Drive10.20.26Hr2: Week Seven Power Rankings

0:03 You're tuned to The Drive on your 24-7 home of the black and gold.

0:07 Steelers Nation Radio.

0:21 Good evening, Steeler Nation. How we doing? Well, that's good. Us too. It is hour number two of The Drive here on this Tuesday. Our final hour from studio for about a week here as I'll be heading international tomorrow. Can I say across the pond or is that only fitting when you're going to the UK? I don't know.

0:36 I feel like that's a, but I am going across the pond.

0:39 Yeah, yeah, yeah.

0:40 It counts. Matt, before we get into the power rankings here, a couple little pieces of business for you. Some unfortunate news across the timeline here. Terry McLaurin will be out for the rest of the season with a torn patellar tendon.

0:53 That didn't look good when it happened.

0:54 That's a bummer.

0:55 It is.

0:56 That is a bummer. And for the commanders, again, I think we mentioned this. There could be light at the end of the tunnel. Just keep Jayden Daniels healthy. Keep developing him. You get Laramie Tunsell back next year.

1:06 Yeah.

1:06 Seems like you got a couple young pieces on defense.

1:08 Yeah.

1:09 Stiles looked fantastic last night. He's had a great year.

1:11 Go draft Jeremiah Smith or Coleman in the first round at wide receiver. Get a running back in round two or three. Add to the defense.

1:19 That Antonio Williams will get more of a chance now, too. He's been pretty impressive every step of the way, too.

1:25 Yes.

1:26 I think there could be a coaching change.

1:29 I'd be surprised if there wasn't.

1:31 I can't get over how bad the NFC East is.

1:33 Could the NFC East be like the AFC North and have three coaching changes this year? Like the NFC North was last year.

1:39 I'm predicting it. Yeah. I think the Giants are safe.

1:43 Harbaugh is safe, of course.

1:44 Yeah. But I think all three of those are... We did a six-pack hot seat and three of them were in that division.

1:49 I wonder if the only thing that could save Sirianni to get him one more year is just the... uncontrollable circumstances. I mean, it's not his fault Lane Johnson retired. It's not his fault Jalen Hurts has blood clots. You know what I mean?

2:00 Of course.

2:01 They trade Juergens on him.

2:03 But I don't know, man. That might also just be a convenient time for them to rip the Band-Aid and start anew.

2:08 Adam Schefter tweeted this today, and I was kind of shocked. But these last two weeks, the NFC East has been winless.

2:19 Jeez.

2:19 It's the first time in NFL history that a whole division went back-to-back weeks without a win. I can't believe it's the first time.

2:25 And two of the teams played each other, too.

2:26 I'm saying two of the teams happened to play each other, right. Had to kiss their sister. Winless is important there, right. Crazy.

2:32 That's wild. Another thing that's crazy that I just wanted to bring to your attention briefly. If the NFL regular season were over right now, and we had the draft this weekend, the New York J-E-T-S would have three of the top 11 picks.

2:45 They have Dallas and Indy's pick, folks, and their own.

2:48 Seven, 10, and 11.

2:50 I don't think things get any better in Indy.

2:52 Not for Dallas. Dallas could get better. Dallas might be able to get above 500. Yeah.

2:57 I still think they could win the division, get things better. Right to ship.

3:01 Tell you what.

3:02 Jets are in a great spot.

3:03 If the Jets don't mangle it this offseason, they're going to be in a very good spot.

3:07 I was going to wait until we brought them up in the power ranks, but we just did a little clip on them today about they had three first-round picks this year, and they all look really good. Sadiq hasn't done a tough a lot, but Bailey's been awesome.

3:19 And Omar Cooper Jr.

3:20 Really broke out on Sunday. Right, right, right. And you already had the tackles in place. It could be quite the young– group that they have their year from now.

3:29 They could never mess it up all right to the power rankings we go number 32 matt the la chargers just.

3:36 Like i think it has to be the chargers just.

3:37 Like everybody predicted before the season.

3:39 Started tennessee one chargers are more embarrassing than ever i think it has to be them miami was on a buy they couldn't screw anything.

3:46 Up what idiot on this show picked the chargers to win their division and the saints to win their division what dingus was that yeah What two idiots on this show picked the Packers to finish last in the division?

3:56 They still might.

3:57 They still might. They're 4-2 and getting Parsons back.

4:00 That whole division, anyone in the North has a winning division, either North.

4:03 They do. No. 31 is also the winless Miami Dolphins. I think it's tough to argue against those two teams at the bottom.

4:10 Yeah, yeah.

4:11 I'd probably still have the Titans next, though.

4:13 Colts are next at No.

4:14 30.

4:14 I know the Titans just beat them, but I don't know if they'd lose that game.

4:18 Titans are 29. Okay, okay. I mean, they're back-to-back.

4:21 I've done power ranks, and you kind of have to do that when two teams are about equal and they just played the team that won. You should probably put ahead of the other one. Or just don't read your comments, because people will kill you for it.

4:35 Man, Titans. They have got to see some more out of Cam Ward, or they're going to have a tough decision on their hands.

4:40 I know.

4:41 Picking third.

4:42 Yeah, say they pick right in this neighborhood, which they will.

4:44 Okay, maybe we can't get Messamaker, but we could get Dante Moore, we could get Chambliss, or we could get Arch, or we could get CJ Carr.

4:51 But that opens up another possibility for the Steelers.

4:53 It does.

4:53 I mean, would you send a second-round pick for Ward? Third? I mean, I might not send my first.

4:58 I'll be honest with you, I haven't watched him enough this season.

5:00 It's been really bad, but I'd like to study him more.

5:03 I mean, I loved him a year ago. Yeah. I like them coming out of Miami. I thought he was a no-doubt slam-dunk first overall pick.

5:11 Yeah, yeah.

5:12 And if you do that, he would compete with the other young guys. I mean, I don't even think you'd be like, we have this thing solved. If you could get him for— If you don't think you could strike to get to any of the guys we've talked about in the last segment. This is one more option.

