Tag: pittsburgh

AFC North title on the line when Steelers host Ravens

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Sunday marks the fourth time in seven seasons that the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens close the regular season against one another.

The stakes haven’t been higher than they are for this Week 18 clash.

Pittsburgh (9-7) can clinch the AFC North title with a win or tie, while Baltimore (8-8) takes the division crown with a victory. There’s no wild-card consolation prize for the team that doesn’t take the division.

“We need to play smart but not play timid,” Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said.

Baltimore did just that in order to stay in the hunt for its third straight AFC North championship. The Ravens rebounded from a 1-5 start with a five-game winning streak after their bye.

While Baltimore is just 2-3 since Thanksgiving — including a home loss to Pittsburgh on Dec. 7 — the Steelers’ recent scuffles have created an opportunity.

A victory last week over a 3-12 Cleveland Browns squad would have clinched Pittsburgh’s first division title since 2020. But the Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggled to find a rhythm offensively with top wide receiver DK Metcalf serving the first of a two-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the NFL.

Tight end Darnell Washington suffered a broken arm in the first half of the 13-6 defeat and has been placed on injured reserve. Wideout Calvin Austin III (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday after missing the Browns game while linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) also was a limited participant.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (back contusion) practiced Wednesday after missing last week’s victory in Green Bay. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said he’s “very optimistic” Jackson will be ready to play.

He shares similar sentiment about the entire Ravens locker room.

“I think this team has a lot of character, a lot of grit, a lot of toughness,” Harbaugh said.

Steelers counterpart Mike Tomlin acknowledged the disappointment of missing the chance to earn a playoff berth last week, but said he has “learned to always move forward” and that “frustration doesn’t get the job done.”

Tomlin added: “It’s an honor to be in these games, to be in these hotly contested matchups. It seems like Baltimore is always a dance partner. I’m respectful and appreciative of that relationship and some of the historic things we’ve been able to do when these two teams have come together.

“It’s humbling and an honor to be a component of it. But to be a component of it is just that. Our job is to win.”

Doing so would ensure Rodgers at least one more game with Pittsburgh. The 42-year-old veteran, who joined the Steelers on a one-year deal, said he preferred not to discuss his looming decision whether to retire or continue playing.

“I’ve enjoyed this experience,” Rodgers said, “and everybody in Pittsburgh has been fantastic to me on and off the field. … What I was hoping for from this experience, it’s been even better.”

Visiting Pittsburgh edged Baltimore 27-22 in Week 14, prevailing despite a big afternoon from the Ravens’ ground game. Baltimore rushed for 217 yards (5.4 yards per carry) as Derrick Henry led the attack with 94 yards on 25 attempts.

Rodgers went 23-for-34 for 284 yards and a touchdown pass to Jaylen Warren that stretched the lead to 27-16 late in the third quarter. Metcalf contributed seven catches for 148 yards, both season highs in his first campaign with the Steelers.

–Field Level Media

East Carolina turns five Pitt miscues into Military Bowl triumph

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Anthony Smith caught two long touchdown passes, Nick Mazzie kicked three field goals and East Carolina took advantage of five Pitt turnovers to win the Military Bowl, 23-17, on Saturday in Annapolis, Md.

Chaston Ditta, making his first start at quarterback, threw for two touchdowns among his eight completions. He accounted for 177 passing yards as the Pirates (9-4) won the Military Bowl against an Atlantic Coast Conference team for the second year in a row.

Mason Heintschel was 25-for-40 for 256 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Pitt (8-5), which lost three of its final four games. Rahseem Biles racked up 16 tackles, including five for losses, and turned one of his sacks into a fumble and touchdown.

East Carolina’s first touchdown came on its first second-half possession when Ditta threw 47 yards to Smith, who got beyond Pitt’s coverage on the left side. That gave the Pirates a 10-7 lead.

There was a huge shift in momentum later in the third quarter. East Carolina’s Marlon Gunn Jr. ripped off what appeared to be a 68-yard touchdown run on fourth down, but it was reduced to a 14-yard gain because of an inadvertent whistle just as he broke free. Two plays later, Biles hit Ditta and forced a fumble that he scooped up for a 23-yard touchdown return and a 14-10 lead.

