December 3, 2024 • 26 mins
Michael, Jimmy and Daibhog react to the Steelers victory over the Bengals on Sunday - a 44-38 victory on the road. After a big win, the lads talk about the standout performers and also the Ravens defeat in the AFC North. We also hear from Coach Tomlin, Russell Wilson and TJ Watt after the victory. We will be back later this week! Follow Steelers Ireland on X, IG and TikTok for more in the meantime. Go Steelers!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
Hey folks, Welcome in to another week with the Iris
Series podcast, coming into week fourteen of the NFL season,
just coming off week thirteen. At the time of recording,
we're still in week thirteen, but great to hear everyone
again and hope everyone's doing well this week. Michael mccuay
delighted to be joined by Jimmy English and Davog McKee
i as we reflect on a returned the winning wes
(00:29):
for the Pittsburgh Steers on the Early Window on Sunday Nights,
winning forty four to thirty eight. Yes that's the correct
score line against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati. Jimmy, just
first off before we chat about this game, how are
you doing? It's hard to believe we're now sitting on
the cusp of this regular season and the month.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Yeah, and good Nick, Glad to see you boys again.
Glad to have Davo back after last week. We missed you.
We missed your catchphrase at the end, Mitcaptain Filanthia. So
always good to be in Steeters Football with you boys,
especially coming off the back of a win one an
absolute shootout yesterday evening. It was incredible to watch. Great
to say, you know, we will dig into it eventually.
(01:11):
Great to see Russell Wilson taking command of that offense
and the offense finally beginning to realize his potential. But
like you say, it is hard to believe that we
are now in December. The festest season is upon us.
December football is when it counts. We're getting down to
brass tacks and all of the various expressions he could have. So, look,
we're in a good position. We have a two game
(01:32):
lead over the Ravens in the AFC North. We're in
prime position to make a deep playoff run. I think, look,
there's always things to be improved on, and we will
get into that. But no, as a Steeters fan, I
have to say I'm pretty optimistic now about the way
our season is going and how far we can go.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Yeah, and I think spot on Dvog was definitely this
last week. And Davil is funny because I think Jimmy
will have experienced the same thing, and a lot of
people listen to this podcast will have experienced that cold
snap last week, ironically, the same week that that snow
game happened in Cleveland. Will not reflect on that. But
it is good to see you back again Donald looking
(02:11):
very warm on very cozy there.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Yeah that do you know?
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Apologize Lass for taking last week off. I just wasn't
feeling I felt under the weather. I think it might
have been just watching that snow game just popped me
off completely. But I probably chose the best week to
take it off because I was feeling because if there's
one team I hate losing to, it's the Cleveland Browns
and we get the next week a bit of paybacks
out to them. So last week our last night though,
(02:38):
was an incredible match to watch. Jimmy just alluded to
there as a massive shootout against a team that we
know the offensive pro est they you know they have,
and to come out to score forty four points even
written the group shot as well. Am I dreaming when
was the last time we scored? I think it was
twenty eighteen. I think I'm not mistake with big then,
So I think that just goes to show you, you know,
(02:58):
it was really It's like something I've never watched before.
But to see that there happen at this time of
the year, when there was so much question walking around
our offense couldn't have came at a batter time. So
I'm really looking forward to sort of breaking it down
you guys.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
It was.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
It was Week ten against the Carolina Panthers. Week ten
of twenty eighteen was the last time we scored.
Speaker 5 (03:18):
We scored.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
We scored fifty two points against Carolina, So that was
It's been a long time coming offensive wise.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Yeah, massive, massive score line on Sunday in that game,
and I think we would have took a three to
zero win and get a win again either there, just
to go on the road Jimmy and Cincinnati, especially when
we know the struggles that the Bengals have had this season.
We talked about it in the previous podcast, especially they
really struggled on the run game throughout the season. But
(03:46):
this was a real do or die game for this
Bengals team, and a team that came in four and
seven looking to move to five and seven have have
sort of dropped the four and eight there. For me,
it was that it was the performance from this team overall,
especially when Russell Wilson had that pick at the start
of the game. I think a lot of quarterbacks in
the league would have tucked that sat down and had
(04:08):
that play on their mind for a lot of it.
But Jimmy for the Steelers offense to sort of turn
around and just do something that is the hallmark of
a team that's going to be in the next going forward.
Stay in the game if the Bengals strike back, stay
in the game. A lot of teams, especially over the
last couple of years, not this season, didn't allow that
when they were playing the Bengals, And for me, it
was just it was fantastic to see him, and I
(04:30):
mean especially when there was a couple of hybrid options
as well a quarterback at time.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Yeah, I mean, I think the most important thing Mick
was that he didn't panic.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
I mean, he's an experienced quarterback. He's been in this
situation before. I'm not gonna lie. I had my head
and my hands after that pick six by camera and
britt A contentious play. Some might argue was Pickings interfere
with you know, Steeters.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Fans could argue that he was I was pass interference there,
But look the rest at them play.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
Like I said, Russell Wilson has just.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Really come into his own to the point where I
am and we said some previous podcasts, I'll put my
hand up and said I was wrong about the entire
Russell Wilson situation. I think a lot of us were wrong,
a lot of doubters about Wilson's ability to still play
at a high level.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
But I think he's.
Speaker 5 (05:17):
Hit over here.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
I think it's close to five hundred yards of passing yesterday,
three touchdowns, and you look, he really has come into
his own as the leader of the offense, the leader
of this team. And then he mentioned that the dynamic
options a quarterback. Great to see Justin Field's coming in
and taking us to victory, pointing towards the next game
(05:39):
at the ends. But overall, a very very very very
positive performance, a very very encouraging performance and puts us
in a great position now not only in the ASC
North but also in the ASC overall.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
We're just talking about the Ravens Inis second doalogue, but
just sort of pulling them what Jimmy said there. I look,
I was optimistic when when when Russell came in, but
certainly I didn't expect him to take to a duck
to water like this. It's it's been fresh to watch.
But when we brought in Justin at the end yesterday,
Tomlin masterclass. I don't want to say it because sometimes
(06:16):
it takes af Cahones, It takes o goods to actually
do that at that point in the game, and we
could have easily give the ball back to Cincinnati. And
on that coach Tomlin now extending his season, his his
winning season record, which is just amazing to see. And
hopefully we can go further and further this year.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Do you want mecha? He mentioned it in the press
conference a couple of weeks ago. It's why he's well compensated.
I mean, he has, we said narly as the stones
to make these decisions that most coaches just don't have,
like I mean, no matter what happens, and he you know,
in the media, they give him a lot of flak
for it. I mean when justin Faus, you know, when
he was bounced for us, you know a lot of
(06:55):
people including you know ourselves as well, we were thinking
is this the best decision for us going forward? He
had the stone to make that decision, and he went
on ahead and did it. And he's proven everybody wrong.
