Post-Gazette Sports Network: Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and more

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news. Is the Steelers' decision to trade WR Diontae Johnson for CB Donte Jackson looking good, now that coach John Harbaugh's cryptic comments about him cast doubt on his future with the AFC North rival Ravens? How should the Steelers be feeling about the guys who've replaced Johnson behind George Pickens, including Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson? And what will it take for the Russell Wilson and the team Steelers to beat Lamar Jackson and Co. in the division race now that they have a 1.5-game lead, following the Ravens' loss this week vs. Philadelphia? Paul tackles those topics, plus Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi calling his team's 7-5 season a "success" despite a five-game losing streak that spoiled a 7-0 start. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On their weekly Penn State football podcast, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian insider Joel Haas preview the Nittany Lions' Big Ten championship matchup with top-ranked Oregon. Will their College Football Playoff path be easiest with a win? Or a loss that could result in a No. 5 seed with a favorable path to the semifinals, a quirk in the new 12-team system? Could Penn State fall behind Notre Dame in the rankings with a loss? And what does this game mean for coach James Franklin's legacy amid his recent struggles against highly ranked teams? Our duo tackles those topics, then digs into the matchup. Will star tight end Tyler Warren be able to get open against this Ducks secondary? Can receivers including Trey Wallace, Omari Evans and Liam Clifford draw enough coverage of Warren for QB Drew Allar to get him the ball? How will running backs Nick Singleton and Kayton Allen perform against a tough Oregon front seven? And on the other side the ball, can Abdul Carter and the defense do enough to contain Ducks playmakers Dillion Gabrial, Jordan James and Tez Johnson? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the impending return of pass rusher Alex Highsmith on defense. How can he be a gamechanger for this defense as it looks to do a better job against QB Jameis Winston and the Cleveland Browns in NFL Week 14 thank it did in their first matchup a couple weeks ago? And what will his availability mean for fellow pass rushers T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig? Offensively, our duo weighs how Russell Wilson's decision making has changed the offense since he took over for Justin Fields and helped targets including George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, Calvin Austin III and other gain more yards after the catch. Then Chris and Ray wrap the show with a look at the AFC playoff race and where the Steelers fit in it with teams like the Bills, Chiefs, Ravens, Broncos, Chargers and Texans. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the first episode of HBO's 'Hard Knocks' show, which is taking an inside look at the Steelers and their AFC North rival Browns, Bengals and Ravens this season. Why was coach Mike Tomlin the obvious star? Could the show change perceptions about him by giving fans more insight on how he interacts with his players and assistants? Which of his qualities did we see in moments with players including George Pickens and Nick Herbig that aren't aren't always obvious from the outside? Jason tackles those questions and more related to the show, then ponders what the return of Alex Highsmith could mean for T.J. Watt and the pass rush. He wraps the show with his thoughts on former Pirates reliever Aroldis Chapman signing with the Boston Red Sox in MLB free agency. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes WTOV9's Jack Hillgrove to preview the NFL Week 14 matchup between the Steelers and Browns. What's at stake for the Steelers heading into their clash with Jameis Winston and a red-hot Browns offense? What will we learn about Mike Tomlin's team over the next few weeks as the NFL season enters the home stretch? How can Najee Harris build off of his impressive performance Sunday against the Bengals in Cincinnati? And how can Russell Wilson continue playing well as he gets more and more used to the Steelers offense? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news, including the Steelers' NFL Week 13 victory against the Bengals in Cincinnati. What should we make a big day offensively from names including Russell Wilson, George Pickens, Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth? Should there be concern about the defense -- particularly the oft-flagged Joey Porter Jr. -- despite some key turnovers forced by T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, Payton Wilson and Donte Jackson? And which AFC opponent should coach Mike Tomlin's team most fear in the playoffs? Patrick Mahomes and the defending champion Chiefs? Or MVP favorite Josh Allen and the Bills? Paul tackles those questions, then reacts to a busy week of college football. Can Penn State really win the Big Ten title Saturday against Oregon after clinching a berth by virtue of Ohio State's upset loss to Michigan? What should we make of the brawl between the Buckeyes and Wolverines and several other teams around the sport? And where do Pitt and coach Pat Narduzzi go from here after losing their last five games of the season? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On their weekly Pitt spots mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson answer reader questions. Among them: Will the ACC's relative weakness in the non-conference slate hurt Jeff Capel's men's basketball team in its bid to vindicate last season's March Madness snub? Or will wins against Ohio State and West Virginia be plenty to get them over the top at their current pace? And how is the competition between Amsal Delalic and Zach Austin shaping up after Austin's five 3-pointers and game-winning shot against the Buckeyes over the weekend? On the football side, what should we make of coach Pat Narduzzi calling his team's 7-5 record a success, especially after a five-game losing streak to finish the regular season? And what are Pitt's biggest needs as the football transfer portal opens, with CB Noah Biglow, DT Nahki Johnson and OL Terrence Moore having already entered it? