career, and I'm
sure you learned a lot. And you know what did
he preach to you, guys.
Speaker 5 (39:59):
Discipline, big on discipline, and he had a really different
kind of understanding as far as defenses go, and so
he he kind of was super focused on taking away
what you know, opposing team to do best. And as
a safety, I was, you know, pre snapped looks, disguises
and things like that.
Speaker 2 (40:19):
Okay, Kyle, thank you so much for taking the time.
We know it's a busy time of the year for
you guys on game day here on a Friday. Thank
you for giving us a few minutes of your time.
And uh and go give him hell on Sunday. Thanks,
thank you. There he goes, Kyle Dugger the newest Well,
I guess I can't say that Samuel Jr. Is now
technically the newest member, although maybe until he's officially activated
(40:42):
to the fifty three, maybe we continue can continue to
get away with it. But thanks to Makaya and everybody
at Steelers pr for setting that up for us and
for Kyle for taking some time there at a busy
time in the week for those guys. Certainly a big
opportunity for him and for that secondary on Sunday, Man.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
Yeah, huge challenge, too, huge.
Speaker 2 (41:00):
Challenge against the Bengals at home one o'clock the rematch
in this Cincinnati Pittsburgh rivalry where the Steelers are five
and a half point favorites at home. Matt, what's your
prediction for this one? How does it play out? That's
a pretty big number.
Speaker 3 (41:12):
I picked my number before I knew the line, but
it's basically right on there. I have the Steelers winning
thirty five thirty, So I guess not covering. I didn't
give a line to any thought, to be honest.
Speaker 2 (41:22):
With you, close to covering, but right there.
Speaker 3 (41:24):
Yeah, And I think it comes back to proud organization,
proud quarterback that didn't show their best, that should rebound
well at home, as Missy mentioned, and one o'clock at
home normalcy, I think goes a long way. And in
the end, I'll be blown away if the Bengals defense
(41:45):
makes more splash plays than the Steelers defense, and that
was to me, that was the difference in the game.
You know, neither defense stopped anybody in that game, as
all Bengals games are, but one side had splash and
the other side didn't. And if you, I think three
out of four times that's side to be the Steelers
not the Bengals, you know, maybe nine out of ten times.
Speaker 2 (42:03):
Yeah, absolutely, And hopefully Cincinnati got away with it the
one time at pay Course Stadium a few weeks ago.
But the bank or the Steelers will get their vengeance.
Part of me, Matt, I have the Steelers winning but
not covering as well. Thirty to twenty seven, all right,
is what I'm gonna go with.
Speaker 3 (42:19):
So not like a low scoring games.
Speaker 5 (42:21):
So it is.
Speaker 2 (42:23):
You know what though the over under forty nine and
a half is not that's not massive.
Speaker 3 (42:27):
I would have guess it's like fifty seven. Yeah, yeah, mid.
Speaker 2 (42:30):
Fifty Yeah, it would have been my guess. Yeah. Absolutely,
So Matt and I both taken the Steelers to win,
get back in the win column, get to six and four,
and set up what would be a fun trip to
the Windy City between the Steelers and the Bears next weekend.
But that will do it for us today, Matt. So
thanks to man. We got a couple people to thank today,
Missy Matthews for joining us, Kyle Duggar for joining us again.
(42:53):
Big thanks to Macaiah from Steelers PR for setting that
one up for us, and of course mister TV Tyler
v our YouTube producer, for keeping us nice and crisp,
nice and handsome on the video side of things. Nathan
here hanging out and training in the studio today, And
to each and every one of you who listen to
us and tweet us and hang out with us throughout
the week, we always appreciate it. For Matt Williamson, I'm
(43:14):
Wes Yuler, Take care, everybody, enjoy the weekend, win loser, Drawmat.
We'll be back here on Monday as always to break
it all down. You know where to find us. It's
on your twenty four to seven home of the Black
and Gold. It's Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.
Your tunes about Drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Good evening, Steeler Nation. How we doing well? That's good
us too. Our number two here, final hour of the
Drive this week, as we come down the home stretch
and are getting closer and closer to a big one
between the Bengals and the Steelers, big one for both teams,
big one for the AFC North outlook, the entire AFC
(00:45):
Conference playoff push. We will go around the league here
in a few minutes in preview and predict all of
these games across the week eleven slate here is we
get closer and closer to the holidays, the road gets narrower, yarrow.
You have got some big games across the NFL this weekend, uh,
and we will get to all of that in just
a few minutes. But before we do that, Matt, the
(01:08):
Steelers Friday practice report, injury report is across the timeline here,
so we've got some substantial news. Let's go all right,
let's go with who's been ruled out at this point.
The Steelers will be without Darius Slay. He's ruled out
with the concussion. Alex Highsmith, and Cole Holcombe ruled out
(01:33):
still Sunday against the Bengals.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
I mean, those are three guys that played a lot
of snaps and it's not a great offense to be
losing dudes. Again, No, it's not.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
And again I think sligh we all expected. Yes, the
other two we were leaning a little more towards the
optimistic side.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Of the I'll be all right.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Especially Yeah, he was limited yesterday in practice, no part
of me. He had not practiced all week and did
not practice again today, so he has been ruled out
for Sunday again, as has Holcombe. He was the one
who was limited in practice yesterday but did it something,
did not practice today, so tough, tough to see in
that regard. Questionable for Sunday is Isaac Sayamalu. Okay, he
(02:21):
was limited. It was limited with the with the peck
limited with the peck injury, but is listed as questionable
and even though he is not practiced all week, Corey
Thrice Junior listed as questionable as well too for Sunday.