And just on Russ as well. You know, the most
I find that the most underrated characteristics someone can have,
his resilience and Jimmy just pointed out there as well,
the ability to bounce back when things aren't going your way. Russ,
(07:16):
shoot it again. I mean that was although of course
I'm gonna put my hands up and say, look, I
think George Beckany was you know, it was clear the
defensive pass interference, but to through that pick six, but
the Bengals up in a game where it's going to
be scored for score, it was always going to be
a high scoring game. And for him to be able
to bounce back and you know, to have that just
it just proves the resilience that he has. I mean
(07:38):
we mentioned it as well, and me and Jimmy were
at the Jets game. The first half was not a
good half and people were called for just feels to
be put in and luck with how he bounced back
in the second half. So he's got that resilience in
him and just how he was able to do that.
Shoot the leadership we get with Russ, and you know
that possitive play as well. I think that the touchdown
passed to Farmouth looked like prime Russell Wilson and is
absolutely prime in Seattle. Under severe pressure from the past,
(08:00):
extend the player with faking through an opposute down for
the touchdowns, So talk about rolling back the years and
I couldn't be more happier or where this team is
out of the moment. I don't think any of us
a couple of weeks ago would have imagined us ourselves
putting up forty four points. Although the Bengals defense, let's
be honest, not a lot to work with our I
do feel so sorry for Joe Burrow. I mean, he's
a quality talent, but I can only really look at
(08:22):
our offense and think, where are we out this stage?
You know, players at Calvin Austin's coming into the zone
pop firm if we've already mentioned and we can get
Mike Williams involved more in this pastume, I just sit
don't see any way of us.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
I'm really really happy with how I thank you George Penny. Yeah,
just a to Jack make sorry.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
I mean I think we should also kind of have
a little bit of balance to this. It wasn't an
entirely flawless performance, so let's not get overly carried away.
I mean our defense had splash plays, orright, we had
We did have the two strips, the two stripsacks, Peyton
Wilson's scoop and sort at the end to kind of
almost barry the Bengals was fantastic. We did give up
(09:00):
thirty eight points like that can continue to happen. I mean,
especially with the more dangerous opponents we are going to
fetch then this face down the stretch. We should have
the Eagles, we still have Patrick Mahones.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
I really valuate and just sort of adding the Bengals,
Like I really value what Joe World brings to the table,
especially when he's got more of a limited cast this year.
So when I see that they score thirty or thirty
eight points, it doesn't surprise me, even like I know
how good that the Steelers defense is. And we've seen
Donte Jackson with that pick yesterday. We've seen with a
(09:30):
Cam Hebward of two sacks teach or Cam Heyward of
one sack. TJ had two, and at times this defense
has popped up, making players with the matters. I think
already if we look down the stretch and see a
Patrick Mahomes, that Kansas City team bring it on. They're
not scoring points. They're not scoring they're not scoring, and
they're not playing on the way that they've had to.
And they have to come into the to the to
(09:53):
the dan shall we call it on on Christmas Day itself?
So I have to say for George Pickens, I did
enjoy that GM when he punted it into next week. Allow,
it's great to see a lot that we met in Flus,
Calvin Austin continuing to get big players. It's pretty cool,
Like I think, just generally as a guy that we've
met over here, it's pretty awesome and props to him.
(10:14):
I guess before we talk with this Rivens defeat yesterday,
as were to look ahead to next week, let's firstly
hear from coach Tomlin, who did ensure yesterday that he
will have a non losing season agame, which is really cool.
Speaker 5 (10:26):
That's here from Coat.
Speaker 6 (10:27):
It's good to go on the road and get in
the AFC North victory. No, it wasn't it easy one obviously, man,
particularly if you spot a group like that seven. They
had big time urgency man for a lot of reasons.
And so to come in here in their place, against
the type of quality team that they have and in
this environment and smile in the face of it and
(10:49):
get out of here with the necessary win, man, it
just can't say enough about the efforts of the guys
in their locker room, the splash play making continually over
the course of sixty minutes. We knew it would be required.
We even talked about the fourth quarter component. You know,
this team's all. This team we played today always come
storming back in the fourth. They did it against LAC
(11:10):
just from the front side of their by and so
we don't take the end of the game for granted. Man,
we're thankful for the victory. Obviously we got some things
to clean up, but that's that's life in this business.
It's good to do it with a w. Calvin Austin
is being evaluated for concussion. Other than that, it just
appears to be bumps and bruises associated with play.
Speaker 5 (11:31):
Great to hear from coach.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Sam on the Irish Toitis podcast. Anybody want to give
their performer of the day before we hear from a
couple of players. I'm putting everybody in the spot here.
I like every time you guys say a farm with
I want to shout move or scream move, But I'm
gonna keep myself for the least week sixteen, week seventeen.
Any players stound out louds that maybe we haven't talked
about it I know he's mentioned Russell Wilson there.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
I'm actually gonna go with a bit of a wild
card here, and it's a player to be picked up
in the off season that I had questions about giving
his given his age and you know, possibly conversations Raul
was he passed and he is a former very very
extrossive player and we saw a little bit of that
yesterday on one of the carries he had in relief
of Maggie Harrison. That is Coral Patterson very very impressed
(12:12):
with his contributions yesterday. He came in and Nudge obviously
had some issues on a handoff and saw him stumble
a little bit, had to go to the sideline, and
I thought Coral Patterson spelled him very nicely. So great
to see him making an impact, a positive impact on
the team, I suppose at this stage of his career.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
So you know, he definitely stood out to me.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
And then Peyton Wilson like just won an absolute to
be a rookie, you know, being drafted in the third
round at the NC State I think it was. And
now he's a regular contributor on defense. He's an integral
part of that defensive unit. He's had a couple of
big plays. Recently, he had a fourth bumble or I
think it was an interception against Baltimore a couple of
(12:54):
weeks ago, and now he had the scoop and score
for a touchdown that was reminiscent of TJ. Wadd almost
And so I know, I've been very impressed with him
so far. This seasonde have.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
Obviously when Jimmy mentioned players that Cordel Patterson, is there
anybody else a dull stand out to you? Do you
like the way Justin came in had done that on
that third down play? Or was there anybody else that's that?
I feel just the overall.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
Yeah, I know you imagine it, but Justin fails. I mean,
I think I read a tweet earlier. I think the
whole world a part in the Cincinnati Bengals team knew
Justin Fieler was going to keep the ball, but he
still had to do it. I mean, you know, especially
after loss or against the Ravens where he slid too early,
he was like, I'm getting this first down in amyationate
for the for the team. So he definitely deserves a
shout out. And of course, Russell Wilson, we've mentioned Russell Wilson.
