Chapter 1: What is discussed at the start of this section?
Because we've done it all season. We've handled diversity well, and when we had to play our best ball, we did, other than today. I mean, it's not difficult. That's our job, you know, playing all 17. Not much has to change after you go out and score six points against the Cleveland Browns defense.
Sure, the number one pass defense in the NFL, but a defense that gave up 31 points to the lifeless Tennessee Titans.
and cam ward and have had other instances where they've looked very pedestrian where the steelers ultimately made them look like the 85 bears awesome back to with you it's pomp and joe hello to everyone on this cold december day rounding out 2025 logan r blaster producing behind the glass logan good to be with you good to be with you sir i'm assuming everything is well with you
Everything except Nick Herbig dropping an automatic pick six. That would have been very nice. Do you ever get sad at the very end of the year where we're turning the calendar over to a new year and there's anything that you regretted about this past year or something that was very good that happened this year that you're sad to see go when the calendar flips and you don't think about it as much?
I feel like everybody has their set of goals that they go into the new year with, and this just goes for everybody. And you make it maybe a day or two into January, and then you end up not following through with those things. So, yeah, I feel like everybody goes through those regrets. One of them is being a Steelers fan. I think for me, that might be a lifetime regret, signing myself up for that.
Did you hear that Dom said that 2026 is going to be the year of Austin? That's what the rumor is. I don't know if I should be appreciative of that or be scared. I have no clue what that means. I don't know if Dom knows what that means, but I hope it happens for you. Well, I think what Dom was insinuating there is that it would be like a 2026 of success and good things and good health, I hope.
But I found that very fascinating. I hope it's not like a pony prediction passing in the night. A lot of times when Dom says things in his predictions, I don't know how well they go, but I hope that one is different. So one thing that everybody basically predicted from this Steelers season was 9-8, 10-7.
And once again, here we are in that realm, in a very similar position that they were year after year, where I thought that this year was going to be different. I thought that this season they were still going to go 10-7. That's what I predicted at the start of the year, and that they'd be a wild card team. Not that they'd win the division.
Didn't think that that would be in play with Joe Burrow and Lamar, but injuries have obviously cost both of those teams. I thought that this season with Aaron Rodgers, and for a large portion of it it was, was going to be a different story.
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Chapter 2: What regrets do fans have as the year ends?
Thought you would just continue to ride the momentum. Look where that got you. And something that really caught my eye after the game, because we talk about the noise after you lose, there's two things that stood out.
And one was Patrick Queen retweeting a tweet from 2022, 2020, I should say, saying the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results. And to me, this automatically means Patrick Queen is throwing shade at Aaron Rodgers for throwing it three times to his homeboy MVS with goal to go.
And MVS and Aaron Rodgers being on the wrong page twice and throwing a goal ball to MVS on a similar play that from the back of the end zone looked like Santonio Holmes attempting to go up for the ball. Except, yeah, this one was not caught and it did not win you a title of any kind. And the other thing was this.
What is the atmosphere at Sunday night football going to look like at Akershire Stadium? What do you want to happen at 412-928-9370? What do you think is going to happen? What do you want to happen? Because that's a big question for me. We're going to break down this game a little bit more in depth as well, like we did yesterday with Pomp. Nick Faribault will join top of the hour.
The Mike Tomlin press conference is at noon here, right here on the fan. And also at one o'clock, Brian Bacow will join to break it all down. But my question to you is this, what do you want to happen? This Sunday, do you want the Steelers to win this game, go into the playoffs? The Chargers are sitting Justin Herbert, so you're not going to face the Chargers.
You're likely going to face either Houston, Jacksonville, depending on what happens in their game, or Buffalo. Do you want the Steelers to win, go into the playoffs, and potentially be embarrassed at home in the playoffs? Do you want them to lose this week and another big message be sent by the fan base?
Because I tell you what, if it is out of hand at any point, but especially in the second half and into the fourth quarter, by a touchdown, maybe two scores, the atmosphere inside the stadium is going to be intense. There is going to be...
