November 21, 2025 • 18 mins
This week, Michael is joined by Mike Prisuta to look at the current happenings in the Steel City. Who will start under center? Will the Steelers get a win against the Bears? The guys break the game down. They also hear from Steelers HC Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers. You can watch the Steelers matchup against the Bears this weekend on Sky Sports - with the team on location in Chicago!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
You're very welcome into the Irish Theaters Podcast present of
by Erlin, because as we get ready for Week twelve
of the NFL season, and it's weird even saying week
twelve of the season, because it feels like yesterday Friday,
last Friday, with the Steelers were coming into Dublin and
the hype was up and up and up, and now
we're almost at the end, which is hopefully not at
the end for the Steers, but almost at the end
(00:26):
of of the regular season. I can't think of a
better guest in terms of giving us a bit of
an illustrative view from what it is genuinely like over
in Pennsylvania right now than Mike pursued it. Mike, I
believe this is your second time on the podcast, a
man that knows it all in terms of the local
media in Pittsburgh. Firstly, welcome in. How are you doing
(00:47):
and thanks for coming on and I know it's a
busy time of year for.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
You, Oh doing well? Thanks for having me. Glad we
could get this worked out. I wish I was back
in Dublin. I had such a good time when the
Steerers grow over that I didn't want to leave.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
It's funny because when I think I seen you at
the Parkers game in the press box, and I genuinely
felt guilt because I realized there and then I didn't
see this guy in Dublin because that week was just mental.
Did you enjoy your time over there, Like, what was
it like for you a little bit?
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Yeah? I had a great pot couldn't have been better.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
That the people were really welcoming right into a lot
of people I know from back here, which I kind
of expected. And one of the better games of the year.
So on in all, a great couple of days.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
I think before we talk staters, it definitely was the
best international game. Obviously I'm biased, but I thought the
crack the fun was mighty across the city. When you
see so I've been in Berlin Madrid last two weekends.
It's been like, look, get the small valut I'd hear, Mike,
but it's been fantastic, and you start to see rumors
of like parous and different cities being on it. Did
(01:57):
you ever imagine ten twenty thirty years ago in your
time covering the league, that we'd see the game grow
to this point where we you know, we potentially at
some point down the line could have games almost every
weekend or not.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
I never did way back when I know they dabbled
a long time ago with some exhibition game. I never
thought it's your regular season game outside of the States,
but not only games every weekend. I imagine we'll get
to the point at some point we will be a
team over there somewhere.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
That would be interesting. Hopefully that is the case. Again,
we're just expressing our opinion here, but hopefully if it
is that case, we get to see the Staders come
over a lot more.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
I know.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
That's the one thing I will say. They're very very
welcome back whenever they want, any week, any month. They're
very very welcome back, as well as yourself, Mike. Mike,
We're we'll look back in at Bengals game in a
week second, but just before that, if you look at
where his team has went from from leaving Dublin to
where they are even like week nine, Week ten, hopping
(03:00):
ups and downs. But as somebody that has you know,
been there in the flash and seen them play a
lot more than a lot of people that listen to
this podcast, and of course everybody's very very welcome. We're
having a good weekend here. How do you evalue it
the last twelve eleven weeks, generally, you know.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
It's been inconsistent. I think what we saw in the
Dublin game against the Vikings was what they wanted to
look like. They ran the ball well, they played outstanding defense,
they played with energy, they played with emotion, and we've
seen them do that periodically since then, but not often enough.
I think starting with the game in Chicago, it's a
(03:41):
very very winnable game in my estimation, but it's also
one they can lose if they're not at their best.
And I think that's the kind of team to s
Field have evolved into this year. You know, there were years.
It's been a while, but there were years when they
can show up and kind of playing a sixty seventy
percent clip and still get away with it. I don't
think they're good enough to do that anymore, but I
(04:03):
think when they're under the game, they can compete with anybody.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
And this is the time in the NFL season when
you sort of have to stand up and be counted.