5:26 It's one other option. Yeah.

5:27 Draft a receiver in the first round or a corner and use a day-two pick for him.

5:32 Matt, number 28, another team we all saw bringing up the caboose here of these power rankings before the year started. It's the Philadelphia Eagles.

5:40 They belong here. The defense doesn't, but the organization as currently constructed belongs here.

5:46 TV and I were having our monthly production meeting at the Cigar Lounge before today's show.

5:51 I think that's more than monthly.

5:53 Monthly production meeting at the Cigar Lounge before today's show, and we were both like, The Texans, it looks like that's a little bit tougher than it's looked. You know, you wish you would have gotten the Texans earlier in the schedule now. But the Eagles, it feels like you're getting them. So we're like, Houston looks a lot more daunting lately. Philly looks a lot more winnable lately.

6:13 We'll see if it comes true. But whenever you mention we're doing power rankings, I'm like, I bet I would have Houston higher than they will. I think Houston's really good.

6:20 Yes, you do. And I'm starting to warm up to that, too. Yeah. 27, the team that we just saw, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

6:28 I'd put the Bucs... Over the Saints.

6:31 Would you?

6:31 Yeah.

6:33 And probably over a couple other teams.

6:34 Well, let's see here. The Cowboys at 26.

6:36 I still think the Cowboys offense has a chance to be quite good.

6:41 I do too.

6:42 And it'll be a little bit better. 26 is probably as low as the Cowboys will go.

6:47 That offense just, man, it has.

6:49 To be better.

6:49 Yeah. There's just no way it should be this bad.

6:51 They don't seem to have answers.

6:53 Jets check in at 25, Matt. But a respectable season. The best of the worst.

6:58 Yeah, they play hard. They're playing a ton of young guys. We'll see. I mean, I think he's saving his job.

7:04 Aaron Glenn, yeah. You need to get Brees Hall back out.

7:09 There, man.

7:10 Yeah. I mean, I think there's good things happening with the Jets.

7:14 My fantasy team started out on fire. with B. John Robinson, Brees Hall, and Devonta Smith. But now Brees Hall and Devonta Smith are hurting me. Hurting me lately. Number 24, Matt, another surprising one here, but tough to argue at this point. It's the L.A. Rams. Oh, that's too low.

7:33 I don't know, man.

7:33 I mean, I know they just lost to the Cardinals, but do we really have the Cardinals ahead of the Rams in the power ranks?

7:38 Well, now that's a good point. The Cardinals are too high for me here.

7:41 Even if they're next, they're way too high for me.

7:43 No Miles Garrett, no Devonta Adams. So Stafford does not look like the MVP that he was last year.

7:50 We did a deep dive on them today too. And it's not even defending them because I think I mentioned this with PFF, but DVOA has their offense and their defense in the top five. Now their special teams is a distant 32nd.

8:02 This is starting to sound like some SEC propaganda to me here, TV. And Texas is four and three, but look at the three losses. Yeah.

8:12 I mean, I just think that they could, Be good again. And that Adams injury is huge for them.

8:18 Huge.

8:19 And they absolutely could be good again. But remember, in the spirit of things, the power rankings, I don't know if I'd have them this low, Matt, but I certainly wouldn't have them anywhere close to the top 16 at this point either.

8:30 But I'd have them around 16.

8:32 For example, the Commanders are ahead of them at 23. I would absolutely have the Rams ahead of the Commanders.

8:36 They're favored against the Cardinals or Commanders.

8:39 Cardinals are 22.

8:39 We haven't even brought the Saints yet, right?

8:42 We have not.

8:42 Oh, they're better than all those.

8:44 Giants 21.

8:45 Better than the Giants do.

8:47 Saints 21.

8:48 I think McCarthy's going to be the quarterback there. For the Giants.

8:53 I had a split second in my mind where I was like, Mike McCarthy? What are you talking about?

8:57 Wait a second.

8:58 Mike McCarthy's going to play quarterback.

8:59 For the Giants? I think Jameis is getting benched.

9:02 At this point. Well, maybe I shouldn't say that because they're first place in the division.

9:06 I've said this over and over about this.

9:07 You can't be like, just get McCarthy out there. Let's see what we got.

9:09 They're first place.

9:09 In the division.

9:10 I mean, even Washington and Philly, like, oh, we're going to trade everybody. And I heard somebody say, could Pickens be on the trading block in Dallas? I'm like, someone's got to win the division. It doesn't mean you shouldn't trade these guys because you'll probably get blown out by the Rams in the first round if you win the East anyway. That could be.

9:25 Hey, for Harbaugh, though, you drag that organization into the playoffs after what they've been, and even if you get blown out in the first round, that might be still good for the culture and everything there in New York.

9:34 This is how we win. We get one playoff game under our belt.

9:37 We'll take one on the chin here, and then we move forward next year.

9:40 Saints at No.

9:41 20, Matt.

9:41 That's too high.

9:46 I think so. And I obviously, I feel like I believe in the Saints a little bit more than most, but that's a little too high.

9:52 Just as currently constructed, they have no run game.

9:54 I think that's about where I would have the Rams right now is in that 19-20. range.

9:58 I would have the Rams over everyone we've mentioned so far.

10:01 Falcons check in at 19. I'm cool with that. I am too, but they just, they are so hot and cold. They are so rollercoaster up and down.

10:11 I think their quarterback always will be. Yeah.

10:14 That's just, that's the nature of what they've got at the quarterback position.

10:16 Mm-hmm.

10:16 18, Viva Las Vegas.

10:21 Okay. I mean, they've come back to earth a little bit, but that's a successful season.

10:27 They've come back to earth a little bit. They lost three in a row after winning three in a row, but it's not like they've looked terrible.

10:32 No.

10:32 They've hung tight with some really good teams.

10:34 Cousins is still playing well. Yeah, yeah. I think that's fine for them, and they should be happy about that, actually.

10:41 Number 17, as high as we've seen them maybe all season. Maybe since week one, Pittsburgh Steelers.

