Drive11.5.26Hr2: Around the NFL

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0:28 Hour number two of The Drive on this Thursday. And boy, do we have a special treat for the audience out there in Steeler Nation. You wanted them, you got them. It is the Dean of Doom, the Lord of Living in His Fears, Steelers historian Bob Labriola joins us on the phone lines. Labs, thank you for taking the time as always. Great to connect and catch up with you here.

0:49 I got to ask you, we are, we're heading into the bi-week and how do you, how do you kind of look at where this bi-week week lands? Do you look at it and say, you know, this is a team they're coming off of an international game and a kind of big AFC North emotional rivalry game. This bi-week is coming at the right time. Or do you look at it and say four game win streak, the team is playing good football and fine in itself. I wish they were lining up again and playing on Sunday.

1:15 Well, um, let me tell you as a, I've done a lot of these bi-week things. The bi-week is always sweet. It really doesn't matter. When it comes, there is something about it that is appreciated or necessary or whatever adjective you want to use. But it's a feel-good week. It's a dial-it-back week. I'm just talking about everybody else, you know, where the football team is, you know, again, a week off is never a bad thing for what these guys put themselves through over the course of 18 weeks. I mean, you played 17 games over 18 weeks and you know, it's, it's a physical toll. It's an emotional grind and, And so a week off is always good. You know, it's going to be interesting to see how this, you know,

2:24 Mike McCarthy gave him the week off, which I didn't realize that.

2:30 Yeah.

2:31 Yeah. So again, I have come to understand two things. Number one, the way Mike McCarthy is doing things is not going to be the same as it has been. And number two, Mike McCarthy knows what he's doing. So, Um, you know, he gave him the week off. That's not how it used to be, but I, I trust him to know what he's doing and knowing what this team needs, you know, at this particular time. Um, Hey, things look good. Uh, you know, somebody asked me recently in an ass and answered, why did the Steelers have to play the Ravens at the end of the seasons now, you know, and after, uh, explaining how that's what the network would want and what the league would want, you know, to drum up interest in a division race because, you know, when you're doing

3:23 the schedule, you announce it in May, you're thinking Pittsburgh, Baltimore is always, you know, a war. Good ratings. I mean, it's physical. It's, you know, it's football. But, you know, this year, the Steelers get lucky that they're playing the Ravens late. Yep.

3:43 Because.

3:44 who knows, who knows going to be, who's going to be taking snaps. Uh, when those games are played, looking at my handy dandy schedule here, one in December and one in January. Um, you know, I don't know that I don't know that Lamar Jackson comes back.

4:03 I kind of lean like he won't, he's going to look great in a Miami dolphins uniform.

4:08 Well, and that's the thing. I mean, you know, if, um, He's going to have surgery on his throwing thumb. That's got to be two months.

4:20 Oh, I would say, yeah.

4:22 Yeah, okay. And then in two months, you haven't played in really... I can't even remember the last game that he played the whole game. So... I just, I don't know if it's any good for him and I don't know if it's any good for the team either. You're just throwing a guy out there who's, you know, you're virtually taking him off the couch. I just don't know you'd do that to a guy who's won the MVP award for you. You know, that had the kind of career that he's had so far and I would think you might want to do business with him next year. So, you know, what's the point of You know, get them well, re-sign them, and, you know, take another run at it.

5:11 But anyway, that's a long-winded roundabout. I took you down a couple of dark alleys to answer your question there. But, yeah, there's a lot to like about the Steelers, where they are right now. But I'll tell you this. You know, the whole score more points thing we've talked about for, like, the last couple, three years, it seems, well, that's still an issue. And that's going to be critical moving forward.

5:41 They have to find ways to get the point total up in some of these games, whether it's special teams, if the defense has to score, whatever it might be. But I don't know that you're going to win a lot of 16-10 kind of games here with Cincinnati. You got, I think, Jacksonville can score points. Um, you know, so could, uh, uh, the Texas Denver. Um, so I think you're going to have to score some points in some of these games, um, to really, they have an opportunity to separate themselves a little bit. Um, you know, I don't know who's going to, who's going to win the AFC and I'm not predicting that the Steelers are going to win the AFC, but we've seen already how this league has changed from, um, you know, September 13th to where we are now in

6:41 terms of who we think is good and why. So, you know, in another month, that could be a whole other power poll or whatever they call those things that they post on the internet that I'm proud to say I've never clicked on once. No, I mean, seriously, it's somebody's, you're guessing, you're ranking these teams. I mean, I just, you know, nine to 13 teams Or 9-15, you're going to tell me which of those teams is really better?

7:14 You know, I just, again, you know, that's why they play the games. But, you know, they have an opportunity to separate themselves a little bit, and it's going to be on the field. And you're looking at some of these games or some of these teams, and I'm not predicting because I hate that. Well, they don't have Jalen Hurts or they don't have whoever. You know, you play with who you got. I remember, you know, there was a time the Steelers had to play without Ryan Shazier down through December and into the playoffs and how that impacted things. But, you know, some of these teams have been weakened by injuries. You know, you hope that back to Mike McCarthy knowing what he's doing, giving these guys

8:01 this week off. You know, some of these, this is an older team. And some of it has to do, I think, with physically healing. You know, you don't heal as quick as you used to. 30-year-olds versus 20-year-olds. You know, the body is. It's not a video game. I mean, that's actual, you know, flesh and blood and muscles and tendons that sometimes tear and or pull. So... Um, but it's, I'll tell you what, uh, when we were back in August, when we were in Chuck Knoll press box, um, you guys on the air, me chart and practice. Um, I think what we all hoped for at that time was to be where we are right now, Thursday, November 5th, uh, eight weeks into this 2026 season and still being relevant. And this team

9:08 is definitely relevant. So it should be interesting.