It took just two snaps for East Carolina to regain the lead as Ditta hit Smith cutting across the middle and the receiver turned it into a 72-yard scoring play. Smith finished with four catches for 156 yards.

The Pirates got the ball back on a Pitt fumble and turned it into Mazzie’s 33-yard field goal in the opening minute of the fourth quarter for a 20-14 edge.

Pitt drove to the East Carolina 20, but Kevon Merrell’s interception and 70-yard return put the Pirates in position for Mazzie’s third field goal — a 28-yarder.

Pitt reached the East Carolina 2 before opting for Trey Butkowski’s 21-yard field goal with 1:23 remaining, but the Pirates recovered the onside kick. Following a punt, Pitt got the ball back with 57 seconds left and no timeouts.

East Carolina had the upper hand throughout the first half until Pitt went ahead with four seconds to play on Heintschel’s 22-yard pass to Raphael Williams Jr. That capped a 10-play, 77-yard drive to give Pitt a 7-3 halftime lead.

East Carolina threatened first, but Mazzie missed on a field goal from 51 yards out. He was good from 42 yards in the second quarter.

Quarterback Katin Houser, who threw for 3,300 yards while serving as East Carolina’s starter all season, missed the game with the intention to enter the transfer portal.

–Field Level Media

NFL denies DK Metcalf’s appeal of two-game suspension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL ruled on Tuesday that it will not reduce Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf’s two-game suspension for initiating contact with a fan during Sunday’s game at Detroit.

The decision means Metcalf will miss the rest of the regular season as the Steelers (9-6) attempt to hold on to their one-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens (8-7) in the AFC North race.

During the Steelers’ 29-24 win over the Lions, Metcalf walked behind Pittsburgh’s sideline toward a Lions fan leaning over the front row. Metcalf raised his right hand to grab the fan, who was wearing a blue wig, and then appeared to try to punch the man as he leaned back.

Metcalf was not penalized during the game, but multiple cameras caught the interaction and that’s what led to the initial two-game suspension handed down Monday.

With Metcalf sidelined when the Steelers play Sunday at the Cleveland Browns and host the Ravens in the regular-season finale on Jan. 4, Pittsburgh will be without its leader in receiving yards (850), touchdown receptions (six) and targets (99). He ranks second on the team with 59 catches.

Prior to the NFL’s upholding of the suspension, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin weighed in Tuesday on Metcalf’s behavior.

“He did explain to me why he did what he did, and I certainly don’t condone the behavior, but I support DK,” Tomlin said. “And I really don’t have a lot to add other than what I just told you.”

–Field Level Media

Mike Tomlin: Steelers WR DK Metcalf on track for MNF

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is expected to play Monday night after spending Sunday night in Baltimore due to stomach pains.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Metcalf is “moving in the right direction” toward suiting up for the crucial Week 15 matchup against the visiting Miami Dolphins (6-7).

Metcalf, who will turn 28 on Sunday, rejoined the team in Pittsburgh on Monday after going to a Baltimore hospital and staying in a hotel overnight following the Steelers’ 27-22 win over the Ravens.

“I don’t think it’s going to jeopardize his availability at all, but it certainly may jeopardize his availability at the early portions of the week from a practice standpoint,” Tomlin said about Metcalf’s hospital stay. “Thankfully he’s fine. I’m appreciative of our medical staff and how quickly they acted and making sure that he was safe and taking care of him postgame.”

Tomlin cited an in-game hit that caused Metcalf to begin experiencing stomach pains, which worsened to the point the veteran receiver was removed from the team plane in Baltimore by medical personnel.

“He got hit in the abdomen or stomach in-game,” Tomlin said. “I think they gave him some basic over-the-counter remedies in-game like Pepto or something like that and it got probably progressively worse after the game, so I’m appreciative of our medical experts. We just exercised an abundance of caution. We didn’t want to get him in the air without having a complete understanding about what he was dealing with, and they did a good job of that.”

A seven-year veteran in his first season with Pittsburgh (7-6), Metcalf posted a season-high 148 yards on seven receptions Sunday. In 13 games this season, he has 52 receptions for 753 yards and five touchdowns along with two rushes for 12 yards and a score. A second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2019 draft, Metcalf has tallied 490 catches for 7,077 yards and 53 scores.