10:51 I'm fine with that. Should the Browns be fourth in the power ranks in the division?

10:57 They're right ahead of the Steelers at 16. And maybe we're a couple weeks removed from the game where it's like, Like right now, for a power ranking standpoint, it's hard to put the Rams ahead of the Cardinals because the Cardinals just won in L.A.

11:11 48 hours ago, right.

11:13 But when it's a couple weeks ago, two and a half weeks, like it is with the Browns and the Steelers, okay.

11:18 And it's not like the Browns have fallen off. Who's favored in that game? Probably the Steelers. Maybe even if it's in Cleveland.

11:28 I don't hate having them 16 and 17.

11:30 No, I don't think that's unfair.

11:32 I will say, though, the Browns do deserve a little recognition here.

11:35 They should not be in the mid-20s or anything like that. Right.

11:39 It is nuts, though. The entire division in the top 17 of the power rankings, almost in the top half of the league for the entire division.

11:46 And we haven't mentioned any NFC North teams.

11:49 No, we have not. But here's the first one, number 15.

11:54 I guess they would still be fourth for me, but rapidly moving up.

11:58 Tell you what.

11:58 Yeah.

11:59 You and I, you mentioned this, I think, with Parsons a week or two ago. I think that's almost like a trade deadline acquisition for the Packers.

12:06 Same with Miles Garrett and, yeah, some of those guys we haven't seen yet.

12:09 For Green Bay, Josh Jacobs and Michael Parsons as your trade deadline acquisitions.

12:13 Get both of those guys back, right.

12:14 That might be enough to level.

12:16 Them up a little bit.

12:17 Yeah, yeah.

12:17 Number 14, but number one in Matt Williamson's heart, the Houston Texans.

12:24 Okay, that's about right. I might have them a little higher. Stroud's playing really well.

12:28 I haven't looked, but I would imagine, quickly glancing here, yes, they are the highest-ranked team with a losing record. Not surprising.

12:35 And they should be. Yeah, they absolutely should.

12:37 They're still very dangerous. And they also won a two-game winning streak now and just beat a good Jags team last year.

12:41 Yes, that was a really good game. Yes, it was.

12:43 That was a lot of fun. I love it when those early morning games are good like that one. 13, Matt, the Carolina Panthers.

12:49 Sure.

12:50 I'm absolutely fine with that. And they should be one in their division.

12:53 They should be, definitely.

12:55 They're ahead of Atlanta.

12:55 I might have Houston and Green Bay ahead of Carolina.

12:57 Yeah.

12:58 I'm splitting hairs. 12, the Detroit Lions.

13:00 Okay.

13:02 Kind of out of sight, out of mind.

13:03 Yep.

13:03 Off the bye week. Let's see if that defense could improve at all. Number 11, they get Caleb Williams back. They bounce back from that just drubbing they took in Green Bay. It's the Chicago Bears. Dub Bears.

13:16 Also about right. I think they got Loveland involved. Defense played better.

13:21 Okay.

13:21 I think they're pretty good, man. Yeah, they're pretty good.

13:24 Number 10, Matt, as low as they've been, certainly this season, dating back to last year, number 10, the Seattle Seahawks.

13:32 I get it. I think the offense, Darnold, the run game.

13:36 They're just so JSN heavy. Yeah, it's really all they have on offense right now.

13:40 Yeah, compared to the other top teams, they worry me a little bit.

13:43 Yeah, I agree. They're not looking as bulletproof as they did at times, certainly. Number nine, the Denver Broncos, after beating the Seahawks last Thursday.

13:55 I have Bo Nix issues.

13:56 I do, too.

13:58 They probably deserve to be ninth. I'd have the Bears ahead of them.

14:03 They got the Cardinals this week. Okay, then the Chiefs the following week. Then the Carolina Panthers. I mean, they could continue to stack wins here.

14:09 Yeah. The defense played very well.

14:13 Bo Nix is not great.

14:16 He's not. I'm not saying he's the worst guy out there.

14:18 But with Sean Payton, with what they have on defense, I don't know.

14:21 They need to get Waddlemore involved.

14:23 That might be about the right range for the Broncos all year. I don't know if they're going to launch towards the top five with Bo Nix's limitations.

14:28 I'm guessing not.

14:29 But I think they've got a pretty high floor as well. Number eight. It's the Ravens.

14:36 Okay. I'm not going to kill a team for losing with their backup quarterback. Tough environment. That's basically the reason and the ratings.

14:42 Yes, they just lost to the Browns and all that, but It was Tyler Huntley. They haven't had Lamar back.

14:47 I think Lamar. I thought he was going to be back last week, so I'm assuming he's going to be back this week.

14:50 Tell you what, though, and I know this is life in the National Football League. It is the ultimate game of inches and the ultimate game of margins. They are, the Ravens, a Michael Penix injury potentially away from being 3-3 right now.

15:02 Oh, I know.

15:03 A whole different story.

15:04 A whole different story. It's who doesn't have to.

15:06 Go into that game and the Ravens end up beating the Falcons in overtime.

15:10 That's a good point.

15:12 Number seven, Matt, and I don't like it, but they're playing much better lately. It's the New England Patriots, and Drake May has certainly returned to prominence.

15:20 Yeah, quarterbacks elevating everybody. A.J. Brown was really bad in his return. Bunch of drops.

15:25 And they lost to IR.

15:26 Yeah, yeah. I bet Brown would be a little better.

15:29 Could they be a team that's a buyer candidate for maybe one of these wide receivers from a losing team.

15:35 That we talked about? Yeah, especially with a Dobbs injury.

15:37 Mm-hmm.

15:39 Number six, I don't know. It's the Cincinnati Bengals. They moved up three spots off their bye week.

15:43 I know. That's another thing people hate whenever you do power ranks. Like, how do you move the team around on the bye? It's like, well, I moved the other teams, and they just happened to fall.

15:51 Like, yeah, they moved the Broncos down. They moved the Ravens down.

15:53 Yeah, yeah.

