Rich Eisen: What the Pittsburgh Steelers are Doing Right to Maintain Their Lead in the AFC North

If I'm going to tell the eastern part of Pennsylvania football fans to relax, and I've been doing that to Philadelphia Eagles fans for weeks now, um, I guess I should turn attention to the team that's in the western side of the state that actually employs the quarterback who employed that phrase for Packers fans back in the day and Aaron Rogers who told fans to Arl Ax. and he was asked that question a couple of weeks ago when the Steelers were getting pounded by the Chargers on a Sunday night back in let me get this correct week 10. Then we saw what happened against Chicago when Rogers couldn't answer the bell in a game that you know he wanted to answer the bell with his left hand or left wrist having a fracture in it. Then we saw what happened against the Buffalo Bills. Joey Bosa making him look like an he had just come from Kevin's house and home alone like that's what was going down and Rogers was saying I don't need to tell him to relax we're good and then they go into Baltimore and beat the Ravens and then they follow that one up with again win last night on Monday Night Football to wrap up week 15 against the Miami Dolphins and eliminate the Miami Dolphins who had won four games in a row from playoff competition. The Dolphins are now out and the Steelers are now one game above the Ravens entering the final three games of this season. And that's if I'm saying to the Eagles fans, hey, all you need to do is win your division and get a home playoff game and see what happens. I'll say the same thing to Steelers fans now. And I know they might not be sitting here saying, "I'm less confident than you, Rich. You're always caping for Tomlin." We've seen this movie before. I'm they're they're looking at the the Broncos who are above them in the standings and are on a tear since week four as opposed to being on a tear since saying losing in week 14 or winning I guess in week 14 at at Baltimore. You know, you'd rather be on a tear since week four than week 14. But again, you've got to catch fire at the right time. Once upon a time, Big Ben went from a six seed to a Super Bowl winner. >> And what you could see out of Rogers, in the same way that, you know, Shane Stiken said, "Hey, this 44 year old Philip Rivers didn't forget how to throw the football, nor has this 42-year-old Aaron Rogers, the ball still flies out of his hands, man." And certainly in the cold, which is what you need. Certainly in a way that it didn't with Tua his Tua's interception last night. As soon as it left his hand, Cooper Cooper turned to me said, "That's intercepted." A 14-year-old sitting on his Los Angeles couch was saying, "That's going to be intercepted." >> Rogers is just not last night. Aaron Rogers threw two touchdown passes in a game again this year. He missed on only four of his 27 throws for 224 yards. A passer rating just south of 130, man. And it was career game 166 with two or more passing touchdowns. That's good for third all time now. Broke a tie with Pton Manning. He is seven games behind Drew Brees. I don't want to even do the math cuz he's that far behind. Tom Brady's the only one above 200 such games. 204 for Tom. And you just get a little bit of running in here from Jaylen Warren and get a little bit of running in here from Kenneth Gainwell. >> Yeah, DK's picking it up. >> And that's what you need. And throw it to your wagon of a tight end. Man, Darnell Washington gets the football in his hands. And I sit up and I'm like, let let's let's watch the act come in. Let's see what Let's see this guy just >> How come they don't run the tush push with him? >> Well, Cooper with Well, I and I I'll answer Cooper said the same thing to me. And I I said because I think Connor Hayward is closer to the ground to get the snap. >> Okay. >> Taking the snap's not easy, right? No. >> Well, when you're 69 or whatever, however big Washington is. >> And it's not as if Washington's not used in that formation. You can push, you know, cuz I will never forget Darnell Washington at the combine. He picked up Fred the sled, which is what Daniel Jeremiah refers to that sledge. He just he used it like a a a Tonka truck toy. So using him to push, it's not a bad idea. And then of course Rogers stands back there with his hands in his pockets. First down. There it is. Point. He's doing Rick Dton. There it is. First down. >> Remember when Jay Cutler would go out to that wide receiver and he would just stand there? That's pretty much what Rogers like. Yeah, I I have nothing to do here except, you know, >> I have nothing to add. >> Yeah, Aman had some fun with that one last night. >> Guys, at one point though, they're going to snap him the ball cuz everyone's just thinking he's standing. There's gonna be a trick play with that just >> so you are what you are, which is a first place team having won two in a row. And by the way, winning without TJ Watt is not what the Steelers normally do. >> It's only their second win in 13 games with