October 13, 2025 • 25 mins
Ed Troup and Jacob Recht recap the Steelers Week 6 win over the Browns in which Aaron Rodgers connected with DK Metcalf in the endzone for the fourth straight game, and the defense registered six sacks on rookie QB Dillon Gabriel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Rogers gets a snap back to pass looking pump fixed
right now, wants to go to Metcalf, has him in
the injee touchdown to Kurlin Metcalf. Another vintage AFC North performance, tough, physical,
and led by the defense as the Steelers send a
message to the rest of the AFC North heading into
week seven. Welcome to another edition of the Steelers Standard
(00:27):
Here on Steelers Nation Radio, part of the Steelers Audio Network.
I am Ed Troup and joining me is Jacob Brect. Jacob.
The Steelers took care of business on Sunday, grinding out
a physical AFC North win over the Cleveland Browns twenty
three to nine at Akuscher Stadium. It wasn't flashy early,
but it was vinted Steelers football, strong defense, smart quarterback
play from Aaron Rodgers in another big week from DK
(00:50):
Metcalf making some big time plays, and the defense comes
through as the Steelers get the four and one on
the season.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Yeah, I'd say it's pretty much their most complete game
of the year. A lot of us, including you and
I Ed, were calling for an ugly game, right It's
going to be messy simply because of the AFC North atmosphere.
And then when you look at the Browns, they're a
really sound defensive team, and you thought that it was
going to be a low scoring or rather I thought
a lot of us thought that it was going to
(01:18):
be a low scoring matchup. I think my score was
predicted as thirteen to seven. Well, the Steelers did pretty
good on defense, only allowing nine points, but they scored
more than I thought, and they actually could have gotten
three more if it weren't for the bad field conditions
that was left by Pitt's home game from the week
prior against Boston College. Obviously referring to the Chris Boswell
(01:39):
missfield goal there, I think if the field conditions, you know,
they're re sotting the field today. And I think a
lot of people are in agreement that if they had
done that before Sunday, Boss would have hit that because
fifty five yards that's pretty easy for him at this point.
So nearly twenty six points scored on that stout Cleveland
defense pretty good. And then going back to the defense,
(02:01):
I mean, what can you say they really took care
of business? I think they had. They registered sixteen quarterback
hits on Dylan Gabriel five sacks. They had what could
have been another five turnover day, but I think they
dropped about ten interceptions the Steelers defense did.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
But it's okay.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Dylan Gabriel really was not I don't think he was
going to be ready mentally for that game. It was
such a tall task for him to come in as
his second game ever, starting as a rookie, and going
up against such a strong Apes North opponent. But yeah,
like I said, to start pretty much their their most
complete game, right, I mean it didn't.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
You didn't see them.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Play a full three quarters, and then the fourth quarter
they stalled out on defense or on offense, and then
the defense just allows these these late game touchdowns, which
if they had scored a touchdown on that one drive
they were going into the end zone, it would have
been what a sixteen to twenty three score. All of
a sudden, it's a one touchdown game and we're once
(03:01):
again sweating the last couple of minutes of the game.
But luckily they held up. They forced two turnover on
downs late in the fourth quarter on defense. So yeah,
I think if you're a Steelers fan, you have to
be feeling pretty good about this.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
One mission accomplished. Yeah, going in you got a stack wins.
It's a divisional win. You get more separation away from
the Ravens who lose yesterday the Bengals losing Green Bay,
so you gain another game there, and now you have
another opportunity quick turn around this upcoming Thursday night at
Cincinnati to even further your lead in the AFC North
and even get further ahead in the AFC Conference. I mean,
(03:36):
for so long we talk about the AFC North. Now
we can start talking about the conference in the AFC,
and the Steelers are now in play with that as well.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
There's I believe in the playoff race. They're second in
the playoffs. Well that's that could change tonight with Buffalo,
but Buffalo's on the road against Atlanta. If they lose
that game, then Pittsburgh has the number two seed locked in.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
The Steelers four and one now having ninety three percent
chance to make the postseason, and Tomlin now twenty seven
and six versus rookie quarterbacks in fifteen and four after
the bye week, nine straight wins after a bye from
Mike Tomlin as the Steelers get it done again on Sunday,
winning twenty three to nine, and let's walk you through it.
Jacob will start in the first quarter the opening drive,
(04:18):
first play, play action to Darnell Washington.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
For thirty six yards. We've been calling for it all year, ed,
what to play of the game.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
What a way to start. Unfortunately, the drive stalls after
our first down to John Iss Smith and Boswell hits
a forty four yard field goal to cap a forty
six yard drive. Eight up, four minutes and five second,
Steelers led three to nothing. But yeah, play action fake.
They go to Darnell Washington, who played eighty percent of
the snaps yesterday, to lead the tight end room.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Yeah, I mean, what a play to start the games.
As I just said, I don't think all of us
saw that coming. As I mentioned too, we've all been
calling for more Darnell, more Darnell in the first play.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
I mean.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin both spoke about it in
their postgame press conference, is saying it was perfectly executed
in the perfect play call as well. So really great
to see the offense open up on the first play
from scrimmage yesterday afternoon.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
Brown's first drive one first down and then a personal
foul on Jerry Judy stalled that drive. And how about
this rookie Keishawn Williams.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
From Indiana University.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Here you go.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
One year at IU, he was in a transfer portal.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
He came over with coach Signetty, who by the way,
he shout out to my Hoosiers, number three team in
the country.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
I was gonna get to that.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I beat you too. It We're only
for five minutes in I wasn't gonna wait much longer.
But yeah, Keishawn was there for one year last year.
But good for him, I know we're talking about the
punt return. Good for him for really stepping up to
the podium when called upon. With all the injuries to
Calvi or dealing with the injury to Calvin Austin, Keishawn
(05:46):
Johnson was promoted from the practice squad and had a
great return. Unfortunately, Jerrell Pepper's got called on what I
think all of us can agree was a really bad
back block in the back call. I mean, he was
putting his arms up to show I wasn't making any
kind of contact or unnecessary contact, and the rev still
through the flag.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Yeah, crappy call there. That negleted a forty seven yard
punt return return by Williams.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
I'm sure he'll be. He'll be a part of the
team even for though.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
I think he's got his spot as long as Calvin
Austin doesn't insist on coming back and being that punt returner.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
I think he showed enough yesterday in the pun he
had kickoff returns to stay in that role. I agree
with you.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Next, he had flashes also in the preseason. That's the
reason he got signed to the practice squad. Yeah, he
had a good preseason. I was actually happy to see
that he made the team.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
He was one of my receivers that kept highlighting through
Latrobe that was standing out. On the next Steelers drive,
dk Metcalf makes a strong sideline catch on a great
throw by Rogers, put it right on the money for
twenty five yards, but the Browns bring pressure the drive
ultimately stalls. The next Browns drive in the first quarter,
Jalen Ramsey sack of Gabriel at the Browns forty one
yard line. The Browns forced to punt two plays later
(06:58):
that ended the first quarter three nothing. Ramsey had two
sacks yesterday, coming into yesterday's game only one career sack.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Crazy how about that?
