OT: NFL

[laker]

Steelers vs Bills will now play on Monday due to weather.

4:30 Eastern.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

4:30 Eastern.

Whole lot of peeps calling in sick

[IUPNation]

Why didn’t they move the Chefs/Flippers game too? A night game at -30 windchill. Brilliant.

[ctrabs74]

Why didn’t they move the Chefs/Flippers game too? A night game at -30 windchill. Brilliant.

Probably because the threat of snow wasn't as extreme in the Kansas City Metro area compared to Western New York and the region's notorious Lake Effect Storm threats.

Kinda reminds me of that Iggles regular season game against Minnys-odor back in 2010 which was moved to a Tuesday night because of heavy snows which struck Philly (the postponement drawing the ire of one Edward G Rendell, who I think was still governor at the time).

[ctrabs74]

Yeah...they seemed to forget Big Dick Nick torched one of his defenses pretty good.

If you wanna talk about frauds, how 'bout them Cowboys defense? The Cheese-its ran Aaron Jones right through that vaunted defense which couldn't stop a run attack to save their collective lives and Dak Prescott (again) demonstrated that he's not the big game quarterback you'd want in a postseason game. Maybe the Cowgirls should stop chirping about how great they are and actually prove it during an actual postseason game.

[Chuck Norris]

Interesting offseason upcoming in Pittsburgh. Tomlin walked out of his postgame presser when a question was asked about his future. He was probably just angry about getting asked the question a few minutes after the season ended, but speculation is sure to run rampant. The game was a microcosm of the whole season. They clearly weren’t good enough, but they fought hard. Mason started rough but hung tough and who knows what happens if the d gets them the ball back down 24-17. I think he deserves a real shot at the starting job, but I’ll be surprised if he gets it.

The point was made last week that making the playoffs might be a bad thing long term because it may lead to them sticking with the status quo. This game sort of played out along those same lines. They made just enough of a game of it after the bad start that you wonder if they’ll just say to themselves, “if TJ plays, we win that game”, and needed changes aren’t made.

[ctrabs74]

I'm not surprised that Buffalo won, but I thought the Bills had been too inconsistent that the Steelers would've had a chance to steal a win. Those first half turnovers were way too much to overcome.

Meanwhile, the Iggles are getting bounced out of the playoffs in embarrassing fashion by Tampa Bay, 32-9. If Nick Siriani still has a job when the Iggles' plane lands tomorrow morning, I'll be shocked.

[ctrabs74]

Interesting offseason upcoming in Pittsburgh. Tomlin walked out of his postgame presser when a question was asked about his future. He was probably just angry about getting asked the question a few minutes after the season ended, but speculation is sure to run rampant. The game was a microcosm of the whole season. They clearly weren’t good enough, but they fought hard. Mason started rough but hung tough and who knows what happens if the d gets them the ball back down 24-17. I think he deserves a real shot at the starting job, but I’ll be surprised if he gets it.

Rudolph's end zone pick didn't help matters much, but he at least got the Steelers into the playoffs. He's earned the chance to win QB1 in Latrobe this summer at the very least.

The point was made last week that making the playoffs might be a bad thing long term because it may lead to them sticking with the status quo. This game sort of played out along those same lines. They made just enough of a game of it after the bad start that you wonder if they’ll just say to themselves, “if TJ plays, we win that game”, and needed changes aren’t made.

Yeah, TJ Watt didn't commit a costly first half fumble like George Pickens did, nor did Watt throw an end zone interception as Rudolph did. Could Watt have helped a depleted Steelers defense? Maybe. Then again, the Bills are a little more battle tested in the postseason compared to the Steelers.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Rudolph's end zone pick didn't help matters much, but he at least got the Steelers into the playoffs. He's earned the chance to win QB1 in Latrobe this summer at the very least.



Yeah, TJ Watt didn't commit a costly first half fumble like George Pickens did, nor did Watt throw an end zone interception as Rudolph did. Could Watt have helped a depleted Steelers defense? Maybe. Then again, the Bills are a little more battle tested in the postseason compared to the Steelers.

It’s unlikely Rudolph will be in Pittsburgh next fall. His contract expires and he probably showed enough to get interest from other teams. If one of them offers him the chance to compete for QB1, you have to believe he’s going to jump at it. Pittsburgh is likely to only have Kenny Pickett on the roster in the QB room heading into the draft. I can’t see them keeping Mitch around. I think that guy will be out of football.

The Steelers could have a real problem on their hands. Rudolph is the best QB they have, but I’m certain he won’t get a fair shot at winning the job because they have a first round pick at that position sitting there. I fully expect him to leave. That’s the business of the NFL. Not only does Pickett not look like a franchise QB, I’m not sure he’s an NFL QB for long. So where do they go from here? Do they draft another QB? Is the pool of QB’s coming out deep enough to warrant that? Anyone on the free agent market worth bringing in? Baker Mayfield sure looks good, but he’s a lot more expensive now and probably wants to stay in Tampa anyway.

For those old enough to remember, this sure feels like the 80’s when the Steelers struggled to replace Terry Bradshaw. Here are some names that should scare the hell out of Steelers fans: Cliff Stoudt, Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Mike Tomczak, Kordell Stewart, Tommy Maddox. I’ll give Neil O’Donnell a pass. In other words, it could be a while before Pittsburgh has the type of team to make a serious run in the post-season.

[Chuck Norris]

Rudolph's end zone pick didn't help matters much, but he at least got the Steelers into the playoffs. He's earned the chance to win QB1 in Latrobe this summer at the very least.