Really still hasn't practiced.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Windows windows been open, but yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
So you know, I uh, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Exactly what there, but.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Yeah, intrigued I'm with you. I'm with you on that one,
very very very intrigued by by that one. There. Certainly
I would be surprised, of course.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
But after being on IR, I'm thinking, well, maybe next
week then, yeah, we'll see.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Maybe at least it's a good sign in that regard.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Yeah, maybe at least there's progress.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
I tell you what, It would be a good week
to have him back in theory.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Oh yeah, albeit, I mean he hasn't played, but exactly right.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Albeit, you don't know how rusty he's gonna be and
what he's going to look like and all that, but
you'd like to have as many defensive backs kind of
all hands on deck.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
I mean, if sam does play and Trice doesn't play,
you only have three corners. It's true on game day,
that's true, which makes me lean towards Samuel is going
to get a helmet. I don't know how much you'll play,
but I bet he gets a helmet.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Man.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Yeah, I mean, if I were him, one.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Of those two would almost have to write now that
you mentioned it, that's almost a process of elimination.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Ramsey can always move back. It's a little different than
other such team situations, but you can't just go with
three corners. You're one injury away from not having a nickel, correct, Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
Yeah correct. Roderick Jones will play no full practice participate today. Yeah,
he's over with that groin. He's he's he's set to go.
Green light for him, as is Scotty Miller. We mentioned
that yesterday he had been practicing all week after missing
a couple of weeks with that broken finger. And bro
Peppers as well, too, good full participant today, cleared. Good
(04:21):
to go with that with that groin, no injury designation
for him as well.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Okay, I'd like Peppers on the field.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
I was just going to ask you, like, what do
you what would you like to see his role be
on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
That's the thing. I don't know how exactly he fits
in unless and I shouldn't even throw this out there,
unless Ramsey would be your slot and then Peppers and
Dugger your two safeties. But I think they're pretty happy
and intent on not moving.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
I think they like Ramsey back there, at least especially
until Deshaun Elliott. If Deshaun Elliott gets back. Yeah, yeah,
you want to have kind of like one veteran playing.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
I think he's a safety. Yeah, I mean unless you'd
lose two corners on game day or something, you know, Yes, yes,
I don't wear that leaves Peppers, but yeah, I am interested.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Somebody else in that secondary is gonna have to get
some playing time, Gonna have to get some yeah, yeah, right,
I mean other than the.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Five gonna play a lot.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Five that we know here is gonna play a lot.
Joey Porter Junior obviously, Brandon Echoles obviously, two safeties, the
two starting safeties, Ramsey and soon to be friend of
the show Kyle Duggar.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
But after that, how about Peppers, Who's who's.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Six and seven?
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Right?
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Because they're gonna have to They're gonna have to play.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
And Pierre is going to be a core special teamer
even if he's a quote starter on this. That's a
great point too, right, there's a lot of juggling.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
That's a lot of work for him.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
That's a lot of work.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Run up and down the field with Chase and Higgins.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Right, and he'll be a gunner and then be a
gunner Jamar Chase, you know, right, Yeah, don't love that,
don't know, don't love that.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
Don't love that. Uh Matt still still some you know,
some designation for Joe Flacco and that right shoulder as
well too. He's gonna play. I don't think that's sure.
I don't think that part surprises anybody. But that might
be another kind of wrinkle in this one potential fly
in the ointment. How healthy is Joe Flacco? Really?
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (06:10):
And again, can you get to him early in the
first quarter? Can you make that shoulder that's feeling a
little sore in November when those hits are adding up
a little bit more? Can you get to him and
make him uncomfortable early on?
Speaker 3 (06:22):
That's what I'm gonna say is I'm sure he's gonna play,
and I'm sure he'll look great right away, But what
about after you hit him three four times? You know,
you gotta think his chances of finishing the game are lessen, yes,
you know, or his ability to be as sharp throwing
the football or lesson. You know, I might looking for
anyone to get hurt, but completely agree. Yeah, a quarterback
(06:43):
getting hitting the throwing shoulder that's already sore could be.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
A problem, absolutely, right, especially one who's his age, you know,
exactly right, Like you said, you said with Rogers, you know,
there's a big difference between taking those hits and those
bumps and bruises at thirty one and forty.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
One, especially once to see and gets about this point.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
I feel that too, Matt Man. I'm thirty four now,
Oh yeah, those you know, those cross country trips on
a plane after Sunday night football and getting back home
on a couple of hours. Dude, When I was, you know,
when I was twenty four, twenty five, twenty six, working
in minor league hockey, riding on those crappy, dumpy busses
all across the country, I was like, this is fine,
(07:22):
I'll be all right.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Now.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
It's like my sleep schedule gets thrown off once and
I'm like, oh, I'm a wreck. I'm a wreck for
a week to get back on schedule, and I can't
imagine what it's like for those guys, Matt. Before we
go to break, come back, go around the league on
the other side again, we'll continue to tease it and
remind you we will have Kyle Dugger on with us
in the final segment of the show as well. Today, Matt,
(07:46):
Last Night, Patriots take Care of Business twenty seven to fourteen.
Maybe a little closer than comfort. Jets, Yeah, Jets hung
around for a while. The man Drake May looked the
part once again.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
The papers found the end zone three times. Things got a.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Lot good start to the week for my fantasy football team, Henderson, Baby.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
I was torn between Henderson and Aaron Jones, and I
went with Henderson. So I'm glad I got quite well.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
I'm glad you did. I mean Stefan Diggs with nine
receptions in one hundred and five yards. They ran the
ball effectively.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Uh, that is pretty legit too. I mean, the Jets
aren't going to win many more games.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
But I'm nearing credit. They played alright. I thought they
played hard, hung around like I thought Justin Fields did
all right.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
Okay, I mean his numbers weren't great, but he wasn't terrible, right,
you know, he made enough play.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
And accounted for two touchdowns with his arm one on
the ground. You're right, he's throwing.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
To Donny Mitchell, who just got there, John Metchi, right,
he just got there.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
We just got there as well.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
There gone.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
But yeah, I continue to think, man, that Patriots team,
what the ultimate ceiling is, I don't know, and I
don't think we will know until they get into the
playoffs now.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
But they're going to playoffs, but they're.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Going to the playoffs, and they're gonna be dangerous with
that defense, with the wave. Rabel has them playing with
the level up that Drake May has taken this year. Yeah,
that's a team I don't want to see in the posts.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
No, I mean, they're good on both sides the ball.