(13:40):
I think we've we've pretty much blown as trumpet all
all so far, and but defensively, I mean it's no surprise.
I'm gonna bring up here mc nick Herberg again. Massive play.
I mean, how quick is he just getting off that
line of scrimmage. I mean before you know it, you know,
he's hands on Joe Burrows forces the fumble, and as
Jimmy's just said, Peyton Wilson was able to scoop it
up and score. So our defense just has an unlimited
(14:03):
amount of talent where no matter who steps out, we
have another player that's ready to come back in TJ. Watt,
who's had a quat couple of weeks of course for
his standards, two sacks, a strip, fumble, fist, forced fumble
of the year just incredible again, So of course.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
We did give up.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
You know what was the thirty eight points. I still
feel the defense still show. I think we've just still
been a kneel down these fanalies and Joey Porter Junior,
I mean five panalties was it just not good enough
of this level. So he has that to work on,
but there is still room to improvement. But of of
course on the offensive side of the ball, as Jimmy's
probably said Cordell Polson, particularly earlier on when Nage had
to come out. I think he had too much Thanksgiving
(14:40):
Thanksgiving dinner. I think he wented and he came in
and he stepped in and he was able to keep
pick up a few key first downs. So really I
could have a whole list here and written out with
every player that stapped up, because they all did. But yeah,
for me, the three guys would have to be Russell Wilson,
Nick Herbig and and probably you know TJ. Watt for
me stood out particularly.
Speaker 6 (15:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
TJ leads the league with five force foombolls. Nick Herbig
is second before he was the highest read the player
for PFF on Sunday with the Steters. So it says
a lot of Bengo. That's here from a couple of
guys on the roster. Before we do look ahead to this,
Revens give him und up a week's podcast. We hear
from Russell Wilson on TJ walk on the Irish Steeters.
Speaker 7 (15:23):
Yeah, I thought we had a great day and it
all starts off as the line. I thought they did
a tremendous job. You know, multiple looks up front and
all the things they do in the multiplicity of their defense.
I thought, you know, the O line handled it in
a great way. I got to a lot of checks,
a lot of audibles, a lot of moments in time
and in the run game, in the pass game, getting
the stuff that you know was favorable looks and everything else.
And I just think guys did a great job making plays.
(15:44):
I mean, I thought, I thought George made a great
catch down the sideline. I thought Pat's plays on his
scrambles and also to just how he was clear, painting
clear pictures. I always say, you know, the best receivers
are always playing a clear pictures. Those guys were painting
great pictures today.
Speaker 5 (15:59):
You know.
Speaker 7 (15:59):
I thought the guys made it a lot of plays.
I thought Nags ran the ball extremely well. That was
huge for us in our run game. And he just
had a great day man. And I thought just everybody
was a great team effort. And then when you see
the defense just respond make plays for us. After we
have some great responses, they made a huge play, obviously.
I thought Herbert had a great game rushing off the edge.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
TJ. Obviously he's best in the world. Cam Heyward. You know,
our our our leaders, you know, really stepped up in
a huge way today. I think that was really critical.
Speaker 7 (16:28):
Obviously, it was always cool cool to see my fellow
in C State Guyton Peyton Wilson scored a touchdown to
so just it was just fun, man. We just had
a great time. We knew it was a matchup. We
knew it was gonna be heavyweight fight. I kept telling
the guys, it's gonna be a heavyweight fight, and we
got to win it.
Speaker 5 (16:41):
Because of that. The offense responded knowing that he might
turn into Yeah.
Speaker 7 (16:45):
I mean, I thought, I thought the big best thing
we did today was respond in the midst of adversity,
you know. You know, I thought that we did a
great job of scoring touchdowns, making plays. We felt like
there was more plays out there too that we could
have had, you know, but you know, what it really
is is a testament to our coaching staff, is a
testament to our players, you know, and our our work
ethic and the discipline.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
That we put into the to the week.
Speaker 7 (17:08):
And we knew that this was gonna be, like I said,
a heavyweight fight, and we had to respond and and
you know, keep swinging.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
The confidence you talked about the spawning in the basic diversity.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
Obviously, don't want to start with the pick six. What
did you see on that play? What did you take
the balance matter? Yeah, you know George's run, the slant,
you know, they kind of pulled them down.
Speaker 7 (17:26):
To be honest with you, we tried to throw it
on time and rhythm and you know, uh, you know,
we thought that you know, we could have gotten you know,
a penalty there, but they they did a good job.
Speaker 5 (17:35):
Of making that play and it's just football.
Speaker 7 (17:37):
It was one of those you know, Uh, as soon
as I threw it, you know, George you know went
to the ground and you know it's just on. But
you know, more than anything else though, I just, like
I was said earlier, I just think our response was great.
Speaker 4 (17:48):
You know.
Speaker 7 (17:49):
I thought that we did a really good job of
staying confident and and not letting one play face us.
You know, I always say to the guys, are seventy
five plays and we want to have a collection of
great moments, and I think that we did that today.
Speaker 5 (18:01):
What does it do for the offense type this type
of performances.
Speaker 7 (18:03):
You guys are had done the stretch run, Yeah, I
think that what it means is that we did a
great job today. That's what it means, and it gives
us a lot of momentum and everything else.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
But we've got to use it for good, you know.
We got to be able to respond.
Speaker 7 (18:15):
We've got to be better next week obviously, you know,
for us coming off the Cleveland game, and it was
a tough matchup, you know, tough environment, all those things.
We thought we should have won that game too, you know,
and we didn't finish the way we needed it to
in the last you know, three four minutes of that game.
I thought that this time we did which is good.
We learned something and I think that was really good
for us. And I think the biggest thing is is that,
(18:38):
you know, all these games are you know, every game matters,
and the reality is is that all these games, you know,
are going to feel like playoff games, you know, and
it's getting us ready for where.
Speaker 5 (18:46):
We want to go and what we want to do.
Speaker 7 (18:47):
But I kept telling the guys throughout the game and
a halftime and throughout the game, we haven't done nothing yet.
Speaker 5 (18:52):
We haven't done nothing yet. We got to finish. We
got to finish.
Speaker 7 (18:54):
We gotta do it right and it's the same thing
in respect of the season. You know, we just got
to keep swinging and keep responding.
Speaker 8 (19:00):
Yeah. Huge obviously AFC North football, especially on the road.
If you want the ball to come through Pittsburgh, you
have to win on the road, especially in the North.
And it feels great to get a win. We knew
it was gonna be a shootout. Our offense did a
great job of putting up points for us out a
hell of a day and we were able to create
splash h Dante again and obviously her her guys that
are continuing to show up and that stuff that we
(19:23):
preach again. Denzel Martin has been key point of takeaways
and everybody wanting T shirts and all that stuff. So
it's been a good culture so far.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Know the offense can do.