9:16 Boy, one question from Wes went a long way. It's been a while, Labs.

9:20 Call me Walter Cronkite, baby.

9:22 I thought there was a chance in Drive history that we might go a whole segment that I didn't have to say one word. It's good to have you back, dude.

9:31 Well, I didn't mean to.

9:34 No, that's why we have you on. lighten the load. So you touched on a lab. It sounds like you're pretty happy and content and maybe not. I mean, excited about what this coaching staff's doing. I mean, different doesn't mean worse. That's for sure. I think it's a very thoughtful and well thought out unit starting with Mike McCarthy.

9:55 Yes. and you know a lot of stuff is planned you know what hasn't been talked about at all how about the challenge.

10:04 Yeah going for it on fourth downs and game management's a lot different no.

10:08 No no but I mean the procedure that had to be because that came in late that challenge flag came in late I mean I was watching the sideline Um, and McCarthy got engaged late. I mean, somebody was talking to him. I don't know who it is. I don't know how their procedure is, but that's a, they ha he has a procedure.

10:35 It's definitely different.

10:36 Yeah. And right. And it worked now. Um, you know, as they say in baseball, you're only as good as tomorrow's starting pitcher. Um, you know, Mike McCarthy is one more, uh, first and goal to fade past the DK Metcalf call to, uh, you know, people, people want to run them out of time. I mean, that's the way this job, that job is, uh, you know, but, um.

11:02 But they're not flying by the seat of their pants. I could, I mean, I think that's your point here. I mean, everything's really well thought out.

11:08 Yes. They are. They're planning a lot of things. Um, they're planning for a lot of eventualities, uh, They, you know, the, the fire drill field goal player development, the other one that they, that they, that I've gotten them. I've gotten submissions to ask and answer criticizing McCarthy for having to run up and spike the ball to stop the clock and get the play that turned into what did they, did they kick? No, they went and then they used the tush push. and scored a touchdown. Okay. Now that to me was planned and executed or, and communicated. Oh, they definitely caused that. Yeah. Yes.

11:54 Yeah.

11:54 Yes. Both of those things. And I'm sorry, I don't, I'm not apologizing for, you know, having to use emergency procedures in games, but if you plan for them and drill them, that's part of the game. That's, that's being prepared.

12:11 That's, situational football yeah.

12:15 Yeah situational football exactly so um you know i again i think i mentioned it uh earlier in this segment you know this is not a video game um you're working with real people and it's the clock is really ticking and the play clock the game clock Um, there's a lot of situations that are going on. There's a lot of people that sideline is very active. There's a lot of people plugged into headphones and stuff. And, um, somebody has to be making sense of it all and boiling it all down and then making the decision. Um, and I would say so far, Mike McCarthy is, uh, got a pretty high average.

13:02 Yeah.

13:03 Um, So, uh, you know, there is something to be said for a veteran coach. You know, he's a been there, done that guy too, in the sense of being in a lot of these situations. So, um, people want to get excited about the next, or they were last January, you know, um, the young hot assistance. All right. And that's fine. Um, But I don't know that a young, hot assistant understands a veteran team like this as well as McCarthy is. And if you have one of those young upcoming coordinators as your head coach, your quarterback is not Aaron Rodgers. I don't know who it is, but it's not him. So there's something to be said for hiring a veteran guy like a veteran coach. And definitely something to be said for it being someone like Mike

14:07 McCarthy who has experience and success at flagship franchises in this league.

14:16 Well said. Labs, last one I've got for you. Matt and I kind of spent some time earlier in the week talking about, you know, we've seen really ever since Omar Khan, Andy Weidel, you know, new regime taken over for Kevin Colbert and kind of the reigns of this organization. the image that they had of building a bully in the trenches. And we saw that investment on the offensive line.

14:37 We saw that investment on the defensive line. It feels like it's finally coming to fruition here. That offensive line has been a lot of fun to watch. I think particularly since they kind of made that line change to the right side and brought in Hoffman and Ihanachor. Cam Hayward and Keanu Benton are just beating up on guards every single week. I think this is what the Steelers have on the offensive line and defensive front this This is kind of what we've all envisioned for the last couple years here finally coming to fruition.

15:03 And I bet it tickles you to no end, Bob.

15:06 Well, I mean, look at the history of the franchise. Who was Chuck Noll's first ever draft pick?

15:14 Mean Joe.

15:16 Why did Noll pass on Dan Marino and pick Gabe Rivera? Because what he said at the time was we had built it once with defense and And that's why he went back to that and picking a defensive lineman in that situation instead of the quarterback. You know, what was Bill Cowher's first ever draft pick? Leon Searcy, offensive tackle. So, you know, this is a franchise history kind of thing, being tough at the lines of scrimmage, playing the sport physically, you know, even back in the, fifties when the Steelers weren't very good, uh, you knew that you played them the day after the game. You may have won, but, um, you know, getting out of bed wasn't as easy as it was, uh, on some other Mondays. So yes, this is,

16:09 and this team is starting to play games in that spirit and win games because of that, which is not easy to do in the NFL. And, um, You know, blocking and tackling, travel well. Running the ball and stopping the run, travel well in this sport at any level. And so when you have some tough games on the road, if you can run the ball and stop the run, that's a good first step towards getting where you want to be.