It's time to make a move.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
And you know, Chicago Baltimore, we're gonna know all we
need to know about the Steelers after the next three games,
I think.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
Obviously Thanksgiving coming up, and we are recording this actually
on the Friday, like just after the Bills lost on
Thursday Night football. Really interesting the end of that game
before we talk about this game coming up this week,
and the AFC norph never ceases to me? Is it
feels like the rest of the teams outside of Pittsburgh
(04:44):
had a bit of a slow start and now we
suddenly see Baltimore coming back again. Just how not concerned,
but just just how aware do you think this team
needs to be of this team because we are going
to face of Ravens very quickly again. And you know,
for a team like Baltimore that have not had a
(05:05):
great season, they struggled a bit last week, but they
still are getting fluid. And it's not typical AFC North style,
gritty football at this time of the year where no
one's gonna care what the score was in six months time.
As long as you get that w that.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Was well said, it's AFC North football. Is AFC North football.
Excuse me for sounding like Mike Tomlin. I don't know
if you got a chance to see the Ravens Browns game.
The Browns don't have a very good record. They played
right after the Steelers played the Bengals. The Browns gave
the Ravens everything they could handle and then some Baltimore
(05:39):
was fortunate to win that game. And I know the
Ravens are on a bit of a role, but they
certainly don't look like an unbeatable team.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
And even if they did.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
I can just tell you from my experience when the
schedule comes out, I look at the AFC, I look
at the schedule, and then I look at the six
games in the AFC North that I figure well probably
three and three in those games, and I think everybody
else in the division does the same thing. It's just
there's something about it. It is so competitive. I get Cincinnati.
(06:12):
Cincinnati's gonna play Baltimore on that Thanksgiving night. I give
Cincinnati a good chance to win that game. You really
can't pound on anything when ANC North teams play against
each other.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
It's funny whenever we literally you just mentioned Cincinnati there. Now,
Joe Burrow looks like he's probably gonna come back either
this week or next week, so we're certainly gonna see
him again in the last few weeks of the season.
In the AFC North. We're gonna hear from Aaron Rodgers
in a second mic on this podcast in regards to
his press conference or his press availability this week. As
(06:46):
somebody that's sort of seen first hand, he went out
last week two part question three of My friend and
Aaron Rodgers. At the age he is with his career,
everything that's happened down through the years, I refuse to
believe on a personal standpoint that he does not want
to play a Chicago potentially for the first just potentially
for the last time in Soldier Field. I thinel like
(07:08):
he's gonna do whatever he can to make it and
if he can't make it on Sunday in terms of
starting the game or if he has to come in
and come out with this injury that he has, and
I feel like we've got a pretty good backup in
Mason Rudolph. I was pretty impressed with what he was
able to do in terms of sort of man in
the edges there last week when he came in. How
much do you like Mason Rudolph if we need him
(07:29):
on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Very And it's not so much how impressed I am
with him, that's important, But I can tell you his
teammates are impressed with him. His teammates believe in him.
I'm not sure when we're posting this, people may know
who's starting by then they may not.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
It may come down to Sunday.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
And I agree with you one hundred percent on your
Aaron Rodgers set, but I think he definitely wants to
play in this game.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
You really want to shot at the Bear.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
So he's done so well against over the years, and
that was such a great rivalry when he was in
Green Bay. But honestly, I think it would be probably
in the best inchest to Rogers and the best interest
of the Steelers if he didn't play, because I think
they can win with Mason Rudolph.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
I don't have any qualms about that. And I'm also
aware of the nearon.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Rodgers is going to turn forty two on December the second,
and this is a long year, and I think they
brought him here to be their quarterback in December and January,
as well as October, November and December, and if he
could just.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Get a little break.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
I don't know how much good a week off would
do a fractured risk, but I bet it would do
the rest of him a.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Whole lot of good.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
He's probably got a cranky back and an achy knee
and a bum ankle and some other as Mike Tomlin
might say, aches and pains associated.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
With the playing of football.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
That's not easy to do when you're thirty one or
twenty one, let alone forty one. So, just between you
and me and who's ever tuning in, I'm kind of
hoping to see Mason Rudolph on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Very interesting the statsmen there. We know how much this
team has relied before missing Rudolph in big moments, and
we know that he can deliver. So whoever is under center,
we wishing the best to look. We're gonna hear from
a couple of people on this podcast this week before
we get Mike's keys for the game. The first person
we're gonna hear from is Steeters head coach Mike Tomlin
in his weekly media availability ahead of this game, which
(09:18):
is actually on sky Sports NFL this weekend. The Bears
against Steeters on the Irish Theaters podcast presented by Earning Us.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
They have Dennis Allen as their coordinator. He's been around.
