October 30, 2025 • 23 mins
Michael and Daibhog reflect on the Sunday Night Football loss to the Green Bay Packers - and focus on what promises to be a huge matchup this weekend, as the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts come to town.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
Everybody. You're very welcome into the Irish Citer podcast presented
by Eron Lingus Michael McCready here as we have a
novel week of NFL football coming up this week. Can
you believe we're already really past the halfway stage of
the NFL regular season and the weeks keep flowing in
and as the the leaves get darker and darker and
start to fall off the trees, and these autumnal winter months,
(00:31):
it really is football time for so many of us,
and we're so excited to really look ahead to one
of the best parts of the season, the best football
parts of the season, a part of the season where
us as fans can just be excited to see any game,
but more so the game that we're going to talk to,
the game that we're going to talk about today, obviously
coming up between the Steelers hosting the Colts on Sunday
(00:53):
for us, For us, it's Sunday night football because in
the evening time for the Americans listening, and you're very welcome,
of course, it's not Sunday night football. It is in
the early window. I am absolutely delighted as always to
be joined by a co hosting this podcast and none
of her this week, Dan, davalg McKee and Davog. You're
very very welcome to the podcast. How are you doing.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Yeah, not too bad, Michael. Let's not been around the
bus for too long. Been a very disappointing two weeks.
If you're a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it makes
me wonder if we should have just played all our
games in Dublin. But in all seriousness, you know, these
next few weeks are a pivotal part of our season
and they looking forward to breaking it down with you, Dogg.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
It wasn't like, you know, let's not cut around this.
It was not an easy result last week. I obviously
was at the game, the Steelers against the Packers, and
I will say one thing. For a start, the atmosphere
on both sides in terms of fandom was electric. It
was box office Sunday night football. Not just all of
America watching, but I felt like the whole world was watching.
(01:52):
It was that fun and crazy before kickoff. Sailors captain
in tight, especially with Chris Boswell throughout the first three quarters,
but towards the end and it'd gone away from this man,
didn't It just didn't work out for us. Obviously a
disappointment evening, but it's one of those things and it's
one of those aspects where it just didn't work.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Look, definitely not an easy week or two if you're
a Staters f on two primetime games, two losses. It's
not really been so much about the actual defeats themselves,
you know, Igan's stomach, a few defeats here and there,
it's just how they've gone down. I mean, defensively, we
just simply have not been at the races this year.
We're the hast paid defense and if you look at
our defensive rankings according to Fox, you know, when average
(02:31):
jars allowed, we're thirtieth in total defense, thirty second passing,
and eighteenth in defending the run. I mean, Michael, this
is a team that's in an organization that historically prides
itself from being stern defensively, and despite all that talent,
we've been, let's be honest, you know, pretty bad. In
relation to the Packers game, Jordan Love, in my opinion,
(02:52):
had by far the most impressive game of his career
to date. You absolutely have to take the cap off
to him and the Packers as a whole. You know,
if you look at the first half, we were able
to shut down Josh Jacobs and we did make it
very difficult for them to gain that consistency in the
past game as well. But the ways really fell off
in the second half. They were able to make, you know,
the right half time adjustments seemed like, you know, we
(03:14):
were just stagnated a bit in that respect. So few
sloppy panalties as well, you know, the taunting one bit
DK really set us back. Injury that Sean Elliott hasn't
been great either, but I haven't said all that. You know,
a six pm game slot is probably what we need
right now. You know, take ourselves out of prime time.
We do tend to be a bit a lot better
in these early window games at home, regardless who we're facing. You,
(03:36):
despite it being probably against the hottest team in the league,
expect us to bounce back quickly. So overall, I'm looking
forward to putting these in that last two games behind us,
and yeah, I'm pretty sure we can bounce back. We're
still leading the division, We've still got a game and
a half on the Ravens. You know, the Bengals are
now faltering a bit as well. We've seen not lost
to the Jets last week as well. So we're still
(03:59):
in pre position to go ahead and win this division.
But now really is the time that we need to
zone in and you know, lessen these mistakes and butt
ourselves up defensively.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Yeah, it wasn't an easy result last week, obviously, the
mindset and now has to be a bit resetting and
looking ahead to this week because the games really don't stop.
When you have a game like that last week, and
when you come in this week and you face a
team like this and we know how good this Indianapolis
Coast team are, we can talk about them down the
stretch here, It's not going to be easy. What sort
of area would you like to see improve with this
(04:33):
team over this weekend and not not just this weekend,
but down the stretch, Savage.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Look, Michael, it's not going to be a shock to
say the one area I would like to see improve
is defensively. It's just a mind bottle and you know
prospect that we found ourselves in that we're there. You know,
all these stars on the defensive saying, you know TJ. Watts,
Nick Herbigjilem Ramsey, you know Hei Smith, all these guys
with so much abilde and it just seems like we
(05:01):
just haven't been able to put all these pieces together.
So offensively, I've been really impressed with how we've played
this year. I mean, Aran Rodgers has come in, a
forty one year old quarterback. You know, we've watched the
last few years with the Jets. You know, he hasn't
been jumping off the screen with us. I always you know,
you can even go back to the earlier podcast earlier
in the season, I did mention I think he's a
lot better than what the league is currently given him
(05:22):
credit for. But I've been really impressed with how we've
been able to do offensively. Of course, you know, despite
and a lot of people will look at our talent
on offense and think, you know, I think we are
the least paid offense in the league and the highest
paid defense, and it just it seems like the offense
is really working out, you know, how to move the
ball and stuff. So been really impressed with the offense,
(05:43):
but you know, defensively, it's just something that we need
to improve, and we need to improve it very quickly
if we're going to be serious contenders, not just to
win the division, but to find ourselves playing football in
late January early February. So in my opinion, that's what
the Steelers should be aiming for. You know, it's built
on championships and pride, and I think that's really what
(06:04):
we need to be aiming for. So answer that question,
We've had a doubt. Defensive layers is where I'd be
eaming for these improvements to happen, and happen quickly for
that matter.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Well, we obviously got a big one against the Colts
this week. Look, we all know how good they are
and how good they have been. I actually had the
opportunity to go to both training camps, both the Steelers
and the Colts in the preseason, and I first hand
seen no work that was being done on the trope.