Speaker 2 (07:05):
I mean, you saw his quote right after the game saying,
I'm going to tell my kids about this one. I
played in a game with Miles Garrett and TJ. Watt
and I'm the guy that got credited with two sacks
on the day.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Yeah, he had a big day and it's hard to believe, Like,
how great of a career Jalen Ramsey's have that right
they they haven't brought him more. Yesterday they brought him
twice on the corner blitz and he got home both times.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Yeah, it's great to see Jalen being able to play
kind of wherever he wants. I made this comment earlier
in the season. His impact in these first five games
is very reminiscent of Minka's impact when Mica first came
over back in twenty nineteen. Minka was all over the place.
I think he had five picks on the year. He
had that one one hundred yard interception return for a touchdown.
(07:48):
Basically every game Jealen Ramsey has been involved in, he's
made a big play. I know the Minnesota game in Dublin,
the one play didn't really count where he picked up
the fumble and ran it in for a touchdown because
of that weird call that they made or the weird,
weird rule where the runner had made contact without a
bounce and the football at the same time. But really,
he's been all over the place and that's exactly what
(08:10):
you want to ask, or that's exactly.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
What you want from a guy like Jalen Ramsey.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
And I think another reason why he's able to make
such a big difference is the secondary around him is
better no offense to Mika or the guys playing with him.
I think the secondary this year is the best it's
been in quite some time. And when you have that
luxury for a guy like Jalen Ramsey, he doesn't have
to be called upon as the safety net, right, he
doesn't have to be playing just deep, deep, deep into
(08:36):
the secondary as the as the last man standing.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
If a receiver gets loose.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
So they're really able to move Jalen around a lot
more this year thanks to the death of the secondary,
and obviously it's paying dividends.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Yeah, and they were completely healthy yesterday too.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Right, for the first time all season long, the full
starting eleven were all.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Fully healthy, and they look good for the first time
as a complete unit. Second quarter now we're recapping, by
the way, the state of the standard key moments in
Week six, Steelers twenty three Browns nine. Second quarter Steelers
offense mixing it up well yesterday with Kalb Johnson and
Jalen Warren on the ground. Spencer Anderson used again as
an extra blocker. Game Well was mixed in on third down.
(09:16):
They did not forget about Kenny g He made an
impact yesterday. The drive stalls in that opening second quarter,
Steelers three of six on third down early fifty percent.
They have to settle for a Boswell fifty yard field
goal and the Steelers led six to nothing with eleven
h one left in the second quarter, and at that point,
Jacob it was another classic AFC North grinded out type
of game, right tough defense, low scoring, likely to come
(09:39):
down to maybe the final possession. It didn't yesterday because
the Steelers continue to keep that game flow going positively
for him defensive stand Later on in the second quarter, TJ.
Watt gets a half a sack on Gabriel along with
Alex high Smith on third down with nine oho five left.
Good to see both of those guys in together. Brown's
one of four on third down early Steelers next drive,
(10:00):
Roger scrambles keeps the play alive. Big catches from Warren,
Metcalf and Washington, and Boswell hits a forty eight yard
field goal. Steelers were leading nine to nothing with three
forty two left in the half. The Browns do have
an answer late the Derek Harmon and Alex high Smith
combined for a sack before the two minute warning. Browns
offense wakes up. They moved the ball down the field.
(10:20):
Gabriel connects with Judy to move the chains. First three
drives thirty four total yards. The final drive before halftime
seventy two yards for the Browns, and they settle for
a Schmidt thirty one yard field goal to end the half.
Steelers led nine to three at halftime, so the Browns
did get a little bit of momentum before they went
to the locker room. Jacob, but we know the final
score in the second half. It didn't play out. But
(10:41):
they had seventy two yards on that final drive and
only thirty four on their three combined drives to start
the first half.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
Yeah, I mean, credit to the defense.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
I think that's one of the biggest takeaways is how
they were able to really set the tone. We were
worried that if and this is the point that you made, ed,
get out to that early lead for the offense. Yeah,
and we had said that maybe that lead doesn't equate
to fourteen to nothing, but just get those points because
this Brown's offense, if they just score one time, that
(11:09):
could be enough in a very low scoring game. But
credit to the defense by not allowing that to happen. Right,
no touchdowns allowed on the day was a huge feather
in the cap for the defense. And like you said,
just no momentum was really able to be gained by
the Browns offense for that reason.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
We're gonna get to the Broderick Jones versus Miles Garrett
aspect of this game in a little while, maybe during
our next segment when we break down the game stats
here with both of these two teams Againsteelers twenty three,
Browns nine. We're recapping it here in the State of
the Standards. Second half, third quarter opening Browns drive.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
TJ.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Watt nearly forces a fumble in the first play, but
he's called off sides. Yeah, second time, I thought, you
know you usually they might call that once, but twice, man,
I mean, he's inchest. He's fingertips away from the where
the line of scrimmage is.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
Yeah, it's kind of just like kiky ticky TACKI call exactly.
Speaker 1 (11:59):
Yeah, it's actually the second time. The first time maybe
they give it just as more of a warning to
the defensive line to make sure you're playing back. But
to call it twice, especially when he got home and
forced a fumble, I thought was ticky tacky, like I said.
But Watts comes back, makes a big impact, bats down
a third down pass in the Brown's punt to open
up the second half. Steelers first possession offensive sluggish. They
(12:20):
do get a break on running into the punter. Call
that keeps the drive away alive is the punt tried
to get away from Weightman, but he was knocked down
as the punt was gone. The next the next Steeler drive.