16:45 Labs, if we've said it once in the last few weeks, Matt and I have said it 100 times, man, would Tunch and Wolf love watching this offensive line every single week. And I'm glad that we're all here to do that for them and continue that tradition and that memory. The Dean of Doom? Oh, go ahead.

17:03 No, no, I was just going to say I would have been very interested to hear their takes on the Mason-McCormick-Jared verse.

17:10 It's strange.

17:12 Well, I don't know. I'm going to say I saw Max Starks right after the game back in the, you know, the press area there at Accresure. And I said, I asked him real quick, you know, what do you think? What'd you think of that? And he said, Hey, we were taught when they jump, you dump.

17:31 That's good.

17:31 That's what we're taught as offensive linemen. If they jump, you dump. He said he did exactly what he was coached.

17:39 I love it. So, Labs, great stuff as always. Thank you so much for taking the time here and putting a smile on our faces heading into the bye week. Enjoy the bye weekend, and we'll talk to you soon. Thanks for the time.

17:53 Okay, fellas. Have a good one.

17:54 You as well. The dean of doom, the lord of living in his fears, great Steelers historian Bob Labriola. I forgot we were a little out of practice, Matt. I mean, for an 18-minute conversation, you really only need three or four questions for Labs.

18:07 Maybe one if we wasn't invited in.

18:09 Great.

18:10 I love a lot of these people we have on. You're like, you got to have some stuff prepped.

18:13 Yeah.

18:14 Yeah. Like, I'm not sure what to ask. We kind of already down that road.

18:17 You got one or two questions and you're dynamite. You're in for a treat. I love it.

18:21 Thanks.

18:21 Long since we chatted.

18:22 No, it has. And it definitely will not be the last time this season for sure. We will definitely get labs back on here sooner rather than later. But when we return, it's time to look ahead to week nine in the national football league. Matt and I will give some thoughts and some predictions about all the games on Sunday.

18:38 It is The Drive, Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.

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19:14 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.

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20:00 We'll be right back.

20:29 So this is our last show of the week. We have mentioned that a couple times, but the entire family here at the Steelers Audio Network getting a day off tomorrow. I can't speak that everyone else deserves it like Matt and I do, obviously, but we'll let them have it.

20:42 My lawn needs mowed. I got a lot of leaves out there. Yeah.

20:45 Yeah, yeah.

20:46 Isn't it crazy to say on November 5th that your lawn needs mowed?

20:48 It's a crazy warm out, too, right?

20:48 We're still wearing shorts, by the way.

20:50 Beautiful.

20:51 Going to keep the shorts update going on, and it looks like we might get one more week out of it next week before things really start to turn to the winter.

20:58 Oh, really?

20:59 Matt but let's run uh let's run the slate of week nine games in the nfl since we have no show tomorrow we'll begin with the game tonight in baltimore who would have thought this before the season yeah the jags are 10 point favorites in baltimore this evening oh i don't know.

21:15 Who's playing who are the lines yet you know so these are gonna be kind of just off the top of my head rapid fire yeah um I was guessing this was going to be 7.5. I mean, I know who's playing tonight.

21:24 I'll take the points.

21:25 I think I'm going to take the points.

21:26 Because it's the await, the proverbial road team on those Thursday night short weeks. I would be shocked if Baltimore found a way to win, but I think it could be ugly and low scoring and tight to the vest. And Jacksonville's never really in danger of losing, but they don't blow them out either.

21:41 I could see a blowout just because of the quarterback discrepancy.

21:44 And Jacksonville just put the hurt on Indianapolis on Sunday.

21:47 Who's also a wounded dog.

21:48 They've got that, you know. Put you into the turf capability.

21:52 Yes, they're really good. I'm going to take the points. Again, I thought it was going to be like 7.5 because it is Thursday on the road. If you're up big, maybe they'd even pull Lawrence out of the game or something like that on a short week or something along those lines. But, I mean, even against the Bills, the Ravens' defense played really well. I mean, they just had no real chance to win.

22:13 What's interesting to me is 10-point spread, that's tied for the biggest of the weekend.

22:17 Okay.

22:18 39 and a half over under that's second lowest over under of the week.

22:23 Yeah.

22:24 I mean, so they're expecting this game. Well, no, I guess I have a hard time doing that math.

22:29 It'd be like, uh, they are expecting over under 39 and a half. So let's say 40 points. And for the Ravens to win by 10, it's like 24, 14.

22:38 24, 14 is like the implied total.

22:40 We call it.

22:41 It's close. 24 and a half to 14, 25 to 15.

22:42 Yeah.

22:42 They're in that neighborhood.

22:43 Yeah.

22:48 But you know what Baltimore's going to do. Bursette's not playing, by the way, folks. They're going to hand the ball to Henry 8,000 times.

22:54 Yep.

22:55 And even their No. 1 receiver is all– they'll just short stuff the Zay Flowers like crazy, too. They're pretty quarterback-friendly stuff. I don't expect them to– they make it shut out. But they're going to shorten the game.

23:07 That's why I think taking the points is a good move.

23:08 Yeah, yeah.

23:10 Matt, another international game Sunday morning. Bengals-Falcons will be keeping an eye on this one, obviously, as the Steelers' upcoming opponent is Cincinnati.

23:17 Yeah.

23:18 This is in Madrid, Matt, and what I've told you before, my favorite stadium I've ever been to, the Santiago Bernabeu there in Madrid, where Cincinnati is a three-point favorite.