But also I was sort of standing Davogue at the
side of the field in Indianapolis. They rented out a
(06:35):
big field in the middle of nowhere basically can turn
it into their own training camp, and they had like
a big Friday that lights and you could feel that
there was a bit of a change in the air.
And I don't think anybody would have predicted that they
were sitting seven and one going into this game, but
certainly the way that they have been able to operate
on both sides of the ball, but just how impressive
they have been, this is certainly not going to be
an easy matchup. How impressed have you been with the
(06:57):
Colts so far this season?
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Yeah, look very impressed, Michael. In fact, I don't think
anybody really seen this coming from the Inneapolis Colts this year.
I think a lot of people will maybe looking at
them thinking it was going to be a transition year.
But if you look at their offense, I mean number
one and total offense and number one in points per
game as well, so very very impressed. I mean if
(07:20):
you look at as well some of their talent. The
rookie Tyler Warren, he's been a revelation at tight end
and wide receiver. You know, Michael Pittman junr has been
always a guy with a lot of potential who's looking
to be having a breakout year this year. But of
course they're MVP in fact, not even just of the Colts,
but also maybe the MVP of the league so far
(07:41):
this year. Jonathan Taylor, He's been amazing, speaking personally on
as a guy who's having in fantasy. He's been hitting
over thirty points every week. I mean, he's just been
absolutely sensational. Scored a hat trick last week as well.
So if there was going to be a period in
the year that we're going to play the Colts, probably
was right now. Havn't said all that it looks right
(08:03):
up for a trap game. I mean we experienced it
a couple of weeks doing against the Bengals. These trap
games for teams pop up and you never know when
it's going to happen. So people might say, Okay, oh god,
it's probably not the right time to play them. In
my opinion, is probably the best time to play them,
when they're playing high, playing off the crest of a wave,
if you like. And of course if you look at
(08:24):
ourselves and we've got a lot of improving to do.
So you'll always find this in the NFL, whether there
be a game each week where you're thinking, oh god,
this is an easy win based on record. However, things
always even even itself out, and I think this is
probably the best time to play them. Of Course, they've
got a lot of offensive talent, their defense is very
good as well. Not taking anyway from them as well,
(08:45):
but I think, you know, arguably this could be a
perfect time to play them.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
It's one thing to say, like anybody who's been in
the NFL fan, especially people in Europe, listen to that long,
have have learned and have seen the progression or in
Sometimes it's like of Daniel Jones's career when he was
in New York obviously he was moved about a little
bit there. Now settled in the in Indianapolis. If we
take our Caedars hats off here, you have to be
happy for a guy that gets around the league and
(09:10):
gets an opportunity that he has right now and for
play to him for that. Hopefully it doesn't work out
in Sunday. But how impressed and how surprised, I guess,
are you with how easy it has been for him
to integrate himself into that roster.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Yes and no, if you look at it, I mean, Michael,
he's a first round pick. I mean there was something
that the New York jan has seen in him that
made them believe that he was going to be, you know,
a starting quarterback in this league. Just looking at his
stats here, you know Daniel Jones, you know, previously a
lot of people maybe looked at him as a type
of quarterback that can do a lot with his fate.
(09:48):
Just looking at his stats here he's been He's thrown
over two thousand yards this year, you know, only Dak, Prescott,
Mahomes and Herbert three for more number. As well as that,
you know, he's only thrown three interceptions, a guy that
has been known for you know, throwing inner shop since left,
right and center, you know, as a giant as well
as that. You know, he's up there in QB already
(10:10):
and as well. So not only has he been you know,
effective with quarterback position, but he's also been playing to
the level of your guys you know, Mahomes, Herbert, you
know Prescott, who's had a really good year. Mayfield, of course,
a lot of people consider him as the MVP. You know,
he's been playing at that level that have now let
you know, people believe that he's now starting quarterback in
(10:30):
this league. I mean, we've also seen resurgence of the
like Sam Darnold with Seattle. You know Mayfield as well,
who you know, had a tragic time with the Browns
as well to start of his career. So I'm all
for seeing all these quarterbacks coming up, but he has
been another one that's been a revelation and honestly, I
don't think the coach would be where they're at without him.
(10:50):
I haven't said all that, you know, you have to
say the offensive line has been great. I mean he's
only been sacked nine times as well, only a handful
of quarterbacks in this league have been sacked less so
and the offensive line deserves a lot of credit. And
the wrong game as well. He's got a lot of
good weapons on the on the perimeter. Of course, I'm
very pleas for him and very happy to see him
doing well. But it's been sort of a combination of
(11:13):
you know, good you know, general manager style players as
you know, bringing in the right players, but also given
him the talent that he needs to succeed. So it's
been a combination of all that. I'm very impressed. But
hopefully we can we can put the put the side
burners on that.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
If you like this week, right, you tell me what
do we need to do to stop this cold team
on Sunday now?
Speaker 4 (11:34):
One.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Yeah, Look, I've probably already broken down the game and
what I think the keys are of the game. I think,
you know, if we're able to stop Jonathan Taylor, it's
going to go a long way and happiness secure victory here.