On that Roger connects with John Smith and Metcalf Warren
add some nice runs, and on second and ten at
the Browns twelve, Rogers rolls out and hits neither than
Connor Hayward of all people, for a twelve yard touchdown,
(12:43):
capping a seventy nine yard scoring drive that lasted six
minutes and two seconds. The Steelers extend their lead sixteen
to three. Was seven to fifty three left in the third.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Yeah, it's funny.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
I think when we were watching that play, we all
had the same instant reactions, What a catch by Connor Hayward,
and then you took half a second to realize, Wow,
what a throw by Aaron Rodgers. You saw Rogers point
to Connor Hayward to break left because the defender wasn't
paying attention. Rogers zipped it in there. And credit to
Connor Hayward as well. He made that great diving catch
(13:15):
in the end zone. Connor Hayward kind of coming under
fire earlier this year with the Cam Hayward stuff. Cam
Hayward coming to his brother's defense. Well, it's hard to
really criticize Connor Hayward when he makes plays like that.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
In listening to Aaron Rodgers after the game, he kind
of drew that one up in the sand. He told
all his receivers what to do in that sequence, like
if you see this, do that, and he had several
options when he rolled out. But he made a lot
of throws like that. Yesterday, Did Aaron Rodgers thrown across
the football field something you're not supposed to do right
when you're teaching a quarterback at any level football, do
(13:49):
not throw across the field. But he did it. He
hit Connor Hayward. And how about that going into the season,
Jacob who would have had Ben Scronick and Connor Hayward
both with one touchdown each in the first five games
of the season. But that's what happens. Chronic back in
Week one versus the Jets in Connor Hayward yesterday. So
Steelers lead twenty three to six at that point. The
Browns do answer, as they come back on their next
(14:11):
drive down sixteen to three. Dari Slay actually exits the
third quarter with a shoulder injury did not return. Schmid
hits a fifty three yard field goal, his second in
the game, and the Steelers led sixteen to six with
four to thirteen left in the third quarter. Steelers close
out the quarter strong, though, Roman Wilson with a twelve
yard catch game well and more and very effective on
(14:32):
the ground with good runs. Washington converts a big third
down play of fourteen yards. The Steelers five of ten
at that point on third down the end the third quarter,
first play of the fourth quarter, it's a big one.
Rogers the DK metcalf for a twenty five yard touchdown.
Metcalf was wide open on the play. Yeah, beautiful, beat
the corner at the snap of the football. Fourth straight
(14:52):
game with a metcalf TD ten plays, seventy three yard
scoring drive in four minutes and thirteen seconds and the
Steelers led twenty three to and at that point, Jacob,
it was pretty much over.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
You felt like it was over.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Yeah, the Browns did come back and score one more
field goal, and you know the Boswell field goal was
the missfield goal was soon to come after that. But yeah,
I think once you found the end zone, it was
that was a nail on the coffin, right, because how
in the hell can you expect the Browns to put
up seventeen points, To come up with seventeen points in
less than fifteen minutes after they were just so stale
(15:26):
the whole first through the first three quarters of the game.
And it's just to your point at that you've made
all season long. This is the connection that runs the offense.
It's Rogers to DK, and it's now four games in
a row these two have connected in the end zone
to put up six points.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
That is your bread and butter Right now, as long.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
As those two were humming, I think this offense is
in pretty good shape that can keep up. Not to
say that they're gonna keep up with the offenses in
Buffalo and Detroit, but they're pair along with their defense.
That offense can do just enough to get wins.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Hey, Like I've said many times too, over one hundred
yards are more as sexy. We like that, but I
like touchdowns better. That's what he was.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
Close to one hundred yards. He finished with the ninety five.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
Yep, four catches for ninety five yards.
Speaker 3 (16:11):
Yeah, you'll take that stat line any day.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
We love it. But get him into the end zone.
Four straight games they've gotten into the end zone over
one hundred yards versus the Vikings ninety five yesterday. I
know you you almost think at that point too, just
get him five more yards, give him one more catch
to get over one hundred for the day. But still
a great job by metcalf Ann Rogers his second touchdown
pass to give the Steelers the twenty three to six lead.
As you mentioned, Jacob, the Browns do answer. They moved
(16:34):
down added by a helmet to helmet call on to
Shaun Elliott, who crushed.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
Crush, Oh my goodness, crush.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
Yeah. Brandon Eckles also called for a pass interference. That
was the ninth penalty of the day. We'll talk about
penalties in our next segment when we break down team stats.
Nick Herbig big sack pushes the Browns back to the
fourteen yard line. I know you guys had Herbie on
the on the Morning Show last year.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
It's Friday. We like to call it the Morning Show bump.
Every time.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
It feels like every time a guy comes on the
show show, they end up having some big splash play.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
But not surprising at all for Herbie.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
To get into that another backfield and have another sack registered.
And you remember too, we talked about the dropped interceptions.
He had one in his hands earlier in the game too.
So Herbig pretty much everywhere. And I don't know you
were you at the game on Sunday. No, No, I
don't know if you heard that. They introduced the defense
and they introduced twelve guys, including Nick Herbig, And I
(17:29):
think it's so awesome. I think it's due right. I
think he's deserving of that.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
The problem with Nick Herbig is he would be a
starter anywhere else, and I'm going to get to the
snap breakdowns too as we go throughout, and I'll just
give you the sneak peek right now on that he
had sixty one percent of the snaps. Yesterday TJ Watt
had sixty percent. So I played the same amount of
time as TJ.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Which is telling, right, it's showing that we don't need
to put t J. Watt out there the whole time.
We trust Nicky Big. Yeah, we trust Nick Herbig to
be out there.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
There was a time not long ago TJ went out
then look out right, I mean, hey, you worried. Yeah.
Now Nick Herbig is filling that role. And as we
get into the offseason and in future discussions, that will
be part of the conversation, what do you do with
that rotation? Because Nick Herbig has certainly earned a starting role.
But it's nice to see that he's getting the snaps,
(18:18):
and as you said, nice to see that they recognized
him yesterday introducing him with the defense. And that was
a Mike Toma move, by the way, that was all
tom On one hundred percent. So yes, it is the
Brown settle for a thirty two yard field goal. Joey
Porter Junior just one other note on that drive, breaks
up a big third down pass to force that field
goal from thirty two yards out, Steelers twenty three to
nine with nine to twenty nine left. Renegade is being
(18:41):
played in the stadium crowdy Roughs and TJ. Watt leads
the charge. On the next series, Browns get close to midfield,
Watt gets in the backfield a couple of times. Nick
Herbig his second sack of the game. Jalen Ramsey sack
on third down his second of the game, Steelers six
sacks on the day, and the fourth down incompletion by Gabriel.