15:54 I don't know, man. I think those two teams might still be favored over the Bengals, as you always say, if they're playing in Wichita, Kansas this weekend.

16:01 Baltimore with Lamar would be.

16:02 Yes.

16:04 That's the big kicker. Patriots probably would be.

16:06 Probably.

16:07 The way that Drake Mays is playing.

16:08 I mean, you can make an argument a team like Houston even would be. Yes.

16:12 And, again, a lot of this is supposed to be recency.

16:17 Oh, to the minute.

16:19 But they lost two or three games heading into the bye week.

16:22 Ah, you kind of forget that when teams make a bye, right?

16:24 It's not like they lost their first two and then they've won three straight. They won two to start the year, and then they've gone one and two in their three since.

16:31 Yeah, they should be four spots lower. You can convince me.

16:34 Now, see, I like this. The Jacksonville Jaguars stay at five.

16:38 I wouldn't hurt them one bit.

16:39 I wouldn't hurt them one bit.

16:40 They lost a very close game.

16:41 They lost on a field goal on the last play of the game to the Houston Texans.

16:44 Okay, fine.

16:45 I'm good with that.

16:46 And it wasn't against the Cardinals, you know.

16:49 Number four, Matt. This is probably the highest we've seen this franchise since they were rolling with Sam Darnold a couple years ago. It's the Minnesota Vikings.

16:57 Okay. I mean, they're one of these massive discrepancies between offense, defense. And I don't know if the defense will get worse, but I think the offense will get better.

17:07 It better.

17:08 Yeah.

17:08 And if it does, they're a legit contender.

17:10 Yeah.

17:11 If it doesn't.

17:11 I've heard Jordan Addison can be on the trade block. That makes no sense to me at all. Or Jennings, who they signed, the other receiver. I'm like, they're 5-0. You think they're selling off starters?

17:20 That would be surprising.

17:21 Yeah.

17:22 Number three, the Buffalo Bills.

17:24 Cool.

17:24 Yeah. I mean, they've got their issues. I don't know what more to say. Right.

17:27 But they just find ways to win games.

17:29 Defense is bad, but okay.

17:31 Defense is bad, but. Maybe they're looking at Max Crosby across the sideline this past week and going, hey, buddy, you've lost three in a row now. Come on and win some games with us over here in Buffalo. Number two, another team that's kind of taking care of business and maybe even quietlier than we've acknowledged is the Kansas City Chiefs.

17:52 Yeah, I was asked today if you had to bet on the Bills or Chiefs to win the Super Bowl, which one would you pick?

17:59 It's hard not to say Kansas City.

18:01 I said Kansas City just because I've seen that coach and quarterback do it for one thing. And the Bills D is a distant fourth of the four units. Although I think their offense is one.

18:12 Probably one.

18:13 Yeah, yeah.

18:14 You would give them the coaching advantage and.

18:16 All these different variables too. Certainly the experience and getting to the Super Bowl advantage. Yes, yes.

18:22 And number one, 6-0. They almost collapsed last night. But you know what they call almost losing Matt Williamson? They call it winning.

18:30 Yeah.

18:32 And the Niners moved to 6-0 last night.

18:33 They need Evans to be healthy or something, though, too. Do you like that one?

18:37 Have you ever heard that one before? You know what they call almost losing?

18:39 Winning. I would have them won. But that game started to really get away with them. Yes, it did. Directly after Evans got hurt. And they diagnosed it as Achilles. It's whatever he's been. It's not a tear. It's some kind of irritation. Okay. and they play atlanta next week then they have their buy i hope they shut them down for a week and let them relax a little bit i mean yeah you know but who knows a lot of receiver injuries right now.

19:09 There are a lot of receiver a lot of a lot of weird injuries across the nfl right now too uh matt let me ask you this we i just did the if the season ended today the jets would have three picks in the top 11 if the season ended today is brock party the nfl mvp.

19:26 The Steelers will be in the playoffs at the season end of the day.

19:29 Darn right.

19:29 People didn't know that.

19:31 Extra game check for Wesley.

19:33 I'd say yes on Purdy. I mean, Mahomes, Allen, the usual.

19:37 He is second right now in the odds. Josh Allen just slightly ahead of him. Then Mahomes third. Trevor Lawrence fourth. Great call by you before the season started, by the way, of Lawrence being the long shot. The chukka chukka. few bucks on. Then Drake May to round out the top five. But, Matt, there is a clear cut. Josh Allen and Brock Purdy are a tight number one and two, and then it's a different tier.

20:00 Now, you and I have had this conversation. I mean, who's more valuable? It's Allen.

20:05 No doubt.

20:05 But who should get the award? I think Purdy. Today.

20:09 See, I don't know, though.

20:10 I mean, that's why it's so weird, you know?

20:13 It's what I told you when we did our kind of.

20:16 It's the loophole. I mean, it's the flaw in the way.

20:18 I wish it was like the Heisman Trophy and it was the verbiage.

20:20 Best player.

20:21 The verbiage was most outstanding player.

20:23 Yes.

20:23 I wish it was that way in every sport.

20:24 It should be.

20:25 It costs great players MVPs... Because they play on great teams.

20:30 I had the best year of any player in my entire league.

20:32 LeBron James can't win MVP. He's teammates with Dwayne Wade.

20:35 Yeah, yeah, yeah.

20:37 Sidney Crosby can't win MVP. He's got Evgeny Malkin.

20:40 Some great right fielder hits 380 with a million, but their team doesn't win anything. Like, I can't give him MVP.

20:46 I just think it should just be most outstanding, just most outstanding player. But I digress. That's a different conversation for a different day. There are your week seven NFL power rankings. Matt, it's happening fast, dude.

20:59 Yeah, it is.

20:59 I'm going to get back from Paris and it's going to be Halloween time. And then a couple weeks later, I'm going to be brining turkeys.

21:07 Brining turkeys, huh?

21:08 And then old jolly, what, you don't brine your bird? You don't baste your bird and brine your bird for Thanksgiving?

21:13 That's not my department.