TJ Watt out due to injury. They're now 2-1 >> since 2017, including the playoffs without TJ Watt. So, it's all working for the Steelers right now who are one in front of the Ravens already having one in their back pocket with three to go. And uh Mike Tomlin was asked about winning back-to-back games for the first time in some time and his answer is classic. >> I know you're always talking about stacking wins, but that was your first back-to-back since October. >> It's that time of year. It doesn't need to be said. >> The importance of playing well in December. Do you feel like your team's getting there? you know, see you next week. Keep watching. >> Straight out of Tom. >> Let's talk about the defense, Mike. What' you think about that defense that won without TJ Watt for only the second time in 13 tries. >> We were at less than full strength, but everybody is, you know, and and we embrace that that component of it. Um, we believe in the strength of the pack and and a lot of guys stepped up certainly and and and made that a truism. >> Made that a truism. You know, it's also a truism is that Rogers is throwing uh and playing with a bunch of guys that he's he has thrown to before in Marquez Valdez Scantling and others who are just joining the crew in recent days like Thelen and >> NS I think was signed yesterday morning >> and he scored a touchdown and Rogers talked about that group and he's kind of using it as a rallying cry now about how They're coming together as a team when it matters the most. >> That's kind of why I said after the game, there's some castoffs if you look at our roster, which it makes it really special. You know, Kenny Gainwell signed a next to nothing contract. Um, you know, Connor Hayward an afterthought, had a touchdown run. Um, you know, Marquez has been on a couple teams. Adam Thelen got cut. Uh, Samuel was on the street for a long time. So, says a lot about the character of the guys we brought in. You consider yourself one of those castoffs, too? >> No, I'm not a castoff. >> Great followup, by the way. >> That is a really good followup. >> Great followup. >> I liked his answer. >> Yeah, I'm not I'm a first B in the Hall of Fame. I'm not a castoff. >> Well, I mean, he >> Well, no, no, listen. The Jets definitely >> cast him off. >> Cast him off. >> Yeah. >> And I thought that's where he was going. And great a great followup. I would have asked the same thing. Are you considering yourself? I'm a first hall of famer. The castoffs are the ones who are playing for the Jets and the Giants right now, not me. >> No, >> he is playing. >> I heard you say I understand the matter. Say it again. >> Al Lazard just got released by the Jets. I wonder if >> Well, guess what? >> Here, coach. >> He's going to be in Pittsburgh. >> I mean, people talk about them making moves, right? These aren't like sexy moves that they're making, but these are veteran receivers, man, who know how to ball. >> I know Bill's fans will be like, "Well, let's let's why aren't we in the mix?" They did get Brandon Cooks. We're waiting to see if true >> he's going to right now at least they got a cook who's cooking. >> Rogers also had this to say about uh you know the offense in moving forward here. >> How much should we expect from this offense? >> You guys can expect whatever the hell you want. Uh we haven't been the most dynamic explosive offense this season, but I feel like we've been good in the red zone. I don't know where we're at. uh leaguewide, but we got to be in the you know, upper half at minimum, I would assume. And uh you know, we've had stretches where we played good football. I think tonight was the first time we had complimentary football in all three phases and and that's the standard. So, we're going to try and uh meet that next week uh in Detroit, this week in Detroit. >> Can confirm for Rogers, the uh Steelers um are currently, where are we right here? It looks like they're tied for third in red zone offense. So, and then Detroit. Oh, baby. Rogers one last shot at the NFC North in Detroit where you know he reigns Hail Marys on that franchise as you know. >> Um that's going to be an awesome week 16 game. absolutely monumental for the the Lions having a chance to move forward and and uh the Steelers now according to NextGen stats have a 61% chance to make the playoffs. And oh by the way, if uh Rogers wins in Detroit and the Steelers win this game, hey Steeler fans, guess what do you get to say? Uh we uh we just clinched a winning record once again. Get to say that. >> Yeah, I don't think but right back right back where they've always been. We're not going to apologize for winning >> nine and eight. >> But you know what? This offense isn't sexy, right? >> No, it's not. >> It's not. Um I believe I saw Matthew Barry >> called uh the fantasy results of last night's offense from the Steelers. Uh a an Arthur Smith Smith fantasy special. Hey, you made it all the way to the end. Thanks for that. Check us out every single day streaming live on Disney Plus and the ESPN app 12 to 3 Eastern.