(19:01):
Steelers takeover at the Browns forty two yard line with
four or two left. Steelers go three and out at
the end. Boss slips and misses that fifty four yard
field goal with three point thirty nine left, but the
Steelers are still up twenty three to nine. Brown's march
inside the Steelers fifteen at the end but fell on
fourth and six as Gabriel's incomplete pass into the end zone.
Field conditions were a factor yesterday. Really, Yeah, you know,
(19:22):
I've said it for a number of years. While I
appreciate the old school thinking of a natural grass surface.
I'm sure the players do as well at Acushore Stadium.
I feel like this is the conversation every year around
this time you get into October November. This is Western Pennsylvania.
I mean, you know, hey, kudos to the staff at
Actressure that can get it in the shape that it can.
But it's tough. This is a tough time of the year,
(19:43):
and I think at some point you got to start
thinking about going to a different playing surface. I don't
know if they'll be part of the plan. If they
haven't done it now, they're probably never going to do it.
But it's tough. They're going to resawt it today though,
as you.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Said, yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
I think a lot of people are calling out Pitt
two for just saying, get your own state, But where
the hell are you going to put a stadium for
Pitt at this at this point, what they got to
Pitt Stadium and they filled that with with new buildings
on campus, I have no idea. Yeah, clearly that the
field quality was a factor yesterday, but credit again to
the Steelers offense for not having to rely on Chris Boswell. Yes,
(20:19):
the extra three points would have been a nice added cushion,
but you won. You were winning that game twenty three
to nine already, So it was just another point of
emphasis that the offense really didn't need to rely on
Chris Possible, as they've had to do so many times
prior in this season and in years past. So yes,
(20:42):
it was unfortunate that Boss missed. It's now he's got
two missfield goals on the year. Uh, one of which
was a block field goal right, and then one of
which was he slipped on his kick attempt because of
the poor quality. So neither far on Boss exactly. It's
the point I'm trying to make. But again, getting back
to the offense, they did a great job of not
having to rely on Boswell, which is, you know, against
(21:05):
surprising simply because in these kind of games, as North games,
usually comes down to the field goal kickers.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
It's funny I tracked each game on my phone. I
put in on my notes, you know, yeah, as I
just read them to you to keep track of the
game as I watch it. And for Boz yesterday, every
time he's getting ready to line up, I just go
ahead and put field goal good.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
Yeah as well.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
The third time I did that yesterday, I did hesitate
for a second, like, am I jinxing him on this?
And lo and behold he slips and in.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
This, But it's not on him. No, it's not to
his fault, but both of them, like you said.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
But and then the second point I want to make
is credit to the defense. Right, they had shues stops
that they made late in the fourth quarter. That's something
they've been kind of struggling with. Right, New England kind
of crept back at the end of that game or
at the end of their game. We know the shootout
between the Jets was back and forth all day. Minnesota
had that late you remember, long long pass and catch
(21:55):
or catch and run rather by Jordan and Addison. They
converted into the touchdown eventually, but Minnesota crept up by
the end of the game. But the defense really stood
up today or rather yesterday by having those two fourth
quarter turnovers on down just huge, huge day for them.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
Ramsey two sacks, Nick Herbig two sacks, sixty five total
yards rushing for the Browns. Yesterday. We were worried about
Junkins coming in after his big performance against the Vikings
in the previous week in London, and the Steelers did
a great job controlling the line of scrimmage again only
limiting the Browns as a team total sixty five yards
rushing given up Browns third down yesterday as well, six
(22:35):
of seventeen, only thirty five percent. So again another area
that I thought the Steelers need to improve on defense,
and they've done that now back to back weeks. Their
third down conversion rate on defense has gotten better. They're
getting off the field more often, and only two hundred
and forty eight total yards on the day for the
Cleveland Browns. So just to echo what you're saying, Jacob,
good defensive game plan by Terrell Austin and Mike Tomlin
(22:57):
going in because there were some concerns with the running attack,
and now again you go up against a rookie quarterback.
But I will say this, there were times that Gabriel,
in my opinion yesterday, showed flashes of what could be sure,
what could come as a rookie quarterback. I actually thought
he didn't do too bad yesterday.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
I mean, the guy dropped back to pass fifty eight tns, right,
I could not believe that he got hit, remember sixteen times,
got taken down for a sack six times, So he
really stuck in there right. He didn't look like he
was too rattled, and honestly, to his credit to we
were talking about the dropped interceptions by the Steelers. There
were a lot of drop passes by the Browns receivers.
(23:35):
So he wasn't getting too upset with his guys. He
was staying collected enough. I mean, the game was really
never in their favor. It was really never in grasp
for them to win it. But credit to him for
staying upright and mentally sound the entire game, despite having
to be called upon for six nearly sixty pass attempts,
and yeah, exactly and getting knocked down as often as
(23:58):
he was.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
Sometimes you see Big Ben back in the day get
up into those past attempts. That that's usual when they
were chasing points. Sure, yeah, of the season again.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
I was also doing They had a legitimate offense, right
they could rely on Ben and Antonio Brown and Martavis
Bryant and Heath Miller or beyond Heath Miller to get
You know, you were comfortable with giving Ben the ball
sixty nearly sixty times, But for Dylan Gabriel to have
in his second game ever to be called upon that often,
(24:26):
I mean to the Sealers credit. Again, the Browns had
no other option, right They couldn't get anything running going
on the run game, so they had to go through
the air.
Speaker 1 (24:36):
Two injuries to speak of yesterday after the game. Miles
Kilber did not look good knee injury in the first half.
Mike Tomlin, due to the short week, we'll be addressing
his weekly press conference today Monday at noon as we
record this yere Monday morning, so we'll get an update
on Males Kilber, but does not look good. Potentially could
be out for a significant amount of time, if not
(24:56):
the season, we'll see. We won't speculate there. Darius Slay
also left in the third quarter with an injury to
his shoulder. He did not return, so we'll wait to
get an update there for Darius Slave when Jacob and
I come back. We will dive into our second segment
today and get to our top bullet points of Steelers
Browns and also our top five plays that happened yesterday.