21:16 He's just in charge of the bourbon.

21:18 There's games on, dude.

21:19 I'm working.

21:20 Oh.

21:21 That's why you do it like me. You smoke the turkey and all you got to do is set it and forget it, baby. Just let it smoke for four or five hours.

21:28 Sounds good right now.

21:29 Listen, if you don't brine and baste your bird, you're basic.

21:32 That's a long time away. I can't be thinking about it.

21:34 You mean it's a month away.

21:36 I know.

21:36 That's what's crazy. To your point, things are getting late early or whatever.

21:43 I'm just glad you said it and not me. It's the most wonderful time of the year. There's your power rankings here.

21:51 TV, we were out there getting coffee. TV pulled out a Reese's and it was the Christmas tree one already.

21:56 Yeah, that bugs me out.

21:57 I was like, come on, man. I'm wearing shorts.

21:59 Last week, Matt, I do like a monthly, maybe a bi-monthly Costco run. Last week, I go into Costco. Paper towels and toilet paper. Paper towels and toilet paper and ribeyes and chicken breasts. By the way, for anybody out there that's like cooking for a family and get yourself one of those vacuum sealer machines for like 50 bucks on Amazon and then buy all your, buy all your steaks and chicken and everything and bulk and freeze it.

22:26 And you save a ton of money.

22:27 And you've always, we have a detached, we have our freezer in the garage. We don't, the problem is with us, anything that goes in there never comes out.

22:36 Really?

22:36 I mean, it's just a terrible habit.

22:37 Because then you forget what you put in there. Oh, yeah.

22:40 That's where things go to die.

22:41 But what's great about it is if it's a day like today and you're getting ready to leave the house and you're like, what do I want to do for dinner tonight? Rib-eyes? Just pull them out of the fridge. Let it thaw all day or whatever.

22:50 You don't have to run to the store or anything like that. Oh, it sounds tremendous, yeah.

22:52 It's a great system.

22:53 It's just... flawed in the williamson household.

22:56 Last week matt i did my monthly bi-monthly costco run and there's christmas stuff everywhere i'm like we're still two weeks away from halloween man what are we doing here.

23:05 My wife won't let me go to like the costcos and stuff because i always come home with like a jar of pickles this big that sits in the fridge for 10 years and just eats up all the space we need more olives and pickles and mustard huns.

23:19 I'm singularly focused when i go to costco okay i get the same.

23:23 I just see something like oh look how great that looks i get.

23:25 The same five or six things i'm like matt i'm like usain bolt in costco right bing bing bing bing bing i'm out of there in 10 minutes that's everyone else is like let me try the samples.

23:35 Oh i don't do that i just walk in the house i'm like that jar of pickles is i have to have here's the.

23:40 Toilet paper here's the paper towels here's the water here's the ribeyes here's the chicken breast my parents go on.

23:45 Dates to costco because of the hot dogs my dad's like i'm a big spender i spend three bucks on a On the dogs, and then we pick up something while we're here.

23:53 You know what's been a game changer, though, is the Costcos in western Pennsylvania have beer and wine now.

24:00 Mmm.

24:01 Good.

24:01 I haven't made anyone in a long time.

24:02 You're only allowed to get like a 12 or 15 pack of beer at a time per day. But, dude, you could save some money.

24:10 My buddy lives in San Diego, and I think it's Costco or one of those ones. They have liquor there.

24:16 Oh, yeah.

24:17 He's like, they have Angel's Envy, which is like, A third of the price is PA liquor stores.

24:22 You have a Costco membership?

24:23 Yeah.

24:23 I think. We haven't been there in a long time.

24:25 Okay.

24:26 The next time you go to Kentucky to visit your kids or to commute your kids, you got to go to a Costco in Kentucky.

24:33 It might be worth us getting a membership for that.

24:35 Dude, I'm going to have you bring me back some bourbon and some tequila. And it's also, it's unlimited. It's not like it is here where you can only get so much for a trip.

24:42 Fill up the cart.

24:43 One of my neighbors, Dan, his brother lives in Louisville. And so they go out there like once a year.

24:48 And the prices are unbelievable.

24:50 He always comes back with great bourbon and tequila. He's like, dude, I got you this tequila because he knows that's what I drink. And it's always fantastic. And it's way cheaper. And it's 60%, 70% of the price that you normally pay.

25:03 That might be worth it just because I visit my kids.

25:05 That's been the Costco power rankings.

25:08 Yeah, wow.

25:08 I mean, the NFL power rankings, it would definitely be worth it. I think it's just $ 50 or $ 60 for a year membership.

25:13 Yeah, if you use it once a year, it's worth it.

25:15 We'll be back on Costco Nation Radio. No, I'm just kidding. Let's roll along here. We'll continue a little bit more on the Saints. Tyler's telling us he wants us to give some predictions before we get out of here.

25:24 I guess we can manage something.

25:25 I guess, to be fair, we could. We'll maybe hit on some of your tweets and your YouTube comments as well. All fair game as we roll along. Euler and Williamson, it's The Drive, Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.

25:41 And now a word from our sponsor, Bud Light. There's nothing better than the clean, crisp....

25:48 There's nothing better than the clean, crisp.

25:52 Uh, what if we just got out of here and grabbed some Bud Lights? But man, we're on air for four more hours.

25:57 I'll figure it out. Sounds good to me.

26:00 Anything for the clean, crisp taste of Bud Light.

26:03 Stock up now.

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26:09 Louis, Missouri.

26:10 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.

26:21 And after what went down.

26:22 In the first round, still getting video calls from my best friend, rubbing it in that he called all the picks.

26:27 I told you they were building their own line. I win the bet.

26:31 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.

26:38 Get that hot dog costume ready.

26:40 Bruh.

26:46 You're tuned to The Drive on your 24-7 home of the black and gold.

26:50 Steelers Nation Radio.

27:17 Rocking and rolling here on this Tuesday. I know I've said it yesterday and said it once already today, but a reminder, this will be the last drive here for a little bit as we've got some weird scheduling quirks.