He has a mode of operation, if you will, and
you see it in their video. They cover it taking
the ball away. They lead the league in takeaways. I
think they got twenty two on the season. DA also
prides himself in good possession down defense. I think the
(09:48):
second in the league in terms of third down success rate.
And I think those two statistics are the catalysts for
why they're playing really good defense and they are seven
and three football team. They take the ball away from people,
They're playing really good on possession downs. Offensive units are
at about thirty three point seven I think percent conversion rates.
(10:09):
Couple that with what's going on on the offensive side
of the ball, you certainly have your challenges. They got
quality players at all levels. They picked up Sweat a
couple of years ago from from Washington. He's the signature
of their front and edge rush. He's a challenge certainly
to deal with and has been at the linebacker level.
(10:31):
Edmonds Man is a sideline a sideline tackler, big time athlete.
He's a good blitzer. I think he's got four interceptions
on the season. They got some guys in the secondary
that are really taking advantage of some circumstances Man and
getting people in one dimensional moments. People have to absorb
risk to keep pace with them come back in football games,
(10:52):
et cetera. And they're getting a lot of turnovers. Kevin
has done it a long time at the safety position.
He's been a ball guy. I was just you know,
talking to someone this morning. Man, he picked off balls
as a member of the Tennessee Titans. He picked off
balls at Middle Tennessee State. Guys that have a you know,
have a have a knack for for for securing the ball.
(11:14):
Generally they do it regardless of environment. And he and
it certainly continues in Chicago for him. I think he
leaves them with five interceptions. Uh, they get some quality
play outside at corner as well. Man Gardner Johnson is
a is a recent acquisition for them, and boy, he
has really got on the moving train and to really
(11:35):
impressive fashion. He plays the nickel for him. He blitzes
quite a bit. He's really good and underneath the fence
and man the man circumstances. I think he's got three sacks.
As I mentioned there, their third down posture is an
aggressive one, being an up posture. A lot they blitz
and bring a lot of people, Gardner Johnson being one
(11:57):
of them. But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention
Briskery as well. He's a down safety that's in around
the in and around the line of scrimmage quite a bit.
I've known that young man a long time and got
respect for his talents and his relationship with the game.
DJ Moore and others. Man are really impressive. But he's
also got some emerging young people, and you feel the
(12:18):
emergence of some of their young talent. Lovelin obviously had
a big game the other week against the Bengals. He's
on He's on the come, and so is Luther, their
young receiver from Missouri. It's just, particularly as you get
to this stage of the season, some of these young
talented people that that people have a lot of draft
(12:40):
capital invested in usually captures my attention. They're usually uh
finding their footing in this thing, and and their talents
are starting to show up more consistently. And so those
are two lesser known guys that that that that really
have my attention as a study and watch tape, and
we're at the early stages of formulating the plan. Can't
(13:00):
say enough about their commitment to the run game. Though
they're number two in the league in Russian and you
can't underscore that, but that's something that was very evident.
That commitment was very evident from his time in Detroit
as well, and so we're working with an edge man.
We're excited about going into a hostile venue, playing against
a really good team. If you're a competitor, if you're
(13:22):
looking to get better, if you're looking to prove prove
yourself continually, those are some variables that are really attractive.
But again, we show our excitement by being locked in
and having good preparation days and I'm looking forward to
that over the course of this week.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
The big question this week at the time of recording
is will Aaron Rodgers start the game on Sunday Time
will tell you heard, but Mike have to say about it.
I'm pretty easy about it myself. We'll see what happens, folks.
