January 11, 2024 • 36 mins
Mike, Matt, and Merril get you ready for the wild card round featuring the Steelers and Bills on Sunday with two hours of conversation and special guests!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Ford Steelers Preview Show continues on wdv E Pittsburgh.
Here are your hosts, Mike Persuda, Matt Williamson, and Merril Hodge.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Welcome back to the Ford Steelers Preview Show right here
on your Steelers flagship. One of two point five dv
E n S n R our number two. We go
twice as long in the postseason, because why wouldn't we,
And it is our privilege now to welcome to the
show a guy who I've known for a long long time,
a guy who's done just about everything in the media
(00:32):
that you can do related to coverage of the NFL,
specifically a lot of that chronicling the Buffalo Bills.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
His name is Vic Carucci.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
He is a host on Sirius XM NFL Radio and
also The Bills NFL Insider for Insider excuse me for
w g RZTV, the NBC affiliate in Buffalo. Vic, great
to catch up again.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
How are you tonight, Mike.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
I'm doing great and it's great to be with you guys,
for sure.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Well, the first thing we got to ask you, what's
the forecast? Because we're here in horror stories. Uh, you
know you know that area pretty well. What's the reasonable
expectation for Sunday at one o'clock.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
I will I will put on my meteorologist hat, which
doesn't fit real well, but I'm going to take my
best shot here. Uh no, i'd like you. Uh. And
and you know, my wife and I were watching the
local stations and and uh trying to get the different
forecasts that they're giving. And there there's a little bit
of they like to leave themselves a little ambiguity, a
(01:38):
little open sort of an open ended deal here, but
they're calling for upwards of like seven inches of snow,
which doesn't sound that much, uh in a.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Way of paramount.
Speaker 4 (01:53):
But well, yeah, but I mean, you know, we're talking
about last Christmas where I was, I was where I'm
talking to you now, in my house. We didn't move
for three day from Friday to Monday, and I couldn't
distinguish between my front yard and the road. So it
doesn't sound like that. However, however, the wind looks like
(02:17):
that could be the challenge to look at. And and
you know, look, I think I think there's gonna be
It's January and we're in western New York and you
guys are in Pittsburgh and come on, we all know
that it's it's not Bomby. It's likely to be a challenge.
And guess what, I think you got two teams that
(02:38):
deal with that. Now the rest of us, look, we're
you know, we're in a press box. That's fine. I
feel very much for the stout hearted Bills, and I'm
sure there'll be a fair amount of Steeler fans who
have every intention of sitting outside in the in the
in the elements. Good for them, but you and I
are going to be inside, like we know that.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
So to VIC, I mean, there's a reason the Bills
are favored. There're the reason they've earned the two seed.
They're a very good football team for quite a while now.
But I do think the weather somewhat of an equalizer.
I mean, I think that works to the Steelers advantage
as opposed to it being a clean, beautiful, crisp day.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
You know, there's a large part of me that wants
to say you're right, because it's that old school mentality. However,
I really think in the NFL we can say that.
But I do think that the teams, not you. I mean,
let's start with the coaches, but then you know the
(03:34):
players too. What will differentiate, what can take that equalizing
thought out of the conversation, And it is, you know
a quarterback who can throw the ball through the wind.
And we all know and we've seen enough of them.
You certainly saw enough of a guy named Ben Roethelosberger
who could handle that. And I think in Josh Allen
(03:57):
he's that guy. The Bills have played some of their
best offensive football in less than ideal conditions a couple
of times on the road, Philadelphia being a recent one
in the in that rain and and uh and windy
stuff in Philly. Uh. Now again not what we're you know,
it's not snow, and it's and it's different, but wind
does wind UH? And I think that's and and a
(04:20):
and a moisture on a football is also something else
to look at, UH. And then your traction and so forth.
What I've heard players on the Bill say is as
long as you're you know, the equipment staff is making
the right calls for the for the footwear, then old
linemen can get their necessary uh traction and base uh
(04:44):
for blocking and and leverage and all that, and and
the skill people, the outside people can you know, make
their necessary cuts UH to deal with either as receivers
or or dbs, and and and linebackers and chasing people
down and running backs. I think it's I think it
does have to do as much as anything with how
(05:04):
you're how you're able to negotiate the field.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
I think it's a It's an interesting matchup for a
lot of reasons, particularly two teams that were kind of
hanging on the edge of the cliff and we're able
to kick it in a gear down the stretch. Now,
the Bills won their last five games. Uh, you win
five games in this league against anybody, it's impressive. I
don't care who you're playing, where, whatever. But my question
for you is this. Did they come out of Miami saying, yeah,
(05:31):
well the division champs or oh my god, how did
we win that game? We got a lot of stuff
to clean up quickly.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
It's probably a little of both. Mike, you know, this
has been a real tear.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Look.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
Uh, there's no lying about what this season has been
for this team. It had reached a point after they
had lost to Denver. Uh, and that that was at
the end of a six game stretch, after a three
and one start, a six game stretch where you know
they they had struggled through a lot of games, and
even a couple that they won in that stretch should
(06:05):
have been losses or could have been lost, as I
should say against the Giants and Buccaneers primetime games. From
that point on is where they it kicked in. They
beat the Jets, they lose a game that they also
were in a position to win and scored in the
thirty plus range, losing at Philly. You remember that game,
(06:26):
and we've seen what Philly has kind of become from
that point forward. And then they go on this tear
and and they know they had to run the table
to even have a chance to talk about the playoffs.
And we were questioning whether this is a real, genuine
playoff team or a team that's falling well short of
(06:46):
expectation at this point, you know, looking how these last
three games, including that Miami game where they have you know,
really just hung on to win. I mean they the Patriot,
it's gave him a game. And and you know that's
I mean that that shouldn't have happened.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Given beat the Steelers, that shouldn't have happened either.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
Right right, right, so we know we know what we're
talking about there, and and and then you go to
to the Chargers and and I mean, my god, how
bad was that? Ethan? Uh Eastern Eastern stick is the
quarterback Eastern stick?
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Okay?
Speaker 4 (07:28):
They but yeah, he's a hockey I'm taking hockey exactly.
And they and they and they love and they found
they found a way to win that game, or or
Chargers found a way to lose it, because they had
him in a ten nothing hole at one point. So
so now you're looking and now Miami at Miami, where
(07:48):
Miami has played well. Uh, but Miami be refed with
injuries and and really not not a whole team at all.
And Buffalo turns it over. I mean Josh Allen turns
it over three times in dolphin territory, given points away,
and right before the half, instead of making the wise
(08:09):
decision of throwing the ball away and setting up a
field goal, he throws it to the middle.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Of the field.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
They fall short of the first down, no timeouts, no
chance to kick a field goal. They gave up four
chances for points right there. That these are the recipes
for losing. We know that the you know the turnovers
that they had against the again against the Chargers, against
the Patriots, all losing propositions, but they're finding a way
(08:35):
to win. So to your point, when do you reach
a point of you win five in a row just
to get in and you're a division champ, and yeah,
you're you're you know, it's four years in a row,
you've done that. But how do you feel? How do
you feel about that? I mean, yeah, they're properly favored
against Nation Rudolph and and that's basically and no TJ. Watt.
(08:58):
But yes, you could still say who can't the Bills
lose to just as easily as you could say who
can't the Bills beat Vic?
Speaker 5 (09:08):
Do you help me wrap my head around Stephan Diggs?
I mean, great player, potential Hall of Famer, was phenomenal
last week, but there was like six weeks in a
row where he was not doing Stefan Diggs things at all.
Speaker 4 (09:21):
It's been very interesting, so that a point of demarcation
on that. Joe Brady takes over as offensive coordinator after
they fire Ken Dorsey after that Denver loss, which was
just an ugly, terrible thing, and their offense in that
six week stretch was their bigger problem, not functioning anywhere
(09:45):
close to what it had after the three and one
start and the better part of the last few seasons.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
I can't relate to any of this, Victor, I can't
wrap my head around.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
So parallel worlds, parallel worlds. The Steelers do their thing
with that Canada, they break, I know, whatever they've done,
But the point is they got somebody else call in
place for them, just as the Bills do. Guys, you know,
and I know this is not the classic formula for success.