A lot of fanfare with potential fire Tomlin chants, a restless crowd, a crowd that has been tailgating and getting ready for this game all day long for Sunday night football. If the Steelers don't take care of business, it could get ugly with the way that fans voice their frustration in the stadium. And it's on a national audience, national stage.
So there are lots of different ways to look at this game that's coming up. but still looking in the rearview mirror of what was, that loss was on coaching, Aaron Rodgers, and Omar Khan. And here's why. It was on coaching from Artie Smith and company. Their unorthodox running plays outside of a rhythm where, especially on that third and four play, they run away from Miles Garrett.
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Chapter 3: How has the Steelers' performance impacted fan expectations?
And go after that fan who was acting like an idiot. With the blue hair and the painted chest. And he was able to play in this game. There was no DK. There was no Calvin Austin. Darnell Washington breaks his arm. No Sayamalo. The chips are falling off the board here. And you won't have DK Metcalf for Baltimore. If DK Metcalf plays, they probably win.
The philosophy of how Arthur Smith calls the game is likely different. They don't play a scared offensive approach until the last series where they finally discovered Pat Friermuth like it was gold buried treasure that Indiana Jones finally found at the end of the movie. That's basically what Pat Friermuth is anytime you use him.
He's dependable, he's reliable, and he doesn't even have 40 catches this year. Because they basically phased them out of the offense to do what? Give the ball more to Kenneth Gainwell? It's worked. Except this game where they didn't give it to him at all. Nine total targets. Nine total touches, I should say, for Kenneth Gainwell. Was targeted four times, made two catches.
Just seven rushes on the game. They got away from their offensive identity. They completely got away from it. 4-1-2, 9-2-8, 93-70. Fan Twitter, it's brought to you by South Hills Kia and Peters Township. Visit them at southhillskia.net. And off the top is presented by J.P. Roofing and Siding. A rundown of today's show.
Top of the hour, Nick Faribault will join us to talk some Steelers and the reaction to what people are saying about Miles Garrett as well. Like, were they paying too much attention to Miles Garrett? I don't agree that they lost the game because of Myles Garrett.
One important factor in this to make sure that you don't lose a game is to make sure that Myles Garrett does not have a huge impact on the game. One tackle, no sacks. Two games you've played against Myles Garrett, no sacks. His presence was definitely felt. That's undeniable. But they've run a quick passing offense all season long where they've gotten the ball out of Aaron Rodgers' hand.
I don't think it was much different this time around. Miles Garrett did impact the game, but not to the extent that a lot of people are trying to say that's the case. Miles Garrett, though, said that the Steelers paid too much attention to him, saying, to an extent, I feel like they were more worried about keeping me away from Aaron than getting the win. Miles Garrett.
I don't want to talk about self-centered. But to an extent, he might have a point. He might have a point. And I think a lot of you out there probably believe that he does. But a ton of the reasons why they lost this game against Cleveland and makes me not really believe that confidently that they're going to win this game against the Ravens. It's truly a coin flip if they actually do.
No DK Metcalf. No Darnell. Calvin Austin is still banged up, and he's not that great of a receiver, but he's the closest thing to a number two that you have, especially when you don't use your tight ends well enough, and the one that you have used the most, whether it be blocking and the passing game, just total snaps, is going to be out with a broken arm. I'd be stunned if he actually plays.
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Chapter 4: What are the implications of injuries on the Steelers' upcoming games?
A lot of it comes back on Metcalf, and a lot of it comes back on just the way that this season has spiraled to the point where I'm voicing a lot of frustration that I didn't expect to coming into this week. I thought it was going to be you sit the starters, you watch Will Howard. Maybe it is Will Howard and not Mason Rudolph that gets to start.
Maybe you get a little bit of a glimpse into the future. Everybody wants to see Will Howard around here. Maybe you actually would. be able to see what the six-round pick was capable of. You'd be able to arrest Cam Hayward. TJ Watt, no thoughts about potentially rushing him back for this game. But no. It's all fallen flat on their face.