In other Steelers injury news, offensive tackle Andrus Peat, linebacker Malik Harrison and tight end Darnell Washington are in concussion protocol. Tomlin said defensive lineman Keeanu Benton (ankle) and cornerback James Pierre (calf) might be limited in practice after suffering injuries Sunday.

Safety Kyle Dugger, who missed Sunday’s game with a hand injury, might suit up Monday, Tomlin said. Defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee), a first-round pick in 2025, has missed the last two games, and his status for Monday is up in the air.

The banged-up Steelers were given Wednesday off by Tomlin and will practice Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Steelers starting LT Broderick Jones (neck) placed on injured reserve

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Pittsburgh Steelers starting left tackle Broderick Jones, already ruled out for Sunday’s game against the visiting Buffalo Bills, was placed on injured reserve on Saturday and will miss at least the next four games.

Jones injured his neck in Pittsburgh’s 31-28 road loss to the Chicago Bears on Nov. 23. Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Friday that veteran guard/tackle Andrus Peat will start in his place on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Jones started all 11 games this season at left tackle and 38 of 45 regular-season games and both playoff games since his debut in 2023. He participated in 97% of the offensive snap counts this season.

The Steelers selected Jones 14th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Georgia.

Peat, 32, played eight snaps at guard in the Steelers’ 25-10 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 9 in his only action this season.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection (2018, 2019, 2020), Peat has played mostly guard in 127 regular-season games (104 starts) for the New Orleans Saints (2015-23), Las Vegas Raiders (2024) and Steelers. The Saints drafted him 13th overall out of Stanford in 2015.

Also Saturday, the Steelers elevated veteran cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the active-inactive roster for Sunday’s game. Pittsburgh signed the free agent to the practice squad on Nov. 11 following offseason spinal fusion surgery.

Samuel, 26, played in 50 regular-season games (47 starts) for the Chargers from 2021-24 after Los Angeles selected him in the second round of the 2021 draft out of Florida State. He played in only four games (four starts) last season because of injuries and became a free agent.

He has 176 career tackles as well as six interceptions and 37 passes defensed.

–Field Level Media

ACC, CFP stakes on both sides as No. 22 Pitt hosts No. 12 Miami

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Miami and Pitt each face a must-win situation to keep their respective College Football Playoff and Atlantic Coast Conference championship hopes alive when they clash on Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh.

The No. 22 Panthers (8-3, 6-1 ACC) returned to the CFP rankings this week following their 42-28 victory last Saturday at Georgia Tech.

Pitt needs to beat Miami and hope either No. 18 Virginia loses to Virginia Tech or No. 21 SMU loses at California to clinch a spot in the ACC championship game. Being a 3-loss team, the Panthers’ only obvious path into the CFP is by winning the conference title.

The 12th-ranked Hurricanes (9-2, 5-2) need more help to make it to the conference title game as it involves Miami beating Pitt and two of three teams (SMU, Virginia and Duke) losing. A Miami win paired with Duke and Virginia losses would set up a Miami-SMU matchup for the ACC title.

Unlike Pitt, though, the Hurricanes have a slim chance of being selected as an at-large to the CFP even if they do not win the ACC or play for the title.

“It’s all about us,” said Miami safety Zechariah Poyser. “We’ve got to control what we can control. We can’t look ahead. We’ve got to dominate today.”

Pitt has persevered despite numerous injuries and bounced back after a lopsided 37-15 loss to Notre Dame on Nov. 15. Pitt had 12 players out against Georgia Tech and still found a way to come up with one of its biggest wins of the season.

Ja’Kyrian Turner led the Panthers with 201 rushing yards and a touchdown as they jumped out to a 28-0 first-half lead before needing to hold off a Yellow Jackets comeback late in the fourth. Pitt’s defense was clutch with a pair of interceptions of Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King, who had thrown only two prior to Saturday’s game.

“Not a surprising win even though a lot of people said that. We have a good football team here at Pittsburgh,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. ” … We talk about toughness. Our guys maximized that, as we needed to and as we have in the past.”

Since Miami’s loss at SMU on Nov. 1, it has also been resilient and playing much better. In wins over Syracuse, NC State and Virginia Tech, the Hurricanes have outscored their opponents 113-34.