Fire a coordinator at mid season and oh boom, everything's
(10:19):
going to be great. Well, it has worked out. But
part of the way it's worked out for Buffalo is
you don't see Stefan Diggs as a major part of
this offense in the way he's now. He did some
big things against Miami, but for him, this offense had
been alan to Diggs and and that was the foundation
(10:43):
for what made this team a contender that is pretty
much evaporated for the better part of almost two months,
and people scratch their heads, what's happening here? Why are
more passes going to a rookie tight end Dalton King
k Why are they throwing a Khalil Shakir. Why are
these names that we're seeing emerge not named Diggs. And
(11:06):
and I'm not going to say it's an intentional let's,
you know, let's keep the ball away from our most
talented receiver mentality that they have. I think their mentality
is let's give the opponent something else to think about.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Okay, thick, last thing I got for you, Gabe Davis,
Terrell Dodson and Russell Douglas or any or all of
those guys playing as far as you can tell, and
would would there be one in particular if the Bills
don't have him, they got.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
A problem, well, a couple of things there.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
I do think the fact that they didn't practice Thursday
is a concern. Davis would be my biggest concern. And
then it would tell me that you know, and now
I don't know if this would mean can you put
more spotlight on Diggs where who will of course, have
most of the steeler be defensive attention anyway? Or or
(12:03):
is this more targets for Kincaid and and for Dawson
Knox although he misspracticed Thursday with an illness, whatever that is.
And and it'll be interesting. Russell Douglas has has been
a fine that trade that they made at the trade
deadline for Green Bay. Now, this guy has come on
and been been a real opportunistic ballhawker. Uh you know,
(12:27):
gets a Defensive Player of the Week honor. He leaves
them in interceptions in playing only a half dozen or
so games, which maybe tells you about their inability to
take the ball away. But also when a guy is
making interceptions, you know that means opponents aren't afraid to
go his way. But so Davis and Douglas would be
(12:48):
the two that would concern me the most. But I'm
going to say this, if we're putting injury lists side
by side, the Bills have no one hurt that equals
what Watt is who by the way, I think we
would very I'm a voter for a Defensive Player of
the Year that AP list. He might get a few
(13:08):
votes for that. So I'm just saying. I'm just saying
they don't have that kind of flip the field game
changer hurting for them this week.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Vick great stuff. Really enjoyed catching up. I know we've
been intersecting all these stadiums for a long time, but
I'm really looking.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Forward to doing it again on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Yes, I think it's going to be an interesting game.
I mean, I you know, I'm picking the Bills to win.
Of course, that's the low hanging fruit here. But to
your guys point about is the weather going to make
it be an equalizer?
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Will it make it interesting?
Speaker 4 (13:43):
I like it. One last point I'll make the Bills
made a point or Sean McDermott made a point of
talking about physicality that I guess the message to the
team this week is be prepared to be as physical
as you need to be because this opponent will be physical.
Wherever the Steelers are, they're going to be physical, and
if you're not prepared to do that, then you know
(14:05):
you've got This is where it could be a problem.
I don't I don't think that's a shortcoming for Buffalo,
but it will be interesting playoff time, ratcheting things up.
If that's a real concern on Buffalo's part, then I
want to see how it translates, because I am certain,
as you guys are that if nothing else, Mike's going
(14:26):
to have you know, that team ready to play a
physical game.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
Yeah, he's right about that. McDermott, get the big boy
pads out. VIC enjoyed it, and we'll see you Sunday.
Speaker 4 (14:36):
All right, guys, looking forward to it. See you.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Thank you, Vic Crucci from Serious XM, NFL Radio and
the Bills NFL Insider for w g r Z TV,
the NBC TV affiliate in Buffalo. We got more to
get to, so keep it here with Matt Williamson Mike
Pursuit of This is the Ford Steelers Preview Show right
here on your Steelers Flagship one or two point five
(14:59):
d VE SNR.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Back to the Ford Steelers Preview Show on DVE.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Welcome back to our special two hour edition of the
Ford Steelers Preview Show right here on your Steelers Flagship
one of two point five DVE and sn R got
another great guest lined up for you as we give
you twice the show this week, as we continue to
get you ready for the Steelers and the Bills on Sunday.
And Matt, this is not hyperbole. I'm sixty two years old.
(15:30):
I grew up watching and reading about the NFL anything
I possibly could, and when I came across the work
of our next guest, Rick Goose Goslin, formerly of the
Dallas Morning News, like soon realized that, well he's the
best NFL writer I've ever experienced.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Oh, own the draft, contacts and sources everywhere, a great
feel for the game, and last but not least, the
class and education that you can only attain at Michigan State.
Speaker 5 (16:05):
I didn't know that part here, of course. Of course
it's great talk, good, so good catching up.
Speaker 6 (16:14):
Thanks for the great introduction, Thank you. Thanks me proud
to be a Spartan.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Of course, Frick's no longer with the Dallas Morning News.
The title these days is Hall of Fame Voter and
NFL Historian. But Rick, I know you're still plugged in
and watching the game. I take part in your power
Pole every week, which is a little online endeavor. A
couple of questions about this or that.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
But what do you think?
Speaker 2 (16:38):
You got kind of a thirty thousand feet view of
Steelers Bills.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
What do you think?
Speaker 6 (16:43):
Oh, I'll tell you what. I've really liked the Bills
all season. They've had ups and downs here there. They
got a top five offense, top ten defense. I wouldn't
want to play them in the playoffs, not up there,
and I think it's gonna be tough Pittsburgh to get
past him if he knocked Josh Allen out in the
(17:04):
first quarter. I like your chances But the funny thing
is the Cowboys went up there and their whole goal
was to stop Josh Allen, and the Bills ran for
like two hundred and thirty against him, and Allen's do
like fourteen passes. They didn't even bother their past. They
just beat him with the run. So I'm curious what
the what the game planed, because everybody feels they got
(17:26):
to stop Allen. But again, they ran for two hundred
billion yards against the Cowboys. They've They've got all the
pieces to be a Super Bowl contender. And again, I
think Gallen is despite the interceptions, I think he's one
of the probably four or five best quarterbacks of football.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
He scares me, I don't play and they have certainly
become more multifaceted on offensive late. That's a big pitcher
questions for you, And what kind of shot do you
give TJ. Watt to win his second defensive MVP? And
do you think Joey porter Jure is any shot at
Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Speaker 6 (18:05):
Yeah, given the fact that Browns led the NFL and defense,
Garrett's going to get some some support there. The fact
that the Steelers made the playoffs really helps. What I
think the voters tend to look at they like the
better teams, the best players off better teams. Watt's got
(18:27):
the most recognizable name. Uh I think it would be
it would be a fairly close vote as far as
Rookie of the Year.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Why not.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
You know a lot of great candidates.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
I don't know if you know this about Ghosts, Matt,
but uh Rick has always been a big defense guy.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
Particularly.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
I remember that covering the Cardinals Steelers Super Bowl and
the Steelers had the number one defense and the Cardinals
had Kurt Warner to Larry fitz Sure, and I actually
thought the Cardinals is gonna win that game.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
I picked the Cardinals.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Rick picked the Steelers because Ricky had some kind of
stat like the first overall defense won like every time
but two that it was in the game or something.
Speaker 6 (19:07):
Yeah, if you have he ranked, if he ranked in
the top ten in defense, you were like, you won
like fourth forty eight to fifty one super Bowls.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
It was.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
It was ridiculous.
Speaker 6 (19:18):
So I remember when Tampa, when Tampa played Open, I
was on a show or an NFL show with Daryl Johnson.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
Wait, let me start her going.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
I don't want to get too far off of what
I was going to tell Matt here before we go there.
Ricks telling me all week that the Steelers is going
to win because of his defensive numbers. I'm telling him
all week the Cardinals are going to win because of
Larry Fish. So the game plays out and Ben Roethlisberger
drives the Steelers miraculous drive in two minutes, throws maybe
the greatest past ever to San Antonio Holmes, he toe
taps it. Steelers win the game, and he comes down
(19:47):
to me. So, yeah, I told you the defense was
gonna win the game.
Speaker 5 (19:49):
Harrison a good thing in that game too, though.
Speaker 6 (19:52):
Harris made a great play in that game.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
No, sorry to cut you off your Tampa story.
Speaker 6 (19:58):
Yeah, Tampa was number one and defense, Oco was number
one in offense. Rich Cannon was, of course m VT.
Uh and I like Tampa because of defense and all
the NFL guys in the show. Oh no, you gotta
like Raiders and Cannon. Well, guess what, Tampa scored as
many points on defense as the Raiders did an offense.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
Pretty good example, I guess you.