I think you gotta love Rabel as a coach too.
I mean, I think he's been a massive difference maker.
I think the Patriots have a real shot at the
one seed and getting a buye. I mean, you looked
at our upcoming schedule. They're not going to be a
dog very often. No one more time.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
But I was gonna say they might only have one,
maybe two more games the rest of the way where
they're not favored.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Right, it's a good place to be in if you're
the Patriots.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
I'm buying them. I'm not sure that they can beat
Mahomes or you know what I mean in the playoffs,
you know, but they could be a yeah, yeah, yeah right.
I think that's a little different beast. But they could
be the one seed. That's crazy, right.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
They have a loss since they've lost to the Steelers,
which that game feels like it was years ago.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
It does? It does?
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Man? Eight straight wins they're at I believe so, yeah,
because they were right.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Yes, its right, Yeah they said that last time.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Yeah, yeah, I believe. I believe that's the case. Eight
straight wins, Man, them and the Broncos have just continued
to rattle off wins. The Broncos have a tough one
with the Chiefs rolling into town this weekend.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
There's three or four headliner game, headliner game we'll get.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
To, and you know what, let's do that now. Let's
take a break here. We'll do a little bit of
a beefier around the league segment when we return, and
then we will close down with a conversation with Kyle
Duggar and of course with our score predictions on Steelers Bengles.
All of that still to come as we roll along
West Shuler, Matt Williamson on a Friday. Here, it's the
Drive on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Your tune's about Drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Goal.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Week eleven on tap across the National Football League this weekend,
and there are some big ones. Matt let's jump into it,
let's comb over it, let's go through it. Some thoughts,
some predictions on each of these contests here in Week eleven,
as the holidays approach and the road begins to narrow.
(11:25):
Do you remember last Wednesday, Matt on Best of the West,
ahead of going to Sofi Stadium, I gave you my
top ten favorite stadiums I've ever been to. So I
was number two. Do you buy chance? Remember what was
number one? I won't blame you if you don't mean.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
I would get in a multiple choice, but not filling
the blank.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
It was the Santiago Bernabo right in Madrid, May in Madrid, Spain.
Of course I knew the home of Real Madrid. Well, Matt,
there at nine to thirty our times, someday you're doing
Santiago in a bow. Will be the first ever NFL
game in Madrid?
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Is that the last nine thirty game?
Speaker 2 (12:05):
I believe?
Speaker 3 (12:05):
So, okay, think about that.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
I want to say, I think this is the last one.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
I'll be riating the studio with Tom doing pregame at that.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
Point you will be. And so when you're what when
you guys have that game on the TVs, make sure
you're looking and be like.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Oh, West was right.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
That place looks that place looks pretty sick, right, Miami
there is the host team for the first ever NFL
regular season game in Spain. They host the Washington Commanders. Sorry,
Madrid not sending our best and our brightest.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
No it's not. But you don't even get Daniels or
you know.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
It's a beat up roster for both of the teams
as well to Miami two and a half point favorites.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
It's amazing that they're starting to become favorites and respected.
But I'm kind of on board. I mean, I think
he might save his jobs.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
I think they're a pushover.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
I don't think they're a pushover. They moved the football,
they got weapons or fast. I think Washington's in a
terrible spot. I'll think the Dolphins mind points.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
I think it is already late for the Washington Commander. Yeah,
let down of a season after what they did last year.
They don't have their young, promising superstar quarterback.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
They're in a real bind big picture too. They're old.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
I know I've told you this joke before, but Motes
would always make the all right team can couon on three?
When you get to that point in the season where
everyone's making their travel plans and looking forward to januaryyighbor
more so than Miami is definitely more so than Miami.
I think the Commanders are in in in vacation planning
(13:30):
mode and just kind of crawl into the finish line
of the season. I think Miami minus two and a half.
I might even take that number if it was more
like four and a half five and a half. I
think the Dolphins are feeling good about themselves. They've got
a little momentum. They're the host team, and so I
think they'll want to show well over there in Spain.
I like the Dolphins to win and cover.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Washington used to be like the best running team in
the league, and they still can run the ball reasonably well.
But Miami's run defense got a lot better too.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Yes, but their defense isn't.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
Honestly, it's not as bad as you think.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Yeah, must be that mega Fitzpatrick guy on the back end.
Into the one o'clock slate Division rivalry. Here is Atlanta
host Carolina. Now remember Matt last time these teams played
about a month ago.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
He's like the two most unpredictable teams, only.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
Maybe the two most unpredictable teams in the league. Dolphins
might be high on that list too, right Carolina uh
smacked Atlanta around at home thirty to nothing. I think
was the final score, you know, like five six weeks
ago when these teams met. Now they're at the Mercedes
Benz Stadium in Atlanta, another one of my favorite stadiums
in the league. The Falcons a three and a half
point favorite at home.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
I'm going with Atlanta. I don't feel strong about it.
There's a couple of games I feel real strong about.
We'll get to them, some of the bigger ones. But
I just don't know what you didn't get from Carolina.