Miami was in danger of letting a 27-10 lead slip away last week against the Hokies, but found a way to nail down its victory when Poyser recovered a fumble forced by Akheem Mesidor on a strip sack.

Quarterback Carson Beck has completed 66 for 83 passes for 858 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions during the Hurricanes’ three-game win streak.

On the injury front, there’s a chance the Hurricanes have key players return this week as Miami coach Mario Cristobal indicated defensive tackle David Blay Jr., who has missed the past two games, and cornerback OJ Frederique Jr., who has missed the past four, might be available. Miami also seems to have caught a break regarding standout safety Jakobe Thomas, who is expected to play after injuring his arm in last week’s win at Virginia Tech.

It’s unclear whether any key players could return this week for Pitt. That includes starting kicker Trey Butkowski, with Narduzzi saying he has no timeline to return. Sam Carpenter made all six of his extra points against Georgia Tech, but he missed his lone field goal try. Butkowski has converted 19 of his 21 field-goal attempts.

–Field Level Media

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (wrist) questionable vs. Bears on Sunday

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Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers is questionable to play on Sunday at Chicago because of a fracture in his left (non-throwing) wrist, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said on Friday.

Rodgers, 41, missed practice on Wednesday and was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday.

“I thought I saw a solid effort,” Tomlin told reporters. “But it’s Friday. We’ve still got some time. He was listed as a partial participant and given a questionable designation and we’ll see where the weekend leads us.”

The quarterback injured his left wrist and exited the Steelers’ 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. Backup Mason Rudolph finished the game and is in line to start if Rodgers isn’t able.

Rodgers has completed 66.4% of his passes (192 of 289) for 1,969 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games this season, his first with Pittsburgh.

With the Steelers (6-4) clinging to a slim lead in the AFC North, Pittsburgh could opt to protect Rodgers from further injury.

However, Rodgers is more than familiar with the Week 12 opponent, the NFC North-leading Bears (7-3).

If he is able to play, Sunday would be the 30th career game for Rodgers against the Bears. He’s 24-5 all-time with 64 touchdowns and 10 interceptions from his time playing the Bears as a Green Bay Packer from 2008-22 — 25-5 overall including a victory in the 2010 NFC Championship Game.

–Field Level Media

No. 16 Georgia Tech targets first ACC title game since ’14, Pitt blocking path

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 16 Georgia Tech’s Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season finale against Pitt on Saturday is one of the most important in program history.

For the Yellow Jackets (9-1, 6-1 ACC), the consequences for the game on Saturday in Atlanta are simple.

Should Georgia Tech defeat Pittsburgh, it is in the ACC Championship game for the first time since 2014. That would also serve as a runway for the Yellow Jackets’ first College Football Playoff appearance.

“There’s a big week in front of us now,” Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key said. “We’re here and it’s a great opportunity in front of us. Great opportunity Saturday, and very thankful that this game is at home. We’re playing a very good football team for an opportunity to play for the conference championship. This is a championship game in its own right. That’s the way we’re viewing it.”

Georgia Tech nearly suffered a catastrophic loss last week, narrowly escaping with a 36-34 win at Boston College. The Yellow Jackets, led by Heisman hopeful Haynes King’s 371 passing yards, totaled 628 yards, their second-most all-time in an ACC game.

Also on Saturday, Georgia Tech will honor its senior class in the final scheduled home game of the year. Most notably, King will receive a deafening ovation as the leader of a team that’s been one of the stories of the college football season.

“The command he has of the team on the field, he’s special, and it’s hard to put it into words,” Key said. “The legacy that he leaves here, hopefully, will be continued with other players on the team. I’m just excited for him, excited for his family, excited for all the seniors. It’ll be a special moment on Saturday night.”

Georgia Tech will have to take care of business against Pitt (7-3, 5-1), which has plenty of reason to play on Saturday. The Panthers had their five-game winning streak snapped with a disappointing 37-15 home loss to Notre Dame last week, but they still entertain thoughts of taking a trip to Charlotte for the ACC title game on Dec. 6.

That hope will evaporate if Pitt loses Saturday, which would eliminate the Panthers from contention.

