Chapter 1: What insights do the speakers share about team leadership and belief?
I think there's a lot of belief in the leadership of the team. I think there's an important part of the leadership role in being as even-keeled as possible and always believing you've got a chance. But it takes moments like this. Back in 2010, we were 9-6 playing Chicago last game of the year, and we eked out a close one in the fourth quarter, 10-3. And it gave us a little bit of belief.
And then we went on a run where we were underdogs, I believe, the entire playoffs. We're underdogs at home tonight against our division rival. I think it's going to give us some belief. Now we're playing, I believe, the Texans. Is that right? They're coming off nine in a row, I think. So who knows if they'll make us an underdog again at home.
But the belief level in the locker room after a win like this is exponentially greater, which is what you want to have going into next week. And then, obviously, we get DK back.
I don't know what's happened here, Limits.
Chapter 2: What historical game is referenced to illustrate belief within a team?
I'm starting to believe, too, again. And I'll tell you this much. Bob's not here. We already knew that. He's here in spirit, and he's here in mannequin form or cardboard cutout form, whichever you prefer. He's at the Tomlin News Conference. He has his duties there. In fact, he introduces the coach. Do we underestimate just how important Bob is over all, Limits? Probably. In this town.
He introduces the Steelers coach. He does a show with the Steelers coach. At the Tuesday press conference and then does a show with the Steelers coach afterward or maybe before. I don't know when they tape it. Do you? Yeah, I think it is today. And he already had the phone number of the priest that blesses the field, typically. Right. And we had Father Max ready to go yesterday.
Something strange happened. And then Bob was ghosted, apparently. And then even Bob was ghosted. Yes. I think the Steelers got involved. I think that's what happened. They don't want any fun things for us, do they? It's a possibility. I'm not rolling anything out. That's all right. We'll survive. I'm also not accusing anyone of anything, but I'm not rolling anything out. We'll survive here.
And I'm starting to swill the Kool-Aid limits. I'm not sipping it. I'm swilling it. As far as I'm concerned, this is a team on a five-game winning streak. Do you know why? Because with DK Metcalf, they beat the Browns. Do we agree on that? Yes. Right.
So the team they're actually putting on the field Monday night is going to be a pretty darn good football team that's getting better and like the man you just heard is starting to believe.
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Chapter 3: How do injuries impact the team's confidence heading into the playoffs?
And sometimes all it takes is a win like that where it could have been a loss. But how many times in history have we seen that? In big regular season games, in playoff games, whatever. Frequently. Every win could be a loss, practically, when you get to this level. Think about how... You want me to go through some Penguin games? You want me to go back to the year they won the Cup?
The first year with Dan Bilesma? They're down 2-0 in a series to the Capitals, and the next game goes to overtime. And now I can't remember if they tied it or won it. On a deflection. On a deflection. Limits. They lose that game, they lose that series. Think about Seattle and the Rams. That's a field goal. That's a field goal that's going to go outside the post but goes in the post.
And sometimes that's all you need. And here's the other important thing. What were you going to say? Seattle and the Rams this year.
Seattle and the Rams this year.
Seattle went for two. Seattle went for two, and they didn't get it. Well, if they wouldn't have gotten it, then they would not be in the driver's seat for the number one seed. They might not be in the driver's seat for the number one seed.
That's right.
You're exact. You are exactly right. This stuff happens. You're here. That's all that matters. You're playing at home against a franchise that has never won a road playoff game. They're 0-6. But here's the real point. I like this Steelers team a lot better than I did. I like the roster. I like some of the things I'm seeing.
I like seeing clips of Zach Frazier pushing Roquan Smith all over the field. Have you seen that clip? I haven't. He has played very well. I like the clip of Derek Harmon pushing Panay Sewell all over the field, throwing him down to the ground. Have you seen those clips? The Steelers are good up front on both sides of the ball. They have a good offensive line. They have two good running backs.
They have DK Metcalf back, and they have TJ Watt back. You could argue if you walked into other teams' meeting rooms and sat down with their coordinators and their head coaches and their players, the guy they fear most on this offense could be DK Metcalf, and the guy they fear most on this defense could be TJ Watt.
