Drive10.16.26Hr2: Week 6 Preview

You're tuned to The Drive on your 24-7 home of the black and gold.

Steelers Nation Radio.

Good evening, Steeler Nation. How we doing? Well, that's good.

Us too.

It is hour number two of the drive here on this Friday, our final hour before all eyes turn to Tampa Bay. And you hear that bounce. You know what that means. It means the queen of the sideline is joining us here on the drive. The great Missy Matthews, of course, as she's kind enough to do every single Friday. Missy, thank you for taking the time. Let's jump right into it. And, you know, Matt and I were doing some matchup segments in the first hour of the show and just some kind of scene setting stuff. And there's a ton of different Pittsburgh ties to this Tampa Bay roster, both in terms of, uh, former Steelers, former pit guys, a lot of familiar names. One of those being Danny Smith. Uh, do we need to be on high alert for some

special teams trickery down in Tampa Bay on Sunday?

I honestly, you know, Vince Williams asked me about this when I was on with them. Um, yesterday, it's, it's weird. You don't, you really don't know what Danny, he's either going to, you know, pull out one of his tricks or he's going to play you straight and you'll never know which way it's going to be. So it's like the mind game of, do you go in anticipating something to happen or do you try to not think that way?

But then sometimes when you anticipate it's even worse. So I really don't know. Um, but that could, that could, yeah, I'm interested to see, let's just put.

It that way.

That's a variable that scares the heck out of me. I mean, I could just see a Tampa Bay, Miles Killebrew blocked punt, something like that, of course. I mean, it just sets up. But there's a lot of things that scare me about this game. And going into every game, I'm sure the same way, you realize there's paths to losing.

But I think people look at this team like, ah, they're 1-4, they're terrible, everybody's getting fired, they have no chance. I don't see that at all from this team. I think this is a really difficult game. set up and the wrong time to play them on a, on an extended week. Yeah.

And I think too, like you said, you know, when we were doing the matchup, like the extended rest, there is something to that. And I think especially cause they got a win with the extended rest. And clearly the sealers have yet to win on the road. I understand it's still earlier in the season, but at some point you're going to have to do that, you know? And I think it's, where the things have struggled in terms of communication, specifically on the offensive side of the ball with the O-line. But still, it's something that has to rectify itself in some form or fashion, but their defense is good. And they're notorious for these one-possession games. So it could really go either way. Yes, one and four,

but a few of those could have been flipped and they'd have the same record as the Steelers.

And you mentioned the Steelers' young offensive line, too. Wes and I were talking about this about a half hour ago, that the Bulls' defense really gives inexperienced groups a handful to deal with. I mean, they just throw so much at you, especially on blitz situations, third and long situations. And as you mentioned in the matchup show, no one's really running on Tampa, so they get you in third and long a lot.

Right, right.

Yeah, that's where– I'm hoping the expertise and you know, longevity award of Aaron Rogers career and the different things can help dissect things quickly to let them know. But again, I still think this is going to be an awesome environment, whether it's because, you know, the bucks are excited, they got their win, they're, they're back home. Or it's, you know, the Steelers fans like my brother who live in Florida and want to come to the game to see the Steelers you know, an 80 degree weather. So yeah, It will be interesting to see how it plays out. But I do agree. I think, you know, the Todd Bowles defense is not something to take lightly. Not that the Steelers are doing that. I'm not inferring that. But I

just think that it's not a cakewalk like a lot of people think.

Missy, you know, so much of obviously what we we love from your perspective is the unique angle that you get on the sideline every single game day. Staying with that young Steelers offensive line, I think everyone's seen the clips on social media. Everyone's seen the energy on Sundays out on the field. Just how infectious is that young group, their enthusiasm, their energy? As Matt says, they all kind of have some a-hole in them, and it feels like that.

They sure do, especially Hoffman and McCormick.

That creates a little bit of an edge and an attitude, and I'm sure you can sense that when you're down there.

Well, it was funny when you were first explaining it before you said they, I thought you were going to say, um, Mason McCormick. That's immediately where my head went. Um, because he's wild, you know, like the, the little parts that you have seen of him, um, you know, mic'd up and how funny he is. It's, it's probably 10 times, um, you know, what would be appropriate to put on. And he is one of those guys that, you know, talking to the fans behind the bench, you know, hitting all the offensive linemen who are like sitting down. He's the one up like, ah, let's go. That was great. You know, chasing Jalen down the sideline. Mason is definitely, he's definitely that guy, but we've also learned, you know, Jennings Dunker,

they travel practice squad too. And guys that are on IR, he has been out on the field and we learned this week, Aaron Rogers said he's a good joke teller.

So you always need that in the locker room.

Yeah, it seems like this old line is very versatile in multiple ways.

So I adore the young offensive line. I have super high aspirations for them. I love that. That's how they're team building, but I'm also kind of jealous of your perspective on the field on game day to watch the wide receivers and tight ends block in space and down the field. Is that something you've really noticed that they've bought into this year?