Rich Eisen weighs in on the Pittsburgh Steelers taking one more step towards winning the AFC North with a Monday Night Football win over Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins to improve to 8-6 on the year.

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47 comments

  3. Rodgers likes the skill players around him. He likes Gainwell, Washington, DK, MVS, and Thielen all seem to be people Rodgers trusts and wants to get the ball to

  14. Rodgers and Thielen both going against Detroit this week….i know they’re in the AFC North but that NFC rivalry is still there. Hopefully the Steelers get this W

  17. Nothing. The Steelers are doing NOTHING correct!!! They've gotten lucky breaks.

    Tomlin cut or traded away the players TOMLIN SPECIFICALLY WANTED to revamp his defense. That resulted in the worst defense in DECADES in Pittsburgh getting better.
    Tomlin's decisions being reversed worked. Almost seem like Tomlin doesn't make good decisions.

    The Steelers, under Tomlin, will AGAIN lose in the first round of the playoffs. Because TOMLIN STINKS!!!!

  19. Rodgers is right he isn't a cast off unlike all the other guys he mentioned dudes a 4 time MVP, Superbowl champion and first ballot HOF who chose to comeback and play. He had 3 teams bidding to have him on their team this past off season.

  21. Think about what these tight ends are doing on this team.
    They got Smith in the backfield running the ball uncontested into the endzone.
    Connor Heyward killing it with those 4th down conversions and a tuddy.
    Freiermuth is Mooooooth.
    Washington is a manimal and quite possibly the most watchable player in the NFL.
    I love watching this tight end core.

  24. Steelers are not winning in Detroit and Ravens will win at home, so the Ravens go to the lead of the NFC North again. Then Ravens will lose against Packers, Steelers will beat the Browns and go back to lead the division then the last week in Pittsburgh is when they separate the man from the kids .

  30. As Bronco fan -we could lose to anybody or beat anybody-at least in the AFC in my opinion. And Rodgers experience would be an advantage for them. Played in like 4 or 5 NFC Title games,& is the only AFC QB left who's even played in SB-let alone won 1. But unlike that 2005 Steeler team that had a very high ceiling -I don't think this Steeler team does. That Steeler team had an elite defense,HOF running back,Hines Ward-they were stacked,& playoff experienced. I was at those playoff games-Bradys 1st ever playoff loss in the divisional round,& when Pittsburgh beat us in AFC Title game. This Steeler team has a higher floor than some of the other young playoff teams-Broncos included. But I think their ceiling is lower than any of the teams that could be in the AFC playoffs. And they aren't even close to that 2005-06 Steeler team talentwise.

    But Ive hoped I was wrong but believed all season-Broncos were still a year away from true Championship contender. Obviously I was wrong-they are definitely a contender-not the 11-6 Wild card team I predicted would lose in divisional round on the road. But I still don't quite look at them the same way I do our other 2 contending teams-Avs,& Nuggets-who have veteran cores-whove both already won titles-the Broncos are still pretty playoff inexperienced. AVS,& Nuggets-who have the best hockey,& basketball players on the planet -in their primes-if they are reasonably healthy-anything short of a title is disappointing & anything short of the Western conference Finals is failure-I don't look at it the same way yet with the Broncos. I like our SB chances a lot more now than a few wks ago with 1 seed very likely,& KC guaranteed not to be in the playoffs. (& dont have to face Mahomes on Christmas now)l And if they do clinch 1 seed,& are 2 home wins away from SB-then obviously they have a great shot.

    But I still say making divisional round would be a very successful season & great experience for the future-if ya get 1 seed-ya already made it. And if we somehow get to AFC Title game -thats already a phenomenal season,& anything beyond that is gravy for me. And I think our best case scenario to get to host the AFC Title game-would be getting Pittsburgh to come here round 2 somehow. Im definitely not saying they'd have no chance-I truly believe we could beat or lose to anybody-home or away. But I think Pittsburgh in the divisional round would be our best case scenario while Buffalo would be the worst case. Especially at home I'd love our chances vs Pittsburgh,(& Indy if they somehow snuck in),like our chances vs Jacksonville,LA, Baltimore,or even playoff neofyte NE. But Buffalo,& Houston-in that order -would scare me the most in the AFC. I'd probably pick Denver at home vs Houston but definitely wouldn't pick us vs Buffalo-even in Denver.

  33. lol. This is where we are.

    Philly fans, don’t be so angry, you just won the Super Bowl, you are comfortably in the playoffs, you have a good young core that will be competing for years to come and one of the smartest ownership groups in the sport.

    Steeler fans, relax. You will probably get your non-losing season with your one-and-done 42 year old QB. It’s only been a decade since your last playoff win. What do you have to be mad about?

    Both of you are so overreacting.

  39. Steelers arent going anywhere. A week or 2 ago you had the Steelers dead. Buffalo beats N.E. now Allen is MVP. lol You saw Maye,, He's a baby and He's already for Prime Time. Running QBs win games. Curious about peoples opnions. If the Bills -Rams got knocked out, Who would be in the Superbowl. I'd say" Chicago and get their and N.E. Its a great storyline, 2 historic NFL teams go head to head with their young guns writing their future.

  43. This is hilarious… Watchin' all these guys who think a decent 40-time at the combine is the only requirement to be an "expert…" Where were you in September?? You jumped ship on the Steelers…. And now you wanna try to climb back in the Championship duckboat when there's smooth sailing at the confluence?? As Forrest Gump's schoolmates said on the schoolbus, "SEAT'S TAKEN!!"
    ⚫🟡⚫🟡⚫🟡™.

  44. Keep throwing over the middle. Keep using Warren, but use Gainwell more. Keep Rodgers upright, but roll him out more. Let Watt have the next three games and any playoffs off to recover. Might just work.

    But before anyone gets excited: Unlike the staggeringly stupid Harbaugh and McDaniel, Campbell is actually going to give the ball to Gibbs and Montgomery, so that game is a loss. And because the Packers are decimated, Steelers will probably have to beat the Ravens again to get in.

  45. What’s wild is anyone not named Aaron Rodgers, with a resume like his, would not be called a castoff

    None of those other players named had a team waiting for him to arrive like the jets or the Steelers

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