Speaker 5 (19:33):
That in a game where you're gonna need them when
you play.
Speaker 8 (19:38):
I mean, elite defensive spend a lot of time on
the bench. I've said it ever since I've been here,
and we've been spending a lot of time on the
bench this year, and it's been great to see the
offense continue to move the ball like they are.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Strip sack of the momentum.
Speaker 5 (19:51):
You thought maybe a cage your team, just trying to
make a play.
Speaker 8 (19:54):
Uh, just anytime we're on the ball, just trying to
continue to ball search and try to make a create
a turnover.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (20:01):
Joe did a great job all all game of stepping
up through that B gap and uh climbing the pocket.
And that was just a way of retracing a game
after football and creating a play.
Speaker 5 (20:12):
Lined up seven of them spots in this game. That's
something you guys are saving for this week, is this opponent.
Is that's something that you guys have been working on.
Speaker 8 (20:18):
The feature just something to we're continue to work on.
I think I told you guys on Friday, like we're
gonna continue to try to move around and find those
one on one matchups, the matchups throughout the week and
something we're dipping our toe in the water. And I'm
sure the package will continue to grow, or not even
a package, but moving around will continue to grow as
the year goes on. This year, I mean, he's an
(20:42):
old dude that's playing in some really good football, very stout.
I know he wants to be out there every snap,
but he's making every single snap that he's in their
count A guy that's just a true leader, true Steeler,
one helmet guy.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
He is.
Speaker 8 (20:55):
He he he preaches installing kick ass uh all week
him and Dunbar and he goes out there each and
every week and shows why he's one of the best
in the world.
Speaker 5 (21:03):
You guys, I've talked about Joe rolling out to us
right looking out the field. How much of that stripsack
was the notes by design to try to get him
in those situations then to get after him.
Speaker 8 (21:13):
Yeah, early on we weren't doing that, and he was
able to climb and create those, uh those extended plays
and they're very good at it, especially one coming across
on some dig routes and stuff extensions, and uh, it
just got to a point where, like when you get
to the top of the rush, we need to come
back down and able to make a play and get
paid off.
Speaker 5 (21:33):
Great to hear from the guys.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
And just before we runed off this podcast, we do
have to mention this because it's relevant to Jimmy. Like
we obviously give a game against the Brons there on
this week coming into just coming into this weekend, and
we will talk about that on a different podcast. TV
situation is TBC in terms of Sky Sports or game
past as of time of recording. We will let people
know on social media of course, Theeters Ireland on ACCE
(21:57):
on Instagram for that. A real upper unity here, Jimmy
and I feel like I said it every week, but
it really is. When you've got a Staters team that
are sitting nine and flight that know of the eight
and five Ravens who have lost to the Eagles on
Sunday or a bye week, that's absolutely huge. More So,
you know, like, look, I'm not gonna I'm not gonna
(22:19):
be too negative on the Ravens there. I'll give them
their flowers. Then there's my joke of the week. But
the Eagle bo excellence on the basically they were excellent.
So I'm not going to get to you know, too
positive or too you know, too excited here. Certainly there's
an opportunity here, you know, if you expect the standard here,
(22:39):
you go out, you beat Cleveland Sunday and you really
develop that gap in the AFC or especially when we've
got a number of difficult matchups coming up, including the
game against Baltimore. That game against Baltimore on the Saturday
night now seems huge. On December to twenty first, yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
Absolutely make I think as well.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
What's going to happen is that I honestly think the
last game against the Browns was it was a bit
of a blip. We fell into the classic kind of
trap game mindset, our mentality that you know, these guys
are sitting with the with the record that they have
the basement of the AOC North. I think given that
the beating that we just delivered to the Bengals, I
would be expecting a similar situation with the Browns. And
(23:22):
look at like you said, it's it's a fantastic opportunity
for us to now sees or.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
Or continue to put a choke called on the AOC North.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
I mean, like, if it's like any any given Sunday,
the Browns, but we could go back in and have
an absolute stinker and next Sunday, I don't.
Speaker 5 (23:38):
I don't think we will.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
I think it kind of we got that out of
our system on the Thursday night game.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
I think now with our our three arguably our three
toughest games of the season coming up in a row
against the Eagles, Ravens and then the Chiefs and Christmas State,
the one we've been looking for for to since the
schedule was released I think the Steelers are finally now
look there, it's getting down towards the postseason. We have
found our groove offensively. I think on the back of
(24:06):
that performance, defense kind of woke up a little bit
with t J. Watt, as they've mentioned that, he kind
of came out of his hibernation a little bit and
made his presence styles even when he wasn't he wasn't
making tackles or making sacks. So like, it's still still
very much reflux, but though I am a lot more
confident a better a better game against the Browns on
the back of that performance against the Bengals.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
Penultimate regular season home game coming up this week against
the Browns, so great to.
Speaker 5 (24:33):
Have a game at home.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Just any takeaway from that Eagle from that Revens performance
against the Eagles, they couldn't get it going, and I
think it's going to be a real blueprint for coach
Tomnell and his team to look out over the next week.
It's because Dereck Henry looked like a little child on Sunday.
I'm joking Ravens fans, but he was definitely stifled.
Speaker 4 (24:53):
Yeah, that that head up that was a Beckybridge in incredible.
He really did sip dark and down. But I think
we have you mentioned about a blueprint. I think it
was actually us that's a through blueprint. I think maybe
next to Riannie was paying attention to us, but I was.
I was cheering on that Eagles team or our friends
over in western Pennsylvania. Although we have to come up
(25:13):
against them in a couple of weeks. That has a
massive favor because we've now reinstated that two game, a
cushion that we have in the fcn RF. So just
as you said, it's a massive opportunity. I mean, coming
up against this Browns team who will be on a
short week and they're playing the night against the Broncos,
I believe difficult game, and I think it's an away
game as well, so we owe them massively. I mean,
(25:34):
you know, Jimmy's mentioned they're a better chop game. The
fact that we had to play in a blizzard as
well just did not help our case. I mean, whenever
a blizzard happens, any team can win, doesn't matter how
good you are, and I believe we owe them massively,
So gonna go in confident. Of course, we'll get the
previewed a bit later in the week. But yeah, just
thanks for spotting me there. It's eastern Pennsylvania. Sorry, I'm
(25:55):
not because it's geography or Jimmy Sorry and no, really
really and looking forward to this someday. We owe them
massively and I'm pretty confident probable we'll get the review
our tie previewed at that earlier in the week.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
The yeah, they do play Monday night. If you listen
to this podcast afterwards, that's why you hear though we're
recording on the Monday evening lads. Welling back later on
the week, folks do that's when your faut ahead of
this Browns game. Steelers Ireland on x, Instagram and TikTok
use the hashtag Steelers Ireland.