Oh yeah. And it is like a full, everyone bought in on it. Um, And I think, you know, everyone always gives Friar Moose crap for it because, you know, when he came in, he wasn't really known as a blocking guy. So when he does have a nice block, he wants to tell everybody about it. And, you know, people like that as well. But yeah, I just think it is certainly something that is helping. It is why they are the leaders in Yak Yard. So it's been great to see that they're able to create this space.

And again, you have to give credit to Aaron Rodgers and the placement of the ball and how he's manipulating defenses to get guys open. You know, I go back to that New England game and it felt like, is anybody open? Does anybody want the ball? It just seems like it has taken a drastic turn in a good way.

Missy, you know, you kind of mentioned a few moments ago the acumen of this Buccaneers defense. I think particularly they've been so stout against the run this season. is this, this has to be obviously a real onus, a real test for Jalen Warren. We've all seen what he's done the last couple of weeks, especially this past Sunday. And if he can keep that going against this group, this defense, I think that's a great sign for the rest of the year.

Oh yeah.

I mean, they're averaging what 3.3 yards per carry allowed against them for it in terms of the box. And I just think, you know, what a week it's been for Jalen Warren, not, that hasn't been a great season too, but you know, the Nickelodeon slime came to practice. He is truly loved by all of his teammates. Could not be happier for him. And he's so humble. I don't want to say he's bashful, but you know, he's, he's a competitor. So you have to have some of that, you know, what did you call it, Matt? So I don't swear on the air.

A little a-hole to him.

Yeah.

Okay.

Yeah.

He has that.

Yeah.

He doesn't like being tackled. I know that.

Correct. And he likes to let you know, you know, but I just think that there's just something about him, which is why people gravitate towards him. And hence why, you know, this offensive line gets going and gets excited when they see him run the ball like that.

Couldn't agree more. Everybody loves Warren. All that being said, they've asked a lot of them lately. And I think getting Rico back is beneficial for sure.

Absolutely. I mean, I think it was two weeks ago. I was like, I don't want to say we should bubble wrap them, but like we should kind of bubble wrap them because you don't want that to be, you know, something where he ends up not being able to finish out the season or needs to take some games off. But I do think that's where Mike McCarthy, you know, he preaches the sports science aspect of football and how they monitor even, you know, how much exertion is happening in practice. What are they doing in game? How many snaps, this and that. Um, and unfortunately when, you know, Jalen, maybe with that shoulder injury was a little dinged up. Uh, it was kind of like, okay, well give us your best shot. And he did. Yeah. I think, you know, he's,

he's clearly doing better and it's something that you, you want to preserve him, but you also want to utilize him because he's what's making this offense run right now.

Always a fun conversation with the queen of the sideline, Missy Matthews. Make sure you are listening to her on the call on Sunday. with Rob King and Max Starks right here on the Pittsburgh Steelers Audio Network. Missy, great stuff as always. Thank you so much for taking the time. And, well, I guess I'll see you on the plane here tomorrow.

I know. It's, like, packed for 80 degrees. It's bizarre.

Yeah, go get some sunshine.

I will bring you sunscreen.

Not that you'll need it, Wes. Speaking of bizarre, Missy.

I hear Missy takes care of you guys with sunscreen and things of that nature.

She certainly does. And, you know, ibuprofen and Advil. Snacks I've heard as well. Snacks, all that good stuff. And Missy, I'm sure you can relate. I'm never a pack ahead guy, but I'm also 35 now and a little bit smarter than I used to be.

Yeah.

Debatable.

And I realized we're going to get back. We're going to get back. We're going to get back late Sunday night from Tampa. And then we're going to have to turn around and fly to France on Wednesday. So right now I have two suitcases in my bedroom and the one has like all shorts and t-shirts and Florida stuff.

And the other has all like, it's going to be 50 degrees and overcast and rainy in France stuff. So I've got the real juxtaposition going on right now.

Well, you're way ahead of me. I didn't even grab my travel suitcase yet to pack for tomorrow. So yeah, You know, I'll figure out France when we get back. I'm a, you know, wait till the last second. So you have to make a decision or you're going to miss the plane type of person. Sure. So that'll be me.

That'll be me, me on Wednesday.

Well, don't, don't, don't be late tomorrow and don't be late on Wednesday. Thanks for the time.

I won't.

Bye, guys.

There she goes. Missy Matthews. Fun conversation with her, as always, here on a Friday. Part of teeing up this weekend's action. And when we return, that's exactly what we're going to be focused on. We will run the gambit of week six across the National Football League. And, of course, we will give final thoughts and predictions for Steelers and Bucs down there in Tampa. Wes Shuler, Matt Williamson. It's The Drive, Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.

And now a word from our sponsor, Bud Light. There's nothing better than the clean, crisp. There's nothing better than the clean, crisp... Uh, what if we just got out of here and grabbed some Bud Lights? But man, we're on air for four more hours.

I'll figure it out.

Sounds good to me. Anything for the clean, crisp taste of Bud Light.

Stock up now. Bud Light.

Louis, Missouri.

I used to have cable internet, but I'm a 100% kind of fan, so I switched to Verizon Fios. It's 100% fiber internet that's super reliable. So I streamed 100% of the NFL draft live with ultra low lag. And after what went down in the first round, still getting video calls from my best friend, rubbing it in that he called.

