Drive10.9.26Hr2: 5 Star Friday

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1:00It's a five-star match. It's a five-star match. Everybody's playing. It's a five-star match. You know we did it. Good evening, Stealer Nation. How are we doing? Well, that's good. Us too. Hour number two here of the drive. On a Friday, that means it's our final hour before, of course, all eyes turned to Sunday, one o'clock, Stealer's and Colts there on the North Shore at Acresure Stadium. Matt, time for a little match-up conversation. As we like to do on a given Friday here on this program. Is the biggest match-up? I mean, it's certainly, I think, one of the most good on good match-ups. The one that we've referenced a few times this week, Quentin Nelson and Cam Hayward. I think that's the biggest heavyweight fight. The most important match-up to me is Jonathan Taylor. Yeah, I mean, just as whoever. Yeah, 11 defenders against Jonathan Taylor. The offense goes for him as much as any offense in the league.

2:01He's that good. They don't have a lot else. They could really dominate the flow of the game. I mean, unless weird things happen, if you told me, you know, magic ball here, that Colts end up winning this game, like, oh, Taylor had a big game. And he was the best player on the field. I would think so. Yeah. You know, we said a little bit of similar about B-John Roberts and week one. Yeah. And the kind of the opposite happened. He had his big game, but nobody else did it. But nobody else did it. Yeah, yeah. And I think you could maybe survive that way again. Probably, probably. That's an unusual turn of events, but yeah. But it is without a doubt. I mean, Jonathan Taylor, I think you said this in your stats packet. That's where the offense runs through for the Colts, making the mistake about it. Big time. Yeah. And coming off a tackling performance that we just outlined, like the Steelers had in Cleveland, you better get that going in the opposite direction if you want to slow this guy down. It sounds like an excuse when we talked about tackling in the first hour with Chris's article, but what's the last night? I mean, part of that's just a Thursday night thing. I think that there's a nice bad.

3:01There's no doubt. There's no doubt. Yeah. Matt, let's stick with the Colts offense. If it's not going to be Jonathan Taylor that kills you, probably the next most likely culprit would be Tyler Warren, the sophomore tight end. Yeah. His usage is really weird though. It's a bit. His usage was kind of weird last year in the sense of just manufactured so much for him in the offense. What have you seen from him through the first four weeks? Okay. See, that even goes back like a lot of people were shocked that Loveland was drafted ahead of one. Just a couple of spots, right? Yeah. And they both were early first round picks and very early picks for tight ends. But the reasoning is, and this isn't an knock on Warren. He's a really good prospect. He's a really player already. But even at Penn State, they had nothing in the way of receivers. Everything was manufactured, designer touches for him. Let's just get in our best player's hands no matter how. Where Loveland was like flat out beating man coverage in a more NFL manner. But Indies use only Penn State user. You know, I mean, they don't have a wealth of pass catchers either. So how can we get the ball in our best player's hands?

4:02Daniel Jones is coincide with him. He's really been a poor deep thrower. He has one completion over 20 yards or further. So if you notice in the packet, it mentions Warren. He's getting targeted a ton. But it's almost always like act or behind the line of scrimmage. He has yet to see a target that has traveled 15 or more air yards. That's pretty crazy. And so many of them are boom, give it out your hands now. His yards per out run are 29 amongst tight ends. Yeah. Just by being a really good player. Not a single player. No protections. A bit of a problem. 30th. A third of his targets have come at or behind the line. That's the one I was looking for. I mean, that's the third highest amongst tight ends. It's a tight end. This is a running back flare and out. Right. I mean, this is a guy that gets should be getting down the field. So a lot of that's Jones having said all that he's got the second most reception. That's any tight ends. It's a two maton. But it isn't resulting in a much. There's a lot of death by a thousand paper cuts. The Steelers allow the six. He's good. The Steelers allow a lal.

5:02I need a new tongue. The Steelers allow the six fewest receptions per game to tight ends at just 3.3 per game. That might shock people because there's always this Steelers have been terrible against tight ends. And they say some good ones in the first four games. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, Gaseki's capable. So certainly it's been a weird year for Tyler Warren. But man, you better you better not let this be the game where he starts hitting those. Oh, he could do a lot of damage to. He's good after the catch to. Yeah. You may even get a carrier too. Is there anyone else on the Colts offense? I mean, we've talked a lot of down. It's a very good player. Yeah. I think their tackles can absolutely be had by the Steelers edge guys. They're fine. I would say they're a below average pair of tackles. They're not real nimble. I'm hoping the turf doesn't slow her big high Smith, what down all that much. Sure. And I don't know. I said this a week ago and I was wrong. I don't know that Jones is really equipped to, you know, be a 2.4, 2.5.

6:02Get it out of your hands guy. Because I said the same thing about Watson and he was and he did it well. So I'm sure they'll try those things. But nothing about Jones has been real quick or abrupt. You know, he's been kind of a lumbering post injury type guy. And the later down goes worse things go for him. So I do think the Steelers edge guys have a nice advantage that hopefully doesn't get nullified a little by the weather. Matt sticking with with that. We all know obviously Daniel Jones is coming off of a massive late season injury that Achilles last year. I think it's a testament to him that he was out there week one. He was way ahead of his timeline and ready to go. And I think that I would imagine listen so much of when Daniel Jones has been at his best. The first half of the season last year for the cult. Yeah, he put up some monster number that year that he was with the Giants where they won double digit games and went to the wild card and knocked off the Vikings. I think it was and want to play off game. His mobility has been a huge part of his work has been at his best, even just as a pure designed runner guy. I would imagine we haven't seen much of that this year.