And a big part of it is it's another Mike Tomlin letdown game. It's the yearly annual tradition. The yearly annual Mike Tomlin game against, well, it seems like it's just a reoccurring theme against Cleveland. You might as well just chalk it down every year. Could write it in red pen. When is the yearly Tomlin special going to happen? It's been happening a lot more late in the season.
Texter, so it's acceptable for McVay's team to play down and lose to a bad team on the road, but not Tomlin's right. No, it's not acceptable for McVay's team and the Rams to do that. What I'm saying is, I think that the Rams, to go into the playoffs, and yes, they're on a little bit of a losing streak right now, they're getting players back healthy.
They are a team that has a MVP favorite at quarterback, that has one of the three best receivers in the game, Puka Nakua, if not the best. It's him, Smith and Jigba, and Jamar Chase mixed in with Justin Jefferson. That has a young defense with Verse and many others that are explosive.
So I'm not giving McVay's team any bit of a pass here and saying that the Steelers should get any bit of a pass against the Browns. But if I'm waking up this morning in Los Angeles and I'm waking up in Pittsburgh, I feel a lot better about the chances, even as a wildcard team, that the Rams could go into the playoffs against a Seattle, against the Bears, against whoever wins the South.
that they can go into that game and they can win it compared to whoever might come here for a home game against the Steelers. 412-928-9370. We'll continue to hear from you. We'll get Logan's thoughts as well. Nick Farabaugh will join the show at the top of the hour.
The Fan Text Line is brought to you by Edgar Snyder & Associates, a personal injury law firm where they always say, there's never a fee unless we get money for you. We'll continue to hear from you and also a lot of texts rolling in. We'll get to some texts. We'll do a mini text in the city as we hear from you. Austin Bechtel with you in for the guys on Pump and Joe. Logan has a headline.
We're back in a moment on The Fan.
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Chapter 5: What insights are shared about Will Howard's potential as a backup quarterback?
What's the point? If you're not giving any meaningful snaps to Will Howard, he's your emergency three.
We'll never know how good Will Howard is. Well, you drafted him just to be a backup. You drafted him to be an extra depth guy backup piece, just like Mason was. I know.
Chapter 6: How has the NFL playoff picture changed this season?
I know. It's just mind-boggling. But your point is correct, though, Matt, and I appreciate the call because I want to dive into what the playoff picture currently looks like because Matt's point is correct, and it's one that I've pointed to a lot where look at the way the NFL has shifted.
Now, sure, the Eagles won the Super Bowl last year based off of playing great defense and running the football. They also have a... Very legendary running back in Saquon Barkley that ran for 2,000 yards and almost broke the rushing record if he would have played in Week 18 last year, he would have.
Two very good wide receivers, Pro Bowl wide receivers, one that won a Heisman Trophy on the outside in A.J. Brown and Devontae Smith, a serviceable tight end in Dallas Goddard, and a very good defense with an offensive-minded head coach. Look at the playoff teams right now. They all have one thing in common.
they either, the ones that have clinched, they either have a franchise quarterback that you can consistently depend on, or they have a quarterback that there might be some questions with, or they're younger, but they have a veteran offensive head coach. Denver, some people are up and down on Bo Nix. They have Sean Payton, great offensive mind.
The Patriots, Vrabel, good coach, defensive coach, but has Drake May, who I think is a franchise quarterback. Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence, high predigree, former number one pick. Look at William Cohen and what he's done. He left Tampa Bay working with Baker, and now he's made Trevor Lawrence into a very good quarterback. C.J. Stroud, young.
I have questions about them, but D'Amico Ryan's a very good defensive coach. I do have some concerns. Chargers, Jim Harbaugh, offensive coach. With Justin Herbert, elite quarterback. Buffalo, Sean McDermott, defensive coach. But Josh Allen, best quarterback in the NFL, elite. Look at the NFC. Seattle, Sam Darnold, very good quarterback, defensive coach, yes.
That might be the one exception to the rule here. Chicago, Caleb Williams, young quarterback, but Ben Johnson, he leaves the Lions. Jared Goff falls apart. The Lions don't make the playoffs. Ben Johnson was the straw that stirred the drink. He's elevating Caleb Williams. Caleb Williams is also playing a lot better, but it's young quarterback, very good offensive coach. Philadelphia.