All the picks.

I told you they were building their own line. I win the bet.

Get 100% fiber internet with Verizon Fios, because when it comes to your team, it's 100% or nothing. Call 1-833-VERIZON to switch today.

Get that hot dog costume ready.

Bruh.

You're tuned to The Drive on your 24-7 home of the black and gold.

Steelers Nation Radio.

We're halfway through October already. It's week six.

I know, it's crazy.

Week six in the National Football League, week seven in college football. It is amazing how fast it flies.

Seems like the weather's going to change any minute now, too. I walked in here at 70, and it's supposed to go down in the 40s tomorrow.

I know.

Right, like overnight.

I know.

Fall might just have approached.

I don't mind fall, but it's what comes after that. It's the winter that starts to bother me more as I get older and older.

As I get older, I... I love the four seasons, but winter's about two or three weeks longer than I want it to be now.

I've said this. I wish that every year from my perfect weather climate scenario would be from Thanksgiving Eve until New Year's. Okay. It's cold and snowy and super winter.

Sled riding and snowmen.

You get five or six.

Your girls love it.

You get five or six weeks of real legit winter, frozen ponds, sled riding, all that stuff.

Then it gets kind of, then the rest of.

The year, it's like 75 and Sunday.

That would be.

My perfect scenario.

I still fall spring or my faves.

I do love fall and spring. Don't get me wrong. Like I love October. I think it's a great month. September, October, I think is great. I love late April into may, you know, before it starts to really get too hot.

Start throwing hoodies on.

And yes, yes. But I always, Matt would have been the guy that'd be like, yeah, I would rather have it be nine degrees than 90 degrees outside. I don't know if I'd say that anymore at this age.

I don't know.

It's funny you're making fun, or not making fun, you're talking about my hat. I mean, like, this time of year, Pitt Johnson on campus, jeans, Timberlands, Zeppelin t-shirt, flannel, hat. Every day. Maybe a Floyd t-shirt or Guns N' Roses.

Zeppelin t-shirt every day.

Big flannel over top.

Listen, I've seen Matt's fraternity pictures and I can confirm. I can confirm. Let's run the slate here of week six. Once again, it begins early in the morning across the pond. This time at Wembley, not Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, at Wembley.

This is a really interesting game. I want to bet on both these teams. I wish they weren't playing each other.

Jacksonville, who I believe has stayed over there. They did.

Correct.

Which is, I think an advantage here.

They're in a different stadium, but the same city of London.

It would exactly right. It would be like, uh, it'd be like going from, this is a bad example. Cause it's two different sports, but like soldier field to Wrigley field in Chicago, you know?

Yeah.

I assume that it stayed in the same, you use the same practice stuff, same hotel, all that stuff. Right.

Wembley is kind of the national stadium of England, um, where the soccer team plays and all that stuff. Um, That's kind of the equivalent of where the Steelers are playing next weekend, the Stade de France. It's not anyone's home turf, if you will. It's not anyone's home stadium. There's nobody that plays there regularly. It's just for the NFL.

It's for the England national team. It's for things like olympics there's.

Not like stealer symbols at acuture exactly anywhere it's just a building.

There's no real tenants okay yeah it's for special sporting events it's for the england national team there's.

Not a locker room that's set for one team.

Exactly okay exactly right which is similar to where the stealers are playing next.

Week gotcha okay there's.

Not really an equivalent of that in america obviously but but a lot of those european countries particularly because of how big soccer has always been and their national teams have those type of no one really owns this or.

Is a tenant yeah it's just It's in the city.

It's kind of our national stadium, and Wembley is that there, and England certainly. Anytime England were to host a big soccer tournament or Olympics or anything like that, that's where the final always is. Texans, Jags, a massive one, Matt.

It is.

If the Jags win this, man, they are sitting pretty at 5-1 and clearly one of the best teams in the AFC.

I've learned not to do this because you're usually wrong, but I kind of feel like that division's locked up.

Unless Houston wins.

I was going to say, if Jacksonville beats Houston because it's a divisional game.

Oh, if Jacksonville beats Houston, I think they've got that division locked up.

Tennessee's got no chance. I don't think Indy's close to a contender. And that gives them one in five record to start the season.

Right. They'd have a four-game advantage on the Texans.

Now, I did say that two or three weeks ago that, oh, the AFC East is done. It's not. There's always another door. But I think the South could be locked up with a Jags win.

Jags minus two and a half matt i think the fact that they've been over there and they're used to this and they do this all the time i think that matters i think that's the difference i think i'd let if it was three and a half i'd probably take the points but at two and a half i think i'm gonna lay him with jacksonville i think houston could be in a lot of trouble.

I was really excited to bet on houston because i think that The coach is taking the defense back to where it should be.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is going to fold now.

And they're just going to be done running the ball and say Stroud, who's playing really well, just throw it all over the yard. We'll get you your buddy from Ohio State. And that's our chance to survive, save this season. But I don't like them in this situation at all, especially with Jags staying there. Jacksonville is a better team.

This game was a Houston, completely different conversation. Yeah, I was hoping they'd play.