7:03No, and again, the best way I can describe it is there's nothing explosive about his move. And not that he was Michael Vick or Lamar Allen in terms of taking off. But he could run and he was in his fast and he was quick too. Now it's kind of like, yeah, I can move and I can run, but it's not nearly as bursty or as explosive. But you really see it with the way he throws. I mean, his feet aren't as bouncy. He's not generating the torque and the explosiveness from his lower body. I think the injury is hampering him a lot and it really hurts his deep ball, which dies a lot. And you know, it doesn't have the same zip line at the end of does come out his hands. It's amazing how much that and he throws well there team a lot. And you know, it turns them all over a lot. It is amazing how much a leg injury affects everything, everything for a quarter. Yeah, yeah. And that's, you know, again, kind of building from the ground up and a lot of those conversations that we've had about how important that work and that mobility is in the modern air.

8:05I mean, it has been for a long time, but especially in 2026. I think it's heard as just as even a short range accuracy. It's a real kind of, I guess not trickle down effect, but maybe trickle up effect from a foot injury from a leg injury. And to be fair, he wasn't the best quarterback in the league to begin with. No, you know, mobility was a lot of what led him to be a success. It was a calling card for him. He honestly, I don't think he got enough credit for that at times throughout his career. He's not saying he's Josh Allen Lamar with it, but he was definitely in the upper echelon of NFL. 2030 yards a game on the ground that matters. Those, you know, extended drives on those third and sevenths where he'll get you eight that we've talked about. Yeah, I mean, they'll design runs for him right as best. You don't see a lot of that right now. No, you do not. So you mentioned you thought it was a real opportunity for the Steelers edge rushers, track depending. And that's something that, you know, those, those guys have made some noise in the first four weeks of the season. Yeah, but I think I think a little, a little bit more would go a long way. Yeah, and I think there are people that want more more sacks.

9:07Certainly. I'm not even going to pretend like this isn't excuse when the ball comes out in 2.5 and two weeks in a row. It's just awful hard to beat a man, even if that guy is terrible and you whip him in as quick as you humanly possibly can. To me, that's the biggest issue. I don't have any worry about those three players at all. I'm with you on that. Matt, let's spend the block now to the other side of the ball, Colt's defense Steelers offense. I have to imagine not quite to the extent of maybe sexy Dexie Dexter Lawrence two weeks ago. But the Indianapolis Colts have another guy who can wreck an interior into forest Buckner. I'd imagine that's one to keep an eye on the Steelers interior guys against a really solid long time defensive lineman in this league. Still a great player, great career, much respect for him leader, super long. You can see why he was a former first round pick and highly sought after and why the Niners were to go to first round pick for him to. But the guy next to him, Grover Stewart, never gets talked about, but he's one of the hardest guys to deal with in the run game.

10:11I mean, he's a certain type of defensive tackle. But he's pretty talented and that's a good duo. How do you think the Colts use sauce garner on Sunday? Left right. He's going to follow around DK you think? No, I think that he'll stay to his side. As it will stay on the left or the right. However, I didn't know Ward was banged up until last segment when you mentioned that. I mean, they're pretty comfortable with both players. So instead of moving them, even though they gave up so much for sauce, they gave Ward a big contract too that we're just going to keep them pretty static left right. He hasn't followed. He hasn't played great. He hasn't been a disaster, but by his lofty standards and is one of those $30 million corners. But I have two far-stround draft picks for last year. And it doesn't look like a good trade, to be honest with you. Jets got a lot for him. But the way the Steelers are designed, especially without pitman, I would think Metcalf's going to see number one corners. I a lot, even if that's not what you usually do, you might change.

11:11That's kind of what I would. Yeah, I think it's still a possibility. It's the one wide receiver that they have that can hurt us. Right. I shouldn't say can hurt us because we fear the most, obviously. Really that can really wreck a game plan or do what we saw in the fourth quarter in Cleveland. I mean, it's clearly the number one. Yes. Yes. And, you know, I, again, as long as Michael Pittman Jr. is out, I would expect that to be the case for DK Metcalf. Yeah. Unfortunately for him, it's kind of a similar position he found himself in last year where he's got a lot. Even before he was here and it was pickings. He's going to demand a lot of attention. It's also a real opportunity for Wilson and Bernard to be that guy too. Absolutely. Their book is not written. And a real opportunity for the Steelers tight ends to carve out a big role. Yes. We saw some of that in the fourth quarter too. And we've seen it at times this season. Do you think Pat Fryer-Muth and Darnell Washington have some opportunities against this defense? Yeah. I also think being big on offense against another highly predominant nickel team could be a physical advantage. Just from a blocking perspective, whether that's down field or in the run game.