27:30 And all that.

27:31 I do apologize to our dear listeners. I wish we weren't taking as long.

27:34 Going to Paris is not an easy thing to pull off.

27:36 No, it is not. It certainly is not. And it was a little different in Ireland last year where we were traveling with the DVE morning show and a whole setup and engineers and all that stuff and doing shows. This one going to be a little different, a little bit more of just a business trip. But obviously, you guys know that we will be back sooner rather than later. Matt, let's hit on a couple tweets here with that in mind.

28:00 This will be the last day to get to the audience participation for a little bit. RJ says, give me three keys to a Steelers victory in Paris.

28:08 Okay, so I think a huge one is I mentioned how the Saints are allowing a yard per carry more than they produce on the ground. I think you need to dominate in a foreign land running the football. You know, just lean on it more than you have. Have a higher percentage of run plays. And side note, well, we'll get to that in a minute. Another one is.

28:37 So I just saw this today. What's cool about NFL Plus, NFL Pro is I use that for a lot of match stats. You can watch tape on there.

28:47 It's awesome.

28:47 It's not very expensive, folks, if you have something that interests you. But you can go to the matchup already, Steelers, Saints. And there's one thing, there's a tab you can hit that says mismatches or something along those lines. Okay. And it'll be like, well, this is the best running team in the league versus the worst run defense. You know, just rankings and things of that nature. And I would have never known this without hitting that tab. The Saints defense is number one against the short passing game.

29:18 Interesting.

29:19 So you want to look at something that, you know, if we're doing Saints Nation radio, it's like all they ever do is throw short and we're the best ever at it. You know, like that's pretty key.

29:28 It's a big one.

29:29 Yeah.

29:29 I want to investigate that more, why the answer is and all those things, but their numbers, they're number one against the short passing game.

29:37 That's a really good one.

29:38 Yeah.

29:38 I would say, we know and you've outlined this well uh over the course of the year how there's no defense that offensive coordinators game plan to get the ball out quicker against than the stealers but i think shuck is he's willing to stand in there and pat the ball a little bit and take some time so they are without uh a chan Alvin Kamara has kind of been the feature guy there once again.

30:01 It's been committee. Kendra Miller too.

30:03 Keep doing what you've done the last two weeks against the run. Make Shuck have to drop back and throw. He'll hold on to it for a beat longer.

30:10 Yep.

30:11 You can get some sacks again.

30:12 He has some very high pass attempt games.

30:15 Yes.

30:16 And I think particularly in this environment, if you can get them in that situation, probably won't go well. And everyone knows I really, really like Shuck. One of the biggest knocks on him as a draft prospect, which wasn't that long ago, was when he gets hit a lot, when he's dealing with a lot of pressure, doesn't handle it great, can crumble a little bit. And some of it was attributed because he got injured so often, you know what I mean? And frankly, he's gotten much better in that area as a pro. And by no means is he a shrinking violet or anything like that. But lately, his protection's gotten worse and worse. His run game's gotten worse and worse, and more is asked of him to sit there patting the ball in the pocket, and.

31:02 It hasn't gone great.

31:04 So that's two there, Matt.

31:06 The run conflict was one. The short passing game defense of theirs was one.

31:12 Is it too low-hanging fruit to say special teams?

31:15 No, I was going to say that too.

31:16 Because different stadium, different country, different environment, different time zone, all that stuff.

31:23 This is a Tuesday night project for me to see how good the opponent is on special teams. But I do know their kickers also missed three kicks, which is a ton by today's NFL. Between Boswell and their kicker, they've missed seven.

31:35 And the Steelers were a little bit better at it on Sunday, but still giving up a few too many yards in the return games.

31:42 Quick special teams note. I thought Johnston had a good game. And Tom and I were talking about this in the pregame show. They currently have... five running backs and a fullback on the roster with Rico back.

31:56 Okay.

31:57 I'm like, why do they have all these running backs? I mean, why, why do we need Lou Nichols when Rico's back? Well, Nichols has quietly turned into a really good special teamer. He made a couple of plays on kickoff coverage. Keep an eye on him as a better, I kind of liked him as a ball carrier, but I'm always late to the party of who's good on teams as opposed to who I think he's, I think he's on the team right now because he's good enough on teams to be a team's first guy. Makes sense.

32:25 Matt, Annie tweets us. This is funny. A little twist for your guys' weekly exercise. What offensive and defensive player do you think Steelers opponents would grab from us if they could?

32:33 I thought about that at times, yeah.

32:35 Offense, it's got to be one of the offensive linemen, right? Pick your poison. If you need an interior guy, take Zach. If you need a tackle, you've got two to choose from there.

32:43 Right, right.

32:44 It's really, unless you are like.

32:45 Jeremy Bernard's moving up the list pretty fast.

32:48 I would say maybe if you're a team like the Houston Texans, you would say, give me Jalen Warren because he's the, you know.

32:53 The missing piece.

32:53 The missing piece to put this offense over the top. But I would think it would have to be one of those offensive linemen. They're just such a commodity and the Steelers are all so young and cost affordable still.

33:03 I often look at this through a lens of what if you put all the players back in a pool. And 32 GMs had to pick new expansion teams.

33:12 Yeah, like a Madden draft style.

33:13 Yes, and it's still the same way. I mean, they're still the same age with the same contract. It might shock our listeners how fast the Steelers' alignment got sucked up.

33:22 I think so.

33:22 Yeah, they are experienced, talent, and cheap. You know, like, this is what I'm building the team around, right?

33:28 Defense has got to be one of the edge rushers, right? Maybe Harbig, considering his age.

33:33 Porter wouldn't have been high on the list. Porter would have been high on the list. I don't think anybody in the back seven. I would think it's one of the edge rushers, but they're not young and they're not cheap.

33:43 Again, though, maybe if you're the Buffalo Bills, Jamel Dean, you know, someone who can help us right now at a real position of need, or T.J. Watt, you know. If you're the Chicago Bears, give me T.J.

33:54 Watt. Yeah, and win right now.