Just about anybody else. When I looked at the schedule, I'm like, I'm going to pick Houston this week. That's one of the teams I wouldn't. It's like four teams I wouldn't pick them against right now.

And a familiar spot that Jacksonville's been in many times.

Now, if it was over three, I would take the points, but that's a little too easy. I think everybody would take the points if it was over three.

For sure. Back stateside here, the Atlanta Falcons host the Chicago Bears.

This is a big one, too. Both quarterbacks are playing.

As I was going to say, it sounds like Caleb Williams is going to be back.

Yeah, and Pennix.

And the same for Pennix. Yeah, yeah. Chicago a one-and-a-half point favorite on the road there at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Two great running teams. One of them is because of a great running back. The other one is because of a great scheme. Who's favorite? The Bears.

Bears by a point and a half. If Caleb Williams is back, I'll lay those points with Chicago.

I think I'm going to, too. I bet that's a tough environment. I bet Falcons fans are a little wound up, and I think the Falcons D is better than the Bears.

Falcons fans a little wound up. I mean, have we ever seen that before?

Yeah, I know. I know. I'm trying to give them a little more credit than they deserve.

Sometimes I think that whole Southern markets, they don't care thing is overrated, but For Atlanta and Miami, it's tough to argue.

Yeah, no, you're right.

New Orleans gets wild. Some of those places do get wild.

In the right environment and night games and stuff like that. Yeah, I think there'll probably be plenty of Bears fans there.

Without a doubt. And the big kicker for me, Matt, and it's funny, you mentioned Merrill Hodge in the first hour of the show. I think it's Merrill who says this all the time. You could correct me if I'm wrong, but never underestimate a professional athlete who's coming off of an embarrassment.

Yeah, I'm going to probably bring that up with the Cowboys.

The Bears are coming off not only an embarrassment, but an embarrassment at the hands of their biggest rival. Yeah, give me Chicago minus one and a half.

And then the new quarterback comes back on a white horse.

Merrill Hodges, never underestimate a professional that was embarrassed in the previous game.

Because that's a good team, too. I mean, that's an uncharacteristic Bears performance last year. I'll take the Bears, too.

Matt in Cleveland. where the AFC North clash between the Browns and the Ravens happens at one o'clock Baltimore on the road, three and a half point favorite against the brands.

This sounds nuts, but I think the two offensive rookie of the year, top candidates are in this game. And one of them is an offensive lineman for the Ravens.

Venga.

Yeah. And I think Boston is probably the winner right now. I love Concepcion. He got, And he's also, it's not his fault. Watson doesn't throw over the middle and that's conceptual. We're conceptual. The next quarterback will be better for Casey.

Yes.

But Boston's way better. And I love them coming out, but he's even, but he's got like Mike Evans field to him. Nate tight was, was breaking them down. And Nate Tice is a former quarterback. He was Russell Wilson's backup at Wisconsin. And he publicly says, I have an affinity for huge receivers.

You know, like, It just makes your life easier.

Catch radius, man. He's a big guy. That's his style. And he had a really good observation about how he compared Boston to Evans, which Matt Harmon has done as well. Some of those really big, long strider, ball winners, build-up speed, fast guys, not many of them can run comebacks. But if I can run a comeback on you, what am I going to do? Because everyone's going to play off you and go– High point the ball, and then Evans stops on a dime and turns around. You know how many times he's hit it? Third and eight, he gets 10 yards on a comeback over Evans' career. That's really hard to do.

Julio did that stuff really well, too. When you're a big guy that can stop and start like that, it's.

Such an advantage.

It's rare.

It's rarer than you think. And Boston has it. It's a really good test for those big guys. I know you can go do the big, fast, strong stuff. Anyway, I was on a rookie tangent. But hey, if I'm right about Venga actually being in the running... Let's just say Max can't be in two months. I don't think any alignment will ever win that award.

If there was a year, though, this might be the year.

I'm going to take the Ravens. Lamar's back.

Hasn't practiced this week, but he has said that he's going to play.

It sure sounds like he's going to play. I have no idea if the Ravens do well in Cleveland or not. I should know that within the division. I know there are other tendencies. Steelers do bad in Cleveland. Cleveland does terrible in Pittsburgh. I don't know what the AFC North tendencies are, but I know there are more than I'm aware of. Watson's starting to come back to earth, I think.

Yes.

To me, that's enough. Massive quarterback difference.

I think you're spot on there. I do expect the Browns to put up a fight at three and a half. I'd like this a lot more if it was two and a half.

Yeah.

But between these two franchises, I'm always going to err on the side of Baltimore.

Yeah, me too. I like the Browns D. Oh, the Browns aren't bad.

If you are... If you are a Browns fan, this is probably the most encouraged you've been since, I mean, the team that beat the Steelers in the empty wildcard stadium, the COVID year, Baker and all those guys. I mean, they've got some nice things moving in the right direction, certainly, but I'll lay the three and a half with Baltimore.

And they also have resources to get that next quarterback, even if they do win seven or eight games this year. But history shows they'll pick the wrong one.