12:13Their safeties are fine. Their linebackers are really, really searching. So anyone you can get matched up on their linebackers, I think, is something you can look at. The defense as a whole is. Not great. Yeah. Yeah, man, it just isn't. You know, they're a couple good players. They've got a couple names. Yeah. A couple, you know, and Saus isn't living up to his name at the moment. I mean, it's so good player, but he's not a shutdown corner. How do you feel? We kind of talked about some of the interior of the Steelers offensive line in the challenges that they face there. They can have a tough day. How about Faltanu and Maxi Hanuchor? We had a good, good right up from our buddy, John Ledgerd on Maxi Hanuchor's first two starts. Some other people around the league are starting to pick up what you've been screaming from the mountaintop. He, I thought was really great against the Bengals. It was okay against the Brams. He's two games and he's played less than 150 snaps in the National Football League at this point. First ever road game on a short week and a loud stadium, you know, what's the, what's the challenge for him and for Faltanu look like on Sunday?

13:17I'm sure I might ask you about this too. I mean, like you've brought this up many times, you know, when we talk draft prospects or addressing the NFL that playing in big games, Bama, Georgia, I don't think Max played any of those. He did play the college football playoff. Oh, did he? Yep. There was no state code in there. Okay. I mean, they're not a tiny program, but I didn't realize it. It's not going to the swamp and the death valley every single week. I was wondering, I was, I just assumed that that Brams game had to be the hardest environment he's ever played in. And he's never, any of the players kid. Yeah, I mean, you know, because the college football playoff environment is different because it's more of a neutral side of the whole game. I mean, I'm sure like, you know, he probably played in BYU and night and Provo, which is really tough. Yeah. But that's also a good point by you. Yeah. I mean, there's a state has rivals like everybody else. Yes. It's not that he went to the swamp or a death valley two or three times. Like I'll let you know this. It kind of drives me crazy sometimes when people act like the SEC and the big ten are a completely different league than the ACC in the big 12.

14:20But they're also clearly the power to, you know, the. Yes, the the ACC and the big 12 have very good teams. And there's a lot of separation between them and the conferences below them. But yeah, the environments are just insane. And the stakes are in quite a high. Yeah, absolutely. He did play in the college football playoff. You know, big 12 championship games and stuff like that. I didn't realize him. But, but that there's certainly from a communication standpoint. That's the thing. Just more of a noise. A noise. Communication. That's why I'm trying to hear Zach Frazier and Aaron Rosier played his whole life like most people. Yes. I certainly think that is a fair, just kind of talking point. A brilliant. Yeah. Well, I haven't dealt with this before. Absolutely. A lot of those are good player. He is out. They will rotate their defensive ends. They're edge guys. A fair amount. There's no pro baller. So. I would think that I would hope that that favors the Steelers. I hope so too. Yeah, because again, I mean, we could talk about the past protection stuff.

15:20But if this is, you know, if this is one of those, uh, you got a ground and pound and kind of muck and grind to a victory depending on the weather, uh, that, that, I think will be some favorable matchups for the Steelers, uh, in terms of their offensive line and the fact that there, yeah, yeah. Anything we're forgetting Matt, especially does either team have a real special teams advantage? There kickers been great. I don't know what his history is in weather. I mean, he's a dumb guy and he's a new or dude. Um, I think the Colt have a through four games have played better on special teams than the Steelers have. And you've kind of outlined how some of the Steelers, I wouldn't say I've had massive struggles on special teams, but hasn't been, um, it could improve. It could improve. It's a good way to put it. That's a good way to put it. Um, so yeah, I think, I don't know anything, anything else that I'm missing there from a, from a matchup specific standpoint, anything from the coaching staffs that stands out to you. I mean, the rest thing is huge. Yeah. I mean, I think that's a very important. I think has to make a difference this week. This is one thing we should have mentioned probably at some point about Stuykin.

16:21There's a lot of talk of is he a great head coach or not? And there's, you could kind of see both. I mean, great. This, he isn't a great head coach. I mean, history shows, but he's a really good offensive mind. And if you watch their games, his scripted stuff early in the game is exceptional. Yeah. I mean, they, that first 15 plays or so, they're, since he's been there, is always as good as anyone's in the league. So keep an eye on how this thing starts. Yeah. Yeah. For some of the, for some of the struggles we've lamented, the Steelers have scored opening touchdowns now in two straight games. I know. And that's not something that we've seen in a long time. We were begging all those streaks and stuff for a lot different now, a lot different. Yeah. And so, so yeah. So always, always fun to see what those scripted plays look like for both teams. At the start of the game and, and where the adjustments come from. Yep. But he's very good at that. No doubt. If they get off their slow start, that's not uncommon for cold opponents. Okay. You know what I mean? Like don't lose your mind, folks. If we're the opening drive, they're, they're pretty good at that.

17:24Okay. Interesting. Something, something to keep an eye on. Absolutely. There's our matchup segment. There's a little five star Friday as we continue to set the scene for the Colts and Steelers on Sunday. Let's take a break here. Let's hit around the league. Let's kind of run the gambit of the other games across the NFL. Yeah. Here in week five, like we always like to do on Fridays. We'll give some quick thoughts and predictions for all the other games around the National Football League. And of course, you know, before Matt and I get up out of here, we will give our prediction for Steelers Colts on Sunday, a whole lot more to get to before we close down this week. You'll learn Williamson. It's the drive. Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network. And now a word from our sponsor, Bud Light. There's nothing better than the clean crisp. There's nothing better than the clean crisp. What if we just got out of here and grab some Bud lights? A man, we're on air for four more hours. I'll figure it out. Sounds good to me.