They usually run the ball on everybody, and I would
think that they have success on the ground. But I
also think Atlanta is just more talented. A guy wanted
to highlight it is Jalen Walker, their first round pick,
the hi out of at Georgia.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
He's really good, starting to come on along.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Yeah, he's he's really good. He's gonna be a really
good player. I'm not big on Pierce, the other guy,
but I think Walker's going to be a star.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
It's been a long time since they've had a defensive
star there, particularly one rushing.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
The quarterback gets sacks. Yeah, yeah, I'll reluctantly take the
Falcons and lay the points.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
I wish that number was a little lower, more than
one and a half two and a half, But I'm
with you. I think Atlanta wants some revenge. I think
Atlanta has been much better at home this season than
they've been on the road, and that loss for Carolina
last week to drop them to five and five was tough.
They might be another one of those they were kind
of gripping the rope and staying in it for a while.
But yeah, is there too much oil on that rope
(15:35):
now and they're about to lose their grip on getting
meaningful games?
Speaker 3 (15:38):
They should be really looking towards tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
Yeah, you know, yeah, I agree with you on that.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
One.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
One of these certainly five star matchups to keep an
eye on this weekend, Matt happens in Buffalo, where all
of a sudden, Tampa Bay is looking for a win.
Buffalo's really looking for some wins to keep pace with
the Patriots at high Mark Stadium. I think this is
only one of two one o'clock kickoffs there this year
for the Bills. Oh yeah, So many of their games
(16:05):
being in primetime. I'm pretty sure they only have two
home one o'clock games all season. This is one of them,
and the Bills are five and a half point favorites
at home against Baker and the Bucks.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
I think that numbers too big, say I want the
point one. Yeah, they run the ball extremely well, the Bills,
but Tampa's run defense with v to A in the
middle is really really good. I think these teams are
both on like the same tier, you know, if I
were to tier, I think they're both Tier two teams
right now. No Godwin, no Bucky Irvings. Sounds that they're close.
(16:37):
They might be next week, but they still have enough
on offense. I think they keep this close.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
I do too. This feels to me like this Buffalo
Bills team has done this a couple of times this year,
where they're all the sudden in a tight spot and
they find a way to get it and get a result.
Five and a half is a pretty big number against
against an offense like the Bucks. I think Buffalo wins,
but I'll take the points and this might definitely be
one of those Matt, you and I talk about this sometimes,
(17:04):
they like I would try and tease this and maybe
even get it up to six and a half, seven,
seven and a half, and then I think you'd really
be feeling good about tea.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Yeah, I hear what you're saying, but I think.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
But I still like five and a half.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
There's three or four games that are headliner types that
I think the dog might just as good a chance
to win as the favorite, and this is one of them.
So if you're gonna be five and a half, I'm
very comfortable with that.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
I think I know what a couple of the other
matchups are that you might be talking about, but we
will get to those, and just man, there are there's
some really really good ones this weekend as we continue
to roll along here. This might not be one of them,
but it's very important for Houston. In Nashville at Tennessee
Nissan Stadium, Music City USA, the Texans five and a
(17:48):
half point favorites on the road, despite remember no CJ
Straut a second straight week.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
They won last week without them, they did against.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
The Jags against a better team all home, but against
a better team, I.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
Still think that number is too low to Houston's defense
is maybe the best in the league.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
They might frustrate the heck out of cam warden company.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
I can see six seven, eight sacks. I like Ward,
but Tata says so much around him. I'll definitely take
Houston here. Mills isn't horrible.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Either, No, he's not. He's a competent back up.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
He'll be in the league for eight more years and yeah,
retire in multim.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Let make a decent living for himself. Yeah yeah, uh, Matt.
A big one in the NFC North, A big one
in the NFC wild card picture as the Vikings host
the Bears.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
Yeah, this is a big game.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
The upstart Chicago Bears and a Vikings team that is
kind of at that crossroads of if you win, you
still got plenty to play for. If you lose, you're
really going to be trying to really hurt them.
Speaker 3 (18:46):
In that division, You're then you're clearly fourth.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
And as you and I have talked about, the NFC
feels loaded. It feels like there's going to be at
least one good team that gets left out of the
playoff picture in the NFC Minnesota two and a half
point favorites at home. I think the.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
Bears win it straight out. Yeah, yeah, I mean, this
is one of the good ones I felt really good about. Like,
I think the Bears are playing better. I think they
have the better quarterback, maybe equal coaching at this point,
you know, which is a compliment to both sides. I
mean both really well coached teams. I think the Bears
are pretty decent and we're going to dig into them
in a week and I think there's gonna be some things.
(19:22):
Like they're doing some good things.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
They've won five of their last six. That Loan loss
was a close one in Baltimore. Way take they lost
the Ravens. Their defense gives up a lot of yardage,
but they take the ball away a lot. To me,
this comes down to can Flores find a way to
frustrate and confuse Caleb Williams.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
You know what, though he's getting better and better with
that stuff, he's taking a.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
Lot with that stuff. And I feel like this Vikings
defense has successfully frustrated and confused its opponents less and
less and less throughout the season.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
I think the same thing. It's like, it's good, but.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
It's not what I was last year.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
I think four is a great coach, but there's some
smoking mirrors involved there, and eventually you just need to
have win one on one matchups more and they son
great players. Like I remember we previewed Steelers Vikes. I'm like,
boy that Vikings d might be better than the Steelers, but
I'm not sure how many Vikings would start for the Steelers.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
Harrison Smith three, who knows right? I am with you.
I don't love this one because again this if Minnesota
would have put in a solid performance, it wouldn't surprise
me at all. Bears take a little bit of a
step back on the road. Divisional foe wouldn't surprise me
at all. But I think I'm with you. I'm leaning
towards give me the Bears plus two and a half
as well another one teasing up to three and a
(20:40):
half or four and a half. I really like Chicago.