Speaker 6 (20:17):
I get your offense.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
Goose.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
We mentioned you're a Hall of Fame voter, and uh,
you know the annual topic around here. Is heines Ward
ever going to get in? Is James Harrison ever going
to get in?
Speaker 6 (20:31):
I'd rather be talking about heines Ward right now than
the three guys that are among the finals. You know,
we've had we yeah, you know, we've We've had Holt,
Wayne Johns. They've all been in there, we've all discussed them.
We haven't reachedicked coonsing on them. And here's heines Ward
with one hundred touchdown receptions, super Bowl MVP, and he
can't get in the room. And we're talking about these
(20:53):
three guys. Two of them Holt and Wayne were the
second receivers on their teams. And Andrew Johnson I like
him as a player, but he had fifty one career touchdowns.
Heines worried twice that many? Uh? You know? Is that
a Hall of Fame receiver? Fifty one touchdown passes?
Speaker 4 (21:09):
You know?
Speaker 6 (21:09):
I look at receivers, what did you do after you
caught the ball? Everage for catching touchdowns? And hines Ward
and you throw his blocking and may be the greatest
team wide receiver in history. Every time I see hines
Ward's name, I vote him. Every cut he has to make,
I vote him He deserves to be discussed, I think
more so than the three guys we're talking about this year.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
And how about Harrison.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
If he was a hard sack guy, I think he'd
have much better chances. I think he's viewed as a
pass rusher. He made the big play in the Super Bowl.
Of course, it's tough. I mean, Jared Allen's sitting out
there and he can't get a snaff. Kevin Green stat
out there forever. But again, they didn't win championships. Harrison's
got They won championship. Seventy five percent of all the
(21:56):
players in Canton made all decade and hers didn't make
called sixty five percent one championships. He's got the championship.
So again, if he was if he had that one
big statistical number in sacks. You know, the committee's gotten
so young. It's become such a stat driven UH selection process,
(22:16):
which is why we're looking at these three wide receivers
in that Hines Ward. I don't know. I think Harrison
deserves to be in the room to be discussed. And
the biggest complaint I have with this process and we
don't cycle enough people through the room. A lot of
great players. I'm on the senior panel been there for
number ten, ten, twelve years, and there are a lot
(22:36):
of great players senior panels that have never been discussed.
You know, they didn't win championships or for whatever reason,
it weren't all a decade. And Harrison could wind up
down there. He's got some time left, but unless he
gets some movement, it's going to be tough to crack.
You know, you got Freeny in there now and Allen
and Pepper's and you know, Harrison doesn't have their stats
(22:59):
stack numbers.
Speaker 5 (23:01):
So Rick, I love the Pittsburgh fan base. It's home
for me forever. But it makes me insane that many
media fans will poo poo the Mike Tomlins streak of
you know, success he's had of non losing seasons. How
does the committee I think Tomlin's in either way, but
how does the committee in national folks like yourself view
(23:22):
that accomplishment?
Speaker 6 (23:25):
Who's out here are rough?
Speaker 5 (23:28):
You'd be amazed, you'd be amazed he isn't one in Yeah,
but how many one with cowards?
Speaker 3 (23:33):
Guys?
Speaker 5 (23:34):
And you know he hasn't won a playoff game and
recently enough, it's it's not.
Speaker 6 (23:38):
You're talking a guy who spent thirteen years covering the
Cansee Chiefs and saw one playoff game.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
Why would yeah go as Lions fans what they think?
Speaker 6 (23:46):
You know, I'm wildly impressed. Anybody can have winning seasons,
go to playoffs every year, and you know what, what's
to knock about Tomlin? If you don't want them, who
are you going to get? And that's the big question.
Who's going to replace the who's going replaced next?
Speaker 3 (24:01):
Same?
Speaker 6 (24:01):
Who's the next guy? You don't know? You're you're you're
throwing darts ad virtually all these young guys. Everybody wants
to hot offensive coordinator or the hot defensive coordinator. Go
find a leader. Go find a guy like Campbell or
the Antonio Pierce thing and the Raiders.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
I mean, he.
Speaker 6 (24:18):
Appears to be a leader. He motivates that team and
looks like they're not going to hire him. You know,
it's great to hire a Josh McDaniel, except he can't
bring Tom Brady with him. And it's great to hire
you know a defensive guys, you know, guy with a
great scheme, but he can't like like if if Dan
Quinn goes to Seattle, that's fine. He can't take Michael
(24:39):
Parsons with him. You're you're hiring the success of the scheme,
but you're not getting the players that made that steam
of success. Something. You know, change your your your your profile. Here,
go find somebody who's a great leader and let somebody
else call the offensive defense. Find a great leader, Rick.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
Last thing, uh we got for you to Who's going
to win the Super Bowl?
Speaker 6 (25:02):
Who's going to get there? That's a question. I think
this is such a crazy year. I'm not sure I
would not be surprised with two wildcard teams and are
playing that this is it's I've been not I've not
been impressed with the football that's been playing this year,
and I've not been impressed to fishing that's going on
this year. Then they're going to have a say in
what happens in January. I think Buffalo's got a chance.
(25:29):
I think Kansas City is not the same team it was.
You know, Baltimore tends to falter in the playoffs. Keevan
Eye and Cleveland. I mean with Flackhaw he's at four
constega three hundred games. They got the number one defensive
football over Detroit. You know, I wouldn't want to play
the Rams. Rams are a very hot team right now,
(25:50):
Green Bay. Green Bay and the Rams became very good
team second half of the season. I would not be
surprised if there's at least one wildcard team in the
Super Bowl. And I frankly, I can't tell you who
the best. Everybody's can say Baltimore and possibly San Francisco,
but I don't know. It's been such a crazy season.
I just got a feeling that we may not see
that match up again.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
Rick, I really appreciate the time as always, it was
great catching up with you. I know you have a
basketball game to watch it a little while as I do,
so we'll let you go, but great visit and we'll
look forward.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
To doing it again soon.
Speaker 6 (26:24):
Go Green Go.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
What Rick Gusconslin NFL historian extraordinary? Seriously, Matt his stuff
on the draft, Oh.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
I know all that. I didn't know the Michigan Yeah,
I mean you were in the industry.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
He was phenomenal, just phenomenal at it and pretty personal.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
Guys.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
As you can tell, we've still got one more segment
to go, so don't go anywhere just yet. Also be
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(27:05):
or you can visit us online at shop dot Steelers
dot com. With Matt Williamson on Mike Pursuda, this is
the Ford Steelers Preview show right here on your Steelers flagship.
One of two point five DV E and SNR.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
Back to the Ford Steelers Preview Show on DVE.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
Welcome back Mike Pursuda and Matt Williamson Dotting the final
eyed and crossing the final ts as we continue counting
it down to the Steelers and the Bills Sunday in Buffalo.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Excited about this one.
Speaker 5 (27:39):
Ah, very much so. I mean, I hope this isn't
our last segment of the year. I fear it will be.
But playoff football, all this weather stuff we're talking about,
I mean, Josh Allen, let's go.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
You know Wold I am too.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Of course, the Steelers didn't qualify last year, and I
didn't cover the COVID playoff games. The Cleveland one was
you know, basically an empty stadium, and I didn't go
to Kansas City for that one.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
So it's been a while for me.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
And you're making the trip though, right, I am making
this trip.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Yeah, safe travels. I think it's gonna be an excursion. Now.
Speaker 2 (28:10):
We've talked a lot about Najie Harris today with good reason,
and Najee had a lot to say today.
Speaker 3 (28:15):
He did some.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Time in front of the microphones and the mini cams
down on the South Side today and one of the
things he was asked about, and I hadn't thought of
this until somebody brought it up to Naji Harris.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
But the Steelers played the Bills.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
In twenty nineteen, twenty twenty, twenty twenty one, and twenty
twenty two, and then in.
Speaker 3 (28:33):
The preseason this year. Oh wow, And it was suggested
to Harris.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
You know, I'm paraphrasing here, but hey, you guys do
really well against division teams such as the Ravens because
of the familiarity. Yeah, does familiarity apply to Buffalo? And
Najie Harris absolutely agreed with it, he said, one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
Helps, he said.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Quote Mike t has even said some stuff and then
Harris went on to kind of detail what Mike Tomlin
has been talking about in terms of what they think
they know about the Buffalo Bills. This is, according to
Naji Harris. Mike Tomlin threw Najy Harris tendencies on the
defense things to quote, slow Josh Allen down a little bit.