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19:30That is already week five in the National Football League and always a busy slate to dig into. Begins once again at 9.30 a.m. this week. I know. You are welcome to all you early risers. I know for my colleague, my partner, my buddy here, Matt Williams. And that's a long day. It's just a four games in a row. I mean, you're 9.30 to what? About 11.30 watching watching this day or in this particular Sunday. Tom and I will be doing the pregame show from 9 to 11 and I'll just have like the game on my phone. Sure. So I'm paying attention. Sure. But, you know, I love it. But, you know, from 9 to midnight, there's a lot of football. That's a lot. I mean, quadruple headers a lot. And as we talked about two, sometimes it's just it's like you're trying to remember. Wait, did this was the safety happened in that game? Yeah, yeah, yeah. The walked fuel goal was there's times.

20:31It's like, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. No doubt, no doubt. Well, Matt, we do start 9.30 a.m. East Coast time in London. You sound like you all from London taught them hot spurs stadium where the Jags hosted the Eagles. Matt, this one with the Cam Jurgens trade moved half a point more for Jacksonville. That's right. So they were seven point favorites. They're now seven and a half point favorites. The fact that that half is hanging there and gives me the slightest bit of pause. I just have a feeling this one's going to be over by half time. I can't imagine morale being great on a long flight over to England. We talked about that. You get on the plane and Lane Johnson's not there. Say like Kim Hayward's on the flight with us. He was last week. You know, like it's this isn't a old summer to process situation either. And you're not winning. You start running back. It's out of the vaunte Smith. And your number one wide receiver is heard. There's nobody get the ball to. Yeah, I think they're in a really rough spot. And I love how Jacksonville's playing and their very use this trip. I think they blow them out. I do too. And you know, there's, I don't want to say vindication because that's too serious.

21:34But I've been saying for close to two years that I felt like Filly was in a volatile spot and couldn't load. I maybe I was, I'm never, I'm never wrong, Matt. I'm just early. But I will also say it could be a down down year. It absolutely could. Yeah. I will say though, they also, the Eagles have been pretty good over the years. It kind of having that siege mentality thing of when everyone thought that they were about to implode. They know how to win now. The roster is not as talented right now as it was in these past two, three years, especially offensively as it seems today. Yeah. But you know, their defensive line could still wreck a game. Oh, yeah. When you're on Mitchell and Cooper Dijine could still cause a couple turnovers. Yes. I expected that defense to be like top three. And it's been. So this is a, this is just a spread that I would stay away from now that it's at seven and a half. If you put a gun to my head, I would lay the points with Jacksonville. I didn't love that it had that half, but I, but I, I, I can certainly see this being a blowout. And maybe this is kind of a cop out for me. But I could also see that siege mentality, a lot of pride in that Eagles locker room of,

22:35hey, we're not just going to roll over and die here. Stand alone game that the whole world's watching. You know, it, you know, and they end up dragging a, an ugly 20 to 16 victory or something like 17 to 13 victory, just leaning on their defense. But I would go the opposite direction if you, if you made me choose. In Lambo in Green Bay at Lambo, one of the great historic rivalries in the National Football League, maybe the power of Mike Dickel will compel the Bears on the road there against their greatest rival, Chicago, a one and a half point favorite at Lambo. I wonder how many times in the 21st century, the Bears have been favored at Lambo. Wow. I bet you could count them on one hand probably never when far as a Rogers on the field. They, I mean, probably never exactly right. I still think the numbers not low enough or isn't big enough. Yeah. And I know that it's not going to be Caleb Williams. Because they're saying he's not playing right. I think they're going to roll all over the Packers. I, I think Green Bay is very fortunate to be two and two.

23:36I think the Bears dominate this game too. There's some games I, I'm not much or better, you know, like, but I like to see when I'm right when I'm not. I have to pick every game every week just for several outlets, including here. There's a lot of games I feel really strongly about this week. Like this line seems goofy. And usually that's when things go wrong in the betting world. That was in that Vegas. Yeah. Yeah. And this is another one. I think both these games, I'm like Jackson was going to blow them out. Bears are going to win big. I'm, I'm not much of a better either. I have a sports betting account. I make people ask me all the time to say what I think. Maybe it doesn't bet. It's a year and you'll laugh, Matt. I think most people, this is the time when they're active with betting and gambling and stuff. Football season. Yeah. Yeah. I'm a March madness guy. I make sense of the 10 or 12 sports bets that I make a year. I bet you eight or nine of them are March madness because that's, I could sit back. I can enjoy it. It's not work. It's not. It's not. It's total leisure. It's total leisure. And it's just I think the greatest individual tournament and all of sports.