The g men, the giants at MetLife hosting the Green
Bay Packers who are looking to get back in the
win column.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
James Winston always makes it fun.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
Man eat at w couldn't wait? Hold on, everybody, is
there any potential for snow in New Jersey this Sunday?
Could Jamis Winston have himself a second snowball? The Packers
six and a half point favorites at MetLife.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
I don't feel strong on way or another about that
with the line. I bet the Packers win, but they're
hard to kind of count on right now.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Especially against quote unquote bad teams. I know, it's like
they show up against the good teams, they lay duds
against the teams they should beat.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
I think the points at home, I think Winston gives
every team a shot in the arm. People love them.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
They do love them.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Yeah, it kind of wears thin after a while, but
everyone loves them.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
I think I'm gonna lay the points of Green Bay.
Don't love it because they got to win by a
touchdown and you could see a last minute kind of
backdoor cover for the Giants. But I just I'm not
putting my faith in either of the New York teams
to do anything at this point. Jacksonville hosting the Chargers.
Matt stop me if I've said this already. But another
big one for playoff implications this Sun. There's four or
(21:57):
five of these with massive playoff implications.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
So I mentioned on other airways, I don't think I
did yesterday, But listen to Aaron Shotts, who is the
godfather of football analytics and used to be football siders,
that this is the most instrumental, the biggest okay in terms.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
Of winner and loser in their playoff.
Speaker 3 (22:16):
Probably Wings go if it was winning a loss, like
the Jags would really be in trouble with a loss.
Chargers after beating the Steelers would have two really good
AFC wins, be really set, you know, when all your
tie breakers against who you're fighting with.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
The wild Guards three and would have a lot of
tie breakers.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
I'm torn on this one.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
Chargers two and a half point favorites in Jacksonville.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
Yeah, I originally was feeling really strong about Jacksonville just
because I think that Charger O line. I mean, Herbert
cut hit every time he threw and the ball tame
out his hands and two point two. I mean, but
I also have a lot more respect for the Chargers defense.
I have less respect for their line and more respect
for their defense after watching and the play stealers intently,
(23:02):
and some people are already talking about Chargers decordinator we
getting the head job. I mean, like he's doing great,
great stuff. I'll take the points at home for a
desperate Jags team. But my hesitation is I've been a
Laurence supporter for a long time.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
You've head onto that stock a long and most.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
That that limbs getting pretty weak.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Started to become like Bitcoin at this point.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
And I'm such a Herbert fan. I mean, they've clearly
the better quarterback, but I'm gonna take the Jags and
the points at home.
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Your two biggest crushes are Herbert in May.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
Yeah, they're pretty high on the list.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
I'm worried about Jacksonville. Like all their wide receivers are
beat up.
Speaker 3 (23:40):
It's a mess.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
Yeah, I mean their top three wide receivers are either
hurt or out.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
On ir Orers and Parker Washington.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
Yeah, Parker Washington's banged up now too, Robinson's banged up,
Hunters out. I feel like the Chargers. We talk a
lot about how the Seattle Seahawks make these trips across
the co for the one o'clock games, which are typically
doomsday for West Coast teams. Yeah, and they always end
up winning. I feel like the Chargers are kind of
the stereotype. They come across the coast for these one
(24:09):
o'clock games and they always end up losing. I feel like,
having said that, I don't know, I feel like the
Chargers are onto something. I feel like, despite their ragtag
offensive line, they continue to find ways to win, they
continue to find ways to run the football. I got
some faith that that defense is going to frustrate Trevor
Lawrence and company. I think I'm gonna lay the points
with lay, but I don't like it.
Speaker 3 (24:29):
I can see both sides.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
I don't like this one, and I don't like the
Minnesota Chicago one.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
I love the Chicago one.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
Matt, I know you're gonna love this matchup. Four o'clock game,
A huge one again for divisional and playoff implications between
maybe the two best teams in the NFL at the moment.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
I think the four best teams in the NFL are
playing each other this.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
Game and this week Rams is Seahawks Yeah, and Eagles Lions.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
Yeah. There might tier team one teams right now in
the league.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
Seattle goes to La Sofi Stadiums, scene of the crime
last Sunday night for the Steelers. The Rams a three
and a half point favorite at home against the Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
I also think the winner is probably the MVP leader
in the clubhouse too. I mean, people don't look at
Darnold in that light, but they should.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
They absolutely should right now.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
My vote to be Stafford if I had a vote.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
Drake May is starting to really make some headway in
that conversation too, and I.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Wouldn't forget about my homes. By the way, I I
bet his odds have gotten a little better, but just
thrown that out there. Seattle is also way better. And
the only thing you can complain about with the Rams.
Our special teams aren't great, and Seattle's like best.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
No leads changed their kicker the Rams rightday last week.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
I think. Doesn't shock me. I know that everything's been
in flux. This is another one where I am very
confident to take the points. I'm not saying Seattle's gonna win,
but I think that that give him a.
Speaker 2 (25:48):
You give them more than a field goal, you're gonna
take it. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
I give them like a forty nine percent chance to win,
kind of like I did Bears Vikes. So if you're
gonna give me points, sign me.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Up, Matt. If you're gonna give me Seattle points on
the road, I'm gonna take them. Every time. Handful of
years is win road games.