(29:14):
You know they're not planning on top of them. They
hope to contain him. Harris ads, quote, we have some
things up our sleeves, uh, you know, maybe having a
good idea about what the Bills do with their own defenses.
Tendencies on blitzes, what coverages to expect and anticipate given
down and distance, and you know the situation of the game,
(29:38):
how Buffalo blitzes a lot of things.
Speaker 3 (29:41):
Naji Harris.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
Emphasize today that the Steelers think they have a beat
on in this matchup. Now, you still gotta tackle Josh Allen,
you still got to you gotta cover Stefan Diggs, you
got to execute all that stuff. But of course, is
there anything to this or there's just a team just
trying to find a He's to feel good going into
a game in which it's a ten point underdog.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
I think a Tomlin.
Speaker 5 (30:05):
Tomlin tendency sat strat slash strength is when he knows
his opponent well. You know, the Ravens really come to mind,
you know, and he understands people extremely well.
Speaker 2 (30:15):
And then this hot run the Steelers have been on
that continued.
Speaker 3 (30:21):
The Ravens are usually the favorite right right recently.
Speaker 5 (30:25):
And these two coaches know each other real well, going
back to their their alma mater. I mean, I think
there's something to be said for that playing year after year.
There's something to be said for that. You got guys
like Levi Wallace that came from the Bills that probably
have some input there. Don't forget Mitch Trubisky was backup quarterback.
I mean, he knows Josh Allen inside and out. I
can promise you that doesn't mean you can stop him,
(30:46):
but you might know, well, he doesn't like making this
row when he rolls to his left, you know, or
something along those lines, or this corner blitz makes them crazier,
whatever it is, you know. I mean, there's gonna be
things that he doesn't like that they're going to be
pretty familiar with. So yeah, I think so yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:59):
I mean that just really made an impression on me.
Because I kind of expected him, Harris, I'm talking about
I kind of expected him to stop it.
Speaker 3 (31:06):
We have some things up our sleeves.
Speaker 2 (31:08):
But then he starts breaking down, you know, four or
five elements of the game, and like, oh, you think
you got to handle on that. You think you got
to handle on that. You think you got to handle
on that.
Speaker 3 (31:16):
Now only been discussed in the meeting rooms.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
The familiarity has not really helped the Steelers very much
of late. Of course, last year they got beat thirty
eight to three.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
Yeah, not so good, right, we're really in that game.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
Beat the Bills in twenty twenty one, twenty three to sixteen,
lost twenty six to fifteen in twenty twenty and twenty nineteen.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
That was the Duck Hodges quarterback year.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
Hodg just in four interceptions in that game, and the
Steelers got beat seventeen ten at home.
Speaker 3 (31:45):
Okay, but who knows. Maybe.
Speaker 5 (31:48):
I mean, the Bill has been really good over the
last half four years. They've winning records against most teams,
and they've been really impressive this year. And when they lose,
they barely lose. I mean they have a huge point
differential in their favor. I mean, they're the hottest team
in the league right now in terms of winning streaks.
They're in their building. I can't stress the weather enough though.
I mean the wind in particular, kind of like we
(32:09):
talked about with Meryoll earlier. I mean that messes with everything,
you know, snaps, kicks, punts, every throw you make, and
especially with the gusts. I mean, yeah, you have a
pretty steady win, but then a forty five mile an
hour gus comes at the wrong time. It's just luck
of the draw, and I think that helps the underdogs.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
The other thing that Najia Harris seemed pretty certain of
is that this Steelers team is way better positioned to
go into the playoffs than the previous playoff participant, Ben
Roethlisberger's last game in Kansas City.
Speaker 3 (32:42):
Yeah, the Chiefs were really good. Then felt that the
Steelers were limping in.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
It did not seem to be an encouraging matchup, and
it turned out that it wasn't. Harris talked about. He
was a rookie that year. Pat Fryermuth was a rookie
that year. Kendrick Green was a rookie.
Speaker 3 (33:00):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
He thinks it's a team that much more has a
grasp on its identity, it's got more experience. It's just
got a lot more going for it, particularly based on
the way this season finished. I know people are talking
about how hot Buffalo is having won its last five,
but the Steelers feel really good about these last three games.
Speaker 5 (33:20):
Now, as they should, and the quarterback is and and
nausey has spark plugged that on offense without question. You know,
back to that Chiefs game. There's some hindsight here involved,
but I give this this version of the Steelers a
much better chance to go on the road and win
them round one than that one. I mean, I don't
think if I don't remember who we were, we probably
were doing the show, but I don't think we were
(33:41):
as optimistic then as we were that No, just.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
It looked bad on paper, it looked bad on tape.
It wasn't much to hang your hat on this one. Again,
we're you know, we're running over some of the same
ground here. But the running game component of this, uh,
I think is in Pittsburgh's favor and I think that
can be highly impactful.
Speaker 5 (33:57):
And keep going back to the weather. Are they going
to drop thirty on you before you know it and
get it get you out of the run game. I mean,
I don't know that that's capable of happening unless you know.
My big concern is, like, okay, Steelers get the opening kickoff,
start a twenty five three yard run and then fumble
and the like. Now we got problems. But if it's
back and forth and a lot of punting and a
(34:19):
lot of navigating the elements in a loud stadium, by
the way, I mean, I think you're in it for
a while and hopefully you get.
Speaker 3 (34:27):
A bounce in the end.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
Yeah, still certainly comfortable, you know, winning close games.
Speaker 3 (34:32):
Yeah, right right, that's a Tomlin specialty as well.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
And I think you brought this point up earlier as well,
but it's worth revisiting. I don't know that the Bills
are peaking. They might be descending. They've had this really
good team in what you called the McDermott Josh Allen
are last five years. I don't think this is the
strongest collection of Buffalo Bills in that spent.
Speaker 5 (34:51):
I one hundred percent agree. I think their window is
closing quickly, you know, which happens when you pay a quarterback.
But they used to be let's go get von Miller
to throw over the top, Like you forget von Miller's
even on this.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
He's still there and he's not really Yeah, they don't impactful.
Speaker 5 (35:05):
It's very Allen centric. You know, they're a good football team,
but frankly, if you take the quarterback out of the equation,
it's not one of the best rosters in the league
where it used to be, you know. I mean it's
it's it's good. I mean a two seed. I'm not
saying anyone should take them lightly. And Allen is very
superman esque, I mean.
Speaker 2 (35:24):
You know, going on the road and winning playoff games
as a monster, challenge whatever, no matter what the circumstances.
Speaker 3 (35:29):
But I don't know. I think they'll be in it.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
I think this Steelers team has done at least enough
from my vantage point, not to be counted out.
Speaker 5 (35:37):
Agreed, especially of these last three weeks with this quarterback.
And I'm not picking on Trubisky, but if it was
him there, I'd be like, he'll probably throw a pick
that he shouldn't tour, you know. And I'm not saying
Rudolph's out of the woods and he's the answer for
the next ten years and he's an next Roethlisberger, but
I think he's in a really good spot.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
Well, hopefully we'll be doing this again next Yeah, yeah,
I'd love to see another Steelers Ravens game, you know
how much I like those.
Speaker 3 (35:59):
That would be fun.
Speaker 2 (35:59):
Well, I think better than Steelers Ravens in the regular
season is Steelers Ravens in the playoffs. We've got to
get through Buffalo first. The Ford Steelers Preview Show on
DV is brought to you by Unibut. The only thing
better than the Steelers winn is the Steelers win the pace.
Double down on your team with Unibetti, prop partner of
the Pittsburgh Steelers. That's gonna do it for us tonight.
(36:20):
Thanks to Meryl for joining us as he always does.
Thanks to our guest Vic Carucci and Rick Goslin, Thanks
to Justin Miller for keeping things running smoothly behind the
NASA like console here at our fantastic studio, and thanks
to you for finding us wherever and however you found us.
Hopefully we'll do it again next Thursday. If not, we'll
(36:42):
do it again next season. Until one of those eventualities.
For Matt Williamson and Mike Persuda, this has been the
Ford Steelers Preview Show right here on your Steelers flagship,
one of two point five DVE and s n R.
Speaker 3 (36:55):
Good Night everyone,
The Ford Steelers Preview Show continues on wdv E Pittsburgh.