24:36Every week though, my buddies will text me on like Sunday morning, like group chat with my friends and be like, all right, Wes, give us some picks. Mm hmm. And I usually give them three and I've done pretty well so far. I've gone two and one, I think every single week. So not blowing the doors off, but I'm making my buddies money. This, this week though, there's some, there's some weird ones that seem like too good to be true. There's a couple that I'm just like jumping at. Like this is, I'm hitting this hard, but I, who knows? This might be another one, Matt. I'm with you though. I think Chicago is just too much on offense now. I think they're much better for the packers to keep up with. If Michael Parsons was back in healthy and that stuff, maybe it's a different conversation, but I just don't think the packers offense is going to be able to score enough to win this game. From a green Bay perspective, I worry that when Parsons is back, their season might already be shot. Might be. I mean, they're grabbing any offensive line when they can off the graph, off the, off the scrap heap. They can't run the ball at all. Matt, this might be another one of those. Is it too good to be true type lines? Houston in Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans. Who would have thought before the season started both of these teams would be

25:39on for the Texans are a seven point road dog. How many Oh and four teams on the road are seven point favorite? Or sorry, seven point favorite. That's what I said seven point road dog. Sorry, but, but, right. An NFL history. They might be like the only one. How often's that happened once a year? Maybe, you know, I never, not even close to once a year. What am I talking about? And I still would take Houston. I just think that I'd like to get this at six and a half of possible, but I would, I would, I would, I don't know if they're capable beating any of them. Anyone by seven, but I do think two games. Sean Peyton sounds like he's really putting grabbing a hold of the offensive play calling and the meek of Ryan's is really grabbing a hold of the defensive play calling for Houston. And I think that matters. I know, like I just think there'll be a lot less errors and we'll look at like Hunter and Anderson and all these studs they have. And I think they'll be studly. Cheapest get in price of the weekend there. He's on state of a Nashville 32 bucks can get you a ticket. By the way, Lambo London, the most London is the most, but I kind of,

26:39yeah, I guess we had because that's just such a unique one on right. Not one off anymore, but it's a, it's a tourist event for different people. Bot those tickets way. Yes. Lambo Packers bears. 101 dollars to get you into Lambo on Sunday. Matt, another one of these is this too good to be true type lines. The Bengals are in Miami to face the dolphins and there are six and a half point favorite. This one for me is I think it's Miami really Miami's hard to play against. I think it's hard to play at I will say it's supposed to be one of those. It's supposed to be hot, sunny and in the 90s. Yes. And I don't think Miami's talented at all, but they're playing hard and they got a lot of young guys with a lot to prove. And I don't think kickings for Chase is going to play. I don't think the Bengals are going to lose, but I'm definitely taking points in this one. That's another one's jumping out to me. I think you were kind of feeling the other way. I was kind of feeling the other way because I'm like, ah, Cincinnati will just go in there and let that win by a touchdown. But I guess you're right. I'm not thinking about their two biggest weapons on offense, both if they're

27:41just baking in the sun and I got a line on the line. It's not in the shade. And yeah, I think Miami can keep it close. Interesting. I'd probably still lay the points with Cincinnati. It's six and a half. I'd love to see it. It's seven. If it's seven, yeah, then then the different story. Matt, another very intriguing game this weekend means a lot for both teams early in the season. The Patriots at Gillette, Stadium in Foxboro host the three and one Las Vegas Raiders. New England, a three and a half point favorite. It's another one I feel strong about. Take it to the points. Raiders. I hate that it's a one o'clock game on the road for a young team that probably hasn't done that collectively very much. And I think Drake May is back to being Drake May. But I still think the people around him aren't very good. Especially on offense. I don't look in Zolls' play. And this is two and a half. I'd lay in with the Patriots all day. I'm definitely taking the three and a half. I'm taking the points with the Raiders. I think the Raiders have a very good chance to win this game. I think they'll keep it close and maybe maybe even win it. I'm with you in New Orleans.

28:44I don't think anyone saw this coming. A four and a Vikings team against a one and three Saints team. This one means a lot for the Saints. Yeah, it could get ugly quick, keeping pace in the division. It could get late early for the Saints. It sure could. The Vikings are two and a half point road favorites. This one I don't feel strong about because I sometimes we've talked about this. Sometimes I just look at teams and I'm like, that Viking seems good, but they're not a five and a team. You know, like they're in their quarterbacks. That's a team might not be as good as I thought they were, but they're not a one and four team. They want a four team, you know, right. And in tough ways to play, but I'm sure Flores will throw a lot at them. And the offense isn't blocking anybody right now. I guess I'll take the bikes, but this one I don't feel super strong about. This is one of the ones that I would not want to touch in terms of actually investing my cheddar on. Mm hmm. I think I'll take New Orleans plus two and a half at home. I totally get it desperate, desperate team at home. Contra Jefferson's playing or not. I think he's see from Louisiana. I mean, it's gone on me. He's now as you guy.

29:44I have no idea. Good question. Yeah, I don't know. That's a good question. Is that a homecoming for me? I mean, in some ways, he is from Saint Rose, Louisiana. Yeah, okay. Tell you what, hey, hey, they breed some good ones down there. Yeah. Louisiana for sure. And East Rutherford, New Jersey, MetLife Stadium, the one in three jets, host the three and one browns. One of these teams is going to be feeling really good about themselves when they leave. Yeah. If you're the jet, it's like, hey, we just beat a team that started strong. We're two and three. We're still hanging around. If you're the browns, you're four and one and holy cow. Look at us. The jets, they two and a half point favorite at home. I'm taking the browns. I think they're better. I mean, I think their defense is the best of the four units. Kind of starting to buy in that Watson's good enough to beat teams like the jets. You know what I mean? Jets hang around, but in their home, I just think Cleveland's better. But I also, I also look at like browns are the four and one team, right? But they might end up being on Monday.