Jalen Hurts has his limitations. Sirianni, offensive coach. Things around him, they've elevated it. Same thing with the Rams. Stafford, older quarterback, but an MVP candidate. Sean McVay, maybe the best offensive minor in all of football. San Francisco, Brock Purdy, you get what I'm saying here, has his limitations. But Kyle Shanahan has brought so much out of him.
Jordan Love, good quarterback, has LeFleur, offensive coach. Look at the entire NFC. Outside of Seattle, every team that will make the playoffs in the NFC has an offensive-minded head coach.
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Chapter 7: What are the key factors affecting the Steelers' chances against the Ravens?
I mean, injuries have been a big part of it. And look at Tampa Bay. Does anyone trust Bryce Young? I like him. Canales has done a great job. A lot of questions remain. Tampa Bay. Fall apart when you lose your offensive coordinator. Defensive head coach can't figure out that side of the ball. And that... is a huge reason why I think Aaron Rodgers has helped mask some of the problem.
But Arthur Smith is not a great offensive mind. He's had games. He's had some moments. But when it's all put together, I don't think our opinion of Arthur Smith has really changed that much and thinking, wow, he's really schemed this up well. Arthur Smith really knows what he's doing. The entire playoff picture, that's the common denominator. Those are the teams that have clinched.
Those are the teams that pretty much know where they're going to be if they're winning their division. And the teams that don't, the Panthers and Bucks, the Steelers and Ravens, have a lot of the same problems. Questions at coach, questions at quarterback, or questions everywhere. That's the common denominator. That's the common denominator. Here is Ron in Monongahela. What's up, Ron?
I've been waiting all weekend to talk to you guys because I'm losing my head on how people can really praise Mike Tomlin when he's lost four straight Cleveland home games. Yeah, I think that was a pretty damning argument against Mike Tomlin there, Ron. Against Cleveland? Yeah. We're talking about a team that the media, you guys, all my friends go, they stink.
Chapter 8: How does Mike Tomlin address team injuries and their impact on performance?
They think, well, we've lost four straight times in Cleveland. And if you look at the numbers between him and Tower, Tower had a 631 winning percentage without Ben. Guess what Mike Collins is? It's like right around 500. 554. Yeah. Okay, with Ben, Tower was at 708. Collins at 668. So answer this. How does people think that this guy's a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame? Well, because of what he did.
Okay, let me ask you this then, Ron. Look what Bill Belichick did with Tom Brady after all those years and then what happened when Tom Brady left. Should you throw a bunch of shade at Bill Belichick and think he should not be in the Hall of Fame because he had Tom Brady, he had the luxury of that, and he got the best out of Tom Brady? Like how Mike Tomlin got the best out of Ben in some moments?
Do you really think that's a fair argument with Belichick winning six Super Bowls? It's not the same argument, but I think it works, and I appreciate the call. In a lot of the same retrospect, here is our guy Robin West Mifflin. We're up against it before we get to the Tomlin Press Conference, but what's going on, Rob?
Rob, I know you're a big Tomlin defender. It ain't about defending Thomas. It's about the AFC is wide open, man. You named all these dudes who have done nothing, man.
Well, I agree with that, though, Rob. The AFC is wide open, but that doesn't take away from the argument. That doesn't make the argument untrue.
You know New England had the weakest schedule, man. You know when you finish in the bottom of the year. You know New England had the weakest schedule this year?
Denver's schedule was very weak, too. This was the year where they played a bad Kansas City team and they beat up on the Raiders. You're supposed to win when you've got two-week schedules, man.
My whole thing is, this playoffs is a crapshoot. I've never seen a football year like this year. Never. With these wins and all this. Never.
It's a crapshoot. Anybody get in, it's one game and you're done. Right, but I agree with that, Rob. But right now, if I was to power rank all the teams that are going to make the playoffs in the AFC, where would the Steelers rank for you? Because for me, they're like 6th or 7th. Guess what? You can put them last. But if they get in the dance, you got a chance, man.
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