Listen, Cleveland, you just stay away from my guys, all right? In Indianapolis, the Steelers' last opponent, the Colts host the Titans. This feels like a, you know, Matt, it's the old cliche. It's too early in the season to call this a must win. This feels like I can't lose for the Colts.

I know.

Chance to get back to 500, chance to stay relevant here forever. They are a seven-point favorite at home against Tennessee.

Ooh, I saw it earlier that it was over seven. It must have came down a little. I was actually going to take the Titans if it was seven and a half or more.

Cheapest get-in price of the weekend, by the way, just $ 32.

I just thought Simmons and company could do a decent job against Taylor, and I really think that's the whole key to beating the Colts. I'm not a Daniel Jones believer. I still have a little bit of faith in Ward. I'm going to take the points.

Are you?

It's a lot for the Colts to give anybody. And I think the Titans are the worst team in the league.

I think I'm going to lay them with Indy.

Okay.

I just don't see much.

I can't believe I picked the Titans. Yeah. They're really bad.

I understand you're right. I mean, that's a lot of points for the Colts to cover for an offense that's been struggling.

Right, right, right.

But I think this might be the opponent to do it against.

I'm not fond of Daniel Jones at the moment.

Another interdivision showdown, Matt, with a chunky spread. The Patriots host the Jets at Foxborough. New England's a seven and a half point favorite. A.J.

Brown's on the fence.

Yes, he is.

This line seems like they think he's going to play, though.

I would agree.

Over seven.

I would agree.

I think I'll take New England. New England's D's been failing really well.

The way New England's played the last two weeks. Yeah. It's hard to not.

Trey Mays back.

I would like this a lot more if it was six and a half or seven as opposed to seven and a half. But I think I'm with you. I think this is one.

Of the spreads. I think Gonzalez is back. He missed the last two weeks.

This is one of the spreads I would stay away from.

Yeah, I'm not real interested.

But for the sake of this exercise, I'll lay the seven and a half with New England.

Okay.

Giants fresh off of kissing their sister and that tie against the commanders. They're back home to host the saints. This is a big one for both of these teams, Matt.

Saints are really treading the wrong Wales.

And if you fall to one in five, your season is probably it's a, it's officially late early in new Orleans. If you're the giants and you win this game, you're four, one in one, and you're still way ahead of schedule.

And frankly, then you're probably a big favorite to win the East, which I can't believe came out of my mouth just now either.

It's nuts.

I don't think either one of these teams is good. Nuts.

Matt, the Giants are one and a half point home dogs. New Orleans favored by a point and a half. Really? Yeah. At MetLife, New Orleans.

I'm taking the Giants.

I'm taking the Saints.

Okay.

Obviously, some of this is because I picked this team to win the division at the beginning of the year. I thought they were one of those candidates to really take a step forward this season. I think New Orleans is much better than they've shown through the first five games.

Oh, I think they're better than they've shown.

I think this is a real desperate spot for the Saints, and I think that'll shine through on Sunday.

I'm shocked they're favored.

I am, too. I'd rather be getting a point and a half, but I don't care. I'll lay them. Jameis Winston is going to turn into a pumpkin.

His old team.

Matt, the Eagles. It's been a pretty quiet, pretty smooth sailing couple weeks for Philadelphia.

Yeah, no thoughts on the report there.

No retirements, no trades, no quarterbacks dealing with major significant blood clots.

Seems like every four or five days there's something bad that happens to them in terms of the win now.

Matt, this game is in Philadelphia where the get-in price is less than $ 90 a ticket.

That must be low for them.

I can't remember a time that it was really ever cheaper than $ 200 over the last handful of years.

Really?

They're not going to be in a good mood about it.

I'm sure they'll be very kind and very patient with their football team. And this says it all.

They're probably happy with their Flyers. You mentioned that they're doing.

Well. Ah, yes.

If you thought things were going bad for the Eagles, the Flyers have played nine games this season and haven't won a single one. Long may it continue. Carolina is a three and a half point favorite in Philadelphia.

Off a bye.

I mean, when's the last time?

I think buys are still going to be a good thing. Rest advantage, all that stuff. When's the last time we.

Saw Philly giving this many points at home?

Oh, yeah.

You get Coker back. Young's playing well.

Or getting this many points at home, I should say.

I'm definitely taking Carolina.

I'm taking Carolina.

I don't know where the Eagles get their offense from the rest of the year. Defense could be competitive and good. Yes.

I think this tells the tale. It's the lowest over-under of the week at just 38.5 points.

Wow.

And Carolina games are always high.

I think Carolina, though, will find a way to win this one. This is another one I'd like it a lot more if it was two and a half, but I'll still lay the three and a half.

With the Panthers. I have a hard time putting my hard-earned podcast bucks on the Eagles right now.

Biggest spread of the weekend, Matt, is in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium. Divisional matchup where the Rams host the Cardinals. It is a Rams team that maybe has a touch of the desk. Maybe there's that same... This isn't a must-win yet, but it feels a little bit like a can't-lose. The Rams are 2-3. The Cardinals are on a four-game losing streak.

They're falling apart.

LA's back at home where they're a 12.5-point favorite. I might take the points....