Let's hear from Arn Rodgers QB and his media availability
on this week's edition of The Irish Titters podcast presented
by Earnings.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
It feels better than it did Sunday, sure, and I
was in a lot of pain. We were late and
play clock called time out came over. I feel like
I could go one more play and then went in
gotta checked out. I was thankful to get today to
work with Gabe and just focus on reapp for a day.
I'm trying to get back on the field tomorrow and
see see what I can do. There's an incentive for
every opponent. But I have enjoyed many a Sunday and Monday,
(14:20):
and it's been a Thursdays in that city. It's a
great sports town, phenomenal sports fans and great place to
play here. Do you sort of thrive off of being
the villain there a little bit? Sort of enjoy that
I'd rather not be. I mean, I'm not in Green
Bay anymore. I feel like we can let bygones be bygones.
(14:43):
Maybe I can. I guess it's been. It's a great rivalry.
I mean, in the history of all sports, you talk
about the Lakers and the Celtics and the Red Sox
and the Yankees, you got to talk about the Packers
and the Bears, and there's been some great memories there.
When I first got to Green Bay, the Bears had
the all time series lead. When I left, Packers did,
(15:06):
and since Jay Love is taking over, it's even gotten better.
But I hope, I hope those fans can put that.
Put that behind them. I'm sure they can't. Don't expect
them too. But I really enjoyed the city. They got
a great sports fan. I grew up watching WGN on
my five five channel TV back in the day, so
I was a Cubs fan and a Bulls fan. How
(15:27):
can I be a Bulls fanless? You don't like Michael Jordan?
Speaker 2 (15:29):
I did.
Speaker 5 (15:29):
I love them, So it was a lot of fun
memories over the years playing there.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
Their defense streets a lot of turnovers.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
They what do they do?
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Especially that you have to watch out.
Speaker 5 (15:38):
We're the great round of football. They're knocking the ball out.
They have a lot of vision in their defenses. They
mix things up, they attack your protection schemes. Coach Coach
Allen's got them playing really well, and twenty two turnovers
is a big reason there's seventy three. Yeah, it was
a great kid. He's been playing really well the last
three weeks and I'm proud of him. He's in practicing
(15:59):
the right way. He's been growing and working on his craft,
and he's so damn fast.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
You know.
Speaker 5 (16:06):
We talked about that route and I was hoping he'd
be a little bit more deliberate, but listen, row is
A and and Cal. Those guys are such great dudes.
They really they want to do it right by me
and my Arthur and the offense. And I got but
love an appreciation to those guys.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
Mike, before we let you go, my friend, let's look
ahead to this game. Give me your pursuit. As three
keys to the game for this game against the Bears,
because for me, it's we know how good this Chicago
defense can be and how good Dallas Island has made
it in such a short period. We are going to
be under the CAUs at certain times, and it's really
about getting points on the board and ensuring that we
(16:44):
allow this offense to be on the fields as much
as possible.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Really, the turnover battle. Both of these teams are great
at turning the other team over, and they both it's
very important to the pursuit of victory for both of them.
So turn the ball over a fewer times than the Bears,
take it away more time than the Bears.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
The other one is the running game.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Chicago runs the ball really well second in the NFL,
and rushing offense fourth, and total offense. I think with
the job the Steelers did against Jonathan Taylor Nicoles. That
gives me great confidence that they're able to shut the
run down the way they'll need to. And last, but
not least, the quarterback Caleb Williams. He's more dangerous to
(17:29):
me when he gets outside the pocket than when he's
in the pocket. He doesn't throw many interceptions, but he's
not the most accurate of passes either. He really does
his most significant damage when he gets outside the pocket,
and he's kind of making it up as he goes along.