30:45So Matt, let me ask you this. To me, you know, kind of thinking about this game, I thought, man, I see this going a lot of different ways. But the browns are the ones with the substantial rest advantage. Oh, that too. Yeah, yeah. I wonder though, could that be a double edged sword for Cleveland? Because, you know, Todd Munkin gave those guys off for four days after the Steelers win. They didn't have to report back the facility until Tuesday. They were off Friday. They were off Saturday. They were off Sunday. They were off Monday. Yeah, yeah. I'm sure plenty of those guys got out of town. Oh, yeah. Go home. Went to went home, went to their college campus, took their significant other, their kids and went to a little getaway, you know, can't, whoon for a weekend or maybe got in trouble or whatever, you know, as we have outlined. And I know this is more of a fan thing than a team thing. But that's the Super Bowl for the browns every year. It could be a let down. Did they maybe take is there a threat of we took the foot off the gas during this rest period? And we have a little bit of a slow start and a let down.

31:46I think maybe I'm really young. I talk myself into it. I'm taking the jets. Okay. I'm laying the pace. I look at the free strong point. You start smelling yourself a little bit and be like, I don't stay out of it. You know what? The difference in this one for me is going to be that rest for Cleveland. But I'm like, they rest a little too much. Yeah. You know, the Steelers have been sitting up in their chair for those days, paying attention. Oh, yeah. Everything around us is being scrutinized. And the browns are like, brother, we're three and one. How's the money? Steelers. We are the most popular team in town. Yeah. The guardians are in the playoffs and the MLB playoffs and they're talking about us. We got it all figured out. I'm laying the points with the jets. I think the browns might have smelled themselves a little too much over this long break in our nation's capital, not really Land Over Maryland, but a couple of years from now, I'll be able to say that and it'll actually be true. The commanders host the Giants Matt. This is one of those actually matters a lot in that division. Matters a lot of division. All the sudden, Jaden Daniels is back, which is important to note. Washington's a four and a half point favorite. I know. That might be the biggest. Wins and sells things too.

32:48Don't give me wrong. They're in first place even if they lose this game. That's the state of that division. Like I keep talking thinking about Dallas. State of that division. Dallas should be winning this division. Dallas should run away with this division. And if I'm Jerry Jones and looking at him in the box last night, he feels it. I mean, like we should be dominating this division right now and you lose to the bucks at home on a short week with a backup quarterback. Yep. I'm taking the points. I am 1000% in the points. Yeah. That's a big number. It's a huge number because and I do think Daniel is going to play and even and I understand that's a big emotional lift and a just a talent. It's a good player. Especially over the third. I know some people are selling their Daniels stock. If he can stay healthy, I'm a believer. That's a big number though. Yeah, it is what should be a close low scoring game. I think they're equal. Yeah. And that's that should be a pick. I'm supposed to have some rain and some nasty weather too. I will take the four and a half with the giants all day all day. Rain might help them through their physical ground and pound heavy guys, you know, Matt

33:49in Los Angeles, the O and four chargers, just like we all saw coming host the two and two Denver Broncos Broncos, a three and a half point road favorite. I bet this whole place is either. Any charge fans or orange. I mean, the charges fans are going to be there are not going to be their friends. There'll be a lot of orange there. I think both their tackles are out. I think Maconkie's out. I don't know if Thurwin's playing this week. I love the patents taken back over. I'm definitely taking Denver on this one. This to me is pretty easy. Maybe if it was like four and a half or five and a half, I'd think about the points, but everything you just said, I think is spot on and I it's not just late early for the chargers. Oh, I think it's over. Cinderella's glass slipper has has fallen off and their their carriages turn back into a pumpkin and it's going to be a pseudo road game for them at home, which I think when you're an O and four team and you run out and you see orange everywhere, you got to be human and that's got to be demoralizing. We don't need to do it now, but we laid out on our podcast earlier who the starting five linemen for the chargers are.

34:51Most of whom no one would have heard of. I bet it's not great. No. Man, things are getting worse there. I bet Calil Mac betrayed it. I mean, I think, yeah. Take what though for them? It could set up nicely to draft one Jeremiah Smith if they end up holding on to adjust in Herbert. Oh, that yeah. Oh, yeah. Matt in Arizona, the lions are on the road at state farm stadium Detroit a five and a half point favorite against the Cardinals on the road. That's a that's a chunkier number. That's a big over under I think too. It is 50. Both of those teams are always high school. Both of those teams can score and both of those teams don't really play a lot of defense. I don't feel strong about it, but I'll take the lions. I'm going to lay the points with the lions too. I think they'll have enough juice to win by at least a touchdown there. That's a number. Yeah. And it's obviously not a difficult place to play. I'd imagine there'll be a lot of blue in the state. Yeah, probably. Matt what might be the game of the weekend, the Seahawks host the Niners three and one against