And you know, if there is a strength on our defense,
it probably is stopping the run. I mean, we haven't
been able to stop a nosebleed in the past game,
so I think, yeah, defensively, if we're able to stop
(11:57):
Jonathan Taylor, it's going to go a long way. But
also not overlooking Daniel Jones as a build it through
the ball as well. I mean, teams have sort of
found out that if you let go of the ball early,
it's going to cause a lot of problems for our defense.
So if we're able to get to Daniels those quickly
and also you know, stop Jonathan taelor as much as
we possibly play. I mean, there's some players in this league.
(12:18):
You know, you're Saquce, you're Jonathan Taylor's that you're not
gonna be able to stop completely. But if we're able
to sort of put him on the back burners, if
you like, then I think we're gonna go a long way.
So offensively as well, you know, I think it's a
good opportunity as well, just keep that ball rolling and continue.
You know, we were we were playing very well in
the first half I just think that with a Packers
(12:40):
defense set up in the second half, making them adjustments
sort of put us on the back, you know, the
back foot. So I think offensively, just keep doing what
we're doing and if the defense holds up their side
of the bargain, then I think we're going to go
a long way. So Keith, he's the game stopping Jonathan
Taylor and also taking away that quick pass game from
from Daniel Jones, and I think we're always in with
(13:00):
a chance of getting a victor here.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Okay, before we look ahead this game, give our keys
of the game. We're gonna hear first off from coach
Tomlin here on the Irish Hitters podcast presented by Earning Us.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
We're familiar with these guys from a personnel standpoint because
we've played them quite a bit here recently, but it
also is is some new schematics new to them, but
not necessarily new to us. We've competed against Lou over
the years from his years in Cincinnati as a defensive coordinator.
I see some things that are certainly Lou, but he's
(13:36):
certainly adaptable in terms of highlighting the talents of the
men that he works with. It starts inside and up
front with their defense. Buckner and Stewart are grizzly veteran players,
men who are really good at what they do. They
control the line of scrimmage. Stewart's really tough against the run.
Buckner obviously is a dynamic pass rusher on the interior.
(13:58):
They do some things to create for him on guards
on centers. The stematic variations that you see, particularly in
one dimensional passing moments, really highlights their talents. They got
a nice edge group that runs deep. They play a
lot of people, they're multiple. It helps them on third down. Man,
(14:21):
they getting a bunch of structures on third down. You
can see Nickel four two, Nickel five to one, dying
three to two, dying forty one. Lou does a nice
job of keeping you off balanced by mixing up a
variety of personnel groups, particularly in one dimensional passing moments
at the linebacker level. Man got a lot of respect
for Franklin. He's their defensive quarterback. I just appreciate a
(14:44):
guy who's grown and developed within a system or a
location in playing them over the years. Man at the
early stages of his career he was a core teamer,
and then he became like a rundown defender and then
a support defender the shot Leonard, and then he became
the defensive quarterback. And it's just been a nice fluid progression.
(15:07):
He's a volume tackler, he has been for a number
of years. He gets to the ball all over the field.
He's a he's a very good blitzer. Uh Lou's using
him in a very similar way that he used Logan
Wilson from his time in Cincinnati. You can see some
parallels in terms of preparing for these guys. They use
(15:27):
Kenny at the Nickel Spot in a very similar way
that they use Mike Hilton, for example, at the Nickel
Spot in Cincinnati. Again, it doesn't make operating any easier,
but it's certainly some nice things to draw from from
a familiarity standpoint, so that we can get better equipped
or get a better understanding of some of the things
(15:49):
that they're doing, uh, so that we can you know,
counteract that. But they're a great group. They're getting a
bunch of turnovers. But they've been up on some people.
People have been one tomans. It usually bad turns the
worst and and they've benefited from that. They've done a
nice job of for preserving and protecting the ball. I
think their point different entual on the season is I
(16:10):
don't know, plus one point fifty, and I think it's
indicative of some of those things that we've been discussing.
They're a really good, really good group. They're rolling, they
got really good momentum. It's an awesome challenge for us.
I'm excited about the prep process. Uh that leads to performance,
and so we got a big week ahead of us. Man,
but it's always nice to perform an actor, sure, and
(16:32):
we're excited about that.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
We're not gonna look ahead to the game. But before
we do that, that's here from both Daria Slack. I'm
d km mccuff ahead of this obsolutely huge home game
against the Indianapolis Colts this weekend on the Irish Theaters
potcasts presented by Erlikas Or.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
It's trying to get better against you that you learn
taken away from looking at the from that particularly in
the high red areavalize, could you please from that that
you can do better this time once.
Speaker 5 (17:03):
We get to the red zone. I mean the problem
is getting to.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
The red zone.
Speaker 5 (17:07):
Once we get to rezon we we've been able to
score points, So just being able to sustain guys and
not know being some radical in the playmaking that we
have or the execution you know that we have all.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Do you think it's more push snap that as opposed
to whatever venue of plays you have in.
Speaker 5 (17:21):
The rest, Yes, sir, I mean because the defense has
to stopped us. We can't stop ourselves. You know, they
got to line up. They don't know our.
Speaker 6 (17:29):
Routes or they don't plays.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
So we just got to execue better than going to stop.
When you talk about stopping yourself, do you feel like
frustration set in and hurt you guys at all Sunday night? Way, No, sir,
We've just got to xcue better play six minutes of
coming football, Kim, you.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
Ever talked about responding to adversity better?
Speaker 5 (17:48):
Is that something that you and the other letter veteran
leaders around to me that talked about trying to get
that across the roster better. I don't think we've had trouble,
you know, with sustaining through adversity, because we've done it,
you know a number of weeks of toil at the
first half of the season. So I think he's just
playing clay football for sixty minutes and you know, just
playing our Brandon.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Football your penalty, did he say something to you?