I'm going to take the Rams. I think they're due to win a 40-0 game. That's true. We haven't seen that yet.

That's a very good point. That's a very good point.

12's a ton.

I think with a number this big, I'm always going to take the points.

That's probably smart. It's a smarter bet. That's a hunch for me.

They could be rolling all game, and then the Cardinals score 10 points in the fourth quarter.

This is the type of game you could see back, for better or worse. But this could be about that time. Harrison's gone.

Matt, most expensive. Oh, no, sorry.

I was wrong.

It's not the most expensive get-in price of the weekend, but it is the undefeated Chiefs against the defeated Chargers.

Coming off a bye. Andy Reid on a bye.

If I would have told you that was the case before the season started, hey, Matt, one of these teams will be undefeated and the other will still be looking for their first win. Kansas City at Arrowhead is a seven and a half point favorite.

I'll take KC.

Yeah.

Chargers got nothing.

This is, again, another one that I wish was six and a half or seven. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I'll still.

That hook doesn't scare me enough.

No. Matt, the most expensive get in price of the weekend. Viva Las Vegas, where the Bills Mafia rolls into Sin City.

They stayed out there. They played in L.A. and just didn't come home, which I think is probably a good idea.

I would love to do that sometime.

What could go wrong staying in Vegas?

If the Steelers ever want to do that for the weekend, they want me to stay in Southern California or Vegas for a week.

Hand up.

I am willing.

I am willing and able. You beat the spear every night.

$ 330 just to get a nosebleed for this game.

That means Bills fans are flooding that place, right?

That means Bills fans, like they always do, are flocking there.

Maybe they spent the week partying.

There are worse places to spend a week partying it up in the fall than Las Vegas, certainly.

What's that spread?

Buffalo is a four and a half point road favorite.

Well, I thought you were going to tell me like seven and a half. I'll take Buffalo.

It seems a little rat poison-y, doesn't it?

The Raiders are fine, but I think they're coming back to earth a little bit.

Agreed.

Great story. Good coach.

And it's going to be 75% Bills fans.

Oh, yeah.

I'm with you. I think that feels a little rat poison-y, but it also feels like a pretty easy Buffalo minus four and a half.

They did play a tough game that went the distance. It was something I didn't think about yesterday. Seattle played a tough game against the Niners, then had to go on the road in altitude.

Good call. Yeah, Broncos went on a field goal in overtime last night. Good for Denver to get the win, but.

I'm not impressed with either quarterback right now at all.

I think the Broncos, they won the battle last night, but the greater war.

Isn't going their way.

Bo Nix, man, is just... He looks like Auburn Bo Nix and not Oregon Bo Nix.

I wanted Seattle to win just for playoff reasons for the Steelers, but I wasn't blown away with either team.

Matt, a big one on Sunday night between what I would say is probably along with the Steelers and the Niners, the four Mount Rushmore franchises in the National Football League's history, the Packers host the Cowboys Sunday night at Lambeau Field in perfect fall weather. in Wisconsin. Green Bay, a one-and-a-half point favorite.

Ooh, I thought this would be a lot bigger.

I did, too. This is also, Matt, I'm sure this will not surprise you, the biggest over-under spread of the weekend.

I'm sure it's a pricey ticket, too, just those two fan bases.

$ 170 to get in.

Green Bay doesn't have a real high cost of living, either. I'm sure things are a little cheaper there. You can get brats for a buck or whatever. I thought this was going to be over three, and I was going to use the Merrill Hodge quote of Dak and Pickens and Lamb getting embarrassed. You know, 10 days rest.

And I was going to say, they've got the rest.

Yep. Green Bay's playing much better than them.

I mean, Green Bay's offense has been on fire.

Gloves really good.

He is fantastic.

At Green Bay in a night game. And, oh, by the way, I think we brought this up, but Jerry Porter magically has an ankle injury. I don't know how he got it. He hasn't played football really since he left town, but. magically seems to be getting hurt a lot.

Matt he could have been moving boxes into his new place in dallas who knows up the stairs and yeah if any nfl player is moving their own stuff you're.

Doing it wrong i'm gonna take green bay.

I'm gonna take the cowboys okay i just listen i realize green bay is not out of the woods yet by.

Any means no i don't think that they're Have it all figured out.

But I think for Dallas, you've had the extra time to prepare. You are the proverbial athletes that are coming off of an embarrassing performance.

It was an embarrassing performance.

You've had a stew in it for even longer than you typically have to.

Jerry Jones's faces and mannerisms when they kept showing the box.

If you're Dallas and you fall to two and four.

That division, right.

A division now that looks like.

You should win that division.

It looks like an open goal.

Yeah, yeah.

I mean, it looks like.

They're playing with an empty net. It looks like Mario Amir.

With a penalty shot and there's no goalie in the opposition net.

Right, right.

It looks like LeBron James going in for a layup and there's no one playing defense.

Right.

You should win that division.

I just, I think at some point.

I never say fire coaches. I'm not sure that they're a good or bad coaching staff, but if you don't win that division, you have to make a change. I mean, the way that things have laid down for you this year.

1000%.

Obviously the Monday night matchup is in. The Bay Area, where the Niners host the Commanders. Do we pick that.