23:30 I'll take the Bengals, but I'm just flushing the Falcons game in the monsoon away. I mean, Penix was so bad in that game, and it was so weather-related. I just think he can't throw a football in bad weather. But since he's pretty good. And I think Burrow's on fire right now. It could be a close game. That's probably about the right number.

23:51 This is one of those. Listen, if I was master and commander of the universe, I would pick Cincinnati to lose because it helps the Steelers.

23:58 Of course.

23:59 I'm rooting against them.

24:00 But there's also part of me that's like, Cincinnati, go take care of business. And then that sets up 6-2 versus 6-2 Sunday night football next week. There's a little bit of a difference between if Cincinnati rolls into that tied with the Steelers for first place. The Steelers would have the tiebreaker still via the one head-to-head, but you get what I'm saying.

24:18 I do.

24:18 A 6-2 Bengals team versus a 5-3 Bengals team. There's a little extra juice for that Sunday night matchup, but I'll lay the three points with Cincinnati as well. I think they're just clearly the better team.

24:27 I do too.

24:28 Cowboys, Colts, the ugly bowl here in Indy, Matt. Dallas, five-and-a-half point road favorite.

24:35 I can't pick the Colts. I didn't care what number you said.

24:38 You could have said 15 and a half, and I might not take the Colts. And I know that Dallas has not bathed themselves in glory either. But I'm laying the points with the Cowboys.

24:46 Teams that have made their golf reservations, I think they're top of the list.

24:49 Cancun on three?

24:50 Yeah.

24:51 Philly's getting down that road, too.

24:52 Boy, are they. In a hurry.

24:54 A lot of quarterback news since we got together. A lot of different quarterbacks.

24:57 Yeah, Carson Wentz is starting for the Vikings this weekend, by the way.

25:00 Joe Milton's starting.

25:01 Joe Milton's starting. I think we mentioned that yesterday.

25:03 Yeah, I can't remember.

25:04 But Carson Wentz is starting for the Vikings once again.

25:07 Sam Darnold's going to sit out this week. There's a lot of quarterback stuff going on.

25:11 Jets at Chiefs in Arrowhead at Arrowhead. This is also a 10 point spread tied for the biggest of the week with that, with that Jacksonville Ravens game, Matt Chiefs. That's a lot of points to lay at home. Can they bounce back after that frustrating loss to Denver?

25:27 I'm taking the points.

25:28 I'm taking the point. Yeah.

25:29 I think the Jets are like the best bad team and the Chiefs are like the worst good team. And I just think that, Probably the betting misconception is that there's more of a cavern between these two than there is. I think the Chiefs are better.

25:43 Oh, no doubt.

25:44 I don't think they're 10 points better.

25:45 This strikes me as a game Kansas City wins by 8 or 9.

25:48 Yeah.

25:48 But the Jets find a way to cover.

25:50 The Jets' offense is legit.

25:51 Yes, it is. And Geno Smith is playing some good football.

25:54 He's been playing real well.

25:55 Over 1,900 yards passing, 12 touchdowns, three interceptions for Eugene Cyril Smith III. The Dolphins host the Lions. Matt, this is a tale of two different franchises, 5-2 vs.

26:05 1-6.

26:06 Detroit is on the road. It's supposed to be 85 and sunny down there in Miami Gardens. The Lions a seven-point road favorite.

26:15 Ooh, I thought the number would be bigger on that one. Tough place to play still, even in November. Climate's a lot different than Detroit and all that, but I like where the Lions are at.

26:25 I do too.

26:26 I think they put up a lot of points.

26:27 And they're one of those, you dangle some red meat in front of them and they feast.

26:31 Yeah.

26:32 They put teams away that they should.

26:34 I bet they cover in a lot of their wins. And by a wide margin sometimes.

26:38 I don't know that for certain, but it's something I've always thought under Dan Campbell. They're like, if you give a mouse a cookie, man, if you give them an inch, they will take a mile and they will beat you by 28.

26:48 There seems like there's always a couple games a year where they win by a lot.

26:51 Yes.

26:52 I'd like this a lot more if it was six and a half. Because, you know, what if the Lions are up 14 and then the Miami scores with 20 seconds left or whatever? But I'll lay the seven with Detroit. Saints, Browns, in New Orleans. The Saints are three-point home favorites against Cleveland.

27:06 Are they?

27:07 Can they kind of– hey, if they move to.

27:09 Three– Well, Shador's starting.

27:10 Shador is starting.

27:11 That's been announced.

27:12 Because Deshaun in concussion protocol.

27:14 I wonder if that's a permanent move or do they go back and forth all year?

27:18 I bet you a lot of it depends on what happens on Sunday.

27:20 Yeah, yeah, yeah.

27:20 Because if they win and they're six and three, you go back– And he plays well.

27:23 Yes.

27:24 For the Saints, too, if you get to 3-5 in that division, you're still on life support. Your season's not dead. Now, if they lose and fall to 2-6, it's over. But if they can get to 3-5, they're still not dead yet. The Saints, Matt, have not won a home game yet this season.

27:37 Three-point favorites. I think they have the longest losing streak, too, or something.

27:40 It's been a while. Which is wild, because that place used to be a fortress for New Orleans.

27:44 So there is news with New Orleans, too. Not quarterback news, but it looks like they're going to get Tyson. The window's open and he's practicing, so it's likely he's going to play.

27:54 Okay.