Speaker 3 (26:07):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Yeah, it doesn't matter if it's if it's if it's
Carol or McDonald coaching, doesn't matter if it's Gino or
if it's Darnold at.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
Quarterbacks Coast or East Coast.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
All they do is win road games. The last couple
of years that this Seattle team has the secret sauce
for winning on the road. You're gonna give me Seattle
more than a field goal on the road. Yeah, I'm
taking the Seahawks plus three and a half nothing. Another
one of those games where nothing would surprise me. Rams
might be the best team in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
They would be my boat right now for number one,
but it's not.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
And that it'll also probably be one of those bowl
game type fifty to fifty atmospheres there. I'm sure there's
a lot of seas fans in Arizona, Matt. The Niners
look to get back on track and kind of hang
around the divisional and the wild card playoff conversation despite
the just laundry list of injuries they've had this year.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
Arizona's got a ton of injuries right now.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Arizona's got a ton of injuries too. So in Glendale
at State Farm Stadium there Arizona a two and a
half point underdog. At home, the Niners laying two and
a half.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
I don't think the Niners. I just think Shanahan has
I mean, we obviously know he's a good coach. He's
won a lot of games this league, but this year
more than ever, I just trust him to deal with
the injuries better, you know, minimize the weaknesses that are
creating a job of it's ow. I don't know Arizona
can do that. You know their staff and Brissett's gonna
kind of turn into a pumpkin too. You know, yes,
(27:29):
we might get party in this game.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
We very well could. That is something to keep an
eye on. I think this will be a battle for
San Francisco, but I think they'll find a way to
get it done in the end. In Cleveland, Matt the
lowest over under of the week as the yeah as
the Baltimore Ravens head to Cleveland. You know what's funny is,
remember last week we had so many double digit spreads.
(27:52):
They're just like ten and a half, twelve and a half,
fourteen and a half.
Speaker 3 (27:55):
Last night was a huge one, right.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Biggest spread of Sunday is Baltimore seven and a half
point favorites. That's it.
Speaker 3 (28:01):
That's number one.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
That's the only more than a touchdown favorite. Green Bay
six and a half. But this is the only one
that's like even close. Really, Uh, Baltimore seven and a
half point favorites a four to twenty five kickoff in Cleveland.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
I don't feel great about it, but I'll take the point.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
I mean might lean that way too.
Speaker 3 (28:18):
Really, I just think the Browns d is very, very
legit at home. There's still some questions about the Ravens.
Like I was asked today the Ravens back. I'm like, well,
I picked them to win the Super Bowl. I don't
know that they're back to like the best team in
the league. Yeah, I think they're back to being way
(28:39):
better than they've been exactly. Yes, formidable, a playoff caliber team,
But if I were to repick, I wouldn't pick them
as the best team in the league. They still have.
They still showed a lot of warts early in the season.
D line O line that's you know, questionable.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
Whether in Cleveland looks okay. That's always something you got
to keep an eye on this time of year. Yeah,
small chance of precipitation gonna be like thirty eight degrees
so cold but not freezing.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
Lamar's off the injury report, by the way, too, that
was just like a one day blip or whatever.
Speaker 2 (29:13):
Hey, twenty five mile an hour wins, though expected during
kickoff in Cleveland, m we'll see. I'm leaning towards taking
the points as well too. I think Baltimore wins, but
I don't think they blow them out. I think the
Browns keep it tight. That's what the Browns have done
against good teams this year.
Speaker 3 (29:28):
Yeah, I think Judkins can run a little bit, and
you know.
Speaker 2 (29:31):
I think I will take the seven. But this might
be another one that I would try and put part
of a part of a teaser and maybe get it
up to nine and a half instead of seven and
a half. Matt two more to get to and they
are two more five stars. This is one of those sundays.
Don't get me wrong, I'm gonna be jacked up and
be excited to be at Akrocher Stadium, But this is
one of those sundays I wish I could just order pizza,
(29:52):
that I wish I was just a civilian. I wish
I was just a muggle. I say that to my
wife all the time. You get the Harry Potter reference there,
and I've never.
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Seen one minute Kerry Potter.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
And wizards called non wizards muggles, Okay, basic people who
don't know magic, like civilians. Civilian I wish I was
just a muggle on Sunday and could just sit there
with my feet up and order some pizza and order
some wings.
Speaker 3 (30:12):
I'm gonna do that, and I'm not a muggle or.
Speaker 2 (30:16):
Big shirk uh four in Denver Mile High Stadium, Broncos
looking to really keep a stranglehold on the AFC West
Chiefs looking to not go five hundred and get back
in the win column. Kansas City despite an eight game
win streak and home advantage for Denver, Kansas City a
three and a half point favorite.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
Ooh, last I saw it was two and a half,
and I was pretty excited about that. Three and a
half with that defense might change my mind. I mean,
that's a terrible big that's a big difference.
Speaker 2 (30:46):
It's a big difference.
Speaker 3 (30:47):
It's a big difference. I'm still going with Kansas City.
Uh Andy Reid off a bye. I think this is
this isn't exactly analytical, but this is probably the first
time in five years that Reid Mahomes, Kelsey Jones, Spagnolo,
I've actually had to worry about how the regular season
(31:08):
might go, right, you know what I mean, Like and frankly,
I think they're better this year than they were last year.
And they were like fifteen to two last year and
they're one game over five hundred now.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
They were really fifteen and one in the games that
they tried to win, yest, yeah, because they're one of
Their second loss was the last week of the season
against the Broncos when they started.
Speaker 3 (31:27):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know don is hard to play.
But they've done it. That is good.
Speaker 2 (31:32):
But they don't have certain You and I talked a
little about big crossroads Sunday For a lot of these teams,
a lot of these games, a lot of these divisional races.
To me, the Chiefs exemplify that. Yeah, it's put up
a shut up time.
Speaker 3 (31:45):
Oh yeah, So they can't be like, oh, we'll just
turn it on. You're right, you're five and four and
do you want to a third place in your division?
Speaker 2 (31:51):
You wan know something crazy? Right now? They're five and
four and third place in their division. Do you want
to know who the betting favorite in that division still is?
Speaker 3 (31:57):
Oh? I know it's Chiefs.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
You want to know who the Souper Bowl betting odds
favorite still is?