Today, or do we pick it Monday? We'll pick that on Monday.

I don't know, actually, if Santa Clara is technically considered the Bay Area. I don't think it is. That's San Francisco and Oakland, and obviously the game's in Santa Clara, but you get what I'm saying. We'll pick that on Monday.

We are, Matt.

We're going to have another one of those weird weeks next week. Oh, Paris weekend.

Because I'm flying to Paris on Wednesday. And then the week after is a little weird, too.

We won't have shows Wednesday and Thursday. We will have shows Friday, Saturday, but won't have shows Wednesday, Thursday.

But I won't be part of the Friday, Saturdays. At least I might be part of them, but it won't be you and I sit here in studio.

Correct.

That's for sure. That much I know.

And then Monday we'll be flying home. So I don't know if they'll have you do a show with our buddy Tom or something on Monday, but some weird stuff coming down the pipeline here. But I think everyone realizes that with the, with the international game and everything going on. Yeah, man, I'm getting on a plane to Tampa.

We are back Monday to recap.

Yes.

Oh, absolutely.

Yeah.

Yeah. Flying to Tampa tomorrow, flying home Sunday night, flying to, flying to France on Wednesday. Okay. Flying home Monday?

Yeah.

That's what, four flights in the next, what, nine days, eight days or so here or something? Hey, it's going to be fun, but I'm going to be a little tired.

Yeah, it's a lot.

I'm going to be a little tired at the same time. It is a lot. But we obviously, it's a busy couple weeks here for your Pittsburgh Steelers. And I will, without a doubt, be looking for that bye week by the time we get to early November. That's it for the week six slate, except, of course, the game that we all care about the most, the Steelers and the Bucs down in Tampa. Matt and I will give our final thoughts and our predictions on the Steelers clash on Sunday when we return here for our final segment. Wes Shuler, Matt Williamson. It is The Drive, Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.

And now a word from our sponsor, Bud Light. There's nothing better than the clean, crisp... There's nothing better than the.

Clean, crisp.

Uh, what if we just got out of here and grabbed some Bud Lights? But man, we're on air for four more hours.

I'll figure it out.

Sounds good to me. Anything for the clean, crisp taste of Bud Light.

Stock up now. Bud Light.

Louis, Missouri.

I used to have cable internet, but I'm a 100% kind of fan, so I switched to Verizon Fios. It's 100% fiber internet that's super reliable. So I streamed 100% of the NFL draft live with ultra low lag.

And after what went down in the.

First round, still getting video calls from my best friend, rubbing it in that he called all the picks.

I told you they were building their own line. I win the bet.

Get 100% fiber internet with Verizon Fios, because when it comes to your team, it's 100% or nothing. Call 1-833-VERIZON to switch today.

Get that hot dog costume ready.

Bruh.

You're tuned to The Drive on your 24-7 home of the black and gold.

Steelers Nation Radio.

Down the homestretch here of The Drive on this Friday. And for this week, last week before we go international, hey, just call me Mr. Worldwide.

You're all over the place, brother.

It's a lot of fun. It's a grind, but it's a lot of fun. Somebody's got to do it. So it might as well be me.

Tampa doesn't sound bad right now, though.

No, not as good as Jacksonville is going to sound in December.

Yeah, it's not like the weather's bad here, but just like real Florida sun does sound pretty good.

Is that Jacksonville games the Monday night game? Monday night football.

Yeah, yeah.

So that means your boy's going to have morning and afternoon in Jacksonville in December.

I can tell you what we do.

You're watching on YouTube right now. Here's going to be me all morning and afternoon Monday. I'm on my feet up at the pool in the hotel in Jacksonville. I'm going to be sitting like this. It's 16 degrees back home. It's 70 degrees here.

How's everybody doing?

I do always love it when those late season, we had that a few years ago in Miami, the Steelers played Monday. It was the game where Kenny pick it through like three interceptions and the Steelers lost an ugly one Monday night football or Sunday night football to the dolphins. And that was great. Cause it was like, we.

Left night game down South.

We left most of the time. I want the road games to be one o'clock so we can get our, yeah, yeah.

That's the only bad part.

It's the winter time in the South. I'm like, that's a nice day. I'll take a walk around the city and sit at the pool for a few hours and enjoy the sunshine for sure. Matt, before we get into final thoughts and predictions, two things here. Across the timeline from our buddy Chris Adamski. Rico Dattle expected to play Sunday in Tampa. And Jamel Dean said that he's optimistic he will play Sunday.

I kind of got a vibe that he would play, and I'm sure he wants to play against his old team.

Yeah.

So that's kind of just the boots on the ground from Adamski at practice, obviously.

So Dean's really the only one that we're not sure about at this point as we record this.

Correct.

Matt.

Elliot sounds like it's probably not going to happen.

I don't think so.

Okay.

And remember... I can't remember if it was DeFabo or Halleck, but another one of our friends of the show last week reported that the Paris game against the Saints was the likely return of Deshaun Elliott.

Well, if it isn't, he's done for the year. I mean, now there's a deadline, but right. I think when they activate him, that's what they had in mind. So this is not a setback.