Here are your hosts, Mike Persuda, Matt Williamson, and Merril Hodge.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Welcome back to the Ford Steelers Preview Show right here
on your Steelers flagship. One of two point five dv
E n S n R our number two. We go
twice as long in the postseason, because why wouldn't we,
And it is our privilege now to welcome to the
show a guy who I've known for a long long time,
a guy who's done just about everything in the media
(00:32):
that you can do related to coverage of the NFL,
specifically a lot of that chronicling the Buffalo Bills.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
His name is Vic Carucci.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
He is a host on Sirius XM NFL Radio and
also The Bills NFL Insider for Insider excuse me for
w g RZTV, the NBC affiliate in Buffalo. Vic, great
to catch up again.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
How are you tonight, Mike.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
I'm doing great and it's great to be with you guys,
for sure.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Well, the first thing we got to ask you, what's
the forecast? Because we're here in horror stories. Uh, you
know you know that area pretty well. What's the reasonable
expectation for Sunday at one o'clock.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
I will I will put on my meteorologist hat, which
doesn't fit real well, but I'm going to take my
best shot here. Uh no, i'd like you. Uh. And
and you know, my wife and I were watching the
local stations and and uh trying to get the different
forecasts that they're giving. And there there's a little bit
of they like to leave themselves a little ambiguity, a
(01:38):
little open sort of an open ended deal here, but
they're calling for upwards of like seven inches of snow,
which doesn't sound that much, uh in a.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Way of paramount.
Speaker 4 (01:53):
But well, yeah, but I mean, you know, we're talking
about last Christmas where I was, I was where I'm
talking to you now, in my house. We didn't move
for three day from Friday to Monday, and I couldn't
distinguish between my front yard and the road. So it
doesn't sound like that. However, however, the wind looks like
(02:17):
that could be the challenge to look at. And and
you know, look, I think I think there's gonna be
It's January and we're in western New York and you
guys are in Pittsburgh and come on, we all know
that it's it's not Bomby. It's likely to be a challenge.
And guess what, I think you got two teams that
(02:38):
deal with that. Now the rest of us, look, we're
you know, we're in a press box. That's fine. I
feel very much for the stout hearted Bills, and I'm
sure there'll be a fair amount of Steeler fans who
have every intention of sitting outside in the in the
in the elements. Good for them, but you and I
are going to be inside, like we know that.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
So to VIC, I mean, there's a reason the Bills
are favored. There're the reason they've earned the two seed.
They're a very good football team for quite a while now.
But I do think the weather somewhat of an equalizer.
I mean, I think that works to the Steelers advantage
as opposed to it being a clean, beautiful, crisp day.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
You know, there's a large part of me that wants
to say you're right, because it's that old school mentality. However,
I really think in the NFL we can say that.
But I do think that the teams, not you. I mean,
let's start with the coaches, but then you know the
(03:34):
players too. What will differentiate, what can take that equalizing
thought out of the conversation, And it is, you know
a quarterback who can throw the ball through the wind.
And we all know and we've seen enough of them.
You certainly saw enough of a guy named Ben Roethelosberger
who could handle that. And I think in Josh Allen
(03:57):
he's that guy. The Bills have played some of their
best offensive football in less than ideal conditions a couple
of times on the road, Philadelphia being a recent one
in the in that rain and and uh and windy
stuff in Philly. Uh. Now again not what we're you know,
it's not snow, and it's and it's different, but wind
does wind UH? And I think that's and and a
(04:20):
and a moisture on a football is also something else
to look at, UH. And then your traction and so forth.
What I've heard players on the Bill say is as
long as you're you know, the equipment staff is making
the right calls for the for the footwear, then old
linemen can get their necessary uh traction and base uh
(04:44):
for blocking and and leverage and all that, and and
the skill people, the outside people can you know, make
their necessary cuts UH to deal with either as receivers
or or dbs, and and and linebackers and chasing people
down and running backs. I think it's I think it
does have to do as much as anything with how
(05:04):
you're how you're able to negotiate the field.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
I think it's a It's an interesting matchup for a
lot of reasons, particularly two teams that were kind of
hanging on the edge of the cliff and we're able
to kick it in a gear down the stretch. Now,
the Bills won their last five games. Uh, you win
five games in this league against anybody, it's impressive. I
don't care who you're playing, where, whatever. But my question
for you is this. Did they come out of Miami saying, yeah,
(05:31):
well the division champs or oh my god, how did
we win that game? We got a lot of stuff
to clean up quickly.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
It's probably a little of both. Mike, you know, this
has been a real tear.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Look.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
Uh, there's no lying about what this season has been
for this team. It had reached a point after they
had lost to Denver. Uh, and that that was at
the end of a six game stretch, after a three
and one start, a six game stretch where you know
they they had struggled through a lot of games, and
even a couple that they won in that stretch should
(06:05):
have been losses or could have been lost, as I
should say against the Giants and Buccaneers primetime games. From
that point on is where they it kicked in. They
beat the Jets, they lose a game that they also
were in a position to win and scored in the
thirty plus range, losing at Philly. You remember that game,
(06:26):
and we've seen what Philly has kind of become from
that point forward. And then they go on this tear
and and they know they had to run the table
to even have a chance to talk about the playoffs.
And we were questioning whether this is a real, genuine
playoff team or a team that's falling well short of
(06:46):
expectation at this point, you know, looking how these last
three games, including that Miami game where they have you know,
really just hung on to win. I mean they the Patriot,
it's gave him a game. And and you know that's
I mean that that shouldn't have happened.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Given beat the Steelers, that shouldn't have happened either.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
Right right, right, so we know we know what we're
talking about there, and and and then you go to
to the Chargers and and I mean, my god, how
bad was that? Ethan? Uh Eastern Eastern stick is the
quarterback Eastern stick?
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Okay?
Speaker 4 (07:28):
They but yeah, he's a hockey I'm taking hockey exactly.
And they and they and they love and they found
they found a way to win that game, or or
Chargers found a way to lose it, because they had
him in a ten nothing hole at one point. So
so now you're looking and now Miami at Miami, where
(07:48):
Miami has played well. Uh, but Miami be refed with
injuries and and really not not a whole team at all.
And Buffalo turns it over. I mean Josh Allen turns
it over three times in dolphin territory, given points away,
and right before the half, instead of making the wise
(08:09):
decision of throwing the ball away and setting up a
field goal, he throws it to the middle.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Of the field.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
They fall short of the first down, no timeouts, no
chance to kick a field goal. They gave up four
chances for points right there. That these are the recipes
for losing. We know that the you know the turnovers
that they had against the again against the Chargers, against
the Patriots, all losing propositions, but they're finding a way
(08:35):
to win. So to your point, when do you reach
a point of you win five in a row just
to get in and you're a division champ, and yeah,
you're you're you know, it's four years in a row,
you've done that. But how do you feel? How do
you feel about that? I mean, yeah, they're properly favored
against Nation Rudolph and and that's basically and no TJ. Watt.
(08:58):
But yes, you could still say who can't the Bills
lose to just as easily as you could say who
can't the Bills beat Vic?
Speaker 5 (09:08):
Do you help me wrap my head around Stephan Diggs?
I mean, great player, potential Hall of Famer, was phenomenal
last week, but there was like six weeks in a
row where he was not doing Stefan Diggs things at all.
Speaker 4 (09:21):
It's been very interesting, so that a point of demarcation
on that. Joe Brady takes over as offensive coordinator after
they fire Ken Dorsey after that Denver loss, which was
just an ugly, terrible thing, and their offense in that
six week stretch was their bigger problem, not functioning anywhere
(09:45):
close to what it had after the three and one
start and the better part of the last few seasons.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
I can't relate to any of this, Victor, I can't
wrap my head around.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
So parallel worlds, parallel worlds. The Steelers do their thing
with that Canada, they break, I know, whatever they've done,
But the point is they got somebody else call in
place for them, just as the Bills do. Guys, you know,
and I know this is not the classic formula for success.