35:51four and a classic divisional rivalry clash in Seattle. The Hawks a three point home favorite, which I totally get. But I think the Niners are playing better than Seattle. I do too. Yeah. I'm taking the points and I think I might take the Niners to win straight up. They played there a ton. I don't think that phases that team all that much going to Seattle. I don't feel great about it. I mean, there are offenses the best in a league by a wide margin, but their defense has been really good too. I think they might have a better roster. They they might have a more complete roster. Yeah. Absolutely. I think I'm going to lay the points of Seattle though. Okay. I just I realized I realized that the Niners opened the season against the Rams, but there was no Aaron Donald Miles Garrett was injured. I realized that they just played the Rams or a shell of himself in that Australia. I realize that they just played the Broncos, but the Broncos defense has not been up the snuff of what we thought it was going to be this year.

36:52I don't think the Niners, I know they are humming on they are firing on full cylinders, all cylinders on offense. I don't think they've seen a defense like this in Seattle though. I agree. I said that on the show earlier. Like I don't think they're in score 30. You know, like I'm not sure I'm starting Brock Purdy this week in fantasy like the no brain. I wish that was two and a half Seattle instead of three because I could see Seattle by a field goal, but I'm going to lay the points with the whole day. I can't imagine either team getting blown out. So I'm definitely taking points. I like your logic there. This is the second most expensive get in price for the state for the state side games. You got to play close to 300 bucks just to get in and get a nosebleed seat. And it is supposed to be good weather 60 degrees and sunny there in Seattle for what is a game mat that Mike pursuit a Charlie batch and I will have on in the booth when they're doing when they're doing the post game show. I'll tell you that for sure Sunday night football. This one didn't look intriguing when the schedule came out, but it really does now with the way the Atlanta Falcons have been playing and I don't think Lamar is going to play. It's a battle of the dirty birds and the rat birds, the cock, the down there Mercedes

37:55Ben Stadium. As I always tell you, my second favorite stadium in the national football league, speaking to Lamar, not playing and how well the Falcons have looked the last two weeks. Who saw this coming? Atlanta's a three and a half point favorite against the race. I mean, if you told us that after week one or two, we'd be like, no, what is smoke and mud? Yeah. There's a whole Ravens team banged up, you know, did they travel with just the practice squad or both these teams are going to run the ball like crazy. This game's going to be over early. I think I'm buying in on Atlanta though. Three and a half, so number. It's over three. It's three and a half. It's another one that I would just stay away from. I'll take the points. I mean, I don't think I can't imagine Baltimore losing by more than three. I don't. I'm definitely saying away from it. Same, but I'm staying away from it. There's a good chance of Ravens lose though, just from a stealer perspective, not picking games. That'd be great. I really like the over and that the over is only 43 and a half. That's low. Yeah. I like the over. Matt, that'll do it for the Sunday slate. Of course, there's a very intriguing game Monday night between the Rams and the bills,

38:58but we'll talk more about that on Monday. There's some some rat poison lines, man. Oh, you know what? Guess what just happened in real time. The Cincinnati number just moved from six and a half to seven. Really? That means people have been I took it in six and a half. That means people have been hitting the bangles. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, maybe they think Chase or Higgins is playing. I assume they weren't that number just moved in real time. And that's a big move. That's not from six to six and a half. That's going to seven. So I don't know which one of these lines I like the most this weekend. I have four or five. Giants plus four and a half might be my favorite bet of the weekend. I'm trying to think of which ones I'm going to send to my boys Sunday morning. Giants plus four and a half might lead off the list. Might lead off the list. But there's some really intriguing games for a lot of different reasons on Sunday. And I'm looking forward to watching it all play out. The most important one though, of course, takes place on the North Shore Sunday, one o'clock, Azure Stadium between these Steelers and the Colts before we get out of here on the other side. Matt and I will tell you how we think that one plays out.

40:01West Euler, Matt Williamson, final segment of the week ahead. It is the drive on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network. And now a word from our sponsor, Bud Light. There's nothing better than the clean crisp. There's nothing better than the clean crisp. What if we just got out of here and grab some Bud lights? The man we're on air for four more hours. I'll figure it out. Sounds good to me. Anything for the clean, crisp taste of Bud Light. Stock up now. Bud Light. Easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Enjoy responsibly. Copyright 2026 and has a Bud Light beer St. Louis Missouri. I used to have cable in a net, but I'm a 100% kind of fan. So I switched to Verizon Fios. It's 100% fiber in a net that's super reliable. So I streamed 100% at the NFL Draft Live with ultra low lag. And after what went down in the first round, still getting video calls from my best friend rubbing it in that he called all the pigs. I told you they were building their own line.