Speaker 3 (32:03):
The Chiefs?
Speaker 2 (32:04):
And overall slightly better than the Eagles in the Rams.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (32:10):
So if you're the Kansas City Chiefs and you're still
favored to win your division and your favor to win
the Super Bowl, you can't fall to five. Like eventually
the results start to matter.
Speaker 3 (32:19):
A loss year. This is the first time you're scared
for five years.
Speaker 2 (32:23):
You remember, like, do you remember, like two weeks ago
when I was laughing I mentioned it on the show
for like ninety seconds when Lane Kiffin was like, we
should just let Las Vegas pick the twelve teams for
the college football Playoff because they their lines are always
so good and they know this stuff so well. Why
don't we just let Vegas? And I was like, oh, yeah,
tell that the James Franklin and Penn State who lost
back to back weeks is three touchdown favorites, which really
(32:44):
just let Vegas. This is one of those moments. Vegas
is almost always right. I've been to Vegas many times.
I see the big buildings, the casinos. The perception of
the Chiefs needs to change. If they fall to five
and five, I'm sorry. The games matter.
Speaker 3 (32:58):
The results matter with a loss, yes.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
But if they go into eight and two, Denver Mile
High Stadium, crazy environment, good Broncos team, great Broncos defense.
Then I'm starting to be like, Okay, maybe they can
just turn the switch on and they're going to be
all right. This is a real big narrative game for Kansas.
Speaker 3 (33:16):
But if I were to ask you who's your pick
in the AFC to go to the Super Bowl this
year today Friday, would it be the Chiefs. I think
they'd be mine to win it all.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
But I think it says more about how I feel
about the Colts and the Broncos and the Patriots that
I don't trust any evening of them to go to
the Super Bowl.
Speaker 3 (33:34):
Like Kansas City going to New England Nation Championship game
be favored by ten points.
Speaker 2 (33:39):
Okay, So if you ask me that question right now again,
if I have to put a chip on one team,
it would be the Chiefs if they lose Sundays. But
I'll also tell you this right now too, and this
might be a little bit of a cop out, but
you can tell me if this is fair or not,
if you're giving me the Chiefs or the field in
the AFC. This is the first time in seven or
eight years that I'm taking the field.
Speaker 3 (33:58):
I'm definitely taking the field.
Speaker 2 (33:59):
Yeah, yeah, last, but certainly not least here. Matt Detroit
in Philadelphia. Good Sunday night. This is good. I'll be
home in time to pizza and wings and be a
muggle and enjoy myself for this one. Detroit in Philly.
The Eagles two and a half point favorites. This could
be an NFC Championship preview.
Speaker 3 (34:19):
They could. Both these teams are really really good. They're
also my Tier one. I like how the Eagles defense
is playing the Lions within the Campbell taking over as
a play caller gave them a jolt. They got the
ball like in Gibbs and Jamison Williams hands more. They're electric,
fast playmaker types. And frankly, I would take the home
(34:40):
team in this game. Both those places are hard to play.
You're very familiar with teams going in the Eagles on
a night game is not gonna be fun. And the
spread's not enough for me to go away. Yeah, I mean,
I'm taking the home team, and it's not quite enough
for me to give it to the Lions. That's right.
Speaker 2 (35:00):
If it was three and a half or four and
a half, you'd be like, give me the line with
the points.
Speaker 3 (35:03):
Yeah, I'd take three and a half the Lions anywhere
against anybody.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
I think I'm gonna lay the points with the Eagles
as well. I think I'm with you on that, just
because much like the Chiefs, like I'm I'm gonna give
the Eagles the benefit of the doubt until it until
they prove me.
Speaker 3 (35:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
And I think the Lions have earned a lot of
that too. But Philly, especially at home, man, it is
tough to go in there and win Sunday night environment.
Those people are gonna be all jacked up on cheese,
steaks and cheap beers, and I think it'll be a
great game. I think Philly pulls it out in the end. Matt,
there is our Week eleven Slate. Man, you said it,
(35:39):
and you were correct. That is a great I mean
there are like five or six almost MutS must watch
games in there, including Steelers and Bengals. On the other side,
we're gonna talk to newest safety of your Pittsburgh Steelers,
Kyle Dugger, and we are also going to give our
prediction for what we think will happen in Steelers. All
(36:00):
of that and more as we wrap this thing up
when we return with a special guest, Well Shuler, Matt Williamson.
It's the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers
Audio Network, your tunes.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
About Drive on your twenty four to seven home of
the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
Back on the Drive here on a Friday, getting ready
for a big AFC North clash between the Bengals and
the Steelers at home Sunday at one o'clock. Joining us
now a new member of the Steelers secondary, of course,
Safety Kyle Douggar. Kyle, thank you so much for taking
the time. And I imagine these last couple weeks have
(37:00):
in a little bit of a whirlwind for.
Speaker 3 (37:01):
You, no doubt. And Uh, I wouldn't say WorldWind.
Speaker 5 (37:06):
Uh, it's just been a lot of work. Uh, definitely
would have been on the pedal.
Speaker 3 (37:10):
So, Kyle, I'm curious. There's another newer member of Sante
Samuel of the secondary, and I have no idea if
he's a player or not. And I'm not asking any
inside scoop on that, but if he were to play,
he's kind of in the same situation as you were,
not many days to prepare for the new team. What
would you recommend to him? You know, make that transition
a little easier.
Speaker 5 (37:31):
Uh, just a lot of film out of uh, being
in playbooks, spending a lot of time with the coaches,
and just kind of making the most of every second
up until game day.
Speaker 3 (37:43):
As far as studying that game had to be a
lot to digest for you. You doing it live, it was.
It was fun.