Fire a coordinator at mid season and oh boom, everything's
(10:19):
going to be great. Well, it has worked out. But
part of the way it's worked out for Buffalo is
you don't see Stefan Diggs as a major part of
this offense in the way he's now. He did some
big things against Miami, but for him, this offense had
been alan to Diggs and and that was the foundation
(10:43):
for what made this team a contender that is pretty
much evaporated for the better part of almost two months,
and people scratch their heads, what's happening here? Why are
more passes going to a rookie tight end Dalton King
k Why are they throwing a Khalil Shakir. Why are
these names that we're seeing emerge not named Diggs. And
(11:06):
and I'm not going to say it's an intentional let's,
you know, let's keep the ball away from our most
talented receiver mentality that they have. I think their mentality
is let's give the opponent something else to think about.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Okay, thick, last thing I got for you, Gabe Davis,
Terrell Dodson and Russell Douglas or any or all of
those guys playing as far as you can tell, and
would would there be one in particular if the Bills
don't have him, they got.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
A problem, well, a couple of things there.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
I do think the fact that they didn't practice Thursday
is a concern. Davis would be my biggest concern. And
then it would tell me that you know, and now
I don't know if this would mean can you put
more spotlight on Diggs where who will of course, have
most of the steeler be defensive attention anyway? Or or
(12:03):
is this more targets for Kincaid and and for Dawson
Knox although he misspracticed Thursday with an illness, whatever that is.
And and it'll be interesting. Russell Douglas has has been
a fine that trade that they made at the trade
deadline for Green Bay. Now, this guy has come on
and been been a real opportunistic ballhawker. Uh you know,
(12:27):
gets a Defensive Player of the Week honor. He leaves
them in interceptions in playing only a half dozen or
so games, which maybe tells you about their inability to
take the ball away. But also when a guy is
making interceptions, you know that means opponents aren't afraid to
go his way. But so Davis and Douglas would be
(12:48):
the two that would concern me the most. But I'm
going to say this, if we're putting injury lists side
by side, the Bills have no one hurt that equals
what Watt is who by the way, I think we
would very I'm a voter for a Defensive Player of
the Year that AP list. He might get a few
(13:08):
votes for that. So I'm just saying. I'm just saying
they don't have that kind of flip the field game
changer hurting for them this week.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Vick great stuff. Really enjoyed catching up. I know we've
been intersecting all these stadiums for a long time, but
I'm really looking.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Forward to doing it again on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Yes, I think it's going to be an interesting game.
I mean, I you know, I'm picking the Bills to win.
Of course, that's the low hanging fruit here. But to
your guys point about is the weather going to make
it be an equalizer?
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Will it make it interesting?
Speaker 4 (13:43):
I like it. One last point I'll make the Bills
made a point or Sean McDermott made a point of
talking about physicality that I guess the message to the
team this week is be prepared to be as physical
as you need to be because this opponent will be physical.
Wherever the Steelers are, they're going to be physical, and
if you're not prepared to do that, then you know
(14:05):
you've got This is where it could be a problem.
I don't I don't think that's a shortcoming for Buffalo,
but it will be interesting playoff time, ratcheting things up.
If that's a real concern on Buffalo's part, then I
want to see how it translates, because I am certain,
as you guys are that if nothing else, Mike's going
(14:26):
to have you know, that team ready to play a
physical game.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
Yeah, he's right about that. McDermott, get the big boy
pads out. VIC enjoyed it, and we'll see you Sunday.
Speaker 4 (14:36):
All right, guys, looking forward to it. See you.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Thank you, Vic Crucci from Serious XM, NFL Radio and
the Bills NFL Insider for w g r Z TV,
the NBC TV affiliate in Buffalo. We got more to
get to, so keep it here with Matt Williamson Mike
Pursuit of This is the Ford Steelers Preview Show right
here on your Steelers Flagship one or two point five
(14:59):
d VE SNR.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Back to the Ford Steelers Preview Show on DVE.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Welcome back to our special two hour edition of the
Ford Steelers Preview Show right here on your Steelers Flagship
one of two point five DVE and sn R got
another great guest lined up for you as we give
you twice the show this week, as we continue to
get you ready for the Steelers and the Bills on Sunday.
And Matt, this is not hyperbole. I'm sixty two years old.
(15:30):
I grew up watching and reading about the NFL anything
I possibly could, and when I came across the work
of our next guest, Rick Goose Goslin, formerly of the
Dallas Morning News, like soon realized that, well he's the
best NFL writer I've ever experienced.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Oh, own the draft, contacts and sources everywhere, a great
feel for the game, and last but not least, the
class and education that you can only attain at Michigan State.
Speaker 5 (16:05):
I didn't know that part here, of course. Of course
it's great talk, good, so good catching up.
Speaker 6 (16:14):
Thanks for the great introduction, Thank you. Thanks me proud
to be a Spartan.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Of course, Frick's no longer with the Dallas Morning News.
The title these days is Hall of Fame Voter and
NFL Historian. But Rick, I know you're still plugged in
and watching the game. I take part in your power
Pole every week, which is a little online endeavor. A
couple of questions about this or that.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
But what do you think?
Speaker 2 (16:38):
You got kind of a thirty thousand feet view of
Steelers Bills.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
What do you think?
Speaker 6 (16:43):
Oh, I'll tell you what. I've really liked the Bills
all season. They've had ups and downs here there. They
got a top five offense, top ten defense. I wouldn't
want to play them in the playoffs, not up there,
and I think it's gonna be tough Pittsburgh to get
past him if he knocked Josh Allen out in the
(17:04):
first quarter. I like your chances But the funny thing
is the Cowboys went up there and their whole goal
was to stop Josh Allen, and the Bills ran for
like two hundred and thirty against him, and Allen's do
like fourteen passes. They didn't even bother their past. They
just beat him with the run. So I'm curious what
the what the game planed, because everybody feels they got
(17:26):
to stop Allen. But again, they ran for two hundred
billion yards against the Cowboys. They've They've got all the
pieces to be a Super Bowl contender. And again, I
think Gallen is despite the interceptions, I think he's one
of the probably four or five best quarterbacks of football.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
He scares me, I don't play and they have certainly
become more multifaceted on offensive late. That's a big pitcher
questions for you, And what kind of shot do you
give TJ. Watt to win his second defensive MVP? And
do you think Joey porter Jure is any shot at
Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Speaker 6 (18:05):
Yeah, given the fact that Browns led the NFL and defense,
Garrett's going to get some some support there. The fact
that the Steelers made the playoffs really helps. What I
think the voters tend to look at they like the
better teams, the best players off better teams. Watt's got
(18:27):
the most recognizable name. Uh I think it would be
it would be a fairly close vote as far as
Rookie of the Year.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Why not.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
You know a lot of great candidates.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
I don't know if you know this about Ghosts, Matt,
but uh Rick has always been a big defense guy.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
Particularly.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
I remember that covering the Cardinals Steelers Super Bowl and
the Steelers had the number one defense and the Cardinals
had Kurt Warner to Larry fitz Sure, and I actually
thought the Cardinals is gonna win that game.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
I picked the Cardinals.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Rick picked the Steelers because Ricky had some kind of
stat like the first overall defense won like every time
but two that it was in the game or something.
Speaker 6 (19:07):
Yeah, if you have he ranked, if he ranked in
the top ten in defense, you were like, you won
like fourth forty eight to fifty one super Bowls.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
It was.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
It was ridiculous.
Speaker 6 (19:18):
So I remember when Tampa, when Tampa played Open, I
was on a show or an NFL show with Daryl Johnson.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
Wait, let me start her going.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
I don't want to get too far off of what
I was going to tell Matt here before we go there.
Ricks telling me all week that the Steelers is going
to win because of his defensive numbers. I'm telling him
all week the Cardinals are going to win because of
Larry Fish. So the game plays out and Ben Roethlisberger
drives the Steelers miraculous drive in two minutes, throws maybe
the greatest past ever to San Antonio Holmes, he toe
taps it. Steelers win the game, and he comes down
(19:47):
to me. So, yeah, I told you the defense was
gonna win the game.
Speaker 5 (19:49):
Harrison a good thing in that game too, though.
Speaker 6 (19:52):
Harris made a great play in that game.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
No, sorry to cut you off your Tampa story.
Speaker 6 (19:58):
Yeah, Tampa was number one and defense, Oco was number
one in offense. Rich Cannon was, of course m VT.
Uh and I like Tampa because of defense and all
the NFL guys in the show. Oh no, you gotta
like Raiders and Cannon. Well, guess what, Tampa scored as
many points on defense as the Raiders did an offense.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
Pretty good example, I guess you.
Speaker 6 (20:17):
I get your offense.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
Goose.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
We mentioned you're a Hall of Fame voter, and uh,
you know the annual topic around here. Is heines Ward
ever going to get in? Is James Harrison ever going
to get in?