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Chapter 4: What are the key factors for the Steelers' success against the Texans?
I think they're going to make a bit of a run here. I think they're going to beat Houston. You got a team coming in here who, like I said, a franchise that has never won a road playoff game and is walking in to a cold weather playoff environment without a run game and And with hardly what would qualify as, you know, an electrifying pass game. Stroud to Collins is a good combination.
They've got some weapons, but nobody's really that fearful of Houston's offense. They're not. You may have seen the Chargers game. Stroud hit a couple long plays. He also threw two terrible picks. And they really don't have a run game. And nobody fears their offensive line. I think the Steelers are going to line up and smash this team defensively. And I think do enough offensively to win.
And that gets us back to the main topic. The main reason I feel good about the Steelers heading into the playoffs. And that's the quarterback. And this quarterback right now is on a roll. Again, the Cleveland game is sort of an outlier right now. I don't know what the hell happened that day. Something did, but not having Metcalf certainly affected the proceedings. We can all agree on that, do we?
Yeah, I mean, I don't think it should be counted as a burn the tape type of game. It was horrible. He was horrible. But Metcalf wasn't there. It happened, but Metcalf wasn't there. And you get him back and it changes a lot in your offense. I think so. Plus they rediscovered Jalen Warren. He was like a non-factor against Cleveland. Same thing with Gainwell. They didn't utilize him properly.
They have two good running backs. They've rediscovered Pat Friermuth. They have Metcalf back. They're going to have some horrible series against Houston because everybody does because that's a great defense. But what I don't think is going to happen is that you're going to see them turn the ball over. I don't think Rodgers is going to be taking tons of sacks so long as the game is close.
I think it's exactly the type of game that Mike Tomlin loves to play. It's going to be, I think, a low scoring, whoever makes the turnover loses type of game. And I really like the position that the Steelers are in right now. Do you at 412-928-9370, 928-9370. Here's the thing with Rodgers too, is that I think he has a receiving core that he's comfortable with now.
And there's a lot to be said for that. Like I credit him more than anybody else for the fact that there's more competence there and that there's no Roman Wilson there. Can't depend on that guy. So what? Was it Omar that went out and got MVS and Thielen? Was it Mike? Or was it mostly Aaron? Because I feel like it was mostly Aaron. And I'm okay with it.
And I'm desperately searching for a number that I looked up the other day. And I'm trying to do it on live radio. And I think I am going to do it. It was something like the Steeler receivers the other night had more yards after the catch than a lot of teams this season. And now I can't find it. And now I'm angry. But that's okay.
The bottom line is the Steelers receivers are a group that the quarterback feels comfortable with. That if option A and B and C aren't open, he knows where an Adam Thielen or even a Scotty Miller or an MVS might be. That was a hell of a catch MVS made the other day. I thought the one where he reached back behind him and pulled it in on the bobble.
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Chapter 5: Why is Mr. Unlimited featured on a New Year's Eve special?
And suddenly we look at the TV and there's Mr. Unlimited on the Dick Clark special. And Ryan Seacrest, I guess, didn't know who he was. That's true. I don't know about that. We weren't listening. We were just watching. Let's ride my ass.
I was wondering how of all the people in the United States of America that could be on that stage, probably the most watched New Year's Eve show, there's Mr. Unlimited up there? There's Mr. Unlimited, yes. Incredible. He said he had an undisclosed hamstring tear before week two of this year. That's what he said yesterday. And also that he has no plans to retire.
I wish him the best of luck, and I don't remember why I brought him up.
Chapter 6: What are Joe Burrow's thoughts on changes needed in Cincinnati?
I don't know where he's going to be able to go. I don't remember the question either, but I'll present a new one to you. Yeah. Joe Burrow thinks changes are needed in Cincinnati. Zach Taylor has no plans to make changes to the coaching staff, though. How do you think that this fallout will end up going in Cincinnati? I think they're entering basically like a lame duck year for Zach Taylor.
where basically if nothing else changes, he will be fired and Joe Burrow will ask for a trade in 2026 if they fail again. Well, what does Joe Burrow want different other than for his defense to make a play once in a while? I don't know, maybe an offensive line that protects him too? Yeah, that might be good. So has he come out and demanded changes to the coaching staff specifically?