Speaker 2 (37:50):
I said that, Well, Kyle, I got to imagine too,
like you, you know, to to use a Mike tomlinism.
You did a great job of hopping on the moving
train colts win and getting ingrained with everything you were
being asked to do. Is that maybe a little bit
easier when you've got a veteran coach like Mike Tomlin,
a defense that is, you know, also full of experienced
(38:12):
veterans like TJ and Cam and Ramsey and Slay. Did
that at least make things a little bit more comfortable,
a little bit easier on your end.
Speaker 5 (38:20):
Most definitely those guys specifically in that situation, obviously making
plays all around me and in.
Speaker 3 (38:27):
The communication was huge.
Speaker 5 (38:29):
They were you know, they obviously knew the situation that
we're making sure that we were communicating every snap and
just flowing at the defense.
Speaker 3 (38:38):
So I know you and Jabriel Peppers haven't been on
the field together as a stealer yet, but I would
imagine coming from one system and helping you translate it
into this system. That Peppers has been a useful guy
from you coming from New England, right for sure.
Speaker 5 (38:54):
Yeah, and like a personal translator, simplifying everything for.
Speaker 2 (38:58):
Me, Kyle. Obviously, it's not a simple task for you
guys this Sunday against one of the NFL's high flying
offense veteran quarterback and Joe Flacco, maybe the best receiver
in the NFL, and Jamar Chase and another incredible one
in t Higgins. What's kind of the task at hand
to slow down this Bengals offense that's been putting up
(39:20):
a lot of yards, putting up a lot of points
the last few weeks.
Speaker 5 (39:24):
I would say making them one dimension is definitely attesting
the goal stopping a run and then just executing shooting
our defenses and winning our one eleven. But definitely making
a one dimension will make things easier.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
Kyle. My last question for you is you were drafted
by Bill Belichick, right, Yeah, obviously one of the greatest
coaches in NFL history. Like, what kind of influence did
he have on you early in your career, and I'm
sure you learned a lot. And you know what did
he preach to you, guys.
Speaker 5 (39:59):
Discipline, big on discipline, and he had a really different
kind of understanding as far as defenses go, and so
he he kind of was super focused on taking away
what you know, opposing team to do best. And as
a safety, I was, you know, pre snapped looks, disguises
and things like that.
Speaker 2 (40:19):
Okay, Kyle, thank you so much for taking the time.
We know it's a busy time of the year for
you guys on game day here on a Friday. Thank
you for giving us a few minutes of your time.
And uh and go give him hell on Sunday. Thanks,
thank you. There he goes, Kyle Dugger the newest Well,
I guess I can't say that Samuel Jr. Is now
technically the newest member, although maybe until he's officially activated
(40:42):
to the fifty three, maybe we continue can continue to
get away with it. But thanks to Makaya and everybody
at Steelers pr for setting that up for us and
for Kyle for taking some time there at a busy
time in the week for those guys. Certainly a big
opportunity for him and for that secondary on Sunday, Man.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
Yeah, huge challenge, too, huge.
Speaker 2 (41:00):
Challenge against the Bengals at home one o'clock the rematch
in this Cincinnati Pittsburgh rivalry where the Steelers are five
and a half point favorites at home. Matt, what's your
prediction for this one? How does it play out? That's
a pretty big number.
Speaker 3 (41:12):
I picked my number before I knew the line, but
it's basically right on there. I have the Steelers winning
thirty five thirty, So I guess not covering. I didn't
give a line to any thought, to be honest.
Speaker 2 (41:22):
With you, close to covering, but right there.
Speaker 3 (41:24):
Yeah, And I think it comes back to proud organization,
proud quarterback that didn't show their best, that should rebound
well at home, as Missy mentioned, and one o'clock at
home normalcy, I think goes a long way. And in
the end, I'll be blown away if the Bengals defense
(41:45):
makes more splash plays than the Steelers defense, and that
was to me, that was the difference in the game.
You know, neither defense stopped anybody in that game, as
all Bengals games are, but one side had splash and
the other side didn't. And if you, I think three
out of four times that's side to be the Steelers
not the Bengals, you know, maybe nine out of ten times.
Speaker 2 (42:03):
Yeah, absolutely, And hopefully Cincinnati got away with it the
one time at pay Course Stadium a few weeks ago.
But the bank or the Steelers will get their vengeance.
Part of me, Matt, I have the Steelers winning but
not covering as well. Thirty to twenty seven, all right,
is what I'm gonna go with.
Speaker 3 (42:19):
So not like a low scoring games.
Speaker 5 (42:21):
So it is.
Speaker 2 (42:23):
You know what though the over under forty nine and
a half is not that's not massive.
Speaker 3 (42:27):
I would have guess it's like fifty seven. Yeah, yeah, mid.
Speaker 2 (42:30):
Fifty Yeah, it would have been my guess. Yeah. Absolutely,
So Matt and I both taken the Steelers to win,
get back in the win column, get to six and four,
and set up what would be a fun trip to
the Windy City between the Steelers and the Bears next weekend.
But that will do it for us today, Matt. So
thanks to man. We got a couple people to thank today,
Missy Matthews for joining us, Kyle Duggar for joining us again.
(42:53):
Big thanks to Macaiah from Steelers PR for setting that
one up for us, and of course mister TV Tyler
v our YouTube producer, for keeping us nice and crisp,
nice and handsome on the video side of things. Nathan
here hanging out and training in the studio today, And
to each and every one of you who listen to
us and tweet us and hang out with us throughout
the week, we always appreciate it. For Matt Williamson, I'm
(43:14):
Wes Yuler, Take care, everybody, enjoy the weekend, win loser, Drawmat.
We'll be back here on Monday as always to break
it all down. You know where to find us. It's
on your twenty four to seven home of the Black
and Gold. It's Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.
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