(25:17):
Is the Steelers defeat the Browns. It's victory Monday here
on this standard feels great and this is the Steelers
standard with Ed Troop and Jacob Wret on Steelers Nation Radio,
part of the Steelers Audio Network.
Rogers gets a snap back to pass looking pump fixed
right now, wants to go to Metcalf, has him in
the injee touchdown to Kurlin Metcalf. Another vintage AFC North performance, tough, physical,
and led by the defense as the Steelers send a
message to the rest of the AFC North heading into
week seven. Welcome to another edition of the Steelers Standard
(00:27):
Here on Steelers Nation Radio, part of the Steelers Audio Network.
I am Ed Troup and joining me is Jacob Brect. Jacob.
The Steelers took care of business on Sunday, grinding out
a physical AFC North win over the Cleveland Browns twenty
three to nine at Akuscher Stadium. It wasn't flashy early,
but it was vinted Steelers football, strong defense, smart quarterback
play from Aaron Rodgers in another big week from DK
(00:50):
Metcalf making some big time plays, and the defense comes
through as the Steelers get the four and one on
the season.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Yeah, I'd say it's pretty much their most complete game
of the year. A lot of us, including you and
I Ed, were calling for an ugly game, right It's
going to be messy simply because of the AFC North atmosphere.
And then when you look at the Browns, they're a
really sound defensive team, and you thought that it was
going to be a low scoring or rather I thought
a lot of us thought that it was going to
(01:18):
be a low scoring matchup. I think my score was
predicted as thirteen to seven. Well, the Steelers did pretty
good on defense, only allowing nine points, but they scored
more than I thought, and they actually could have gotten
three more if it weren't for the bad field conditions
that was left by Pitt's home game from the week
prior against Boston College. Obviously referring to the Chris Boswell
(01:39):
missfield goal there, I think if the field conditions, you know,
they're re sotting the field today. And I think a
lot of people are in agreement that if they had
done that before Sunday, Boss would have hit that because
fifty five yards that's pretty easy for him at this point.
So nearly twenty six points scored on that stout Cleveland
defense pretty good. And then going back to the defense,
(02:01):
I mean, what can you say they really took care
of business? I think they had. They registered sixteen quarterback
hits on Dylan Gabriel five sacks. They had what could
have been another five turnover day, but I think they
dropped about ten interceptions the Steelers defense did.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
But it's okay.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Dylan Gabriel really was not I don't think he was
going to be ready mentally for that game. It was
such a tall task for him to come in as
his second game ever, starting as a rookie, and going
up against such a strong Apes North opponent. But yeah,
like I said, to start pretty much their their most
complete game, right, I mean it didn't.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
You didn't see them.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Play a full three quarters, and then the fourth quarter
they stalled out on defense or on offense, and then
the defense just allows these these late game touchdowns, which
if they had scored a touchdown on that one drive
they were going into the end zone, it would have
been what a sixteen to twenty three score. All of
a sudden, it's a one touchdown game and we're once
(03:01):
again sweating the last couple of minutes of the game.
But luckily they held up. They forced two turnover on
downs late in the fourth quarter on defense. So yeah,
I think if you're a Steelers fan, you have to
be feeling pretty good about this.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
One mission accomplished. Yeah, going in you got a stack wins.
It's a divisional win. You get more separation away from
the Ravens who lose yesterday the Bengals losing Green Bay,
so you gain another game there, and now you have
another opportunity quick turn around this upcoming Thursday night at
Cincinnati to even further your lead in the AFC North
and even get further ahead in the AFC Conference. I mean,
(03:36):
for so long we talk about the AFC North. Now
we can start talking about the conference in the AFC,
and the Steelers are now in play with that as well.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
There's I believe in the playoff race. They're second in
the playoffs. Well that's that could change tonight with Buffalo,
but Buffalo's on the road against Atlanta. If they lose
that game, then Pittsburgh has the number two seed locked in.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
The Steelers four and one now having ninety three percent
chance to make the postseason, and Tomlin now twenty seven
and six versus rookie quarterbacks in fifteen and four after
the bye week, nine straight wins after a bye from
Mike Tomlin as the Steelers get it done again on Sunday,
winning twenty three to nine, and let's walk you through it.
Jacob will start in the first quarter the opening drive,
(04:18):
first play, play action to Darnell Washington.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
For thirty six yards. We've been calling for it all year, ed,
what to play of the game.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
What a way to start. Unfortunately, the drive stalls after
our first down to John Iss Smith and Boswell hits
a forty four yard field goal to cap a forty
six yard drive. Eight up, four minutes and five second,
Steelers led three to nothing. But yeah, play action fake.
They go to Darnell Washington, who played eighty percent of
the snaps yesterday, to lead the tight end room.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Yeah, I mean, what a play to start the games.
As I just said, I don't think all of us
saw that coming. As I mentioned too, we've all been
calling for more Darnell, more Darnell in the first play.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
I mean.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin both spoke about it in
their postgame press conference, is saying it was perfectly executed
in the perfect play call as well. So really great
to see the offense open up on the first play
from scrimmage yesterday afternoon.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
Brown's first drive one first down and then a personal
foul on Jerry Judy stalled that drive. And how about
this rookie Keishawn Williams.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
From Indiana University.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Here you go.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
One year at IU, he was in a transfer portal.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
He came over with coach Signetty, who by the way,
he shout out to my Hoosiers, number three team in
the country.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
I was gonna get to that.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I beat you too. It We're only
for five minutes in I wasn't gonna wait much longer.
But yeah, Keishawn was there for one year last year.
But good for him, I know we're talking about the
punt return. Good for him for really stepping up to
the podium when called upon. With all the injuries to
Calvi or dealing with the injury to Calvin Austin, Keishawn
(05:46):
Johnson was promoted from the practice squad and had a
great return. Unfortunately, Jerrell Pepper's got called on what I
think all of us can agree was a really bad
back block in the back call. I mean, he was
putting his arms up to show I wasn't making any
kind of contact or unnecessary contact, and the rev still
through the flag.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Yeah, crappy call there. That negleted a forty seven yard
punt return return by Williams.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
I'm sure he'll be. He'll be a part of the
team even for though.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
I think he's got his spot as long as Calvin
Austin doesn't insist on coming back and being that punt returner.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
I think he showed enough yesterday in the pun he
had kickoff returns to stay in that role. I agree
with you.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Next, he had flashes also in the preseason. That's the
reason he got signed to the practice squad. Yeah, he
had a good preseason. I was actually happy to see
that he made the team.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
He was one of my receivers that kept highlighting through
Latrobe that was standing out. On the next Steelers drive,
dk Metcalf makes a strong sideline catch on a great
throw by Rogers, put it right on the money for
twenty five yards, but the Browns bring pressure the drive
ultimately stalls. The next Browns drive in the first quarter,
Jalen Ramsey sack of Gabriel at the Browns forty one
yard line. The Browns forced to punt two plays later
(06:58):
that ended the first quarter three nothing. Ramsey had two
sacks yesterday, coming into yesterday's game only one career sack.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Crazy how about that?