Speaker 5 (18:10):
Now I'm gonna lay that on the field, cause yeah,
well no self assess Dusty's howbout your self?
Speaker 6 (18:15):
Assess myself?
Speaker 5 (18:16):
Yeah, I mean I always get play better.
Speaker 6 (18:17):
You know, I ain't been playing the best, but I've
been playing no decent and you know, uh but uh
I got a shift on my end for sure, play better.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
I know I got a lot left.
Speaker 5 (18:26):
Uh you know, I'm making some plays, but I.
Speaker 6 (18:28):
Got just like how I feel I can definitely way
more consistent. You know, brought me.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
What do you guys get in adding a guy like
Kyle Duggar?
Speaker 6 (18:35):
What does he kind of bring to the secondary?
Speaker 5 (18:37):
Are you familiar with him or?
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Uh?
Speaker 6 (18:39):
I mean I watched him play, but you know, uh
I kind of like, you know, just I don't really
play that safety position, so I don't really know nobody
what to look. Yeah, but I wasn't like into his game,
but I've been seeing him playing for a long time.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
Man.
Speaker 6 (18:50):
Uh he's a bitter and uh I know he's a
willing tackle. Her guy's you know, physical guy.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
He could do it.
Speaker 6 (18:56):
So uh, you know, I'm excited for him. You know,
I hope he come to uh, you know, John Wagon,
you know, add to the team.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Good to hear from the guys, both coach Tomlin and
players as well ahead of this big, big matchup. And
I hope for people listening at home, we've brought you
a little closer to this game. This game is on
the sky Sports NFL this weekend and if you're on
the road, you can listen on the off the Ball
Sports up. Think for me, the keys of the game
are very, very simple in this situation. We know how
good the Colts are on both sides of the ball, Davo.
But we know how efficient they have been in this offense.
(19:26):
And one thing that we haven't been great out over
the last few weeks is given away points and putting
points up on the board for the offer team. We
need to go in. We need to start well and
we need to find a way to make sure that
both the run game, very very crucially, the run game
for the Colts is stopped. Didn't see a lot of
the run game against Green Bell last week in comparison
to how it could have been, But we need to
make sure when you've got a guy like Jonathan Taylor
(19:49):
that he can be stopped. And I'm sure you're going
to repeat that in a few seconds. But when I
see Daniel Jones, I'm already looking at a guy where
my mind's completely changed and I fully expect him to
maybe be to throw three to four passing touchdowns in
this game. That can't happen. And that's very, very simple
and the best thing that we need to see, the
best thing that we need to see from a reaction
from this team when I've had the whole week to
(20:09):
regroup and refocus and reset. In terms of that Green
Bay Packers game, we need to see a defense stand
up like TG Watt, like different guys that Cam Heyward
stand up and be counted and limit this team from
to twenty to twenty four points. They are gonna get
points on the board. There's no point in looking away
from not they were a good offense. There were a
good teams structurally as well on both sides as well.
(20:29):
We need to stop that. I certainly think for us,
we need to find a way to superliance so much
on Chris Boswell. Obviously he is superb, He's a beast,
but we need to find that way of getting the
offense taking a little bit again like we've seen in Dublin.
I'm gonna get the Staders to win this game. I
think it's gonna be a tight game. I think the
Staders defense is gonna show up and they're gonna make
the big players and make the big stops. Win is needed.
(20:50):
I am gonna see Aaron Rodgers and this offense, including
Chris Boswell as well, go out and score twenty four points.
I expected to win this game twenty four to twenty
one just before we had out here, don will give
us your game pick, my friend.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Yeah, as I said Michael, you know a lot of
people will maybe be listening to this thinking, surely you
know it's it's a Coats victory this weekend. But you know,
stranger things have happened, and it's going to be no
surprise that I think the Steelers are going to bounce back.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
Here.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
You're in a home game early window. There's also a
few lads from Ireland flying out to Pittsburgh this weekend.
Shout out to Jimmy Hope he has has a brilliant
time over there and hopefully comes back with the W
and I think he will. I mean, when ours people
do tend to go over to the States, we do
tend to come back with a victory. It's it's a
weird omen that we have, and I think this weekend
(21:39):
is going to be no different. A lot of people
probably listening thinking, this guy is crazy. What's he talking about.
This is arguably the most informed team in the league.
But we've seen stranger things happen again, you know. I
think this is a massive trap game for the Colts.
You know, if you look at their schedule, they have
a lot of easy games coming up as well, and
I think this is maybe one of the games at
the start of the year they maybe want to put
down as a loss because it's a difficult place to
(22:00):
come to, you know, regardless of when you're playing them,
and I think this week will be no different. So
I'm going to go for a low scoring game here, Michael.
I'm going to go twenty seventeen Steelers. Again. If we're
able to neutralize Jonathan Taylor to the best or build
a stop that quick past game and the defense finally
shows what we know they're capable of, I think it's
(22:22):
going to go a long way. So give me Steelers
twenty Colts seventeen. I would say take that of the bank,
but I wouldn't want you to lose out in your mortgage,
so keep it. Keep the money to your close to
your chest this weekend, folks.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
Thank you very much Starvog for that. I hope you
have a good weekend, sir. For everybody listening around as well,
I hope you have a fantastic weekend. On a Sunday
evening six pm local time, remember the clocks change this
weekend in Ireland and in the uken Europe. If aready
change in the US. A reminder of the game is
on Sky Sports NFL and off the Ball Really you up.
If you'd like to listen to that, just down off
(22:57):
the Ball. But for now, hopefully we're talking about win
next week and if we're not, we'll be If we're not,
we'll be back anyway. Don't worry, folks. You can follow
us on all forms of social media x, Instagram, TikTok
at Steeters Ireland. We will chat to you very soon, Davog.