27:54 But more importantly is the left tackle banks. I mean, the game he got hurt, it's almost like the Steelers after week two. Like, you can just see the two different offenses. Shuck's been under siege like crazy. I'm going to take the Browns on the road, though. I don't think Shador's that much worse than Watson. And I know the Browns just got shellacked by the Steelers, obviously. But that's not how the Saints play. We said a lot of good things about the Browns just one week ago.

28:24 You know what I mean? Oh, the defense is legit.

28:25 They're not a pushover.

28:26 They're not a doormat anymore.

28:27 That's for sure.

28:28 And I don't think the Saints D is any good.

28:30 Matt, this to me is a water finding its level game. I don't think the Browns are 6-3 good.

28:35 No.

28:36 And I don't think the Saints are 2-6 bad. I'll lay the points with New Orleans. As much as I wish that was 2.5 instead of 3.

28:42 Yeah, 3 is a lot for me.

28:43 If I were going to actually put money on it, I'd probably try and tease it or buy it down to 2.5. But I'll lay the points with the Saints. Speaking of the Ugly Bowl, the.

28:52 Giants are in Philadelphia.

28:55 And Big Blue can really get a lick back.

28:58 Coming up a bye.

28:59 They can really get a lick back on a franchise that's given them hell for the better part of a decade here.

29:03 Joe Milton, quarterback.

29:05 Matt, when was the last time the Giants were favored in Philadelphia? Probably when Eli Manning was under center.

29:10 They should be.

29:11 They are three-and-a-half-point favorites at the link on Sunday.

29:13 I was sitting there thinking it should be six. Again, I'm just reacting to all these organically, so I... It's kind of a fun way to pick games. Like, it should be about a six-point game. Like, oh, well, then it's less than that. I'll take the Giants. Coming off a bye is not always a good thing, but they're playing pretty well. I'm kind of buying into McCarthy being okay.

29:33 You mean Harbaugh, but yes.

29:34 We have a true.

29:35 Yeah.

29:35 Um, neighbors and they got weapons and I just think the Eagles, Eagles and Colts to me, I don't want to put any money on their side.

29:43 Cancun on three.

29:44 Yeah.

29:45 I just think they're making their off season plans. This is another one. I'd like it a little bit more if it was two and a half, but I'll lay the points at three and a half with the giants.

29:53 Like the plane in Philly. And maybe this works for the Steelers when they go there might work against the Eagles. No one in the stands is going to be happy and nice.

30:01 No.

30:02 They never are.

30:03 Especially if they go three and out on their first drive.

30:05 Right.

30:06 Fire everybody, burn the place down, you know.

30:09 Commanders host the Rams, Matt. Another one of those West Coast teams heading to the East Coast in that dreaded one o'clock time slot. The Rams, four and a half point road favorites.

30:20 That's about where I thought the number was going to be. I was thinking three and a half plus.

30:23 I'm laying them. I think I said this to you last week. I think this is the time where the Rams start going. Oh, that's the team we thought they were going to be.

30:30 Yeah, you beat me to it. I think Miles Garrett has an outside chance to play.

30:34 His window has been activated.

30:35 I think he's practicing. They're just better. I mean, again, I think the Rams are much better in the second half of the season than the first half. I don't know if they'll win the Super Bowl and they're the juggernaut everyone thought they were, but they're going to be in the mix. And Washington could be crumbling, too.

30:51 Matt, to me, one of the just few intriguing games of the weekend for what it means for both teams and kind of their division.

30:58 This is a great slate.

30:58 It's not.

30:59 Yeah, yeah.

30:59 I said that to you.

31:00 Yeah, you told me.

31:01 College is great. College slate is great. Two top 10 matchups, seven top 25 matchups, remember, from yesterday. That's pretty awesome, right? So, yeah, save your slumbers for Sunday and stay tuned in on Saturday. matt's like yeah you're crazy i'm watching the nfl all day that's what i did uh the panthers host the broncos this one means a lot for both teams and kind of their divisional race there yeah denver a two and a half point favorite in charlotte in charlotte i think i'm gonna lay them with the broncos.

31:28 Denver's these playing better i'm not a knicks guy but i'm a little getting a little.

31:32 Bit i'm a little worried about the proverbial letdown you just have a huge comeback win at home against the chiefs divisional rival.

31:38 I think they're leaning on Jonah Coleman and kind of found something there.

31:42 Two and a half, I'll lay him. If this was three and a half, I'd think about taking the points with Carolina. But at two and a half, I'll take the Broncos to win by a field goal.

31:49 Carolina has some O-line issues, which I don't like in this matchup.

31:52 Denver might feast on that. That's a good point.

31:54 And they have some real corner issues, too, and just fired their defensive coordinator midseason. I think I'll take Denver. Not the hardest place to play, either.

32:03 Matt, not the hardest place to play. In fact, I'd imagine there'll be a lot of orange in there. Matt, the Texans go to L.A. to take on the Chargers, a Texans team that is certainly on life support, a Chargers team that already has their golf reservations made for January. Houston, four-and-a-half-point road favorites.

32:21 Wow.

32:21 I was sitting here thinking this was going to be over seven. Part of it's just the taste in my mouth after watching that Chargers tape from last night. It's like, I don't know what you guys are doing.

32:29 This team is so bad.

32:30 They're so bad. Made me want McConkie, and it made me want Herbert. McConkie's open all the time, and nobody passes. blocks. Herbert's just getting hit over and over and everyone's running the wrong way. And there's all this goofy Miami dolphin motion. Um, I can't take the chargers. No, I just can't. I thought they might look respectable.

32:51 After 14 and a half points with the chargers. I'd still have to think.