Speaker 2 (07:05):
I mean, you saw his quote right after the game saying,
I'm going to tell my kids about this one. I
played in a game with Miles Garrett and TJ. Watt
and I'm the guy that got credited with two sacks
on the day.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Yeah, he had a big day and it's hard to believe, Like,
how great of a career Jalen Ramsey's have that right
they they haven't brought him more. Yesterday they brought him
twice on the corner blitz and he got home both times.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Yeah, it's great to see Jalen being able to play
kind of wherever he wants. I made this comment earlier
in the season. His impact in these first five games
is very reminiscent of Minka's impact when Mica first came
over back in twenty nineteen. Minka was all over the place.
I think he had five picks on the year. He
had that one one hundred yard interception return for a touchdown.
(07:48):
Basically every game Jealen Ramsey has been involved in, he's
made a big play. I know the Minnesota game in Dublin,
the one play didn't really count where he picked up
the fumble and ran it in for a touchdown because
of that weird call that they made or the weird,
weird rule where the runner had made contact without a
bounce and the football at the same time. But really,
he's been all over the place and that's exactly what
(08:10):
you want to ask, or that's exactly.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
What you want from a guy like Jalen Ramsey.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
And I think another reason why he's able to make
such a big difference is the secondary around him is
better no offense to Mika or the guys playing with him.
I think the secondary this year is the best it's
been in quite some time. And when you have that
luxury for a guy like Jalen Ramsey, he doesn't have
to be called upon as the safety net, right, he
doesn't have to be playing just deep, deep, deep into
(08:36):
the secondary as the as the last man standing.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
If a receiver gets loose.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
So they're really able to move Jalen around a lot
more this year thanks to the death of the secondary,
and obviously it's paying dividends.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Yeah, and they were completely healthy yesterday too.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Right, for the first time all season long, the full
starting eleven were all.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Fully healthy, and they look good for the first time
as a complete unit. Second quarter now we're recapping, by
the way, the state of the standard key moments in
Week six, Steelers twenty three Browns nine. Second quarter Steelers
offense mixing it up well yesterday with Kalb Johnson and
Jalen Warren on the ground. Spencer Anderson used again as
an extra blocker. Game Well was mixed in on third down.
(09:16):
They did not forget about Kenny g He made an
impact yesterday. The drive stalls in that opening second quarter,
Steelers three of six on third down early fifty percent.
They have to settle for a Boswell fifty yard field
goal and the Steelers led six to nothing with eleven
h one left in the second quarter, and at that point,
Jacob it was another classic AFC North grinded out type
of game, right tough defense, low scoring, likely to come
(09:39):
down to maybe the final possession. It didn't yesterday because
the Steelers continue to keep that game flow going positively
for him defensive stand Later on in the second quarter, TJ.
Watt gets a half a sack on Gabriel along with
Alex high Smith on third down with nine oho five left.
Good to see both of those guys in together. Brown's
one of four on third down early Steelers next drive,
(10:00):
Roger scrambles keeps the play alive. Big catches from Warren,
Metcalf and Washington, and Boswell hits a forty eight yard
field goal. Steelers were leading nine to nothing with three
forty two left in the half. The Browns do have
an answer late the Derek Harmon and Alex high Smith
combined for a sack before the two minute warning. Browns
offense wakes up. They moved the ball down the field.
(10:20):
Gabriel connects with Judy to move the chains. First three
drives thirty four total yards. The final drive before halftime
seventy two yards for the Browns, and they settle for
a Schmidt thirty one yard field goal to end the half.
Steelers led nine to three at halftime, so the Browns
did get a little bit of momentum before they went
to the locker room. Jacob, but we know the final
score in the second half. It didn't play out. But
(10:41):
they had seventy two yards on that final drive and
only thirty four on their three combined drives to start
the first half.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
Yeah, I mean, credit to the defense.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
I think that's one of the biggest takeaways is how
they were able to really set the tone. We were
worried that if and this is the point that you made, ed,
get out to that early lead for the offense. Yeah,
and we had said that maybe that lead doesn't equate
to fourteen to nothing, but just get those points because
this Brown's offense, if they just score one time, that
(11:09):
could be enough in a very low scoring game. But
credit to the defense by not allowing that to happen. Right,
no touchdowns allowed on the day was a huge feather
in the cap for the defense. And like you said,
just no momentum was really able to be gained by
the Browns offense for that reason.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
We're gonna get to the Broderick Jones versus Miles Garrett
aspect of this game in a little while, maybe during
our next segment when we break down the game stats
here with both of these two teams Againsteelers twenty three,
Browns nine. We're recapping it here in the State of
the Standards. Second half, third quarter opening Browns drive.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
TJ.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Watt nearly forces a fumble in the first play, but
he's called off sides. Yeah, second time, I thought, you
know you usually they might call that once, but twice, man,
I mean, he's inchest. He's fingertips away from the where
the line of scrimmage is.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
Yeah, it's kind of just like kiky ticky TACKI call exactly.
Speaker 1 (11:59):
Yeah, it's actually the second time. The first time maybe
they give it just as more of a warning to
the defensive line to make sure you're playing back. But
to call it twice, especially when he got home and
forced a fumble, I thought was ticky tacky, like I said.
But Watts comes back, makes a big impact, bats down
a third down pass in the Brown's punt to open
up the second half. Steelers first possession offensive sluggish. They
(12:20):
do get a break on running into the punter. Call
that keeps the drive away alive is the punt tried
to get away from Weightman, but he was knocked down
as the punt was gone. The next the next Steeler drive.