He can run, but he can really hurt you throwing
in those situations. So it's really a fine line for
(17:51):
the guys rushing the past or to have to straddle
because you want to get back there and knock the
guy down and get your sack.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
But he's also very good at escaping, so kind of
a curve.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Just keep him contained, and I think they get out
of there with a w.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
The game is on sky Sports NFL this weekend for
Irish staters. Fans are actually in Chicago for this game. Mike,
I just wanted to wish you the best for the
rest of the season and thank you very much for
coming on. It's such a busy, busy time. I have
no doubt we're talking again at some point. Thanks so
much fun,
You're very welcome into the Irish Theaters Podcast present of
by Erlin, because as we get ready for Week twelve
of the NFL season, and it's weird even saying week
twelve of the season, because it feels like yesterday Friday,
last Friday, with the Steelers were coming into Dublin and
the hype was up and up and up, and now
we're almost at the end, which is hopefully not at
the end for the Steers, but almost at the end
(00:26):
of of the regular season. I can't think of a
better guest in terms of giving us a bit of
an illustrative view from what it is genuinely like over
in Pennsylvania right now than Mike pursued it. Mike, I
believe this is your second time on the podcast, a
man that knows it all in terms of the local
media in Pittsburgh. Firstly, welcome in. How are you doing
(00:47):
and thanks for coming on and I know it's a
busy time of year for.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
You, Oh doing well? Thanks for having me. Glad we
could get this worked out. I wish I was back
in Dublin. I had such a good time when the
Steerers grow over that I didn't want to leave.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
It's funny because when I think I seen you at
the Parkers game in the press box, and I genuinely
felt guilt because I realized there and then I didn't
see this guy in Dublin because that week was just mental.
Did you enjoy your time over there, Like, what was
it like for you a little bit?
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Yeah? I had a great pot couldn't have been better.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
That the people were really welcoming right into a lot
of people I know from back here, which I kind
of expected. And one of the better games of the year.
So on in all, a great couple of days.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
I think before we talk staters, it definitely was the
best international game. Obviously I'm biased, but I thought the
crack the fun was mighty across the city. When you
see so I've been in Berlin Madrid last two weekends.
It's been like, look, get the small valut I'd hear, Mike,
but it's been fantastic, and you start to see rumors
of like parous and different cities being on it. Did
(01:57):
you ever imagine ten twenty thirty years ago in your
time covering the league, that we'd see the game grow
to this point where we you know, we potentially at
some point down the line could have games almost every
weekend or not.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
I never did way back when I know they dabbled
a long time ago with some exhibition game. I never
thought it's your regular season game outside of the States,
but not only games every weekend. I imagine we'll get
to the point at some point we will be a
team over there somewhere.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
That would be interesting. Hopefully that is the case. Again,
we're just expressing our opinion here, but hopefully if it
is that case, we get to see the Staders come
over a lot more.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
I know.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
That's the one thing I will say. They're very very
welcome back whenever they want, any week, any month. They're
very very welcome back, as well as yourself, Mike. Mike,
We're we'll look back in at Bengals game in a
week second, but just before that, if you look at
where his team has went from from leaving Dublin to
where they are even like week nine, Week ten, hopping
(03:00):
ups and downs. But as somebody that has you know,
been there in the flash and seen them play a
lot more than a lot of people that listen to
this podcast, and of course everybody's very very welcome. We're
having a good weekend here. How do you evalue it
the last twelve eleven weeks, generally, you know.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
It's been inconsistent. I think what we saw in the
Dublin game against the Vikings was what they wanted to
look like. They ran the ball well, they played outstanding defense,
they played with energy, they played with emotion, and we've
seen them do that periodically since then, but not often enough.
I think starting with the game in Chicago, it's a
(03:41):
very very winnable game in my estimation, but it's also
one they can lose if they're not at their best.
And I think that's the kind of team to s
Field have evolved into this year. You know, there were years.
It's been a while, but there were years when they
can show up and kind of playing a sixty seventy
percent clip and still get away with it. I don't
think they're good enough to do that anymore, but I
(04:03):
think when they're under the game, they can compete with anybody.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
And this is the time in the NFL season when
you sort of have to stand up and be counted.