Get him two weeks of light practice and then full go. Yeah. Steelers, Bucs, 1 o'clock, Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay. It's supposed to be a little overcast, but 78 degrees. Woo-hoo! Bring your sunscreen. The Steelers, Matt, this is second lowest over-under of the weekend, by the way, besides Panthers Eagles. What is the number? Just 39 and a half, which kind of surprised me.

I'm trying to think if I'm ever under. Okay.

Kind of surprised me a little bit with the way the Steelers offense has been playing the last couple weeks with the last performance they've had. we just saw from Tampa Bay. Steelers two and a half point road favorites, Matt Williamson. It is my week to pick first here on the show. I've been going back and forth on this one a lot.

I'm really torn.

You and I both preach that whole rest advantage thing, particularly when it's real, when you're the home team with the rest advantage as well. Now, having said all that Steelers, 24 bucks, 20, I'm a, I'm a few points over that over under, I, I think the.

Way the Steelers, I'm under the over under, I think the.

Way the Steelers offense is playing, I, I don't see a scenario where they're not going to score 21, 24, 27 points, uh, basically on a weekly basis at this point.

It's a good way of looking at it, because I think the Bucs D is good.

Especially in good weather, nice track down there in Florida.

But it's not the 85 Bears either. It's a good D for a 1-14, but it's not the.

It's not the 2008 Stellars.

I just think this is going to be an ugly one.

Do you?

I think special teams are going to be huge. I fear Danny Smith, and I mean that as a compliment to him. I hate the rest advantage stuff. I have the Steelers winning... but 17, 16 nail biter.

You like that scoreline.

Oh really?

17. Has any, any, didn't you pick that a couple of weeks ago? Maybe it's Cleveland. I think on the short week, I.

I don't like picking the scores. I kind of like picking the winners.

I don't really either.

I like how we do the other games where it's like, I think they cover.

Yes, I agree with you on that.

I don't like actually picking the scores.

Unless you actually hit it one time, then you're like.

I'm a genius. Because when you pick, I mean, I don't think give it this much thought, but then it's like, you really think they're going to get three field goals? You know, like 16, they get three field goals and a touchdown. I'm like, I don't know. I just think it's going to be around there. You know, I'm fearful.

I am. I think it's going to be a close game. Their quarterback just hasn't played much football. And I don't think their skill guys are great. I think the Steelers' D is so much better than Dallas'..

I know everyone's infatuated with Jalen Daniels' skill set. But I will tell you this, as somebody who.

I get two games of film to go off on the guy.

Everybody knows how much I care about my alma mater and the conference that they play in. I end up watching a lot of... I would never call myself a Big 12 guy. I kind of hate the conference if we're being honest.

Are you a Big East guy?

Yes, I'm exactly right. I'm a Big East guy and I had it ripped from me against my will. I did not consent to all this utter nonsense of WVU being in a conference with Arizona and Pitt being in a conference with Stanford. Having said that, I obviously watch a lot of Big 12 football, watched a lot of Jalen Daniels when he was at Kansas, and it's like, every week he looked like a top five quarterback in college football, or he looked like, did this guy just start playing the sport last week? You know what I mean?

There's a reason he was not a highly thought after prospect.

A lot of rollercoaster element to his game, so hey, I could see him going out there and being a problem. I could also see him going out there and being a disaster after having a really good performance, but it's certainly a wild card in this whole equation.

I think that you know, he's that, that, that hitter or pitcher that's been through the league once. And do we know if he can hit a curve ball?

Yeah.

And I've gotten the first.

Time that he was on the mound. People couldn't hit his curve ball.

Now it's like, okay, he's tipping his pitches.

And yeah, folks, there you have it. That's the show for today. That's the show for this week, but you already know come Monday, win, lose, or draw. We'll be back here to break it down with you as always. Big thank you to Missy Matthews for joining us earlier. And as always a shout out to video producer, Tyler V, Mr.

T V. For Matt Williamson, I'm Wes Shuler. Take care, everybody, and we will talk to you soon. As always, you know where to find us. It's your 24-7 home of the black and gold. Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.

And now a word from our sponsor, Bud Light. There's nothing better than the clean, crisp... There's nothing better than the clean, crisp... Uh, what if we just got out of here and grabbed some Bud Lights? But man, we're on air for four more hours.

I'll figure it out.

Sounds good to me. Anything for the clean, crisp taste of Bud Light.

Stock up now. Bud Light.

Louis, Missouri.

I used to have cable internet, but I'm a 100% kind of fan, so I switched to Verizon Fios. It's 100% fiber internet that's super reliable. So I streamed 100% of the NFL draft live with ultra low lag.

And after what went down.

In the first round, still getting video calls from my best friend, rubbing it in that he called all the picks.

I told you they were building their own line. I win the bet.

Get 100% fiber internet with Verizon Fios, because when it comes to your team, it's 100% or nothing. Call 1-833-VERIZON to switch today.

Get that hot dog costume ready.

Bruh.

Kapitelklicken springt direkt hin

Shownotes

Transkriptvom Podcast bereitgestellt · Zeitmarken springen hin