On that Roger connects with John Smith and Metcalf Warren
add some nice runs, and on second and ten at
the Browns twelve, Rogers rolls out and hits neither than
Connor Hayward of all people, for a twelve yard touchdown,
(12:43):
capping a seventy nine yard scoring drive that lasted six
minutes and two seconds. The Steelers extend their lead sixteen
to three. Was seven to fifty three left in the third.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Yeah, it's funny.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
I think when we were watching that play, we all
had the same instant reactions, What a catch by Connor Hayward,
and then you took half a second to realize, Wow,
what a throw by Aaron Rodgers. You saw Rogers point
to Connor Hayward to break left because the defender wasn't
paying attention. Rogers zipped it in there. And credit to
Connor Hayward as well. He made that great diving catch
(13:15):
in the end zone. Connor Hayward kind of coming under
fire earlier this year with the Cam Hayward stuff. Cam
Hayward coming to his brother's defense. Well, it's hard to
really criticize Connor Hayward when he makes plays like that.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
In listening to Aaron Rodgers after the game, he kind
of drew that one up in the sand. He told
all his receivers what to do in that sequence, like
if you see this, do that, and he had several
options when he rolled out. But he made a lot
of throws like that. Yesterday, Did Aaron Rodgers thrown across
the football field something you're not supposed to do right
when you're teaching a quarterback at any level football, do
(13:49):
not throw across the field. But he did it. He
hit Connor Hayward. And how about that going into the season,
Jacob who would have had Ben Scronick and Connor Hayward
both with one touchdown each in the first five games
of the season. But that's what happens. Chronic back in
Week one versus the Jets in Connor Hayward yesterday. So
Steelers lead twenty three to six at that point. The
Browns do answer, as they come back on their next
(14:11):
drive down sixteen to three. Dari Slay actually exits the
third quarter with a shoulder injury did not return. Schmid
hits a fifty three yard field goal, his second in
the game, and the Steelers led sixteen to six with
four to thirteen left in the third quarter. Steelers close
out the quarter strong, though, Roman Wilson with a twelve
yard catch game well and more and very effective on
(14:32):
the ground with good runs. Washington converts a big third
down play of fourteen yards. The Steelers five of ten
at that point on third down the end the third quarter,
first play of the fourth quarter, it's a big one.
Rogers the DK metcalf for a twenty five yard touchdown.
Metcalf was wide open on the play. Yeah, beautiful, beat
the corner at the snap of the football. Fourth straight
(14:52):
game with a metcalf TD ten plays, seventy three yard
scoring drive in four minutes and thirteen seconds and the
Steelers led twenty three to and at that point, Jacob,
it was pretty much over.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
You felt like it was over.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Yeah, the Browns did come back and score one more
field goal, and you know the Boswell field goal was
the missfield goal was soon to come after that. But yeah,
I think once you found the end zone, it was
that was a nail on the coffin, right, because how
in the hell can you expect the Browns to put
up seventeen points, To come up with seventeen points in
less than fifteen minutes after they were just so stale
(15:26):
the whole first through the first three quarters of the game.
And it's just to your point at that you've made
all season long. This is the connection that runs the offense.
It's Rogers to DK, and it's now four games in
a row these two have connected in the end zone
to put up six points.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
That is your bread and butter Right now, as long.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
As those two were humming, I think this offense is
in pretty good shape that can keep up. Not to
say that they're gonna keep up with the offenses in
Buffalo and Detroit, but they're pair along with their defense.
That offense can do just enough to get wins.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Hey, Like I've said many times too, over one hundred
yards are more as sexy. We like that, but I
like touchdowns better. That's what he was.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
Close to one hundred yards. He finished with the ninety five.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
Yep, four catches for ninety five yards.
Speaker 3 (16:11):
Yeah, you'll take that stat line any day.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
We love it. But get him into the end zone.
Four straight games they've gotten into the end zone over
one hundred yards versus the Vikings ninety five yesterday. I
know you you almost think at that point too, just
get him five more yards, give him one more catch
to get over one hundred for the day. But still
a great job by metcalf Ann Rogers his second touchdown
pass to give the Steelers the twenty three to six lead.
As you mentioned, Jacob, the Browns do answer. They moved
(16:34):
down added by a helmet to helmet call on to
Shaun Elliott, who crushed.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
Crush, Oh my goodness, crush.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
Yeah. Brandon Eckles also called for a pass interference. That
was the ninth penalty of the day. We'll talk about
penalties in our next segment when we break down team stats.
Nick Herbig big sack pushes the Browns back to the
fourteen yard line. I know you guys had Herbie on
the on the Morning Show last year.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
It's Friday. We like to call it the Morning Show bump.
Every time.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
It feels like every time a guy comes on the
show show, they end up having some big splash play.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
But not surprising at all for Herbie.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
To get into that another backfield and have another sack registered.
And you remember too, we talked about the dropped interceptions.
He had one in his hands earlier in the game too.
So Herbig pretty much everywhere. And I don't know you
were you at the game on Sunday. No, No, I
don't know if you heard that. They introduced the defense
and they introduced twelve guys, including Nick Herbig, And I
(17:29):
think it's so awesome. I think it's due right. I
think he's deserving of that.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
The problem with Nick Herbig is he would be a
starter anywhere else, and I'm going to get to the
snap breakdowns too as we go throughout, and I'll just
give you the sneak peek right now on that he
had sixty one percent of the snaps. Yesterday TJ Watt
had sixty percent. So I played the same amount of
time as TJ.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Which is telling, right, it's showing that we don't need
to put t J. Watt out there the whole time.
We trust Nicky Big. Yeah, we trust Nick Herbig to
be out there.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
There was a time not long ago TJ went out
then look out right, I mean, hey, you worried. Yeah.
Now Nick Herbig is filling that role. And as we
get into the offseason and in future discussions, that will
be part of the conversation, what do you do with
that rotation? Because Nick Herbig has certainly earned a starting role.
But it's nice to see that he's getting the snaps,
(18:18):
and as you said, nice to see that they recognized
him yesterday introducing him with the defense. And that was
a Mike Toma move, by the way, that was all
tom On one hundred percent. So yes, it is the
Brown settle for a thirty two yard field goal. Joey
Porter Junior just one other note on that drive, breaks
up a big third down pass to force that field
goal from thirty two yards out, Steelers twenty three to
nine with nine to twenty nine left. Renegade is being
(18:41):
played in the stadium crowdy Roughs and TJ. Watt leads
the charge. On the next series, Browns get close to midfield,
Watt gets in the backfield a couple of times. Nick
Herbig his second sack of the game. Jalen Ramsey sack
on third down his second of the game, Steelers six
sacks on the day, and the fourth down incompletion by Gabriel.
