Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin smiles during practice at the team’s facility on Pittsburgh’s South Side. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)
(GSM) – The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10 Sunday in a game that was surprisingly tight. Coach Mike Tomlin benched embattled quarterback Mason Rudolph in the second half after a tough showing on offense. He completed 50% of his passes going 8/16, 85 yards, no touchdowns and 1 interception. Tomlin, said making the change to backup Devlin Hodges was a no-brainer, “I just felt like our offense needed a spark. Just felt like Mason wasn’t doing enough.” Tomlin said. “But I like the contributions of “Duck;” [Hodges]. I like his readiness. I appreciate the efforts of Mason and also appreciate the support of Mason after we made the change. That’s how we get down.”
Pittsburgh Steelers undrafted quarterback Devlin Hodges. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media Company)
Devlin Hodges, humbled with his approach says he just wants to win games for the team no matter who is in the game. “I didn’t think the third play I was in that I’d be throwing a 79-yard touchdown pass, but if I could go back and do it again, it would be pretty cool.”
The Steelers will host the Cleveland Browns for the first time since the melee that took place where several players got into a fight. The Browns will be without defensive end Myles Garrett who is suspended for the season after hitting Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph with his own helmet. Also, defensive Tackle Larry Ogunjobi will also miss action due to suspension. Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, also forced to sit out due to his part in the altercation. Nonetheless, Sunday’s matchup is expected to be hard hitting and full of bad feelings as this AFC North rivalry continues to be one to watch.
Pittsburgh is currently the 6th seed in the hunt for the post-season with a record of 6-5 and are in second place in the AFC North behind the Baltimore Ravens.
BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during the matchup against the Cleveland Browns. October 28, 2018 (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media, FILE)
PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that injuries are a part of the game. The realization of adjusting for the sudden — and always unexpected — changes in personnel can throw off team chemistry. However, Coach Tomlin has preached the, “next man up” approach on the journey to success as his team continues to heal.
Since the beginning of the 2019 season, the Steelers lost starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the season due to an elbow injury on his throwing arm which required surgery. Starting defensive end Stephon Tuitt is out for the year with a pectoral tear, free safety Sean Davis was put on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, fullback Roosevelt Nix is also on IR with a knee ailment and kick returner/WR Ryan Switzer’s back will keep him from seeing action. Running back James Conner has missed significant time on the field as well when he re-aggravated his shoulder. Most recently, wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson in addition to linebacker Ola Adeniyi succumbed to concussions in the game against the Browns last Thursday night, just to name a few. Quite a few, actually.
While the team has seen its fair share of fallen players, Tomlin said in his weekly press conference Tuesday, “I don’t spend a lot of time crying over who’s available or who’s not available. It’s as much a part of the game as blocking or tackling,” Tomlin said. “If you are a competitor — like we as coaches are competitors — that fires you up. You want to smile in the face of adversity.”
The Steelers will play on the road Sunday Nov. 24 against the winless Cincinnati Bengals (0-10), a team that would love to get a win against the Pittsburgh. The Steelers (5-5) are still mathematically alive in the playoff hunt and in 2nd place in the AFC North division.
BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
Steelers wide receivers Diontae Johnson (18) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) share a moment on the sideline after Johnson’s 45-yard touchdown reception against the Miami Dolphins on October 28, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)
PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Banged up wideouts JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson are added to the list of starters who have temporarily fallen victim to injuries.
In the game against the Cleveland Browns Thursday, both standouts left the game with concussions and as of Monday, were still in concussion protocol. Neither were available for interviews.
JuJu Smith-Schuster left the game after suffering a helmet-to-helmet hit. In the second quarter, 2 defenders, [former Steeler] Morgan Burnett and Greedy Williams made contact with both sides of Smith-Schuster’s helmet, on the same play, leaving him motionless on the field. He was later able to walk off the field on his own.
Smith-Schuster took to his Twitter account to thank those who were supportive following his injury:
Want to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers from the injury last night. I will be ok and can’t wait to get back out on the field with my brothers. pic.twitter.com/SV09EGwr4o
As for Diontae Johnson, Browns safety Damarious Randall lowered his head and collided in the third quarter with Johnson after a helmet-to-helmet hit, leaving him wincing in pain. Johnson started bleeding from his ear shortly thereafter. The hit prompted an immediate ejection of Randall.
Appreciate all the prayers man.. I’m doing good. I’ll be back 🙏🏾
“The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed wide receiver Deon Cain and running back Kerrith Whyte Jr. to the 53-man roster, it was announced today. To make room on the 53-man roster, the Steelers released linebacker Jayrone Elliott and running back Tony Brooks-James.”
We have signed WR Quadree Henderson and WR Amara Darboh to our practice squad and released WR Terry Wright and LB Sutton Smith.
BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field on October 28, 2019 at Heinz field in Pittsburgh. (Clyde Harris / ClydeAllen Photography for Golden Sky Media)
PITTSBURGH (GSM) — The Steelers have a rising star at wide receiver.
In the absence of embattled wide receiver, Antonio Brown, rookie Dionte Johnson provides plenty of missing firepower from the Steelers’ passing game.
The Steelers have now a new rising star at wide receiver.
There is a new era, as we have all heard at nauseam, related to the void left from the injury to all-pro and future Hall of Fame Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the departures of Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell. There is no debate that there is a difference in the offense, missing this high level of offensive firepower!
Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson celebrates with fans after scoring a 45-yard receiving touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field on October 28, 2019 at Heinz field in Pittsburgh. (Clyde Harris / ClydeAllen Photography for Golden Sky Media)
In my opinion, there is a glimmer of hope, with the emergence of Dionte Johnson. The former University of Toledo standout has shown he can be a legitimate threat, has great hands, is a solid route runner and possesses game breaking speed. Johnson has 30 catches for 363 yards with 3 touchdowns, the longest being the electrifying catch and run against the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field.
Johnson is not an Antonio Brown and it is truly unfair to make the comparison. However, Johnson is an outstanding wide receiver, and in this period of transition away from the “Killer B’s” (Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell and Ben Roethlisberger), he should be allowed to continue developing and be measured against his own standard, one that, if it continues this trajectory, will be exciting to watch and lethal for any opponent of the Steelers.
Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) and running back Jaylen Samuels celebrate following a touchdown in the 1st quarter against the Los Angeles Rams on November 10, 2019 at Heinz Field (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)
PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Lining them up and knocking them down.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have won 4 straight and are currently the 6th seed in the playoff race. That’s right, if the playoffs were to start today, the black-n-gold would be in the race for their 7th ring. But it’s only week 11 which means there are more left games to be played.
Speaking of games, the Los Angeles Rams made their way across country to Heinz Field Sunday to face the streaking Steelers and got off to an early start, scoring a defensive touchdown on a high snap that went over the head of quarterback Mason Rudolph. the Rams’ Donta Fowler, Jr. picked up the fumble for a score. Despite the early lead in the 1st quarter, Pittsburgh responded with a touchdown of their own late in the 1st after Rudolph connected with wideout James Washington to even the score to 7-7.
Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick returns an interception against the Los Angeles Rams to secure victory on November 10, 2019 at Heinz Field. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)
Steelers Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick continues to make clutch plays. He had two takeaways in the game, one fumble recovery for a touchdown — of course as retaliation — helping Pittsburgh rack up a defensive score of their own, and an interception at the end of the game to seal the deal. Fitzpatrick attributes his success to his teammates in addition to referencing his own ball awareness.
Final score was 17-12 in favor of the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin praising his defense moments after the win.
“We have been open about that we need turnovers. Great defenses get themselves off the field. Great defenses stand up in the face of adversity when put on a short field. We have worked hard in that area.” Tomlin said, “It starts first with the acquisition of guys that are capable in that area. Can’t say enough about Minkah for example. The tear he is on is what it is; he needs no endorsement from me. But it is also our approach and who we work in the environmental element of our preparation. We just have to keep grinding.
Coach Tomlin says it always takes mental and physical strength to seal the deal. “…today we played, and I thought they played and played to win without fear. When you are playing a good opponent like the L.A. Rams, that is how you have to play. Thankfully, we are able to get a victory.”
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald returned to his hometown Pittsburgh to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 10, 2019. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)
On the other side of the ball, former University of Pittsburgh defensive end Aaron Donald, now defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams is a native of Pittsburgh. He mentioned how it was a nice homecoming for both he and the people who watched him grow into the player he is today. “This is home. To be back at Heinz Field — where I played 4-years here in college [University of Pittsburgh] — to be back here performing and to back here at home with my family watching, family and friends, it’s a good feeling.”
Donald was instrumental on defense, recording a half sack along with linebacker Clay Matthews which resulted in a safety. Despite his performance, Donald expressed his disappointment as his team came up short.
“I feel like we played well as a defense. We scored points, made turnovers, and made big stops,” Donald said. “There is always room for improvement, but I felt like overall I was proud of how the defense played today.” – Aaron Donald
The Steelers, however are on a short week and travel to face the Cleveland Browns — for the first of two matchups this season on Thursday night. The Browns defeated the Bills Sunday with a record of 3-6 and are in 3rd place in the AFC North behind the Steelers who are in 2nd with a record of 5-4. The Ravens are currently leading the division — 2 games ahead of Pittsburgh — at 7-2.
BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