Yeah, TJ Watt didn't commit a costly first half fumble like George Pickens did, nor did Watt throw an end zone interception as Rudolph did. Could Watt have helped a depleted Steelers defense? Maybe. Then again, the Bills are a little more battle tested in the postseason compared to the Steelers.

Missing the best defensive player in football was a massive loss, there’s no maybe about that. Buffalo was a better team whether Watt plays or not, but he certainly could’ve made a few plays that affected the outcome.

[Fightingscot82]

It’s unlikely Rudolph will be in Pittsburgh next fall. His contract expires and he probably showed enough to get interest from other teams. If one of them offers him the chance to compete for QB1, you have to believe he’s going to jump at it. Pittsburgh is likely to only have Kenny Pickett on the roster in the QB room heading into the draft. I can’t see them keeping Mitch around. I think that guy will be out of football.

The Steelers could have a real problem on their hands. Rudolph is the best QB they have, but I’m certain he won’t get a fair shot at winning the job because they have a first round pick at that position sitting there. I fully expect him to leave. That’s the business of the NFL. Not only does Pickett not look like a franchise QB, I’m not sure he’s an NFL QB for long. So where do they go from here? Do they draft another QB? Is the pool of QB’s coming out deep enough to warrant that? Anyone on the free agent market worth bringing in? Baker Mayfield sure looks good, but he’s a lot more expensive now and probably wants to stay in Tampa anyway.

For those old enough to remember, this sure feels like the 80’s when the Steelers struggled to replace Terry Bradshaw. Here are some names that should scare the hell out of Steelers fans: Cliff Stoudt, Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Mike Tomczak, Kordell Stewart, Tommy Maddox. I’ll give Neil O’Donnell a pass. In other words, it could be a while before Pittsburgh has the type of team to make a serious run in the post-season.

Tomczak, Stewart, and Maddox all were good enough. I don't recall Stoudt but Malone and Brister were more inconsistent than any of the the others.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Missing the best defensive player in football was a massive loss, there’s no maybe about that. Buffalo was a better team whether Watt plays or not, but he certainly could’ve made a few plays that affected the outcome.

Agreed. Reardless of the coach speak, there isn't a 'next man up' to compensate for that type of loss. I can guarantee the defense (as a whole) has a much different morale with Watt than without him ... whole different confidence.


At our level, I recall the IUP defense in 2017 with Max Redfield and then the following week without him. Totally different. Swagger was gone, etc.


I don't know what to think of the QB situation. Kenny got benched -- regardless how it's spun (hot hand, etc.). Mason's best chance to be a starter may actually be here in the Yinzerlands. Even if Kenny starts early, he's hurt constantly. I don't think anybody will look at Mason in free agency to come in as the actual starter. That said, he's going to get paid. He's a proven No. 2 QB and there is a market for such.

The Steelers' QB draft year was probably the worst QB draft year timing possible. Being Kenny went first at 21 overall is very telling.

I think it is time for a change down there. This is now 7 years without a playoff win. As a fan, I think Tomlin has got a little stale. I kind of think he wants a new challenge, too. I wouldn't be shocked if he does TV for a year (for several million) and then coaches again in 2025 (as a very hot commodity). Then again, some of those guys realize how easy the TV gig is (and how much it pays) and they hang it up.

[Ship69]

Agreed. Reardless of the coach speak, there isn't a 'next man up' to compensate for that type of loss. I can guarantee the defense (as a whole) has a much different morale with Watt than without him ... whole different confidence.


At our level, I recall the IUP defense in 2017 with Max Redfield and then the following week without him. Totally different. Swagger was gone, etc.


I don't know what to think of the QB situation. Kenny got benched -- regardless how it's spun (hot hand, etc.). Mason's best chance to be a starter may actually be here in the Yinzerlands. Even if Kenny starts early, he's hurt constantly. I don't think anybody will look at Mason in free agency to come in as the actual starter. That said, he's going to get paid. He's a proven No. 2 QB and there is a market for such.

The Steelers' QB draft year was probably the worst QB draft year timing possible. Being Kenny went first at 21 overall is very telling.

I think it is time for a change down there. This is now 7 years without a playoff win. As a fan, I think Tomlin has got a little stale. I kind of think he wants a new challenge, too. I wouldn't be shocked if he does TV for a year (for several million) and then coaches again in 2025 (as a very hot commodity). Then again, some of those guys realize how easy the TV gig is (and how much it pays) and they hang it up.

I haven't verified it, but I believe one of the announcers said that since Watt has joined the team the Steelers are 1-10 in games when he hasn't played.

[Ram040506]

Pittsburgh fans are starting to sound like Eagles/Cowboys fans. Tomlin is a great coach and if he is let go, that would be a mistake. I think blame needs to be more pointed at the roster builders. How many years in a row now do we have to hear of the OL woes in Pittsburgh? It isn't rocket science, build the trenches up for god sakes.

[Chuck Norris]

Pittsburgh fans are starting to sound like Eagles/Cowboys fans. Tomlin is a great coach and if he is let go, that would be a mistake. I think blame needs to be more pointed at the roster builders. How many years in a row now do we have to hear of the OL woes in Pittsburgh? It isn't rocket science, build the trenches up for god sakes.

17 years is a long time to be an NFL head coach in one place. Eventually it’s just best for both sides to part ways. Are the Steelers and Tomlin at that point? I think Pittsburgh fans are too dismissive of not having a losing season in 17 years, but you also can’t dismiss the lack of playoff success in the last 13.

And as far as roster construction, how much input do you think a head coach with his tenure has? I honestly don’t know, but I can’t imagine it’s minimal. And what about staff construction? 17 years and his coaching tree is practically a telephone pole. Matt Canada???