Speaker 5 (26:23):
Good.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
Good to chat to you boys again. Appreciate your time,
lads and analysis and we'll all chat to you in
here we go.
Hey folks, Welcome in to another week with the Iris
Series podcast, coming into week fourteen of the NFL season,
just coming off week thirteen. At the time of recording,
we're still in week thirteen, but great to hear everyone
again and hope everyone's doing well this week. Michael mccuay
delighted to be joined by Jimmy English and Davog McKee
i as we reflect on a returned the winning wes
(00:29):
for the Pittsburgh Steers on the Early Window on Sunday Nights,
winning forty four to thirty eight. Yes that's the correct
score line against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati. Jimmy, just
first off before we chat about this game, how are
you doing? It's hard to believe we're now sitting on
the cusp of this regular season and the month.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Yeah, and good Nick, Glad to see you boys again.
Glad to have Davo back after last week. We missed you.
We missed your catchphrase at the end, Mitcaptain Filanthia. So
always good to be in Steeters Football with you boys,
especially coming off the back of a win one an
absolute shootout yesterday evening. It was incredible to watch. Great
to say, you know, we will dig into it eventually.
(01:11):
Great to see Russell Wilson taking command of that offense
and the offense finally beginning to realize his potential. But
like you say, it is hard to believe that we
are now in December. The festest season is upon us.
December football is when it counts. We're getting down to
brass tacks and all of the various expressions he could have. So, look,
we're in a good position. We have a two game
(01:32):
lead over the Ravens in the AFC North. We're in
prime position to make a deep playoff run. I think, look,
there's always things to be improved on, and we will
get into that. But no, as a Steeters fan, I
have to say I'm pretty optimistic now about the way
our season is going and how far we can go.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Yeah, and I think spot on Dvog was definitely this
last week. And Davil is funny because I think Jimmy
will have experienced the same thing, and a lot of
people listen to this podcast will have experienced that cold
snap last week, ironically, the same week that that snow
game happened in Cleveland. Will not reflect on that. But
it is good to see you back again Donald looking
(02:11):
very warm on very cozy there.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Yeah that do you know?
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Apologize Lass for taking last week off. I just wasn't
feeling I felt under the weather. I think it might
have been just watching that snow game just popped me
off completely. But I probably chose the best week to
take it off because I was feeling because if there's
one team I hate losing to, it's the Cleveland Browns
and we get the next week a bit of paybacks
out to them. So last week our last night though,
(02:38):
was an incredible match to watch. Jimmy just alluded to
there as a massive shootout against a team that we
know the offensive pro est they you know they have,
and to come out to score forty four points even
written the group shot as well. Am I dreaming when
was the last time we scored? I think it was
twenty eighteen. I think I'm not mistake with big then,
So I think that just goes to show you, you know,
(02:58):
it was really It's like something I've never watched before.
But to see that there happen at this time of
the year, when there was so much question walking around
our offense couldn't have came at a batter time. So
I'm really looking forward to sort of breaking it down
you guys.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
It was.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
It was Week ten against the Carolina Panthers. Week ten
of twenty eighteen was the last time we scored.
Speaker 5 (03:18):
We scored.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
We scored fifty two points against Carolina, So that was
It's been a long time coming offensive wise.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Yeah, massive, massive score line on Sunday in that game,
and I think we would have took a three to
zero win and get a win again either there, just
to go on the road Jimmy and Cincinnati, especially when
we know the struggles that the Bengals have had this season.
We talked about it in the previous podcast, especially they
really struggled on the run game throughout the season. But
(03:46):
this was a real do or die game for this
Bengals team, and a team that came in four and
seven looking to move to five and seven have have
sort of dropped the four and eight there. For me,
it was that it was the performance from this team overall,
especially when Russell Wilson had that pick at the start
of the game. I think a lot of quarterbacks in
the league would have tucked that sat down and had
(04:08):
that play on their mind for a lot of it.
But Jimmy for the Steelers offense to sort of turn
around and just do something that is the hallmark of
a team that's going to be in the next going forward.
Stay in the game if the Bengals strike back, stay
in the game. A lot of teams, especially over the
last couple of years, not this season, didn't allow that
when they were playing the Bengals, And for me, it
was just it was fantastic to see him, and I
(04:30):
mean especially when there was a couple of hybrid options
as well a quarterback at time.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Yeah, I mean, I think the most important thing Mick
was that he didn't panic.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
I mean, he's an experienced quarterback. He's been in this
situation before. I'm not gonna lie. I had my head
and my hands after that pick six by camera and
britt A contentious play. Some might argue was Pickings interfere
with you know, Steeters.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Fans could argue that he was I was pass interference there,
But look the rest at them play.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
Like I said, Russell Wilson has just.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Really come into his own to the point where I
am and we said some previous podcasts, I'll put my
hand up and said I was wrong about the entire
Russell Wilson situation. I think a lot of us were wrong,
a lot of doubters about Wilson's ability to still play
at a high level.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
But I think he's.
Speaker 5 (05:17):
Hit over here.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
I think it's close to five hundred yards of passing yesterday,
three touchdowns, and you look, he really has come into
his own as the leader of the offense, the leader
of this team. And then he mentioned that the dynamic
options a quarterback. Great to see Justin Field's coming in
and taking us to victory, pointing towards the next game
(05:39):
at the ends. But overall, a very very very very
positive performance, a very very encouraging performance and puts us
in a great position now not only in the ASC
North but also in the ASC overall.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
We're just talking about the Ravens Inis second doalogue, but
just sort of pulling them what Jimmy said there. I look,
I was optimistic when when when Russell came in, but
certainly I didn't expect him to take to a duck
to water like this. It's it's been fresh to watch.
But when we brought in Justin at the end yesterday,
Tomlin masterclass. I don't want to say it because sometimes
(06:16):
it takes af Cahones, It takes o goods to actually
do that at that point in the game, and we
could have easily give the ball back to Cincinnati. And
on that coach Tomlin now extending his season, his his
winning season record, which is just amazing to see. And
hopefully we can go further and further this year.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Do you want mecha? He mentioned it in the press
conference a couple of weeks ago. It's why he's well compensated.
I mean, he has, we said narly as the stones
to make these decisions that most coaches just don't have,
like I mean, no matter what happens, and he you know,
in the media, they give him a lot of flak
for it. I mean when justin Faus, you know, when
he was bounced for us, you know a lot of
(06:55):
people including you know ourselves as well, we were thinking
is this the best decision for us going forward? He
had the stone to make that decision, and he went
on ahead and did it. And he's proven everybody wrong.