32:54 About, yeah, I'm still a believer in Houston.

32:56 Or get four and a half.

32:57 Yeah.

32:57 I think at some point, I'm not sure they're going to contend. I think at some point they're going to rattle off seven wins in eight games. Is it going to be too little too late?

33:03 Maybe I kind of wish Houston was not on the Steelers' future schedule.

33:07 I do, too.

33:07 I think they're still good.

33:08 I do, too. I'm loving those Ravens matchups, how they're looking. Like Lab said, the Eagles, obviously.

33:14 Yeah, it was a lot better.

33:14 Matt, we might get our first win in Philadelphia since Benjamin Franklin flew the kite and key.

33:19 They'd be favored there today, that's for sure.

33:21 Yes, yes.

33:22 But I still think Houston has something to say, despite having one foot in the grave at 2-5. I'll lay the 4.5 with the Texans. Matt, in what is probably the most intriguing game of Sunday's slate, there's a good Monday nighter, but that is not part of the Sunday slate. Packers at Patriots, 5-3 versus 5-3.

33:39 I like the quarterbacks.

33:41 Like the quarterbacks. The winner's going to feel like we can still win the division. We're in a good spot. The loser's going to feel like, ooh, we're chasing it a little bit here. New England, three-point favorite at home. I'm taking the points all day. I think I'll take the.

33:53 Packers to win. I think the Packers are better on a neutral field for sure. Packers D's come a long way. I didn't see that coming.

33:59 And Parsons, has his window been activated yet?

34:02 I don't think so, but they're talking about how it could be soon.

34:05 Okay.

34:07 Other than May, I don't love the Patriots situation. I think their weapons are lackluster.

34:13 Agreed.

34:13 A.J.

34:13 Brown has been.

34:15 He might be shot.

34:16 He's been a passenger.

34:16 I thought that when they made the trade.

34:18 He's been a passenger. Yeah, that's an easy take the three points with the Packers.

34:21 Yeah.

34:22 Matt, there's a trio of 10-point spreads this weekend. The third and final is in San Francisco, where the Niners host the Raiders, what used to be a classic Bay Area rivalry. Niners, 10-point favorites at home. Second most expensive get-in price of the week at $ 345.

34:41 Niners coming off a bye. McCaffrey, Evans are supposed to be back, all that good stuff. Cousins is playing really well, but their defense is falling apart. I think they keep it within 10.

34:54 I do, too.

34:55 Yeah, I mean, it's not really hard to even a road trip. I mean, well, I keep thinking they play in Oakland.

35:00 Yeah, they don't just drive across the bridge down whatever interstate that is anymore. But I'm taking the 10 points. I think San Francisco wins, but I think the Raiders are good enough to not get blown out.

35:10 Mm-hmm.

35:12 Two more, Matt. Sunday, staying in the NFC West. The Seahawks looking to bounce back from that rough loss to the Bears. They are at home again, taking on the Cardinals. Seattle, eight and a half point favorites.

35:28 In Seattle?

35:29 In Seattle. Now, remember, they have one day rest disadvantage because they do play on Monday night.

35:35 This is Locke versus Minshew. Yes, it is. Darnold has been ruled out.

35:39 Oh, baby.

35:39 That's gone.

35:40 That's a barn burner.

35:42 I'll take the points.

35:43 That's right under love and may for this weekend's quarterback matchup.

35:48 I'll take the points.

35:49 I'll take the points.

35:49 Divisional game. Cardinals are better than people thought. Everyone's like, oh, they're going to get the first pick in the draft. They're better than that.

35:54 And in any game where it's a backup against a backup, if you're giving me eight and a half points for one side.

35:58 Exactly.

35:59 Both teams are going to play small ball. It's just smart football.

36:01 Yeah.

36:01 I mean, Cardinals offense is pretty good. And Minshew's no joke.

36:07 Tied for the lowest over under of the week at 39 and a half.

36:10 That's a big line then.

36:11 And then, Matt, finally, Sunday night football, the most expensive get-in price of the weekend in Chicago, $ 409 just to sit in the nosebleeds at Soldier Field, where the Bears are six-point favorites over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

36:28 I think the Bucs. I have a lot of respect for both their lines.

36:32 I know you do, and I do too.

36:35 And I think that keeps it tight. I don't think they win. I'm not saying the Bears are going to get knocked down a peg, but They're probably smelling themselves a little right now.

36:43 They might be. They might be.

36:45 And the Bucs play hard. Throw a lot of blitzes at you.

36:49 At six, I'm going to lay them with Chicago.

36:52 I think that number's about right. When you said the teams, I'm like, it'll be under a touchdown probably.

36:57 You know I talk about this with you a lot, like hostile environments and how often the Steelers really step into them.

37:04 Chicago's going to be rough.

37:05 Dude. Dude. Yeah, yeah.

37:07 Sunday night football.

37:08 Right.

37:08 A Bears team that is good for the first time since Ditka.

37:12 Jeffrey Simmons.

37:13 They also, a lot of those fans know Soldier Field's on borrowed time, right? I mean, it's not their last year there, but they're heading down the homestretch. I just think the way that they played last week.

37:22 That fan base must be rabid right now. We have a quarterback for the first time in our history.

37:27 That's going to be the best atmosphere in the NFL this weekend.

37:32 Yeah.

37:33 If it was seven, I think I'd take the points with the Bucs. At six, I'll lay them with Chicago to win by a touchdown.

37:40 When we get to playoff time, is there a place you'd not want to go into more than Chicago?