41:02I win the bet. Get 100% fiber internet with Verizon Fios because when it comes to your team, it's 100% or nothing. Call 1-8-3-3 Verizon to switch today. Get that hotdog costume ready. Bra. You're tuned to the drive on your 24-7 home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Steelers, Colts, Sunday, 1 o'clock right here on the North Shore, of course, at Acro sure

42:04Stadium. Matt, I said it in the opening segment of the show when we were kind of doing the traditional scene setter. I'm going to say it again. There is a big difference between 3 and 2 and 2 and 3, just how it feels on the surface perspective wise and what it means for a playoff race and all those things. And we just know how the fans and listeners would be. I mean, back to back losses, the Colts and Browns is not going to settle well. I mean, it's the nature of the fan. I told this to you guys Saturday, Saturday night, WVU lost a shootout against Iowa State, 45 to 42, fell to 3 and 2. The mountaineers are now. I was I was I mean, I'm the the mullish. Do you know what I mean? I knew it. I hit you hard. Yeah. If we win that game and we're four and one, I'm like, we're four and one. We're going to schedule we only one four games last year. We've already won four of our first five is is that's a different feeling than three and two versus two and three. I mean, four and one's like, oh, baby. You want to be your win next week? Get the five and one.

43:04You're probably right. Right. Right right. Right. The tick of the conference race. There is man, these early season games. It's just you win and you feel like you're on top of the world and everything is ahead of you. You lose and it's like, oh, my god, who are we picking in the top 10 in April? Yeah, this is a big one for both of these teams, who's turned to go first? I think it's yours, right? I'll do it. I don't know TV who's going first. Tell us. I think it's my turn. I think it is, too. I'm pretty sure I went first last week. dealers winning dealers are three point favorites by the way. Okay. And I feel pretty confident that they'll win. I think we went through the matchups. I know we're a ton of time this segment just rewind, but I mean a lot of the matchups do favor Pittsburgh. I originally picked them to win 20 to 10. Weather might make me think 17 10, but in that neighborhood, I'm going to stick with 2010 because when I officially did my pick, that's what I pick. So you're coming in a way under the overrunner, which is 43 and a half. Yeah. Yeah. And I wonder if we do get the Sunday and the weather is what it could be potentially I wonder if that comes down to 41 and a half or 40 and a half. I wasn't aware of the overrunner. I knew they were

44:10a few goalish favorites. Bigger number than I then I thought it would be, but you know what, man, I think when you look at the struggles that these defenses have had. Yeah, it's not the highest flying offenses, but the Colts did just score 30 last week. It's not the highest flying of offenses, but the Steelers have scored 27 and back the back weeks. True. I'm going Steelers as well, Matt. I know that we've got some listeners that are like, you guys just pick against the Steelers every week, because when you pick against them, they win and when you pick up, they lose. I'm going Steelers 24 to 20. Okay, I can see that. Yeah. And I think it could be a little more comfortable than that score looks, but I'm going Steelers 24 to 20. I don't know if it'll be pretty. You might even be a game where you're down a half time, and you have to come back and win and you kind of decisively take control in the second half. But I do think the Steelers get it done. I think this is an opponent. They've had a lot of success against that I know it's a new coaching staff and a lot of moving parts, but sometimes there's just some of that weird history that permeates. I like the Steelers to bounce back something that organizationally they've done very well in these spots in recent history. I have a feeling on Monday, we're going to be talking about the Steelers defensive front in a positive manner. I hope that's the case. Yeah, yeah. I hope on I think the backbone is team right now. And I bet that's the best thing. I think that's the best thing to do. I think that's the best thing to do. I think that's the best thing to do. I think that's the best thing to do. I think that's the best thing to do. I think that's the best thing to do. I think that's the best thing

45:20to step up. I think on Monday, we're going to be talking about the Steelers offensive line. Take it another step forward. But that will do it. This week. A big thanks to密碩 Sin Matthews, for joining us today. She's got fast and show tonight, pit UNC Saturday Steelers bolts on Sunday. She was still kind enough to find the time. For us today. We appreciate her as always and a big shout out to Mr. TV Tyler V the intrepe video producer of this program for Matt Williamson, I'm what you'll have a great weekend. Everybody and you already know the drill. When losers, the intrepid video producer of this program. Format Williamson, I'm West Shuler, have a great weekend everybody, and you already know the drill. When loser draw, we'll be back to break it all down with you on Monday. As always, you know where to find us. It's on your 24, seven home of the black and gold, Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network. And now a word from our sponsor, Bud Light. There's nothing better than the clean Chris. There's nothing better than the clean crisp. What if we just got out of here and grab some Bud Lights? The man, we're on air for four more hours. I'll figure it out.

46:21Sounds good to me. Anything for the clean crisp taste of Bud Light. Stock up now. Bud Light, easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Enjoy responsibly, copyright 2026 and has a Bush Bud Light beer St. Louis, Missouri. I used to have cable internet, but I'm a 100% kind of fan. So I switched to Verizon Files. It's 100% fiber internet that's super reliable. So I streamed 100% at the NFL Draft Live with ultra low lag. And after what went down in the first round, still getting video calls from my best friend, rubbing it in that he called all the pics. I told you they were building their own line. I win the bet. Get 100% fiber internet with Verizon Files because when it comes to your team, it's 100% or nothing. Call 1-833 Verizon to switch today. Get that hotdog costume ready. Bra. So who's up for dessert? Ah, tempting, but I should check my balance first. Don't worry, I got it. No, I'll good. Desserts on me. Ever hesitate before making a purchase? What if you could always know? You can with S&T's mobile banking. Check your balance, pay friends on the spot,

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