And just on Russ as well. You know, the most
I find that the most underrated characteristics someone can have,
his resilience and Jimmy just pointed out there as well,
the ability to bounce back when things aren't going your way. Russ,
(07:16):
shoot it again. I mean that was although of course
I'm gonna put my hands up and say, look, I
think George Beckany was you know, it was clear the
defensive pass interference, but to through that pick six, but
the Bengals up in a game where it's going to
be scored for score, it was always going to be
a high scoring game. And for him to be able
to bounce back and you know, to have that just
it just proves the resilience that he has. I mean
(07:38):
we mentioned it as well, and me and Jimmy were
at the Jets game. The first half was not a
good half and people were called for just feels to
be put in and luck with how he bounced back
in the second half. So he's got that resilience in
him and just how he was able to do that.
Shoot the leadership we get with Russ, and you know
that possitive play as well. I think that the touchdown
passed to Farmouth looked like prime Russell Wilson and is
absolutely prime in Seattle. Under severe pressure from the past,
(08:00):
extend the player with faking through an opposute down for
the touchdowns, So talk about rolling back the years and
I couldn't be more happier or where this team is
out of the moment. I don't think any of us
a couple of weeks ago would have imagined us ourselves
putting up forty four points. Although the Bengals defense, let's
be honest, not a lot to work with our I
do feel so sorry for Joe Burrow. I mean, he's
a quality talent, but I can only really look at
(08:22):
our offense and think, where are we out this stage?
You know, players at Calvin Austin's coming into the zone
pop firm if we've already mentioned and we can get
Mike Williams involved more in this pastume, I just sit
don't see any way of us.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
I'm really really happy with how I thank you George Penny. Yeah,
just a to Jack make sorry.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
I mean I think we should also kind of have
a little bit of balance to this. It wasn't an
entirely flawless performance, so let's not get overly carried away.
I mean our defense had splash plays, orright, we had
We did have the two strips, the two stripsacks, Peyton
Wilson's scoop and sort at the end to kind of
almost barry the Bengals was fantastic. We did give up
(09:00):
thirty eight points like that can continue to happen. I mean,
especially with the more dangerous opponents we are going to
fetch then this face down the stretch. We should have
the Eagles, we still have Patrick Mahones.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
I really valuate and just sort of adding the Bengals,
Like I really value what Joe World brings to the table,
especially when he's got more of a limited cast this year.
So when I see that they score thirty or thirty
eight points, it doesn't surprise me, even like I know
how good that the Steelers defense is. And we've seen
Donte Jackson with that pick yesterday. We've seen with a
(09:30):
Cam Hebward of two sacks teach or Cam Heyward of
one sack. TJ had two, and at times this defense
has popped up, making players with the matters. I think
already if we look down the stretch and see a
Patrick Mahomes, that Kansas City team bring it on. They're
not scoring points. They're not scoring they're not scoring, and
they're not playing on the way that they've had to.
And they have to come into the to the to
(09:53):
the dan shall we call it on on Christmas Day itself?
So I have to say for George Pickens, I did
enjoy that GM when he punted it into next week. Allow,
it's great to see a lot that we met in Flus,
Calvin Austin continuing to get big players. It's pretty cool,
Like I think, just generally as a guy that we've
met over here, it's pretty awesome and props to him.
(10:14):
I guess before we talk with this Rivens defeat yesterday,
as were to look ahead to next week, let's firstly
hear from coach Tomlin, who did ensure yesterday that he
will have a non losing season agame, which is really cool.
Speaker 5 (10:26):
That's here from Coat.
Speaker 6 (10:27):
It's good to go on the road and get in
the AFC North victory. No, it wasn't it easy one obviously, man,
particularly if you spot a group like that seven. They
had big time urgency man for a lot of reasons.
And so to come in here in their place, against
the type of quality team that they have and in
this environment and smile in the face of it and
(10:49):
get out of here with the necessary win, man, it
just can't say enough about the efforts of the guys
in their locker room, the splash play making continually over
the course of sixty minutes. We knew it would be required.
We even talked about the fourth quarter component. You know,
this team's all. This team we played today always come
storming back in the fourth. They did it against LAC
(11:10):
just from the front side of their by and so
we don't take the end of the game for granted. Man,
we're thankful for the victory. Obviously we got some things
to clean up, but that's that's life in this business.
It's good to do it with a w. Calvin Austin
is being evaluated for concussion. Other than that, it just
appears to be bumps and bruises associated with play.
Speaker 5 (11:31):
Great to hear from coach.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Sam on the Irish Toitis podcast. Anybody want to give
their performer of the day before we hear from a
couple of players. I'm putting everybody in the spot here.
I like every time you guys say a farm with
I want to shout move or scream move, But I'm
gonna keep myself for the least week sixteen, week seventeen.
Any players stound out louds that maybe we haven't talked
about it I know he's mentioned Russell Wilson there.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
I'm actually gonna go with a bit of a wild
card here, and it's a player to be picked up
in the off season that I had questions about giving
his given his age and you know, possibly conversations Raul
was he passed and he is a former very very
extrossive player and we saw a little bit of that
yesterday on one of the carries he had in relief
of Maggie Harrison. That is Coral Patterson very very impressed
(12:12):
with his contributions yesterday. He came in and Nudge obviously
had some issues on a handoff and saw him stumble
a little bit, had to go to the sideline, and
I thought Coral Patterson spelled him very nicely. So great
to see him making an impact, a positive impact on
the team, I suppose at this stage of his career.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
So you know, he definitely stood out to me.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
And then Peyton Wilson like just won an absolute to
be a rookie, you know, being drafted in the third
round at the NC State I think it was. And
now he's a regular contributor on defense. He's an integral
part of that defensive unit. He's had a couple of
big plays. Recently, he had a fourth bumble or I
think it was an interception against Baltimore a couple of
(12:54):
weeks ago, and now he had the scoop and score
for a touchdown that was reminiscent of TJ. Wadd almost
And so I know, I've been very impressed with him
so far. This seasonde have.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
Obviously when Jimmy mentioned players that Cordel Patterson, is there
anybody else a dull stand out to you? Do you
like the way Justin came in had done that on
that third down play? Or was there anybody else that's that?
I feel just the overall.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
Yeah, I know you imagine it, but Justin fails. I mean,
I think I read a tweet earlier. I think the
whole world a part in the Cincinnati Bengals team knew
Justin Fieler was going to keep the ball, but he
still had to do it. I mean, you know, especially
after loss or against the Ravens where he slid too early,
he was like, I'm getting this first down in amyationate
for the for the team. So he definitely deserves a
shout out. And of course, Russell Wilson, we've mentioned Russell Wilson.
(13:40):
I think we've we've pretty much blown as trumpet all
all so far, and but defensively, I mean it's no surprise.
I'm gonna bring up here mc nick Herberg again. Massive play.