Here we go, Steelers Man chatty soon.
Speaker 4 (23:13):
Here we go.
Everybody. You're very welcome into the Irish Citer podcast presented
by Eron Lingus Michael McCready here as we have a
novel week of NFL football coming up this week. Can
you believe we're already really past the halfway stage of
the NFL regular season and the weeks keep flowing in
and as the the leaves get darker and darker and
start to fall off the trees, and these autumnal winter months,
(00:31):
it really is football time for so many of us,
and we're so excited to really look ahead to one
of the best parts of the season, the best football
parts of the season, a part of the season where
us as fans can just be excited to see any game,
but more so the game that we're going to talk to,
the game that we're going to talk about today, obviously
coming up between the Steelers hosting the Colts on Sunday
(00:53):
for us, For us, it's Sunday night football because in
the evening time for the Americans listening, and you're very welcome,
of course, it's not Sunday night football. It is in
the early window. I am absolutely delighted as always to
be joined by a co hosting this podcast and none
of her this week, Dan, davalg McKee and Davog. You're
very very welcome to the podcast. How are you doing.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Yeah, not too bad, Michael. Let's not been around the
bus for too long. Been a very disappointing two weeks.
If you're a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it makes
me wonder if we should have just played all our
games in Dublin. But in all seriousness, you know, these
next few weeks are a pivotal part of our season
and they looking forward to breaking it down with you, Dogg.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
It wasn't like, you know, let's not cut around this.
It was not an easy result last week. I obviously
was at the game, the Steelers against the Packers, and
I will say one thing. For a start, the atmosphere
on both sides in terms of fandom was electric. It
was box office Sunday night football. Not just all of
America watching, but I felt like the whole world was watching.
(01:52):
It was that fun and crazy before kickoff. Sailors captain
in tight, especially with Chris Boswell throughout the first three quarters,
but towards the end and it'd gone away from this man,
didn't It just didn't work out for us. Obviously a
disappointment evening, but it's one of those things and it's
one of those aspects where it just didn't work.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Look, definitely not an easy week or two if you're
a Staters f on two primetime games, two losses. It's
not really been so much about the actual defeats themselves,
you know, Igan's stomach, a few defeats here and there,
it's just how they've gone down. I mean, defensively, we
just simply have not been at the races this year.
We're the hast paid defense and if you look at
our defensive rankings according to Fox, you know, when average
(02:31):
jars allowed, we're thirtieth in total defense, thirty second passing,
and eighteenth in defending the run. I mean, Michael, this
is a team that's in an organization that historically prides
itself from being stern defensively, and despite all that talent,
we've been, let's be honest, you know, pretty bad. In
relation to the Packers game, Jordan Love, in my opinion,
(02:52):
had by far the most impressive game of his career
to date. You absolutely have to take the cap off
to him and the Packers as a whole. You know,
if you look at the first half, we were able
to shut down Josh Jacobs and we did make it
very difficult for them to gain that consistency in the
past game as well. But the ways really fell off
in the second half. They were able to make, you know,
the right half time adjustments seemed like, you know, we
(03:14):
were just stagnated a bit in that respect. So few
sloppy panalties as well, you know, the taunting one bit
DK really set us back. Injury that Sean Elliott hasn't
been great either, but I haven't said all that. You know,
a six pm game slot is probably what we need
right now. You know, take ourselves out of prime time.
We do tend to be a bit a lot better
in these early window games at home, regardless who we're facing. You,
(03:36):
despite it being probably against the hottest team in the league,
expect us to bounce back quickly. So overall, I'm looking
forward to putting these in that last two games behind us,
and yeah, I'm pretty sure we can bounce back. We're
still leading the division, We've still got a game and
a half on the Ravens. You know, the Bengals are
now faltering a bit as well. We've seen not lost
to the Jets last week as well. So we're still
(03:59):
in pre position to go ahead and win this division.
But now really is the time that we need to
zone in and you know, lessen these mistakes and butt
ourselves up defensively.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Yeah, it wasn't an easy result last week, obviously, the
mindset and now has to be a bit resetting and
looking ahead to this week because the games really don't stop.
When you have a game like that last week, and
when you come in this week and you face a
team like this and we know how good this Indianapolis
Coast team are, we can talk about them down the
stretch here, It's not going to be easy. What sort
of area would you like to see improve with this
(04:33):
team over this weekend and not not just this weekend,
but down the stretch, Savage.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Look, Michael, it's not going to be a shock to
say the one area I would like to see improve
is defensively. It's just a mind bottle and you know
prospect that we found ourselves in that we're there. You know,
all these stars on the defensive saying, you know TJ. Watts,
Nick Herbigjilem Ramsey, you know Hei Smith, all these guys
with so much abilde and it just seems like we
(05:01):
just haven't been able to put all these pieces together.
So offensively, I've been really impressed with how we've played
this year. I mean, Aran Rodgers has come in, a
forty one year old quarterback. You know, we've watched the
last few years with the Jets. You know, he hasn't
been jumping off the screen with us. I always you know,
you can even go back to the earlier podcast earlier
in the season, I did mention I think he's a
lot better than what the league is currently given him
(05:22):
credit for. But I've been really impressed with how we've
been able to do offensively. Of course, you know, despite
and a lot of people will look at our talent
on offense and think, you know, I think we are
the least paid offense in the league and the highest
paid defense, and it just it seems like the offense
is really working out, you know, how to move the
ball and stuff. So been really impressed with the offense,
(05:43):
but you know, defensively, it's just something that we need
to improve, and we need to improve it very quickly
if we're going to be serious contenders, not just to
win the division, but to find ourselves playing football in
late January early February. So in my opinion, that's what
the Steelers should be aiming for. You know, it's built
on championships and pride, and I think that's really what
(06:04):
we need to be aiming for. So answer that question,
We've had a doubt. Defensive layers is where I'd be
eaming for these improvements to happen, and happen quickly for
that matter.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Well, we obviously got a big one against the Colts
this week. Look, we all know how good they are
and how good they have been. I actually had the
opportunity to go to both training camps, both the Steelers
and the Colts in the preseason, and I first hand
seen no work that was being done on the trope.