It's time to make a move.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
And you know, Chicago Baltimore, we're gonna know all we
need to know about the Steelers after the next three games,
I think.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
Obviously Thanksgiving coming up, and we are recording this actually
on the Friday, like just after the Bills lost on
Thursday Night football. Really interesting the end of that game
before we talk about this game coming up this week,
and the AFC norph never ceases to me? Is it
feels like the rest of the teams outside of Pittsburgh
(04:44):
had a bit of a slow start and now we
suddenly see Baltimore coming back again. Just how not concerned,
but just just how aware do you think this team
needs to be of this team because we are going
to face of Ravens very quickly again. And you know,
for a team like Baltimore that have not had a
(05:05):
great season, they struggled a bit last week, but they
still are getting fluid. And it's not typical AFC North style,
gritty football at this time of the year where no
one's gonna care what the score was in six months time.
As long as you get that w that.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Was well said, it's AFC North football. Is AFC North football.
Excuse me for sounding like Mike Tomlin. I don't know
if you got a chance to see the Ravens Browns game.
The Browns don't have a very good record. They played
right after the Steelers played the Bengals. The Browns gave
the Ravens everything they could handle and then some Baltimore
(05:39):
was fortunate to win that game. And I know the
Ravens are on a bit of a role, but they
certainly don't look like an unbeatable team.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
And even if they did.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
I can just tell you from my experience when the
schedule comes out, I look at the AFC, I look
at the schedule, and then I look at the six
games in the AFC North that I figure well probably
three and three in those games, and I think everybody
else in the division does the same thing. It's just
there's something about it. It is so competitive. I get Cincinnati.
(06:12):
Cincinnati's gonna play Baltimore on that Thanksgiving night. I give
Cincinnati a good chance to win that game. You really
can't pound on anything when ANC North teams play against
each other.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
It's funny whenever we literally you just mentioned Cincinnati there. Now,
Joe Burrow looks like he's probably gonna come back either
this week or next week, so we're certainly gonna see
him again in the last few weeks of the season.
In the AFC North. We're gonna hear from Aaron Rodgers
in a second mic on this podcast in regards to
his press conference or his press availability this week. As
(06:46):
somebody that's sort of seen first hand, he went out
last week two part question three of My friend and
Aaron Rodgers. At the age he is with his career,
everything that's happened down through the years, I refuse to
believe on a personal standpoint that he does not want
to play a Chicago potentially for the first just potentially
for the last time in Soldier Field. I thinel like
(07:08):
he's gonna do whatever he can to make it and
if he can't make it on Sunday in terms of
starting the game or if he has to come in
and come out with this injury that he has, and
I feel like we've got a pretty good backup in
Mason Rudolph. I was pretty impressed with what he was
able to do in terms of sort of man in
the edges there last week when he came in. How
much do you like Mason Rudolph if we need him
(07:29):
on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Very And it's not so much how impressed I am
with him, that's important, But I can tell you his
teammates are impressed with him. His teammates believe in him.
I'm not sure when we're posting this, people may know
who's starting by then they may not.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
It may come down to Sunday.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
And I agree with you one hundred percent on your
Aaron Rodgers set, but I think he definitely wants to
play in this game.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
You really want to shot at the Bear.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
So he's done so well against over the years, and
that was such a great rivalry when he was in
Green Bay. But honestly, I think it would be probably
in the best inchest to Rogers and the best interest
of the Steelers if he didn't play, because I think
they can win with Mason Rudolph.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
I don't have any qualms about that. And I'm also
aware of the nearon.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Rodgers is going to turn forty two on December the second,
and this is a long year, and I think they
brought him here to be their quarterback in December and January,
as well as October, November and December, and if he
could just.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Get a little break.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
I don't know how much good a week off would
do a fractured risk, but I bet it would do
the rest of him a.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Whole lot of good.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
He's probably got a cranky back and an achy knee
and a bum ankle and some other as Mike Tomlin
might say, aches and pains associated.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
With the playing of football.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
That's not easy to do when you're thirty one or
twenty one, let alone forty one. So, just between you
and me and who's ever tuning in, I'm kind of
hoping to see Mason Rudolph on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Very interesting the statsmen there. We know how much this
team has relied before missing Rudolph in big moments, and
we know that he can deliver. So whoever is under center,
we wishing the best to look. We're gonna hear from
a couple of people on this podcast this week before
we get Mike's keys for the game. The first person
we're gonna hear from is Steeters head coach Mike Tomlin
in his weekly media availability ahead of this game, which
(09:18):
is actually on sky Sports NFL this weekend. The Bears
against Steeters on the Irish Theaters podcast presented by Earning Us.