33:55 And win right now. But I think it would probably be one of those edge rushers for sure.

34:00 I mentioned it to you, and I know you caught this too, but on second viewing and watching all 22, Frazier handled Vea even better than I thought. Often by himself.

34:08 I haven't watched it tonight. I think I'm going to tonight, but you were telling me that earlier. I thought that in the moment, but I'm.

34:14 Really excited to go back and watch it. You didn't feel Vea's presence a ton. They also didn't run at him often, but Frazier handled him quite well. I saw this today, too. And again, put in as much talk as you want, but he's pro football focus's number one center right now, too. Somebody tweeted that at me just so I was aware.

34:31 That's my baby, baby. I'll just never forget, Matt. I need to go back in the archives and find this. But it would have been, okay, so Zach was drafted two years from this past draft. This is his third year. So he was drafted in 24. So I don't know if you remember this. We were at the Combine in 2023. You, Dale, and I were doing a show together. And Dale was mocking me.

34:54 Before Zach's draft? Or two years before his draft?

34:56 The year before Zach's draft.

34:57 Okay, yeah, yeah.

34:58 I remember asking you about him on the way down there. I'm like, who's the center from WVU? I hear he's all right.

35:03 Because at that Combine 2, WVU had no one at that Combine. We didn't have a single Combine invitee. And that year, I think Pitt had like five or six. Pitt had a bunch. I think that might have been the Kalajikantzi year, too, where he was like a big, you know, Servakie Dennis was one of them, some of those guys.

35:20 And Dale will let you know about it.

35:21 And I remember Dale on air mocking me because we were talking about Kalajikancy, I think it was, and being like, where's all your WVU guys here? And I said on air to you and Dale, just wait until next year. There's this guy named Zach Frazier, and he's going to be one of the best centers in the NFL one day, and he could fix the Steelers' problems a year from now.

35:39 And boy, did I Babe Ruth that thing.

35:41 Way ahead of time.

35:43 There's only ever been two guys that have come out of WVU that I've said, that guy is going to be a star. I don't care. And it's Zach Frazier and it's JJ Weatherholt who could win NL Rookie of the Year for the St. Louis Cardinals, who's a second baseman. Troy tweets us and says, it looks like we're going to be the English pig dogs in France because we're playing the Saints. Go Steelers.

36:04 Nice.

36:04 You animal food truck.

36:08 I will taunt you a second time.

36:10 Now go away or I will taunt you. So I'm going to say when I roll into a cafe on Friday morning to get, you know, a croissant and some caffeine, they're going to say, parlez-vous français? And I'm going to say, no, I'm English, you silly canigate.

36:30 Big dog.

36:31 Mr. Steel City.

36:32 Good stuff.

36:33 Says back half of the schedule sure does look a lot less intimidating now. You've still got the Titans. The Eagles feel cooked. The Broncos don't look like world beaters. And I'm just always going to assume we split with the Ravens.

36:46 I guess that's a good point. I mean, Cleveland the second time doesn't look as good as you thought.

36:51 It looks tougher, especially when you'll be coming back from international play. At least you're at home.

36:55 You mentioned Houston looks better now than they would have in week two or three. I don't know their schedule as well as I should, but you know.

37:02 Jacksonville is probably about the same. I mean, maybe even a little bit more. I think we thought they.

37:07 Would be good this year. They're a big-time team, yeah.

37:09 Yeah, and you've got to go there. Now, that'll be another one of those. I don't want to hear it's going to be a hostile environment at Jacksonville because it's going to be at least 50% Steelers fans. It's going to be one of those at-worst bowl game neutral site atmospheres.

37:22 The division games look a little harder than you thought.

37:24 A little bit.

37:25 Yeah, yeah.

37:26 Especially Cleveland.

37:27 Yeah, yeah.

37:29 Last one of the day goes to Smooth Dave, who says, with Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, Brock Purdy, and now Bryce Young finding NFL success, do you guys feel any differently about your short quarterback's conversation, or do you still have a must-be-this-tall-to-ride-this-ride policy? It's a good question. We talked about that a little bit.

37:47 No, because I'm in on Chambliss.

37:50 I think there's exceptions to every rule.

37:52 Yeah, you just have to be a little more exceptional. You know what I mean?

37:56 Yeah.

37:57 Because those guys, blanket statement that he mentioned, still have limitations at times because of their height.

38:06 Yes.

38:06 And a lot of it is middle of the field throwing or finding proper passing lanes. And they're probably better at it than the 6'5 guy because they've been doing it their whole life. But it still is a issue.

38:20 Yes. Yes. I will say... when you are hopefully building the nest, the offensive line that the Steelers are, part of the reason why Drew Brees was able to be one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, despite his stature, was because they always had a great interior of that offensive line.

38:37 No one spent more money on guards and centers.

38:39 No one spent more money on guards and centers. That protected him. That allowed him to move in the pocket, to get the space and the vision that he needed. If McCormick and Frazier and Hoffman are that version... drop a Trinidad shameless or someone like that in there.

38:52 You don't want to have to be rolling them out all the time.

38:54 Better chance to have success.

38:55 Like the Browns early in Mayfield's career, rolled him out a ton. And boy, TJ and company took a beating.

39:04 Right.

39:04 They were looking for it.

39:06 One more segment to go on the other side. We will make intrepid video producer, Tyler V happy. And we will give some predictions for this game. Good Lord. This is probably the earliest Matt and I have ever done a prediction, but we're going to do it. We will cross that bridge when we return. Euler and Williamson, final segment of the week. Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.

39:34 And now a word from our sponsor, Bud Light. There's nothing better than the clean, crisp....

39:41 There's nothing better.

39:42 Than the clean, crisp....

39:45 Uh, what if we just got out of here and grabbed some Bud Lights? But man, we're on air for four more hours.

39:50 I'll figure it out.

39:51 Sounds good to me.

39:53 Anything for the clean, crisp taste of Bud Light.

39:56 Stock up now.

39:57 Bud Light.