I mean, how quick is he just getting off that
line of scrimmage. I mean before you know it, you know,
he's hands on Joe Burrows forces the fumble, and as
Jimmy's just said, Peyton Wilson was able to scoop it
up and score. So our defense just has an unlimited
(14:03):
amount of talent where no matter who steps out, we
have another player that's ready to come back in TJ. Watt,
who's had a quat couple of weeks of course for
his standards, two sacks, a strip, fumble, fist, forced fumble
of the year just incredible again, So of course.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
We did give up.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
You know what was the thirty eight points. I still
feel the defense still show. I think we've just still
been a kneel down these fanalies and Joey Porter Junior,
I mean five panalties was it just not good enough
of this level. So he has that to work on,
but there is still room to improvement. But of of
course on the offensive side of the ball, as Jimmy's
probably said Cordell Polson, particularly earlier on when Nage had
to come out. I think he had too much Thanksgiving
(14:40):
Thanksgiving dinner. I think he wented and he came in
and he stepped in and he was able to keep
pick up a few key first downs. So really I
could have a whole list here and written out with
every player that stapped up, because they all did. But yeah,
for me, the three guys would have to be Russell Wilson,
Nick Herbig and and probably you know TJ. Watt for
me stood out particularly.
Speaker 6 (15:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
TJ leads the league with five force foombolls. Nick Herbig
is second before he was the highest read the player
for PFF on Sunday with the Steters. So it says
a lot of Bengo. That's here from a couple of
guys on the roster. Before we do look ahead to this,
Revens give him und up a week's podcast. We hear
from Russell Wilson on TJ walk on the Irish Steeters.
Speaker 7 (15:23):
Yeah, I thought we had a great day and it
all starts off as the line. I thought they did
a tremendous job. You know, multiple looks up front and
all the things they do in the multiplicity of their defense.
I thought, you know, the O line handled it in
a great way. I got to a lot of checks,
a lot of audibles, a lot of moments in time
and in the run game, in the pass game, getting
the stuff that you know was favorable looks and everything else.
And I just think guys did a great job making plays.
(15:44):
I mean, I thought, I thought George made a great
catch down the sideline. I thought Pat's plays on his
scrambles and also to just how he was clear, painting
clear pictures. I always say, you know, the best receivers
are always playing a clear pictures. Those guys were painting
great pictures today.
Speaker 5 (15:59):
You know.
Speaker 7 (15:59):
I thought the guys made it a lot of plays.
I thought Nags ran the ball extremely well. That was
huge for us in our run game. And he just
had a great day man. And I thought just everybody
was a great team effort. And then when you see
the defense just respond make plays for us. After we
have some great responses, they made a huge play, obviously.
I thought Herbert had a great game rushing off the edge.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
TJ. Obviously he's best in the world. Cam Heyward. You know,
our our our leaders, you know, really stepped up in
a huge way today. I think that was really critical.
Speaker 7 (16:28):
Obviously, it was always cool cool to see my fellow
in C State Guyton Peyton Wilson scored a touchdown to
so just it was just fun, man. We just had
a great time. We knew it was a matchup. We
knew it was gonna be heavyweight fight. I kept telling
the guys, it's gonna be a heavyweight fight, and we
got to win it.
Speaker 5 (16:41):
Because of that. The offense responded knowing that he might
turn into Yeah.
Speaker 7 (16:45):
I mean, I thought, I thought the big best thing
we did today was respond in the midst of adversity,
you know. You know, I thought that we did a
great job of scoring touchdowns, making plays. We felt like
there was more plays out there too that we could
have had, you know, but you know, what it really
is is a testament to our coaching staff, is a
testament to our players, you know, and our our work
ethic and the discipline.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
That we put into the to the week.
Speaker 7 (17:08):
And we knew that this was gonna be, like I said,
a heavyweight fight, and we had to respond and and
you know, keep swinging.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
The confidence you talked about the spawning in the basic diversity.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
Obviously, don't want to start with the pick six. What
did you see on that play? What did you take
the balance matter? Yeah, you know George's run, the slant,
you know, they kind of pulled them down.
Speaker 7 (17:26):
To be honest with you, we tried to throw it
on time and rhythm and you know, uh, you know,
we thought that you know, we could have gotten you know,
a penalty there, but they they did a good job.
Speaker 5 (17:35):
Of making that play and it's just football.
Speaker 7 (17:37):
It was one of those you know, Uh, as soon
as I threw it, you know, George you know went
to the ground and you know it's just on. But
you know, more than anything else though, I just, like
I was said earlier, I just think our response was great.
Speaker 4 (17:48):
You know.
Speaker 7 (17:49):
I thought that we did a really good job of
staying confident and and not letting one play face us.
You know, I always say to the guys, are seventy
five plays and we want to have a collection of
great moments, and I think that we did that today.
Speaker 5 (18:01):
What does it do for the offense type this type
of performances.
Speaker 7 (18:03):
You guys are had done the stretch run, Yeah, I
think that what it means is that we did a
great job today. That's what it means, and it gives
us a lot of momentum and everything else.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
But we've got to use it for good, you know.
We got to be able to respond.
Speaker 7 (18:15):
We've got to be better next week obviously, you know,
for us coming off the Cleveland game, and it was
a tough matchup, you know, tough environment, all those things.
We thought we should have won that game too, you know,
and we didn't finish the way we needed it to
in the last you know, three four minutes of that game.
I thought that this time we did which is good.
We learned something and I think that was really good
for us. And I think the biggest thing is is that,
(18:38):
you know, all these games are you know, every game matters,
and the reality is is that all these games, you know,
are going to feel like playoff games, you know, and
it's getting us ready for where.
Speaker 5 (18:46):
We want to go and what we want to do.
Speaker 7 (18:47):
But I kept telling the guys throughout the game and
a halftime and throughout the game, we haven't done nothing yet.
Speaker 5 (18:52):
We haven't done nothing yet. We got to finish. We
got to finish.
Speaker 7 (18:54):
We gotta do it right and it's the same thing
in respect of the season. You know, we just got
to keep swinging and keep responding.
Speaker 8 (19:00):
Yeah. Huge obviously AFC North football, especially on the road.
If you want the ball to come through Pittsburgh, you
have to win on the road, especially in the North.
And it feels great to get a win. We knew
it was gonna be a shootout. Our offense did a
great job of putting up points for us out a
hell of a day and we were able to create
splash h Dante again and obviously her her guys that
are continuing to show up and that stuff that we
(19:23):
preach again. Denzel Martin has been key point of takeaways
and everybody wanting T shirts and all that stuff. So
it's been a good culture so far.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Know the offense can do.
Speaker 5 (19:33):
That in a game where you're gonna need them when
you play.