Speaker 4 (09:26):
They have Dennis Allen as their coordinator. He's been around.
He has a mode of operation, if you will, and
you see it in their video. They cover it taking
the ball away. They lead the league in takeaways. I
think they got twenty two on the season. DA also
prides himself in good possession down defense. I think the
(09:48):
second in the league in terms of third down success rate.
And I think those two statistics are the catalysts for
why they're playing really good defense and they are seven
and three football team. They take the ball away from people,
They're playing really good on possession downs. Offensive units are
at about thirty three point seven I think percent conversion rates.
(10:09):
Couple that with what's going on on the offensive side
of the ball, you certainly have your challenges. They got
quality players at all levels. They picked up Sweat a
couple of years ago from from Washington. He's the signature
of their front and edge rush. He's a challenge certainly
to deal with and has been at the linebacker level.
(10:31):
Edmonds Man is a sideline a sideline tackler, big time athlete.
He's a good blitzer. I think he's got four interceptions
on the season. They got some guys in the secondary
that are really taking advantage of some circumstances Man and
getting people in one dimensional moments. People have to absorb
risk to keep pace with them come back in football games,
(10:52):
et cetera. And they're getting a lot of turnovers. Kevin
has done it a long time at the safety position.
He's been a ball guy. I was just you know,
talking to someone this morning. Man, he picked off balls
as a member of the Tennessee Titans. He picked off
balls at Middle Tennessee State. Guys that have a you know,
have a have a knack for for for securing the ball.
(11:14):
Generally they do it regardless of environment. And he and
it certainly continues in Chicago for him. I think he
leaves them with five interceptions. Uh, they get some quality
play outside at corner as well. Man Gardner Johnson is
a is a recent acquisition for them, and boy, he
has really got on the moving train and to really
(11:35):
impressive fashion. He plays the nickel for him. He blitzes
quite a bit. He's really good and underneath the fence
and man the man circumstances. I think he's got three sacks.
As I mentioned there, their third down posture is an
aggressive one, being an up posture. A lot they blitz
and bring a lot of people, Gardner Johnson being one
(11:57):
of them. But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention
Briskery as well. He's a down safety that's in around
the in and around the line of scrimmage quite a bit.
I've known that young man a long time and got
respect for his talents and his relationship with the game.
DJ Moore and others. Man are really impressive. But he's
also got some emerging young people, and you feel the
(12:18):
emergence of some of their young talent. Lovelin obviously had
a big game the other week against the Bengals. He's
on He's on the come, and so is Luther, their
young receiver from Missouri. It's just, particularly as you get
to this stage of the season, some of these young
talented people that that people have a lot of draft
(12:40):
capital invested in usually captures my attention. They're usually uh
finding their footing in this thing, and and their talents
are starting to show up more consistently. And so those
are two lesser known guys that that that that really
have my attention as a study and watch tape, and
we're at the early stages of formulating the plan. Can't
(13:00):
say enough about their commitment to the run game. Though
they're number two in the league in Russian and you
can't underscore that, but that's something that was very evident.
That commitment was very evident from his time in Detroit
as well, and so we're working with an edge man.
We're excited about going into a hostile venue, playing against
a really good team. If you're a competitor, if you're
(13:22):
looking to get better, if you're looking to prove prove
yourself continually, those are some variables that are really attractive.
But again, we show our excitement by being locked in
and having good preparation days and I'm looking forward to
that over the course of this week.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
The big question this week at the time of recording
is will Aaron Rodgers start the game on Sunday Time
will tell you heard, but Mike have to say about it.
I'm pretty easy about it myself. We'll see what happens, folks.
Let's hear from Arn Rodgers QB and his media availability
on this week's edition of The Irish Titters podcast presented
by Earnings.