Speaker 6 (20:31):
I'd rather be talking about heines Ward right now than
the three guys that are among the finals. You know,
we've had we yeah, you know, we've We've had Holt,
Wayne Johns. They've all been in there, we've all discussed them.
We haven't reachedicked coonsing on them. And here's heines Ward
with one hundred touchdown receptions, super Bowl MVP, and he
can't get in the room. And we're talking about these
(20:53):
three guys. Two of them Holt and Wayne were the
second receivers on their teams. And Andrew Johnson I like
him as a player, but he had fifty one career touchdowns.
Heines worried twice that many? Uh? You know? Is that
a Hall of Fame receiver? Fifty one touchdown passes?
Speaker 4 (21:09):
You know?
Speaker 6 (21:09):
I look at receivers, what did you do after you
caught the ball? Everage for catching touchdowns? And hines Ward
and you throw his blocking and may be the greatest
team wide receiver in history. Every time I see hines
Ward's name, I vote him. Every cut he has to make,
I vote him He deserves to be discussed, I think
more so than the three guys we're talking about this year.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
And how about Harrison.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
If he was a hard sack guy, I think he'd
have much better chances. I think he's viewed as a
pass rusher. He made the big play in the Super Bowl.
Of course, it's tough. I mean, Jared Allen's sitting out
there and he can't get a snaff. Kevin Green stat
out there forever. But again, they didn't win championships. Harrison's
got They won championship. Seventy five percent of all the
(21:56):
players in Canton made all decade and hers didn't make
called sixty five percent one championships. He's got the championship.
So again, if he was if he had that one
big statistical number in sacks. You know, the committee's gotten
so young. It's become such a stat driven UH selection process,
(22:16):
which is why we're looking at these three wide receivers
in that Hines Ward. I don't know. I think Harrison
deserves to be in the room to be discussed. And
the biggest complaint I have with this process and we
don't cycle enough people through the room. A lot of
great players. I'm on the senior panel been there for
number ten, ten, twelve years, and there are a lot
(22:36):
of great players senior panels that have never been discussed.
You know, they didn't win championships or for whatever reason,
it weren't all a decade. And Harrison could wind up
down there. He's got some time left, but unless he
gets some movement, it's going to be tough to crack.
You know, you got Freeny in there now and Allen
and Pepper's and you know, Harrison doesn't have their stats
(22:59):
stack numbers.
Speaker 5 (23:01):
So Rick, I love the Pittsburgh fan base. It's home
for me forever. But it makes me insane that many
media fans will poo poo the Mike Tomlins streak of
you know, success he's had of non losing seasons. How
does the committee I think Tomlin's in either way, but
how does the committee in national folks like yourself view
(23:22):
that accomplishment?
Speaker 6 (23:25):
Who's out here are rough?
Speaker 5 (23:28):
You'd be amazed, you'd be amazed he isn't one in Yeah,
but how many one with cowards?
Speaker 3 (23:33):
Guys?
Speaker 5 (23:34):
And you know he hasn't won a playoff game and
recently enough, it's it's not.
Speaker 6 (23:38):
You're talking a guy who spent thirteen years covering the
Cansee Chiefs and saw one playoff game.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
Why would yeah go as Lions fans what they think?
Speaker 6 (23:46):
You know, I'm wildly impressed. Anybody can have winning seasons,
go to playoffs every year, and you know what, what's
to knock about Tomlin? If you don't want them, who
are you going to get? And that's the big question.
Who's going to replace the who's going replaced next?
Speaker 3 (24:01):
Same?
Speaker 6 (24:01):
Who's the next guy? You don't know? You're you're you're
throwing darts ad virtually all these young guys. Everybody wants
to hot offensive coordinator or the hot defensive coordinator. Go
find a leader. Go find a guy like Campbell or
the Antonio Pierce thing and the Raiders.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
I mean, he.
Speaker 6 (24:18):
Appears to be a leader. He motivates that team and
looks like they're not going to hire him. You know,
it's great to hire a Josh McDaniel, except he can't
bring Tom Brady with him. And it's great to hire
you know a defensive guys, you know, guy with a
great scheme, but he can't like like if if Dan
Quinn goes to Seattle, that's fine. He can't take Michael
(24:39):
Parsons with him. You're you're hiring the success of the scheme,
but you're not getting the players that made that steam
of success. Something. You know, change your your your your profile. Here,
go find somebody who's a great leader and let somebody
else call the offensive defense. Find a great leader, Rick.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
Last thing, uh we got for you to Who's going
to win the Super Bowl?
Speaker 6 (25:02):
Who's going to get there? That's a question. I think
this is such a crazy year. I'm not sure I
would not be surprised with two wildcard teams and are
playing that this is it's I've been not I've not
been impressed with the football that's been playing this year,
and I've not been impressed to fishing that's going on
this year. Then they're going to have a say in
what happens in January. I think Buffalo's got a chance.
(25:29):
I think Kansas City is not the same team it was.
You know, Baltimore tends to falter in the playoffs. Keevan
Eye and Cleveland. I mean with Flackhaw he's at four
constega three hundred games. They got the number one defensive
football over Detroit. You know, I wouldn't want to play
the Rams. Rams are a very hot team right now,
(25:50):
Green Bay. Green Bay and the Rams became very good
team second half of the season. I would not be
surprised if there's at least one wildcard team in the
Super Bowl. And I frankly, I can't tell you who
the best. Everybody's can say Baltimore and possibly San Francisco,
but I don't know. It's been such a crazy season.
I just got a feeling that we may not see
that match up again.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
Rick, I really appreciate the time as always, it was
great catching up with you. I know you have a
basketball game to watch it a little while as I do,
so we'll let you go, but great visit and we'll
look forward.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
To doing it again soon.
Speaker 6 (26:24):
Go Green Go.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
What Rick Gusconslin NFL historian extraordinary? Seriously, Matt his stuff
on the draft, Oh.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
I know all that. I didn't know the Michigan Yeah,
I mean you were in the industry.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
He was phenomenal, just phenomenal at it and pretty personal.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
Guys.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
As you can tell, we've still got one more segment
to go, so don't go anywhere just yet. Also be
reminded that you can gear up with the latest Sideline apparel, hats,
or jerseys are your favorite players. Authentic memorabilia, custom items
and exclusives you can only find directly from the team
at one of the official Steelers pro shops. Those are
located at Akroser Stadium, the Grove City Premium Outlets, Tanger Outlets,
(27:05):
or you can visit us online at shop dot Steelers
dot com. With Matt Williamson on Mike Pursuda, this is
the Ford Steelers Preview show right here on your Steelers flagship.
One of two point five DV E and SNR.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
Back to the Ford Steelers Preview Show on DVE.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
Welcome back Mike Pursuda and Matt Williamson Dotting the final
eyed and crossing the final ts as we continue counting
it down to the Steelers and the Bills Sunday in Buffalo.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Excited about this one.
Speaker 5 (27:39):
Ah, very much so. I mean, I hope this isn't
our last segment of the year. I fear it will be.
But playoff football, all this weather stuff we're talking about,
I mean, Josh Allen, let's go.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
You know Wold I am too.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Of course, the Steelers didn't qualify last year, and I
didn't cover the COVID playoff games. The Cleveland one was
you know, basically an empty stadium, and I didn't go
to Kansas City for that one.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
So it's been a while for me.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
And you're making the trip though, right, I am making
this trip.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Yeah, safe travels. I think it's gonna be an excursion. Now.
Speaker 2 (28:10):
We've talked a lot about Najie Harris today with good reason,
and Najee had a lot to say today.
Speaker 3 (28:15):
He did some.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Time in front of the microphones and the mini cams
down on the South Side today and one of the
things he was asked about, and I hadn't thought of
this until somebody brought it up to Naji Harris.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
But the Steelers played the Bills.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
In twenty nineteen, twenty twenty, twenty twenty one, and twenty
twenty two, and then in.
Speaker 3 (28:33):
The preseason this year. Oh wow, And it was suggested
to Harris.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
You know, I'm paraphrasing here, but hey, you guys do
really well against division teams such as the Ravens because
of the familiarity. Yeah, does familiarity apply to Buffalo? And
Najie Harris absolutely agreed with it, he said, one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
Helps, he said.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Quote Mike t has even said some stuff and then
Harris went on to kind of detail what Mike Tomlin
has been talking about in terms of what they think
they know about the Buffalo Bills. This is, according to
Naji Harris. Mike Tomlin threw Najy Harris tendencies on the
defense things to quote, slow Josh Allen down a little bit.