But also I was sort of standing Davogue at the
side of the field in Indianapolis. They rented out a
(06:35):
big field in the middle of nowhere basically can turn
it into their own training camp, and they had like
a big Friday that lights and you could feel that
there was a bit of a change in the air.
And I don't think anybody would have predicted that they
were sitting seven and one going into this game, but
certainly the way that they have been able to operate
on both sides of the ball, but just how impressive
they have been, this is certainly not going to be
an easy matchup. How impressed have you been with the
(06:57):
Colts so far this season?
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Yeah, look very impressed, Michael. In fact, I don't think
anybody really seen this coming from the Inneapolis Colts this year.
I think a lot of people will maybe looking at
them thinking it was going to be a transition year.
But if you look at their offense, I mean number
one and total offense and number one in points per
game as well, so very very impressed. I mean if
(07:20):
you look at as well some of their talent. The
rookie Tyler Warren, he's been a revelation at tight end
and wide receiver. You know, Michael Pittman junr has been
always a guy with a lot of potential who's looking
to be having a breakout year this year. But of
course they're MVP in fact, not even just of the Colts,
but also maybe the MVP of the league so far
(07:41):
this year. Jonathan Taylor, He's been amazing, speaking personally on
as a guy who's having in fantasy. He's been hitting
over thirty points every week. I mean, he's just been
absolutely sensational. Scored a hat trick last week as well.
So if there was going to be a period in
the year that we're going to play the Colts, probably
was right now. Havn't said all that it looks right
(08:03):
up for a trap game. I mean we experienced it
a couple of weeks doing against the Bengals. These trap
games for teams pop up and you never know when
it's going to happen. So people might say, Okay, oh god,
it's probably not the right time to play them. In
my opinion, is probably the best time to play them,
when they're playing high, playing off the crest of a wave,
if you like. And of course if you look at
(08:24):
ourselves and we've got a lot of improving to do.
So you'll always find this in the NFL, whether there
be a game each week where you're thinking, oh god,
this is an easy win based on record. However, things
always even even itself out, and I think this is
probably the best time to play them. Of Course, they've
got a lot of offensive talent, their defense is very
good as well. Not taking anyway from them as well,
(08:45):
but I think, you know, arguably this could be a
perfect time to play them.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
It's one thing to say, like anybody who's been in
the NFL fan, especially people in Europe, listen to that long,
have have learned and have seen the progression or in
Sometimes it's like of Daniel Jones's career when he was
in New York obviously he was moved about a little
bit there. Now settled in the in Indianapolis. If we
take our Caedars hats off here, you have to be
happy for a guy that gets around the league and
(09:10):
gets an opportunity that he has right now and for
play to him for that. Hopefully it doesn't work out
in Sunday. But how impressed and how surprised, I guess,
are you with how easy it has been for him
to integrate himself into that roster.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Yes and no, if you look at it, I mean, Michael,
he's a first round pick. I mean there was something
that the New York jan has seen in him that
made them believe that he was going to be, you know,
a starting quarterback in this league. Just looking at his
stats here, you know Daniel Jones, you know, previously a
lot of people maybe looked at him as a type
of quarterback that can do a lot with his fate.
(09:48):
Just looking at his stats here he's been He's thrown
over two thousand yards this year, you know, only Dak, Prescott,
Mahomes and Herbert three for more number. As well as that,
you know, he's only thrown three interceptions, a guy that
has been known for you know, throwing inner shop since left,
right and center, you know, as a giant as well
as that. You know, he's up there in QB already
(10:10):
and as well. So not only has he been you know,
effective with quarterback position, but he's also been playing to
the level of your guys you know, Mahomes, Herbert, you
know Prescott, who's had a really good year. Mayfield, of course,
a lot of people consider him as the MVP. You know,
he's been playing at that level that have now let
you know, people believe that he's now starting quarterback in
(10:30):
this league. I mean, we've also seen resurgence of the
like Sam Darnold with Seattle. You know Mayfield as well,
who you know, had a tragic time with the Browns
as well to start of his career. So I'm all
for seeing all these quarterbacks coming up, but he has
been another one that's been a revelation and honestly, I
don't think the coach would be where they're at without him.
(10:50):
I haven't said all that, you know, you have to
say the offensive line has been great. I mean he's
only been sacked nine times as well, only a handful
of quarterbacks in this league have been sacked less so
and the offensive line deserves a lot of credit. And
the wrong game as well. He's got a lot of
good weapons on the on the perimeter. Of course, I'm
very pleas for him and very happy to see him
doing well. But it's been sort of a combination of
(11:13):
you know, good you know, general manager style players as
you know, bringing in the right players, but also given
him the talent that he needs to succeed. So it's
been a combination of all that. I'm very impressed. But
hopefully we can we can put the put the side
burners on that.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
If you like this week, right, you tell me what
do we need to do to stop this cold team
on Sunday now?
Speaker 4 (11:34):
One.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Yeah, Look, I've probably already broken down the game and
what I think the keys are of the game. I think,
you know, if we're able to stop Jonathan Taylor, it's
going to go a long way and happiness secure victory here.
And you know, if there is a strength on our defense,
it probably is stopping the run. I mean, we haven't
been able to stop a nosebleed in the past game,
so I think, yeah, defensively, if we're able to stop
(11:57):
Jonathan Taylor, it's going to go a long way. But
also not overlooking Daniel Jones as a build it through
the ball as well. I mean, teams have sort of
found out that if you let go of the ball early,
it's going to cause a lot of problems for our defense.