(19:01):
Steelers takeover at the Browns forty two yard line with
four or two left. Steelers go three and out at
the end. Boss slips and misses that fifty four yard
field goal with three point thirty nine left, but the
Steelers are still up twenty three to nine. Brown's march
inside the Steelers fifteen at the end but fell on
fourth and six as Gabriel's incomplete pass into the end zone.
Field conditions were a factor yesterday. Really, Yeah, you know,
(19:22):
I've said it for a number of years. While I
appreciate the old school thinking of a natural grass surface.
I'm sure the players do as well at Acushore Stadium.
I feel like this is the conversation every year around
this time you get into October November. This is Western Pennsylvania.
I mean, you know, hey, kudos to the staff at
Actressure that can get it in the shape that it can.
But it's tough. This is a tough time of the year,
(19:43):
and I think at some point you got to start
thinking about going to a different playing surface. I don't
know if they'll be part of the plan. If they
haven't done it now, they're probably never going to do it.
But it's tough. They're going to resawt it today though,
as you.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Said, yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
I think a lot of people are calling out Pitt
two for just saying, get your own state, But where
the hell are you going to put a stadium for
Pitt at this at this point, what they got to
Pitt Stadium and they filled that with with new buildings
on campus, I have no idea. Yeah, clearly that the
field quality was a factor yesterday, but credit again to
the Steelers offense for not having to rely on Chris Boswell. Yes,
(20:19):
the extra three points would have been a nice added cushion,
but you won. You were winning that game twenty three
to nine already, So it was just another point of
emphasis that the offense really didn't need to rely on
Chris Possible, as they've had to do so many times
prior in this season and in years past. So yes,
(20:42):
it was unfortunate that Boss missed. It's now he's got
two missfield goals on the year. Uh, one of which
was a block field goal right, and then one of
which was he slipped on his kick attempt because of
the poor quality. So neither far on Boss exactly. It's
the point I'm trying to make. But again, getting back
to the offense, they did a great job of not
having to rely on Boswell, which is, you know, against
(21:05):
surprising simply because in these kind of games, as North games,
usually comes down to the field goal kickers.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
It's funny I tracked each game on my phone. I
put in on my notes, you know, yeah, as I
just read them to you to keep track of the
game as I watch it. And for Boz yesterday, every
time he's getting ready to line up, I just go
ahead and put field goal good.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
Yeah as well.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
The third time I did that yesterday, I did hesitate
for a second, like, am I jinxing him on this?
And lo and behold he slips and in.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
This, But it's not on him. No, it's not to
his fault, but both of them, like you said.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
But and then the second point I want to make
is credit to the defense. Right, they had shues stops
that they made late in the fourth quarter. That's something
they've been kind of struggling with. Right, New England kind
of crept back at the end of that game or
at the end of their game. We know the shootout
between the Jets was back and forth all day. Minnesota
had that late you remember, long long pass and catch
(21:55):
or catch and run rather by Jordan and Addison. They
converted into the touchdown eventually, but Minnesota crept up by
the end of the game. But the defense really stood
up today or rather yesterday by having those two fourth
quarter turnovers on down just huge, huge day for them.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
Ramsey two sacks, Nick Herbig two sacks, sixty five total
yards rushing for the Browns. Yesterday. We were worried about
Junkins coming in after his big performance against the Vikings
in the previous week in London, and the Steelers did
a great job controlling the line of scrimmage again only
limiting the Browns as a team total sixty five yards
rushing given up Browns third down yesterday as well, six
(22:35):
of seventeen, only thirty five percent. So again another area
that I thought the Steelers need to improve on defense,
and they've done that now back to back weeks. Their
third down conversion rate on defense has gotten better. They're
getting off the field more often, and only two hundred
and forty eight total yards on the day for the
Cleveland Browns. So just to echo what you're saying, Jacob,
good defensive game plan by Terrell Austin and Mike Tomlin
(22:57):
going in because there were some concerns with the running attack,
and now again you go up against a rookie quarterback.
But I will say this, there were times that Gabriel,
in my opinion yesterday, showed flashes of what could be sure,
what could come as a rookie quarterback. I actually thought
he didn't do too bad yesterday.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
I mean, the guy dropped back to pass fifty eight tns, right,
I could not believe that he got hit, remember sixteen times,
got taken down for a sack six times, So he
really stuck in there right. He didn't look like he
was too rattled, and honestly, to his credit to we
were talking about the dropped interceptions by the Steelers. There
were a lot of drop passes by the Browns receivers.
(23:35):
So he wasn't getting too upset with his guys. He
was staying collected enough. I mean, the game was really
never in their favor. It was really never in grasp
for them to win it. But credit to him for
staying upright and mentally sound the entire game, despite having
to be called upon for six nearly sixty pass attempts,
and yeah, exactly and getting knocked down as often as
(23:58):
he was.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
Sometimes you see Big Ben back in the day get
up into those past attempts. That that's usual when they
were chasing points. Sure, yeah, of the season again.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
I was also doing They had a legitimate offense, right
they could rely on Ben and Antonio Brown and Martavis
Bryant and Heath Miller or beyond Heath Miller to get
You know, you were comfortable with giving Ben the ball
sixty nearly sixty times, But for Dylan Gabriel to have
in his second game ever to be called upon that often,
(24:26):
I mean to the Sealers credit. Again, the Browns had
no other option, right They couldn't get anything running going
on the run game, so they had to go through
the air.
Speaker 1 (24:36):
Two injuries to speak of yesterday after the game. Miles
Kilber did not look good knee injury in the first half.
Mike Tomlin, due to the short week, we'll be addressing
his weekly press conference today Monday at noon as we
record this yere Monday morning, so we'll get an update
on Males Kilber, but does not look good. Potentially could
be out for a significant amount of time, if not
(24:56):
the season, we'll see. We won't speculate there. Darius Slay
also left in the third quarter with an injury to
his shoulder. He did not return, so we'll wait to
get an update there for Darius Slave when Jacob and
I come back. We will dive into our second segment
today and get to our top bullet points of Steelers
Browns and also our top five plays that happened yesterday.
(25:17):
Is the Steelers defeat the Browns. It's victory Monday here
on this standard feels great and this is the Steelers
standard with Ed Troop and Jacob Wret on Steelers Nation Radio,
part of the Steelers Audio Network.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com