Behind the Steel Curtain 21 hours ago
Mike Tomlin downplays Diontae Johnson’s late TD celebration
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports Should we be angry at players for celebrating TDs in circumstances such as this? Just one week after Steelers WR Diontae Johnson fell under the microscope for his lack of hustle on a fumble by Jaylen Warren, in which he ultimately did take ownership of, Johnson did something that now has him in hot water with the fanbase yet again. Late in the 4th quarter of the Steelers blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Johnson scored a touchdown in what would be considered “garbage time.” The endzone visit was punctuated by a rather lengthy...
Behind the Steel Curtain Dec 4, 2023
Varsity & JV: Winners & losers from the Steelers’ Week 13 loss to the Cardinals
Photo by Joe Sargent/ Winners and losers from the Steelers’ 24-10 loss Ah, there is the one putrid loss of the season. The Steelers always have at least one loss to a far inferior team, and it was only a matter of time before it happened in 2023. There isn’t a whole lot of good things to be said about yesterday, so the JV list is going to be much longer than the Varsity list- let’s get into it. Varsity EDGE Alex Highsmith Highsmith had two really good plays early on in the game. He stuffed James Conner in the backfield on the Cardinals second drive for a...
Behind the Steel Curtain Dec 3, 2023
KC (8-3) at GB (5-6) (+6): Week 13 Sunday Night Football Open Thread
After party edition. Week 12: KC (8-3) at GB (5-6) (+6): Sunday Night Football Open Thread. Green Bay fans are probably praying for snow, so they have an excuse to stay home and not watch. Join your fellow Steelers fans for the late-night comment thread.
Behind the Steel Curtain Dec 3, 2023
Steelers’ Nate Hergbig playing left guard after Isaac Seumalo ruled out in Week 13
Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Pittsburgh Steelers' starting left guard Isaac Seumalo has officially been ruled out for Week 13’s contest against the Arizona Cardinals with a shoulder injury the team announced. Backup guard Nate Herbig has taken his place at left guard — marking his first snaps at the position this season. Herbig was tasked to step in at right guard in Weeks 4 and 5 this season, as starting RG James Daniels missed time with a groin injury.
Behind the Steel Curtain Dec 3, 2023
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett ruled OUT for remainder of Week 13
Photo by Joe Sargent/ The Pittsburgh quarterback has an ankle injury. Update: Kenny Pickett was spotted on the sideline in a walking boot in the second half of Week 13. Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is officially out for the rest of the game against the Arizona Cardinals with an ankle injury. The second-year quarterback took a hit at the goal line in the second quarter that forced him out of the game. Pickett came into this week listed on the injury report with an ankle injury, and head coach Mike Tomlin said his quarterback was dealing with “ankle...
Behind the Steel Curtain Dec 3, 2023
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett questionable to return with ankle injury in Week 13
Photo by Justin Berl/ Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is headed to the locker room after taking a big hit at the goal line in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals. After the hit, Pickett left the field on his own power, though he was walking with a slight limp. He spent some time in the blue medical tent before heading to the locker room with the training staff. The team announced that Pickett is officially questionable to return with an ankle injury. Notably, HC Mike Tomlin announced Pickett was dealing with some “ankle discomfort” before Week 13,...
Behind the Steel Curtain Dec 2, 2023
Steelers elevate LB Kyron Johnson from practice squad
Photo by Charles Brock/Icon Sportswire via The former Eagle has been elevated to the active/inactive roster The Steelers have elevated linebacker Kyron Johnson from the practice squad to the active/inactive roster, the team announced Saturday. The second-year man was a sixth round draft pick of the Eagles in 2022. He appeared in 16 games for the Eagles last season, mostly as a special teams player. Johnson spent five years at Kansas, totaling 193 tackles, including 22.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks, as well as forcing eight fumbles during his time with the...
Behind the Steel Curtain Dec 2, 2023
Scouting the Enemy: 5 players to watch on the Cardinals roster in Week 13
Photo by Christian Petersen/ The Steelers take on Kyler Murray and former Steeler James Conner on Sunday. The Steelers take on the 2-10 Cardinals on Sunday. On paper, it looks like an easy win for the Steelers and a chance to jump to 8-4 on the season. However, no victory is ever guaranteed in the NFL, and the Cardinals, despite their poor record this season, still have plenty of talent on their roster. Here are five players on the Arizona Cardinals’ roster to keep your eye on heading into Week 13. RB James Conner There’s no bigger story on the opposing sideline...
Behind the Steel Curtain Nov 29, 2023
Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick spotted at practice Wednesday ahead of Week 13
Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via The Pittsburgh Steelers defense received some exciting news ahead of Week 13, as All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick officially made his return to practice Wednesday, Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now reported. And at practice today…. pic.twitter.com/SdseDtAS90— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) November 29, 2023 Fitzpatrick has been out since a hamstring injury that’s kept him out of the lineup since Week 8’s game against the Jaguars.
Behind the Steel Curtain Nov 29, 2023
Steelers Film Room: Special teams mistakes keep Bengals close in Week 12
Bob Self/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK The uptick on offense was unfortunately neutered by poor special team plays. An important part of the Pittsburgh formula for success this year has been solid special teams play. When the offense isn’t scoring many points, it’s imperative to have the defense and special teams both providing quality work to give the Steelers a chance for victory each week. Aside from the 10 points coming from Chris Boswell’s right foot in the 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the special teams units had an off week. Let’s have...