“Their quarterback is special,” Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi said of Georgia Tech. “Haynes King is really good. I don’t listen to the news and I don’t know if he’s in for the Heisman, but the guy has thrown for almost 2,300 yards, rushed for 800. That guy should be talked about for the Heisman because I think he is about as tough as anybody in the country. … The No. 1 key to victory is being able to stop Haynes King.”

The Panthers are led by true freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel (1,673 passing yards, 13 total touchdowns), who’s coming off his worst performance as a starter. The 18-year-old threw for just 126 passing yards and an interception against Notre Dame.

“Obviously a couple times (Heintschel) went to the wrong spot,” Narduzzi said. “But he’s going to learn from those things. There’s not a quarterback in the country that doesn’t go out there and throw it to the wrong spot, read a coverage wrong. There’s not one in the country.”

Pittsburgh needs to beat Georgia Tech and Miami (on Nov. 29) to have a chance of qualifying for the ACC Championship game.

–Field Level Media

Chargers’ defense dominates in win over Steelers

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Kimani Vidal rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown and the Los Angeles Chargers held Pittsburgh to 221 total yards while notching a 25-10 victory over the Steelers on Sunday night at Inglewood, Calif.

Justin Herbert completed 20 of 33 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown and Cameron Dicker kicked three field goals for the Chargers (7-3). Ladd McConkey had four catches for 107 yards and one score, Khalil Mack recorded a safety and RJ Mickens and Donte Jackson had interceptions for Los Angeles.

Aaron Rodgers completed 16 of 31 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for Pittsburgh (5-4). Alex Highsmith registered two sacks for the second straight game for the Steelers.

Keenan Allen had two catches to give him 956 career receptions with the Chargers, breaking the franchise record set by Hall of Famer Antonio Gates (955).

The Steelers lost cornerback Darius Slay (concussion) in the second quarter.

Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell kicked a 59-yard field goal with 10:25 left in the opening quarter before Los Angeles scored the next 25 points.

The Chargers got their first points when Mack sacked Rodgers in the end zone for a safety with 5:09 left in the quarter.

Los Angeles took a 5-3 lead on Dicker’s 32-yard field goal with 7:32 left in the second quarter.

The lead grew to nine when Herbert tossed a 15-yard scoring pass to McConkey with 12 seconds remaining in the half.

Dicker tacked on a 59-yard field goal to equal his career best to make it 15-3 with 6:07 left in the third quarter.

Pittsburgh had just five first downs in the first three quarters but managed to reach the Chargers’ 10-yard line early in the fourth quarter. But the Steelers came up empty when Rodgers’ fourth-and-6 pass to DK Metcalf was broken up in the end zone by Cam Hart with 12:41 left.

Los Angeles responded with a six-play, 90-yard drive. The highlight was Herbert’s 58-yard pass to McConkey and it set up Vidal’s 2-yard run to make it 22-3 with 9:26 remaining in the game.

Any chance of a Pittsburgh rally was quickly squashed. Rodgers threw a pass that went off the hands of Calvin Austin and into those of Jackson. Then when the Chargers were forced to punt, Ke’Shawn Williams muffed it and Del’Shawn Phillips recovered for Los Angeles at the Steelers’ 21.

The miscue set up Dicker’s 42-yard field goal to boost the lead to 22 with 4:54 remaining.

Roman Wilson caught Rodgers’ short pass and turned it into a 27-yard score with 2:57 left.

–Field Level Media

Steelers CB Darius Slay (concussion) ruled out vs. Chargers

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Slay exited Sunday night’s game against the host Los Angeles Chargers due to a concussion.

Slay was injured when he banged heads with teammate Kyle Dugger while making a tackle on Chargers running back Kimani Vidal in the second quarter. Slay was walked off the field by trainers with 11:36 left in the quarter.

The 34-year-old Slay was initially termed questionable to return before being ruled out at the outset of the third quarter.

Slay had three tackles before departing. The six-time Pro Bowler and 2017 first-team All-Pro is in his 13th NFL season and first with the Steelers.

The Detroit Lions selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played for the Lions (2013-19) and Philadelphia Eagles (2020-24) before signing with the Steelers as a free agent in March.

–Field Level Media