So if we're able to get to Daniels those quickly
and also you know, stop Jonathan taelor as much as
we possibly play. I mean, there's some players in this league.
(12:18):
You know, you're Saquce, you're Jonathan Taylor's that you're not
gonna be able to stop completely. But if we're able
to sort of put him on the back burners, if
you like, then I think we're gonna go a long way.
So offensively as well, you know, I think it's a
good opportunity as well, just keep that ball rolling and continue.
You know, we were we were playing very well in
the first half I just think that with a Packers
(12:40):
defense set up in the second half, making them adjustments
sort of put us on the back, you know, the
back foot. So I think offensively, just keep doing what
we're doing and if the defense holds up their side
of the bargain, then I think we're going to go
a long way. So Keith, he's the game stopping Jonathan
Taylor and also taking away that quick pass game from
from Daniel Jones, and I think we're always in with
(13:00):
a chance of getting a victor here.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Okay, before we look ahead this game, give our keys
of the game. We're gonna hear first off from coach
Tomlin here on the Irish Hitters podcast presented by Earning Us.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
We're familiar with these guys from a personnel standpoint because
we've played them quite a bit here recently, but it
also is is some new schematics new to them, but
not necessarily new to us. We've competed against Lou over
the years from his years in Cincinnati as a defensive coordinator.
I see some things that are certainly Lou, but he's
(13:36):
certainly adaptable in terms of highlighting the talents of the
men that he works with. It starts inside and up
front with their defense. Buckner and Stewart are grizzly veteran players,
men who are really good at what they do. They
control the line of scrimmage. Stewart's really tough against the run.
Buckner obviously is a dynamic pass rusher on the interior.
(13:58):
They do some things to create for him on guards
on centers. The stematic variations that you see, particularly in
one dimensional passing moments, really highlights their talents. They got
a nice edge group that runs deep. They play a
lot of people, they're multiple. It helps them on third down. Man,
(14:21):
they getting a bunch of structures on third down. You
can see Nickel four two, Nickel five to one, dying
three to two, dying forty one. Lou does a nice
job of keeping you off balanced by mixing up a
variety of personnel groups, particularly in one dimensional passing moments
at the linebacker level. Man got a lot of respect
for Franklin. He's their defensive quarterback. I just appreciate a
(14:44):
guy who's grown and developed within a system or a
location in playing them over the years. Man at the
early stages of his career he was a core teamer,
and then he became like a rundown defender and then
a support defender the shot Leonard, and then he became
the defensive quarterback. And it's just been a nice fluid progression.
(15:07):
He's a volume tackler, he has been for a number
of years. He gets to the ball all over the field.
He's a he's a very good blitzer. Uh Lou's using
him in a very similar way that he used Logan
Wilson from his time in Cincinnati. You can see some
parallels in terms of preparing for these guys. They use
(15:27):
Kenny at the Nickel Spot in a very similar way
that they use Mike Hilton, for example, at the Nickel
Spot in Cincinnati. Again, it doesn't make operating any easier,
but it's certainly some nice things to draw from from
a familiarity standpoint, so that we can get better equipped
or get a better understanding of some of the things
(15:49):
that they're doing, uh, so that we can you know,
counteract that. But they're a great group. They're getting a
bunch of turnovers. But they've been up on some people.
People have been one tomans. It usually bad turns the
worst and and they've benefited from that. They've done a
nice job of for preserving and protecting the ball. I
think their point different entual on the season is I
(16:10):
don't know, plus one point fifty, and I think it's
indicative of some of those things that we've been discussing.
They're a really good, really good group. They're rolling, they
got really good momentum. It's an awesome challenge for us.
I'm excited about the prep process. Uh that leads to performance,
and so we got a big week ahead of us. Man,
but it's always nice to perform an actor, sure, and
(16:32):
we're excited about that.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
We're not gonna look ahead to the game. But before
we do that, that's here from both Daria Slack. I'm
d km mccuff ahead of this obsolutely huge home game
against the Indianapolis Colts this weekend on the Irish Theaters
potcasts presented by Erlikas Or.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
It's trying to get better against you that you learn
taken away from looking at the from that particularly in
the high red areavalize, could you please from that that
you can do better this time once.
Speaker 5 (17:03):
We get to the red zone. I mean the problem
is getting to.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
The red zone.
Speaker 5 (17:07):
Once we get to rezon we we've been able to
score points, So just being able to sustain guys and
not know being some radical in the playmaking that we
have or the execution you know that we have all.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Do you think it's more push snap that as opposed
to whatever venue of plays you have in.
Speaker 5 (17:21):
The rest, Yes, sir, I mean because the defense has
to stopped us. We can't stop ourselves. You know, they
got to line up. They don't know our.
Speaker 6 (17:29):
Routes or they don't plays.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
So we just got to execue better than going to stop.
When you talk about stopping yourself, do you feel like
frustration set in and hurt you guys at all Sunday night? Way, No, sir,
We've just got to xcue better play six minutes of
coming football, Kim, you.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
Ever talked about responding to adversity better?
Speaker 5 (17:48):
Is that something that you and the other letter veteran
leaders around to me that talked about trying to get
that across the roster better. I don't think we've had trouble,
you know, with sustaining through adversity, because we've done it,
you know a number of weeks of toil at the
first half of the season. So I think he's just
playing clay football for sixty minutes and you know, just
playing our Brandon.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Football your penalty, did he say something to you?
Speaker 5 (18:10):
Now I'm gonna lay that on the field, cause yeah,
well no self assess Dusty's howbout your self?