Speaker 8 (19:38):
I mean, elite defensive spend a lot of time on
the bench. I've said it ever since I've been here,
and we've been spending a lot of time on the
bench this year, and it's been great to see the
offense continue to move the ball like they are.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Strip sack of the momentum.
Speaker 5 (19:51):
You thought maybe a cage your team, just trying to
make a play.
Speaker 8 (19:54):
Uh, just anytime we're on the ball, just trying to
continue to ball search and try to make a create
a turnover.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (20:01):
Joe did a great job all all game of stepping
up through that B gap and uh climbing the pocket.
And that was just a way of retracing a game
after football and creating a play.
Speaker 5 (20:12):
Lined up seven of them spots in this game. That's
something you guys are saving for this week, is this opponent.
Is that's something that you guys have been working on.
Speaker 8 (20:18):
The feature just something to we're continue to work on.
I think I told you guys on Friday, like we're
gonna continue to try to move around and find those
one on one matchups, the matchups throughout the week and
something we're dipping our toe in the water. And I'm
sure the package will continue to grow, or not even
a package, but moving around will continue to grow as
the year goes on. This year, I mean, he's an
(20:42):
old dude that's playing in some really good football, very stout.
I know he wants to be out there every snap,
but he's making every single snap that he's in their
count A guy that's just a true leader, true Steeler,
one helmet guy.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
He is.
Speaker 8 (20:55):
He he he preaches installing kick ass uh all week
him and Dunbar and he goes out there each and
every week and shows why he's one of the best
in the world.
Speaker 5 (21:03):
You guys, I've talked about Joe rolling out to us
right looking out the field. How much of that stripsack
was the notes by design to try to get him
in those situations then to get after him.
Speaker 8 (21:13):
Yeah, early on we weren't doing that, and he was
able to climb and create those, uh those extended plays
and they're very good at it, especially one coming across
on some dig routes and stuff extensions, and uh, it
just got to a point where, like when you get
to the top of the rush, we need to come
back down and able to make a play and get
paid off.
Speaker 5 (21:33):
Great to hear from the guys.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
And just before we runed off this podcast, we do
have to mention this because it's relevant to Jimmy. Like
we obviously give a game against the Brons there on
this week coming into just coming into this weekend, and
we will talk about that on a different podcast. TV
situation is TBC in terms of Sky Sports or game
past as of time of recording. We will let people
know on social media of course, Theeters Ireland on ACCE
(21:57):
on Instagram for that. A real upper unity here, Jimmy
and I feel like I said it every week, but
it really is. When you've got a Staters team that
are sitting nine and flight that know of the eight
and five Ravens who have lost to the Eagles on
Sunday or a bye week, that's absolutely huge. More So,
you know, like, look, I'm not gonna I'm not gonna
(22:19):
be too negative on the Ravens there. I'll give them
their flowers. Then there's my joke of the week. But
the Eagle bo excellence on the basically they were excellent.
So I'm not going to get to you know, too
positive or too you know, too excited here. Certainly there's
an opportunity here, you know, if you expect the standard here,
(22:39):
you go out, you beat Cleveland Sunday and you really
develop that gap in the AFC or especially when we've
got a number of difficult matchups coming up, including the
game against Baltimore. That game against Baltimore on the Saturday
night now seems huge. On December to twenty first, yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
Absolutely make I think as well.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
What's going to happen is that I honestly think the
last game against the Browns was it was a bit
of a blip. We fell into the classic kind of
trap game mindset, our mentality that you know, these guys
are sitting with the with the record that they have
the basement of the AOC North. I think given that
the beating that we just delivered to the Bengals, I
would be expecting a similar situation with the Browns. And
(23:22):
look at like you said, it's it's a fantastic opportunity
for us to now sees or.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
Or continue to put a choke called on the AOC North.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
I mean, like, if it's like any any given Sunday,
the Browns, but we could go back in and have
an absolute stinker and next Sunday, I don't.
Speaker 5 (23:38):
I don't think we will.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
I think it kind of we got that out of
our system on the Thursday night game.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
I think now with our our three arguably our three
toughest games of the season coming up in a row
against the Eagles, Ravens and then the Chiefs and Christmas State,
the one we've been looking for for to since the
schedule was released I think the Steelers are finally now
look there, it's getting down towards the postseason. We have
found our groove offensively. I think on the back of
(24:06):
that performance, defense kind of woke up a little bit
with t J. Watt, as they've mentioned that, he kind
of came out of his hibernation a little bit and
made his presence styles even when he wasn't he wasn't
making tackles or making sacks. So like, it's still still
very much reflux, but though I am a lot more
confident a better a better game against the Browns on
the back of that performance against the Bengals.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
Penultimate regular season home game coming up this week against
the Browns, so great to.
Speaker 5 (24:33):
Have a game at home.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Just any takeaway from that Eagle from that Revens performance
against the Eagles, they couldn't get it going, and I
think it's going to be a real blueprint for coach
Tomnell and his team to look out over the next week.
It's because Dereck Henry looked like a little child on Sunday.
I'm joking Ravens fans, but he was definitely stifled.
Speaker 4 (24:53):
Yeah, that that head up that was a Beckybridge in incredible.
He really did sip dark and down. But I think
we have you mentioned about a blueprint. I think it
was actually us that's a through blueprint. I think maybe
next to Riannie was paying attention to us, but I was.
I was cheering on that Eagles team or our friends
over in western Pennsylvania. Although we have to come up
(25:13):
against them in a couple of weeks. That has a
massive favor because we've now reinstated that two game, a
cushion that we have in the fcn RF. So just
as you said, it's a massive opportunity. I mean, coming
up against this Browns team who will be on a
short week and they're playing the night against the Broncos,
I believe difficult game, and I think it's an away
game as well, so we owe them massively. I mean,
(25:34):
you know, Jimmy's mentioned they're a better chop game. The
fact that we had to play in a blizzard as
well just did not help our case. I mean, whenever
a blizzard happens, any team can win, doesn't matter how
good you are, and I believe we owe them massively,
So gonna go in confident. Of course, we'll get the
previewed a bit later in the week. But yeah, just
thanks for spotting me there. It's eastern Pennsylvania. Sorry, I'm
(25:55):
not because it's geography or Jimmy Sorry and no, really
really and looking forward to this someday. We owe them
massively and I'm pretty confident probable we'll get the review
our tie previewed at that earlier in the week.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
The yeah, they do play Monday night. If you listen
to this podcast afterwards, that's why you hear though we're
recording on the Monday evening lads. Welling back later on
the week, folks do that's when your faut ahead of
this Browns game. Steelers Ireland on x, Instagram and TikTok
use the hashtag Steelers Ireland.
Speaker 5 (26:23):
Good.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
Good to chat to you boys again. Appreciate your time,
lads and analysis and we'll all chat to you in
here we go.
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