Just changes in general. I mean, he and Chase and Higgins were vehemently supporting Taylor. I mean, they said something's got to change, right? Yeah. I don't know, maybe investment on defense? But then again, Burrow and Chase and Higgins, they have to make up at least like 40% of that. Well, maybe he shouldn't have thrown two pick sixes in Buffalo in a matter of three snaps.
That might have helped. Thank you, Joe. Next.
Tomlin. Oh, yeah. We have Tomlin.
My bad.
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Chapter 7: How is the Steelers' playoff preparation described?
Cloudy with an 85% chance of rain, a high of 49. Jeff Locke we're going with. We're going with Jeff Locke. Low of Donnie Shell 31 fan weather brought to you by Myers Law Group, Pittsburgh's choice for affordable legal solutions. Listen to the Pomp and Joe show on demand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcast. Mike Tomlin coming up next.
Man, I was just thinking how different this week would be if that ball goes through the uprights. Good Lord, we'd be in misery the whole week. We'd be talking about Cliff Kingsbury. We'd be talking about is the coach on his way out this week. That's what we'd be talking about. Was that the nail in the coffin? Is Aaron Rodgers done? All of that would be topics on the table.
Instead, we're getting ready to hear from Mike Tomlin for a playoff game. And it's a mighty interesting one. And when I hear somebody as football learned as Nick Farabaugh tell me that the Texans offensive line is, quote, putrid. Man, that just makes me like the Steelers' chances. It really does. If they can keep C.J.
Chapter 8: What insights does Mike Tomlin share about his relationship with Aaron Rodgers?
Stroud from popping a few big plays down the field against those safeties, and that's the position that might worry me more than anything going into the playoffs here, then I think the Steelers have a great chance to win this game.
We'll see if the coach agrees. Good afternoon. Quickly, I'll give a quick assessment of our last performance. As I told the team yesterday at our 2 o'clock meeting, we did some things in game that were really awesome. And we did some things that were JV, to be quite honest with you. And not only from a playing perspective, but I just thought from a strategic perspective.
There was growth opportunities there. I thought that's why it was important that we get in here yesterday and analyze the tape and learn from it. It always provides a good foundation for our next plan. And so that's what yesterday was about. In review of the game, quickly I'll assess the phases. I thought in general in all three phases we had appropriate physicality.
Certainly physicality is a component of the rivalry. And I thought particularly as the game were on, we had the necessary physicality to produce victory. In the special teams game, I thought penalties slowed our efforts. In the kickoff return, I thought we were really good from a field position perspective, but we had one ball out beyond the 40. They got negated by a penalty.
We had a penalty on our punt team as well. Thankfully, on a re-kick, Corliss did an awesome job on the re-kick, and that doesn't always occur, and so we're thankful for that. But if we're going to... continue on in this tournament as the road gets narrow.
We certainly can't be penalized in that phase of the game, and particularly from a return perspective, negating the chance of any field flipping plays or any significant plays that way. We just can't run the risk of that. I've been pleased with our punting and gunning in the punt phase. There's been minimal return yards really over the course of the season. We've had minimal return yards.
I think we got 170 return yards in the punt return game in 17 games. And that's certainly solid. And I think Sunday night was reflective of that as well. On defense, I thought largely down in and down out, we did what we needed to do to minimize the impact of Derrick Henry. It certainly didn't start that way. He broke that big run early. That's a credit to him.
It's a credit to them strategically in terms of identifying a schematic that they wanted to assault us with. But I just thought down in and down out. We did what we needed to do schematically in terms of allocating our guys and planning the appropriate structure. And I think in turn, our guys did what was required of them. We put a lot on our men up front.
We create one on ones with our bigs up front. We require our bigs to win those battles. And I just thought guys like Benton and Hayward and Harmon, Did a real nice job of winning those one-on-ones, shedding tacklers, I mean, shedding blocks and getting in on tackles, not giving him clean access to the second and third level, which oftentimes is a recipe for disaster when facing the big runner.
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