Speaker 6 (18:15):
Assess myself?
Speaker 5 (18:16):
Yeah, I mean I always get play better.
Speaker 6 (18:17):
You know, I ain't been playing the best, but I've
been playing no decent and you know, uh but uh
I got a shift on my end for sure, play better.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
I know I got a lot left.
Speaker 5 (18:26):
Uh you know, I'm making some plays, but I.
Speaker 6 (18:28):
Got just like how I feel I can definitely way
more consistent. You know, brought me.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
What do you guys get in adding a guy like
Kyle Duggar?
Speaker 6 (18:35):
What does he kind of bring to the secondary?
Speaker 5 (18:37):
Are you familiar with him or?
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Uh?
Speaker 6 (18:39):
I mean I watched him play, but you know, uh
I kind of like, you know, just I don't really
play that safety position, so I don't really know nobody
what to look. Yeah, but I wasn't like into his game,
but I've been seeing him playing for a long time.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
Man.
Speaker 6 (18:50):
Uh he's a bitter and uh I know he's a
willing tackle. Her guy's you know, physical guy.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
He could do it.
Speaker 6 (18:56):
So uh, you know, I'm excited for him. You know,
I hope he come to uh, you know, John Wagon,
you know, add to the team.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Good to hear from the guys, both coach Tomlin and
players as well ahead of this big, big matchup. And
I hope for people listening at home, we've brought you
a little closer to this game. This game is on
the sky Sports NFL this weekend and if you're on
the road, you can listen on the off the Ball
Sports up. Think for me, the keys of the game
are very, very simple in this situation. We know how
good the Colts are on both sides of the ball, Davo.
But we know how efficient they have been in this offense.
(19:26):
And one thing that we haven't been great out over
the last few weeks is given away points and putting
points up on the board for the offer team. We
need to go in. We need to start well and
we need to find a way to make sure that
both the run game, very very crucially, the run game
for the Colts is stopped. Didn't see a lot of
the run game against Green Bell last week in comparison
to how it could have been, But we need to
make sure when you've got a guy like Jonathan Taylor
(19:49):
that he can be stopped. And I'm sure you're going
to repeat that in a few seconds. But when I
see Daniel Jones, I'm already looking at a guy where
my mind's completely changed and I fully expect him to
maybe be to throw three to four passing touchdowns in
this game. That can't happen. And that's very, very simple
and the best thing that we need to see, the
best thing that we need to see from a reaction
from this team when I've had the whole week to
(20:09):
regroup and refocus and reset. In terms of that Green
Bay Packers game, we need to see a defense stand
up like TG Watt, like different guys that Cam Heyward
stand up and be counted and limit this team from
to twenty to twenty four points. They are gonna get
points on the board. There's no point in looking away
from not they were a good offense. There were a
good teams structurally as well on both sides as well.
(20:29):
We need to stop that. I certainly think for us,
we need to find a way to superliance so much
on Chris Boswell. Obviously he is superb, He's a beast,
but we need to find that way of getting the
offense taking a little bit again like we've seen in Dublin.
I'm gonna get the Staders to win this game. I
think it's gonna be a tight game. I think the
Staders defense is gonna show up and they're gonna make
the big players and make the big stops. Win is needed.
(20:50):
I am gonna see Aaron Rodgers and this offense, including
Chris Boswell as well, go out and score twenty four points.
I expected to win this game twenty four to twenty
one just before we had out here, don will give
us your game pick, my friend.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Yeah, as I said Michael, you know a lot of
people will maybe be listening to this thinking, surely you
know it's it's a Coats victory this weekend. But you know,
stranger things have happened, and it's going to be no
surprise that I think the Steelers are going to bounce back.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
Here.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
You're in a home game early window. There's also a
few lads from Ireland flying out to Pittsburgh this weekend.
Shout out to Jimmy Hope he has has a brilliant
time over there and hopefully comes back with the W
and I think he will. I mean, when ours people
do tend to go over to the States, we do
tend to come back with a victory. It's it's a
weird omen that we have, and I think this weekend
(21:39):
is going to be no different. A lot of people
probably listening thinking, this guy is crazy. What's he talking about.
This is arguably the most informed team in the league.
But we've seen stranger things happen again, you know. I
think this is a massive trap game for the Colts.
You know, if you look at their schedule, they have
a lot of easy games coming up as well, and
I think this is maybe one of the games at
the start of the year they maybe want to put
down as a loss because it's a difficult place to
(22:00):
come to, you know, regardless of when you're playing them,
and I think this week will be no different. So
I'm going to go for a low scoring game here, Michael.
I'm going to go twenty seventeen Steelers. Again. If we're
able to neutralize Jonathan Taylor to the best or build
a stop that quick past game and the defense finally
shows what we know they're capable of, I think it's
(22:22):
going to go a long way. So give me Steelers
twenty Colts seventeen. I would say take that of the bank,
but I wouldn't want you to lose out in your mortgage,
so keep it. Keep the money to your close to
your chest this weekend, folks.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
Thank you very much Starvog for that. I hope you
have a good weekend, sir. For everybody listening around as well,
I hope you have a fantastic weekend. On a Sunday
evening six pm local time, remember the clocks change this
weekend in Ireland and in the uken Europe. If aready
change in the US. A reminder of the game is
on Sky Sports NFL and off the Ball Really you up.
If you'd like to listen to that, just down off
(22:57):
the Ball. But for now, hopefully we're talking about win
next week and if we're not, we'll be If we're not,
we'll be back anyway. Don't worry, folks. You can follow
us on all forms of social media x, Instagram, TikTok
at Steeters Ireland. We will chat to you very soon, Davog.
Here we go, Steelers Man chatty soon.
Speaker 4 (23:13):
Here we go.
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The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.