Behind the Steel Curtain Nov 28, 2023
Terrible Towel Tales: Diontae Johnson draws criticism from HOFer
Photo by Dylan Buell/ Steelers news and commentary for Tuesday, November 28 Welcome to the Terrible Towel Tales, where we’ll highlight some of the latest stories permeating Steelers media for your reading pleasure every Monday through Saturday. In today’s news… Hall of Famer Blasts Steelers WR Diontae Johnson | Noah Strackbein, All Steelers “Diontae Johnson, bro, you drop a touchdown, and then you walk off the ball, the ball is fumbled, and you do nothing? Man, hell no! Walking off the ball,” Sharpe said. ”It’s a bad look because you’re complaining...
Behind the Steel Curtain Nov 27, 2023
Bears (3-8) at Vikings (6-5) (3.5): Week 12 Monday Night Football Open Thread
After party edition. Chicago (3-8) at Minn (6-5) (3.5) — Week12: Monday Night Football Open Thread. Frozen tundra game…….minus the US Bank Stadium’s roof. Join your fellow Steelers fans for the late-night comment thread.
Behind the Steel Curtain Nov 27, 2023
Bears vs. Vikings: Monday Night Football picks, odds, more for Week 12
Photo by Dustin Bradford/ It’ll be an NFC North rivalry in the Week 12 finale. This week’s Monday Night Football matchup will be a NFC North rivalry between the Chicago Bears (+3) and Minnesota Vikings (-3). The Bears entered the 2023 season as a longtime basement dweller in the NFC, but after an aggressive offseason and some development from quarterback Justin Fields in the prior season, there was hope that the Bears could start to look like a team that could challenge for the NFC North title in 2023. However, when Fields hasn’t been hurt, he hasn’t looked...
Behind the Steel Curtain Nov 27, 2023
Varsity & JV: Winners & losers from the Steelers’ win over the Bengals
Photo by Dylan Buell/ Winners and losers from the Steelers’ Week 12 win The Steelers had their most complete showing of the season in Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals, leading to a 16-10 win and a 7-4 record that keeps them atop the AFC Wildcard race. You all know how this goes, so let’s get into the best and worst performances from Week 12. Varsity QB Kenny Pickett That was the best game Pickett has had in his career. Look at his passing chart from last week compared to Sunday- a complete 180. Week 11 to Week 12 You see what happens when you use the...
Behind the Steel Curtain Nov 26, 2023
Steelers vs. Bengals: Relive Week 12 in 500 words or less
Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports Miss the game? We got you covered. The Pittsburg Steelers notched their seventh win of the season in Week 12 over the Cincinnati Bengals. Miss the game? Let us catch you up with a quarter-by-quarter recap. Steelers vs. Bengals: 1st Quarter In the first offensive series for Pittsburgh, the first passing play was a throw over the middle to TE Pat Freiermuth. The Steelers rarely utilized the middle of the field with Canada at the helm, so that was the first notable difference in offensive coordinator philosophy. T.J. Watt joins Pro...
Behind the Steel Curtain Nov 26, 2023
Steelers surpass 400 yards on offense in first game without OC Matt Canada
Photo by Andy Lyons/ The curse is over. The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially broken the longest streak in the league for most games without 400 yards on offense in Week 12, officially surpassing the 400-yard mark in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game with a 13-yard run from Najee Harris. The last time the Steelers notched 400 yards in a single game was back on September 20, 2020 — 1,162 days ago — in Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season. The game came just five days following the firing of Matt Canada as the team’s offensive coordinator, as quarterbacks coach...
Behind the Steel Curtain Nov 26, 2023
Steelers vs. Bengals inactives: Who’s in, who’s out for Week 12
Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via We break down the game day inactives as the Steelers face the Bengals in Week 12. Just under 90 minutes out from kickoff, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals have announced their Week 12 inactives. Steelers Week 12 inactives QB Mason Rudolph (Emergency QB) RB Anthony McFarland Jr. S Minkah Fitzpatrick LB Blake Martinez DT Montravius Adams OT Dylan Cook With safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and defensive tackle Montravius Adams having been ruled out on Friday, there weren’t any major surprises on the Steelers inactives...
Behind the Steel Curtain Nov 25, 2023
Best player prop bets for Steelers vs. Bengals in Week 12
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via We go over the lines on DraftKings Sportsbook and pick out our favorite player prop bets to consider for the Steelers Week 12 matchup against the Bengals. The Pittsburgh Steelers are headed to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12 for their first game without Matt Canada as the offensive coordinator. The Bengals, meanwhile, are set to play their first game without Joe Burrow, who was announced out for the season with a wrist injury, moving forward with 2019 UDFA quarterback Jake Browning, now set to make his first career...
Behind the Steel Curtain Nov 24, 2023
The Steelers should pursue Eric Bieniemy as their next OC
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports The Washington Commanders could look to clean house this offseason Things have gone south in Washington for the Commanders. After an embarrassing 45-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, Washington is now 4-8, and the overwhelming likelihood is that they will fire head coach Ron Rivera before the start of the 2024 season. That, obviously, raises questions on what comes next for Washington in terms of their next head coach, as well as the ensuing staff that coach brings on board. Current offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy would...
Behind the Steel Curtain Nov 24, 2023
Remembering the most cursed month in recent Steelers history
Photo by Dustin Bradford/ It’s the fifth anniversary of Pittsburgh’s unluckiest streak. I don’t usually believe in lucky streaks, good or bad, but one month in 2018 could make me a true believer. This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of the start of one of the most cursed eras in Pittsburgh Steelers history, when Murphy’s Law ruled the land, and anything that could go wrong did, indeed, go wrong. The 2018 Pittsburgh Steelers missed the playoffs by a half-game. The Steelers went 2-4 in their final six games. Just one more win would have been enough to earn a...