37:46 Probably not. Maybe Buffalo.

37:47 Buffalo. Maybe Pittsburgh. That would be the short list. For a team that's been starving for greatness.

37:53 That's the thing, man. Accresure Stadium, it gets rocking. We talked about that on Sunday. I thought it was one of the best atmospheres we'd seen for a regular season game, especially in a long time. Um, that place was absolutely jumping for that Ravens game last year, you know, when Tyler loop missed the field goal and all that, but these fan bases that have, you think you've been starved for success as a Steelers fan and by our staters, we have been, but nowhere near like the bears, nowhere near like the bills.

38:19 Those two, I imagine if the Browns had this bears team and you had to go into Cleveland right now with Caleb Williams and you know, Oh, they traded for Jeffrey Simmons and they're not dumping.

38:29 They're starved for success. And then there's starved for success.

38:33 Right.

38:33 Like every time I hear a Nebraska fan, Matt talk about, it's been 29 years since we've won a national championship.

38:40 Yeah.

38:41 Shove it, dude. You know how long it's been? My grand, my grandpa went 80 years of life and never saw WVU win one. So I don't want to hear it from you.

38:47 Yeah.

38:47 There's different levels of starvation and the bills and the bears are thick.

38:52 And the Steelers fans are not starving. I know it's been a while.

38:54 We're starving by our standards, but not by NFL nationwide standards.

38:59 I know it's been a while since Steelers have won a playoff game. But you go all the time.

39:03 The Milwaukee Brewers are starving for success. You know, first World Series. The Browns.

39:08 I mean, yeah. The Bears haven't had a quarterback ever.

39:10 They haven't had a 4,000-yard passer. Now, that could change this year. Although Caleb Williams missing a couple games hurts.

39:17 Oh, yeah, yeah.

39:18 Um, but yeah, I think that's going to be your best atmosphere of the weekend. And if it's six, I'll lay the points with Chicago. If it was seven or more, I think I'd take them, but at six, I'll take the bears.

39:27 You might talk me out of it, but I'm gonna go with the lines of scrimmage the way what the bucks do travel yeah that's a great point it does.

39:34 It's a great point uh monday night obviously the best game i think of the of the slate bills at vikings but we'll talk about that one more.

39:41 When we return i mean carson wentz.

39:43 On monday it's a good point buffalo still.

39:46 Not the kyler's but great that's kind of a soft benching.

39:48 Maybe Buffalo's still only a three-point favorite. That game in Minnesota, despite the quarterback change. Maybe that speaks more to Kyler Murray than anything else.

39:57 I don't know if he was half-joking, but Matthew Barry, who I know a little bit from our ESPN days, threw out, the Vikings should trade a first-round pick for Kirk Cousins. I'm like, a second would probably.

40:10 Be more than do it. I was going to say, he might be a little rich for a rental, but hey.

40:13 I mean, he's under contract for a while, I think, too.

40:15 It's true.

40:15 Whatever, but I mean, like, they haven't, He's playing great.

40:19 They should try and trade for Kirk Cousins.

40:20 Yeah, yeah.

40:21 I would knock him a first-round pick.

40:22 They should try and trade for Kirk Cousins. One more segment to go. We'll have, what, about five minutes here on the back end. We'll hit on some of your questions, comments, concerns, and reactions before we get out of here. Euler and Williamson, it's The Drive, Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.

40:39 And now a word from our sponsor, Bud Light. There's nothing better than a clean Christmas. There's nothing better than the clean, crisp. Uh, what if we just got out of here and grabbed some Bud Lights?

40:53 But man, we're on air for four more hours.

40:55 I'll figure it out.

40:56 Sounds good to me. Anything for the clean, crisp taste of Bud Light.

41:01 Stock up now.

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41:08 Louis, Missouri.

41:09 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.

41:26 I told you they were building their own line.

41:28 I win the bet.

41:29 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.

41:36 Get that hot dog costume ready.

41:38 Bruh.

41:42 You're tuned to The Drive on your 24-7 home of the black and gold.

41:46 Steelers Nation Radio.

41:55 Just a few minutes left in today's show and for our audience participation. But Matt, you ready for this?

42:00 Yes.

42:00 Here's this promise. I've got, we've got a lot planned for Monday and Tuesday in terms of let's call it, let's call it listener supported content.

42:09 Okay.

42:09 I was drinking my coffee today. I was jotting down some stuff for next week because I really don't want to work hard out of the bi-week. I want to continue the smooth sailing vibes.

42:18 Yeah.

42:18 So when we come back. Monday, we'll do a couple segments, I'm sure, on just the NFL weekend and trade deadline stuff and all that.

42:25 Yeah, there'll be injuries and trades and division.

42:27 But then the back half of Monday and basically all day Tuesday, we've got a lot of fun listener-supported content.

42:32 Cool.

42:33 We're going to go through the NFL. Is this team a contender or not? Some people want us to reevaluate our conversation about the Steelers' nest. That's been something that's been asked a few times. Division projections. We'll revisit the picks that we made at the beginning of the season and how we're doing, and we will kind of prioritize some looming contract extensions this offseason.

42:53 I like that idea a lot.

42:54 For the Steelers.

42:55 Those are all good midway through the season stuff to do. And I imagine Wednesday, Thursday, Friday would just be back to previewing games.

43:02 Reacting to trade deadline and previewing the Cincinnati Bengals.

43:05 Go around campus and being all right.

43:06 Yep.