Speaker 5 (13:58):
It feels better than it did Sunday, sure, and I
was in a lot of pain. We were late and
play clock called time out came over. I feel like
I could go one more play and then went in
gotta checked out. I was thankful to get today to
work with Gabe and just focus on reapp for a day.
I'm trying to get back on the field tomorrow and
see see what I can do. There's an incentive for
every opponent. But I have enjoyed many a Sunday and Monday,
(14:20):
and it's been a Thursdays in that city. It's a
great sports town, phenomenal sports fans and great place to
play here. Do you sort of thrive off of being
the villain there a little bit? Sort of enjoy that
I'd rather not be. I mean, I'm not in Green
Bay anymore. I feel like we can let bygones be bygones.
(14:43):
Maybe I can. I guess it's been. It's a great rivalry.
I mean, in the history of all sports, you talk
about the Lakers and the Celtics and the Red Sox
and the Yankees, you got to talk about the Packers
and the Bears, and there's been some great memories there.
When I first got to Green Bay, the Bears had
the all time series lead. When I left, Packers did,
(15:06):
and since Jay Love is taking over, it's even gotten better.
But I hope, I hope those fans can put that.
Put that behind them. I'm sure they can't. Don't expect
them too. But I really enjoyed the city. They got
a great sports fan. I grew up watching WGN on
my five five channel TV back in the day, so
I was a Cubs fan and a Bulls fan. How
(15:27):
can I be a Bulls fanless? You don't like Michael Jordan?
Speaker 2 (15:29):
I did.
Speaker 5 (15:29):
I love them, So it was a lot of fun
memories over the years playing there.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
Their defense streets a lot of turnovers.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
They what do they do?
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Especially that you have to watch out.
Speaker 5 (15:38):
We're the great round of football. They're knocking the ball out.
They have a lot of vision in their defenses. They
mix things up, they attack your protection schemes. Coach Coach
Allen's got them playing really well, and twenty two turnovers
is a big reason there's seventy three. Yeah, it was
a great kid. He's been playing really well the last
three weeks and I'm proud of him. He's in practicing
(15:59):
the right way. He's been growing and working on his craft,
and he's so damn fast.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
You know.
Speaker 5 (16:06):
We talked about that route and I was hoping he'd
be a little bit more deliberate, but listen, row is
A and and Cal. Those guys are such great dudes.
They really they want to do it right by me
and my Arthur and the offense. And I got but
love an appreciation to those guys.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
Mike, before we let you go, my friend, let's look
ahead to this game. Give me your pursuit. As three
keys to the game for this game against the Bears,
because for me, it's we know how good this Chicago
defense can be and how good Dallas Island has made
it in such a short period. We are going to
be under the CAUs at certain times, and it's really
about getting points on the board and ensuring that we
(16:44):
allow this offense to be on the fields as much
as possible.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Really, the turnover battle. Both of these teams are great
at turning the other team over, and they both it's
very important to the pursuit of victory for both of them.
So turn the ball over a fewer times than the Bears,
take it away more time than the Bears.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
The other one is the running game.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Chicago runs the ball really well second in the NFL,
and rushing offense fourth, and total offense. I think with
the job the Steelers did against Jonathan Taylor Nicoles. That
gives me great confidence that they're able to shut the
run down the way they'll need to. And last, but
not least, the quarterback Caleb Williams. He's more dangerous to
(17:29):
me when he gets outside the pocket than when he's
in the pocket. He doesn't throw many interceptions, but he's
not the most accurate of passes either. He really does
his most significant damage when he gets outside the pocket,
and he's kind of making it up as he goes along.
He can run, but he can really hurt you throwing
in those situations. So it's really a fine line for
(17:51):
the guys rushing the past or to have to straddle
because you want to get back there and knock the
guy down and get your sack.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
But he's also very good at escaping, so kind of
a curve.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Just keep him contained, and I think they get out
of there with a w.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
The game is on sky Sports NFL this weekend for
Irish staters. Fans are actually in Chicago for this game. Mike,
I just wanted to wish you the best for the
rest of the season and thank you very much for
coming on. It's such a busy, busy time. I have
no doubt we're talking again at some point. Thanks so
much fun,
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