(29:14):
You know they're not planning on top of them. They
hope to contain him. Harris ads, quote, we have some
things up our sleeves, uh, you know, maybe having a
good idea about what the Bills do with their own defenses.
Tendencies on blitzes, what coverages to expect and anticipate given
down and distance, and you know the situation of the game,
(29:38):
how Buffalo blitzes a lot of things.
Speaker 3 (29:41):
Naji Harris.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
Emphasize today that the Steelers think they have a beat
on in this matchup. Now, you still gotta tackle Josh Allen,
you still got to you gotta cover Stefan Diggs, you
got to execute all that stuff. But of course, is
there anything to this or there's just a team just
trying to find a He's to feel good going into
a game in which it's a ten point underdog.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
I think a Tomlin.
Speaker 5 (30:05):
Tomlin tendency sat strat slash strength is when he knows
his opponent well. You know, the Ravens really come to mind,
you know, and he understands people extremely well.
Speaker 2 (30:15):
And then this hot run the Steelers have been on
that continued.
Speaker 3 (30:21):
The Ravens are usually the favorite right right recently.
Speaker 5 (30:25):
And these two coaches know each other real well, going
back to their their alma mater. I mean, I think
there's something to be said for that playing year after year.
There's something to be said for that. You got guys
like Levi Wallace that came from the Bills that probably
have some input there. Don't forget Mitch Trubisky was backup quarterback.
I mean, he knows Josh Allen inside and out. I
can promise you that doesn't mean you can stop him,
(30:46):
but you might know, well, he doesn't like making this
row when he rolls to his left, you know, or
something along those lines, or this corner blitz makes them crazier,
whatever it is, you know. I mean, there's gonna be
things that he doesn't like that they're going to be
pretty familiar with. So yeah, I think so yeah.
Speaker 2 (30:59):
I mean that just really made an impression on me.
Because I kind of expected him, Harris, I'm talking about
I kind of expected him to stop it.
Speaker 3 (31:06):
We have some things up our sleeves.
Speaker 2 (31:08):
But then he starts breaking down, you know, four or
five elements of the game, and like, oh, you think
you got to handle on that. You think you got
to handle on that. You think you got to handle
on that.
Speaker 3 (31:16):
Now only been discussed in the meeting rooms.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
The familiarity has not really helped the Steelers very much
of late. Of course, last year they got beat thirty
eight to three.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
Yeah, not so good, right, we're really in that game.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
Beat the Bills in twenty twenty one, twenty three to sixteen,
lost twenty six to fifteen in twenty twenty and twenty nineteen.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
That was the Duck Hodges quarterback year.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
Hodg just in four interceptions in that game, and the
Steelers got beat seventeen ten at home.
Speaker 3 (31:45):
Okay, but who knows. Maybe.
Speaker 5 (31:48):
I mean, the Bill has been really good over the
last half four years. They've winning records against most teams,
and they've been really impressive this year. And when they lose,
they barely lose. I mean they have a huge point
differential in their favor. I mean, they're the hottest team
in the league right now in terms of winning streaks.
They're in their building. I can't stress the weather enough though.
I mean the wind in particular, kind of like we
(32:09):
talked about with Meryoll earlier. I mean that messes with everything,
you know, snaps, kicks, punts, every throw you make, and
especially with the gusts. I mean, yeah, you have a
pretty steady win, but then a forty five mile an
hour gus comes at the wrong time. It's just luck
of the draw, and I think that helps the underdogs.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
The other thing that Najia Harris seemed pretty certain of
is that this Steelers team is way better positioned to
go into the playoffs than the previous playoff participant, Ben
Roethlisberger's last game in Kansas City.
Speaker 3 (32:42):
Yeah, the Chiefs were really good. Then felt that the
Steelers were limping in.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
It did not seem to be an encouraging matchup, and
it turned out that it wasn't. Harris talked about. He
was a rookie that year. Pat Fryermuth was a rookie
that year. Kendrick Green was a rookie.
Speaker 3 (33:00):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
He thinks it's a team that much more has a
grasp on its identity, it's got more experience. It's just
got a lot more going for it, particularly based on
the way this season finished. I know people are talking
about how hot Buffalo is having won its last five,
but the Steelers feel really good about these last three games.
Speaker 5 (33:20):
Now, as they should, and the quarterback is and and
nausey has spark plugged that on offense without question. You know,
back to that Chiefs game. There's some hindsight here involved,
but I give this this version of the Steelers a
much better chance to go on the road and win
them round one than that one. I mean, I don't
think if I don't remember who we were, we probably
were doing the show, but I don't think we were
(33:41):
as optimistic then as we were that No, just.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
It looked bad on paper, it looked bad on tape.
It wasn't much to hang your hat on this one. Again,
we're you know, we're running over some of the same
ground here. But the running game component of this, uh,
I think is in Pittsburgh's favor and I think that
can be highly impactful.
Speaker 5 (33:57):
And keep going back to the weather. Are they going
to drop thirty on you before you know it and
get it get you out of the run game. I mean,
I don't know that that's capable of happening unless you know.
My big concern is, like, okay, Steelers get the opening kickoff,
start a twenty five three yard run and then fumble
and the like. Now we got problems. But if it's
back and forth and a lot of punting and a
(34:19):
lot of navigating the elements in a loud stadium, by
the way, I mean, I think you're in it for
a while and hopefully you get.
Speaker 3 (34:27):
A bounce in the end.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
Yeah, still certainly comfortable, you know, winning close games.
Speaker 3 (34:32):
Yeah, right right, that's a Tomlin specialty as well.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
And I think you brought this point up earlier as well,
but it's worth revisiting. I don't know that the Bills
are peaking. They might be descending. They've had this really
good team in what you called the McDermott Josh Allen
are last five years. I don't think this is the
strongest collection of Buffalo Bills in that spent.
Speaker 5 (34:51):
I one hundred percent agree. I think their window is
closing quickly, you know, which happens when you pay a quarterback.
But they used to be let's go get von Miller
to throw over the top, Like you forget von Miller's
even on this.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
He's still there and he's not really Yeah, they don't impactful.
Speaker 5 (35:05):
It's very Allen centric. You know, they're a good football team,
but frankly, if you take the quarterback out of the equation,
it's not one of the best rosters in the league
where it used to be, you know. I mean it's
it's it's good. I mean a two seed. I'm not
saying anyone should take them lightly. And Allen is very
superman esque, I mean.
Speaker 2 (35:24):
You know, going on the road and winning playoff games
as a monster, challenge whatever, no matter what the circumstances.
Speaker 3 (35:29):
But I don't know. I think they'll be in it.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
I think this Steelers team has done at least enough
from my vantage point, not to be counted out.
Speaker 5 (35:37):
Agreed, especially of these last three weeks with this quarterback.
And I'm not picking on Trubisky, but if it was
him there, I'd be like, he'll probably throw a pick
that he shouldn't tour, you know. And I'm not saying
Rudolph's out of the woods and he's the answer for
the next ten years and he's an next Roethlisberger, but
I think he's in a really good spot.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
Well, hopefully we'll be doing this again next Yeah, yeah,
I'd love to see another Steelers Ravens game, you know
how much I like those.
Speaker 3 (35:59):
That would be fun.
Speaker 2 (35:59):
Well, I think better than Steelers Ravens in the regular
season is Steelers Ravens in the playoffs. We've got to
get through Buffalo first. The Ford Steelers Preview Show on
DV is brought to you by Unibut. The only thing
better than the Steelers winn is the Steelers win the pace.
Double down on your team with Unibetti, prop partner of
the Pittsburgh Steelers. That's gonna do it for us tonight.
(36:20):
Thanks to Meryl for joining us as he always does.
Thanks to our guest Vic Carucci and Rick Goslin, Thanks
to Justin Miller for keeping things running smoothly behind the
NASA like console here at our fantastic studio, and thanks
to you for finding us wherever and however you found us.
Hopefully we'll do it again next Thursday. If not, we'll
(36:42):
do it again next season. Until one of those eventualities.
For Matt Williamson and Mike Persuda, this has been the
Ford Steelers Preview Show right here on your Steelers flagship,
one of two point five DVE and s n R.
Speaker 3 (36:55):
Good Night everyone,
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