39:58 Easy to drink, easy to enjoy.

39:59 Enjoy responsibly. Copyright 2026 Anheuser-Busch Bud Light Beer, St.

40:02 Louis, Missouri.

40:04 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.

40:20 All the picks.

40:21 I told you they were building their own line. I win the bet.

40:23 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.

40:31 Get that hot dog costume ready.

40:33 Bruh.

40:36 You're tuned to The Drive on your 24-7 home of the black and gold.

40:40 Steelers Nation Radio.

40:53 Sacre bleu. It's prediction time already. I'm sorry.

40:57 That was bad.

40:58 Steelers Saints. Your reminder, you can hear Matt Williamson on his 700 other shows that he does. do for you you'll be doing uh you'll be doing the it's not uh it's the extra point right with meryl and pursuda.

41:11 Isn't you don't know so bad about knowing the name.

41:13 That you're on that you know the name of and it's just because you've been doing it for 10 years.

41:17 I used to be like you know the wednesday show i do with ben's like dude you've been on the show for like 15 years you get another name.

41:23 No not that one the monday show that i.

41:26 Do that i do that's the extra point i think.

41:30 No that's the point after.

41:33 That's so bad.

41:33 Who's on first?

41:34 All right.

41:36 All right. I care.

41:36 Trust me, Steeler Nation Radio and my bosses, they're probably like, this guy doesn't even care about our network at all. But my mind doesn't work that way.

41:44 Steeler Saints, we're making history once again. Steeler's Preview Show, that's what it's called?

41:51 I think so. Oh, man. With Meryl. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

41:54 I tell you what, that's very creative there.

41:56 What's the one we do by Shell Polymers tomorrow with Missy and Rob? That's a good one. That's the matchup show.

42:02 Yeah, yeah, yeah.

42:03 Which one did I do with Pomp today?

42:04 I'll tell you what, this Matt Williamson guy, I tell you, he's here, he's there, he's everywhere.

42:10 Now I got to do a press conference next week, too. Another thing I haven't tried before. I think that's just called the press conference show, we're going to call it.

42:16 I don't know.

42:17 The Mike McCarthy press conference, yes. Matt and Tom Offerman will be filling in for myself and Jerry Dulac.

42:21 Next Monday.

42:22 What an upgrade that is, I tell you. Matt, last year we made history in Dublin. First NFL regular season game in Ireland. Sunday, we make history in Paris. First NFL regular season game in the city of love. It's the Saints and the Steelers, the Stade de France, where the Steelers are three and a half point favorites, Matt Williamson, and only a 44 and a half over under. I think that's a little too low. I know it's an international game and some of those other things.

42:52 Yeah.

42:54 The one thing I will say about making a prediction this early, and by the way, it's your turn to go first this week.

42:57 Oh, great.

43:00 Is for both teams, it doesn't seem like there's massive injury availability question marks. Like, it's got to be Deshaun Elliott returning this week.

43:09 That's what I was sitting there thinking.

43:10 We know Pittman Jr. 's not playing. We know Derek Harmon's not playing. For them, a lot of their team's on IR. We know they're not playing. It might be Jordan Tyson.

43:17 Valdez-Scantling's part of the team now. I assume he's going on the plane, but Steelers actually announced that just a couple minutes ago officially. But all in all, you're right. I think we know who's out there. Echols' injury, I guess, is one, but he's not a starter. So I think we have a pretty good feel.

43:33 And I just mean more slight guys that are questionable.

43:35 No, you're right. Right, right, right. I don't think there's as many questions. Yes. And I'm going to predict it because it's Tuesday. Like the international part doesn't matter because I don't know who it favors at the moment, or it's not like the Australian travel. I'm going tomorrow type of thing or the day before. So I'm going to treat it like it's just being played at any old stadium.

43:55 I think the Steelers are much better than the team. I'm taking 24, 10 probably won't go that easy.

44:01 Picking some blowouts lately.

44:03 I just think the Steeler offense is in a pretty good spot. They should run the ball more and better. I think they can win both lines of scrimmage pretty well. And I think the Steeler pass rush can really show up here. Again, this is so early for me, though.

44:20 It's very early. Matt, I like your prediction. I just think the nature of these things, it's a little bit tighter. Looked like the Steelers were going to blow the Vikings out at times last year in Dublin and then Minnesota clawed back in it at the end.

44:34 Yes.

44:35 There's also been some reports from people that have been there that the field conditions are not the greatest. At the Stade de France.

44:40 I was worried about that.

44:42 I think this could be kind of one of those weird, a lot of field goal attempts type games. I'm going to go 23-19 Steelers with a goofier final score.

44:51 Understandable.

44:52 Right there, kind of in line with the spread and with the over-under. I hope it's closer to what you predict.

44:58 Yeah.

44:58 But I hope you and I, we did this last year.

45:00 If the Saints were coming to Akershire next week, I'd feel really good about it.

45:03 This would probably be a five and a half point spread if the Saints were coming here.

45:07 Yeah, probably.

45:09 Uh, Matt, I hope it's the same as last year as a Sunday night. It's a victory. We're enjoying it. And then, uh, and then Monday we can fly back and everyone's in a good mood.

45:19 Yeah, no doubt about it. Safe travels.

45:21 Thank you. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. We'll see, you know, everything that's, uh, that's going on over there. Obviously everyone's aware, but I, I, uh, I know we're in good hands as well. Worst case scenario. I'll just, hang out in a French hotel room for a few days.

45:35 Yeah.

45:35 I mean, you'll see some cool stuff no matter what. No, absolutely.

45:37 It's a big city, man. We'll, we'll be able to, uh, to find some fun stuff to do without a doubt, but that will do it for us today. A big shout out as always to the great intrepid video producer, Tyler V, Mr. TV for all the heavy lifting on the YouTube side, making Matt and I look beautiful as always for Matt Williamson. I'm Wes Shuler. Take care, everybody.

46:00 We'll talk to you when we talk to you. As always, you know where to find us. It's on your 24-7 home of the black and gold. Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.