43:06 So I know that we did a little bit of it this week, but I promise we're going to do a lot more of it on Monday and Tuesday and appreciate everybody that's participated and given us some fun content ideas at the time of the year when we're looking for it. Ian says, make a prediction, guys. By this time next week, blank will be a Pittsburgh Steeler. I don't know, man.

43:28 I would say a wide receiver. If you have to put something in the blank.

43:32 Yes, yes.

43:34 I guess Josh Downs is the most likely if you had to pick a wide receiver.

43:39 I don't hate that. He's on the last year of his contract. It's a team that's ready to fire sale.

43:44 I mean, if I had to pick of all the, quote, available wide outs. Watch him at Conkey last night, though. Like, ooh, I'd like him.

43:51 I would, too.

43:52 I just worry about health with that guy, but he's open all the time. I don't know if he's even truly on the block. That's a tough question, but I guess if I had to put a name in there, I would put Downs.

44:03 I think I would, too. Just when all things considered. Steeler Nation Alaska says, please, can we enshrine Mason McCormick into the Hall of Honor today? Only if Zach Frazier goes in first, cousin.

44:14 I love that the city, and I'm not shocked at all by it, is just embracing the nastiness of this offensive line.

44:21 Oh, it's.

44:22 Yeah.

44:22 It's like part of.

44:23 I knew they would love a center.

44:24 It's like part of our birthright, man.

44:26 Yeah.

44:27 I mean, the best center in the league is like to steal your birthright, too.

44:29 Best center and best edge rushers. That's like part of our birthright here in the black and gold.

44:34 You weren't doing the show with me at the time, but those two, three, four years, whatever it was, pre-Frasier, Dale and I didn't do Twitter like this, but if we did, every day we would have got a tweet like, Trade up in the first round for the best center in the draft. I don't care what happens.

44:50 Yep.

44:51 Go get Linderbaum. We can't live without the best center in the league.

44:54 People are upset that the Steelers didn't draft Mason Graham or Jackson Powers Johnson or Zach Frazier with the first pick that year.

45:00 Oh.

45:00 Before they got Zach in the second round.

45:02 And even not knowing how good Creed Humphrey was going to be when they took Fryermuth over Humphrey. this town went crazy. Yeah. Like not having like the best center in the league made everyone like not feel whole.

45:14 Yes.

45:14 For like three or.

45:15 Four years, a stretch of some really good ones coming out of the draft.

45:18 You know, they, I mean, they even had like Harding's for a while. You know what I mean? Like maybe he's in a hall of famer, but like my whole life, they've had a great center.

45:26 The way it all worked out that that year, Graham Barton, Jackson powers, Johnson, Zach Frazier, kind of the three big prizes at center. You'll wait. You end up getting the third one off the board. and he ends up being the best one.

45:38 And frankly, Powers Johnson's not worked out.

45:39 No, he is not. Grant Barton's been very good, and you'd be happy if he was the guy.

45:43 Although the first.

45:46 Round contract and fifth-year option, as we saw with Tyler Linderbaum, throws a different monkey wrench into the equation. Big monkey wrench.

45:54 I'd much rather Frazier for the cost.

45:55 Absolutely.

45:56 And I'd rather have him straight up.

45:58 Absolutely.

45:59 To your point, it could not have worked out better.

46:01 Kind of reminds me a little bit of when the big quarterback year and you end up getting Ben Roethlisberger the third of the three quarterbacks, but he ends up being the best of the three. Sometimes, sometimes the universe has a way.

46:11 You probably don't remember this, but some of us older folks remember. I mean, the organization was so into centers that when Webby retired, Their second and third round pick were on Chuck Lanzard in Notre Dame and Dirk Dawson. Yes. Now, they thought one of them might be a guard, too.

46:31 Labs talked about that in Asked and Answered last week, where he was basically like, he was answering a question about Zach Frazier and was like, I love what we, if we would have had more time with labs, this would have been the last thing I asked him. He's like, I love what we've seen so far, but can we please slow down with comparing him to Mike Webster and Dermot Dawson, two hall of famers, two of the all time greats.

46:49 Is impartial as I can be. I think they're the two best centers I've ever walked.

46:52 But he was like Mike Webster, his first few years with the team were really rocky. Dermot Dawson started at guard before they moved him to center.

46:58 Right.

46:59 Just give it time and let's see the full, let's.

47:01 See the second and third pick that year. We're never going to be bad at center again. I've been like taking powers, Johnson and Frazier and Frazier.

47:12 Right.

47:12 Be like, we'll throw one of them a card. We'll figure it out. That'll do it for us today. That will do it for us this week. Everybody enjoy the bi-weekend breathe on Sunday, watch some college football on Saturday. And we'll be back on Monday to break it all down and to get ready for kind of those 48 hours ahead of the trade deadline. Big thanks to the Dean of Doom, the Lord of Living in his Fears, Bob Labriola, for joining us here today. As always, a shout out to intrepid video producer of this program, Tyler V., Mr. TV.

47:42 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 on your 24-7 home of the black and gold. Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.

47:56 And now a word from our sponsor, Bud Light.

48:00 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.

48:12 I'll figure it out.

48:13 Sounds good to me. Anything for the clean, crisp taste of Bud Light.

48:18 Stock up now.

48:19 Bud Light.

48:20 Easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Enjoy responsibly. Copyright 2026 Anheuser-Busch Bud Light Beer, St.

48:24 Louis, Missouri.

48:26 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.

48:42 I told you they were building their own line. I win the bet.

48:46 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.

48:53 Get that hot dog costume ready.

48:55 Bruh.