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the Penguins' three-game winning streak. Is coach Mike Sullivan's team showing real signs of life with a renewed commitment on the defensive end? Or will a Tuesday night matchup with the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers expose them? What is Tristan Jarry doing better in net? What difference has Phil Tomasino made offensively since being acquired in a recent trade? And why does Erik Karlsson appear to be making better decisions in support of stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang? Jason tackles those questions, then pivots to college sports with his thoughts on Penn State facing the No. 1 Oregon Ducks in the Big Ten championship this week and Pitt volleyball beginning its national championship quest as the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the Steelers' NFL Week 13 win against the Bengals in Cincinnati. Did Russell Wilson and the offense prove they're finding the balance they've long sought? What does it mean that Wilson is getting so many different targets involved in the passing game, from George Pickens, to Calvin Austin III, to Pat Freiermuth? How much credit does Najee Harris deserve for his efficiency in the running game? And are Broderick Jones, Dan Moore Jr. and the offensive line finding their groove after shutting down dangerous Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson? Our duo tackles those questions, then talks defense. Did turnovers forced by T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig make up for some missed opportunities for the pass rush in previous games? How should we balance the big plays on defense with the fact that they gave up over 30 points? And are Joey Porter Jr.'s five penalties in the game a concern? Then later, Chris and Ray wrap the show by analyzing Pickens' unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and ponder where the Steelers fit in the AFC North race with the Ravens after they lost to the Eagles on Sunday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the Steelers' NFL Week 13 victory against the Bengals in Cincinnati. How important was it for coach Mike Tomlin's team to prove it could win a shootout, with Russell Wilson outdueling Bengals QB Joe Burrow? And does that ability make this team an AFC contender with the Chiefs and Bills? Jason tackles those questions, analyzes rough days with penalties for George Pickens and Joey Porter Jr. and praises the offensive line as well as T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig and the ferocious pass rush that forced Burrow into two strip sack fumbles and an interception. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports writers Adam Bittner and Paul Zeise react live after the Steelers' NFL Week 13 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. How did George Pickens, Russell Wilson, Najee Harris and the offense bounce back from an uneven Week 12 outing against the Browns? Were Joey Porter Jr., Minkah Fitzpatrick and other members of the secondary about to contain Bengals stars Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins? How did T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig and the pass rush perform? And how did OC Arthur Smith decide to deploy his Justin Fields package this time? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to the team's NFL Week 13 victory against the Bengals in Cincinnati, in which QB Russell Wilson passed for over 400 yards. How dangerous can this offense be with Wilson at the helm? And to what degree has he transformed this unit in his image in just six games under OC Arthur Smith? How important were RBs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris to Wilson's big day? And how much credit does Wilson deserve for getting lots of targets involved, including George Pickens, Calvin Austin III and Pat Freiermuth? Our duo tackles those topics and also reacts to the defensive performance, noting big days from players including T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig and Donte Jackson in slowing the dynamic Bengals trio of Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Christopher Carter break down the Panthers' 34-23 season-finale loss to Boston College on Saturday afternoon, with Stephen reporting from Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Mass. It's time for a postmortem — what all went wrong in the Panthers' season-ending five-game losing streak? What areas does Pat Narduzzi need to shore up heading into next season? How did Narduzzi's postgame comments miss the mark? How can Pitt fix its offensive line depth problems that have plagued it for multiple seasons now? What will this team look like next year? And what kind of bowl game appearance should the Panthers be expecting? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian Penn State insiders Joel Haas and Lyle Alenstein break down the Nittany Lions' 44-7 win over Maryland on Saturday afternoon from Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. Was this latest blowout a good sign of things to come as the Nittany Lions prepare for an unlikely Big Ten title game appearance? How did star tight end and Mackey award candidate Tyler Warren perform in the regular season finale? Did Drew Allar and Andy Kotelnicki's offense do enough to make a run against No. 1 Oregon? What did Nick Singleton do to get the run game going? And what does this win — and Ohio State's stunning loss to Michigan — mean for Penn State's College Football Playoff positioning? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Christopher Carter break down the Panthers' 91-90 overtime win over Ohio State on Friday afternoon, with Chris reporting from Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio. Could this big nonconference road victory, keyed by Zack Austin's buzzer-beating 3-pointer, be a resume builder for the Panthers come March? How did Pitt get so much production from its depth pieces, led by Austin and Papa Kante? What led to point guard Jaland Lowe's 28-point performance? How did Pitt muster up the resiliency to come back from as many as 12 points down in the second half? And did the team pass its first test without Damian Dunn, who will be out for a month-and-a-half with ankle and hand injuries? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news around 5 p.m. EST. Should the Steelers worry about losing OC Arthur Smith this offseason? His name has already been linked to some open college and NFL jobs, and many more vacancies are expected to open soon. What grade should he get for the job he's done in the wake of Matt Canada's struggles? And how much more potential does this unit have with pieces like QB Russell Wilson, QB Justin Fields, WR George Pickens, TE Pat Freiermuth and RB Najee Harris, who are all still healthy late in the season? Paul tackles those questions, reacts to Thanksgiving Day action around the NFL, and previews a packed slate of weekend games, including the Steelers traveling to battle the Bengals, the Buffalo Bills facing the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles clashing with the Baltimore Ravens. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the sports department’s YouTube channel so you don’t miss a video with our reporters, columnists and their special guests. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Friday mailbag edition of his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey breaks down the reasons why the Bengals scare him ahead of Week 13 when the Steelers visit Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon. Jason also talks about the Penguins needing to build on Wednesday's performance before getting into reader questions, including who he believes is the franchise's best all-time goalkeeper. Then, he tackles a number of baseball topics, including the cap/floor in MLB's next CBA, Johan Oviedo's future role, Nick Gonzales at shortstop and the Pirates' 2025 starting rotation. For more sports, visit post-gazette.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to preview an important NFL Week 13 showdown with the Bengals. Is it time for TE Pat Freiermuth to feast on this Cincinnati secondary again after dominating it at Paycor Stadium last season? And should we be expecting more from names including Najee Harris and Mike Williams? Later, our duo gives their picks of favorite Thanksgiving foods and key matchups from around the NFL, including Chargers-Falcons, Cardinals-Vikings, Eagles-Ravens and Bills-49ers. Then they give their predictions for the Steelers game as coach Mike Tomlin, QB Russell Wilson and Co. look to bounce back from the loss to the Browns. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news around 5 p.m. Eastern. Specifically, he gives his thoughts on a report from the Athletic's Diana Russini that the team plans to re-sign QB Russell Wilson. Is that the right move, given what we've seen from him so far? Or should GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin wait for more results? And what would such a move mean for Justin Fields' future in Pittsburgh? Should the front office attempt to keep him as well? Or look elsewhere for a backup? Paul answers those questions and more ahead of a crucial NFL Week 13 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Then later, he weighs in on the Thanksgiving Day slate of games that includes Bears-Lions, Giants-Cowboys and Dolphins-Packers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey offers his thoughts on the struggling Penguins. Why are the next few games crucial if expectations remain to get Sidney Crosby, Evgani Malkin and Kris Letang into the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs? And how much heat does GM Kyle Dubas deserve for the club's slow start amid intense speculation about coach Mike Sullivan's job? Then later, Jason talks Steelers and Penguins. What should we make of coach Mike Tomlin's handling of WR George Pickens' latest sideline outburst vs. the Browns? How critical should we be of his late-game use of Justin Fields in NFL Week 12 at Cleveland? And who should Pirates GM Ben Cherington target to play right field as the MLB free agency hot stove gets fired up? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to talk Steelers ahead of a crucial NFL Week 13 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. What can coach Mike Tomlin and OC Arthur Smith do to fix the red zone issues that have surfaced the last few games? Or is better execution from key players including Russell Wilson, Najee Harris, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth the simple answer? Later, our duo turns attention to the defense. Is T.J. Watt doing enough as the pass rush has struggled to get to opposing quarterbacks in recent weeks? Or does he need to do more to lead the group that includes Nick Herbig and Preston Smith in the absence of Alex Highsmith? And how should we evaluate the work Minkah Fitzpatrick has been doing in the secondary? Should he be making more big plays? Or is the way he denies offense wide swaths of the field valuable in its own right? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider welcomes ESPN Bengals reporter Ben Baby to preview the teams' NFL Week 13 matchup. What has gone wrong for the Cincinnati secondary this season? And is it one that Russell Wilson, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth and OC Arthur Smith's passing game can exploit? How does Pickens match up with Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt specifically? And how dangerous is Trey Hendrickson as he's having a T.J. Watt-like season? And how much does the return of Tee Higgins help a Bengals passing game that was already humming with QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja'Marr Chase ahead of a battle with Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and the Steelers defense? Out duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On their weekly Pitt football mailbag video, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson answer reader questions. Among them: Did coach Pat Narduzzi leave the door open to Eli Holstein returning from injury in 2024? Either for the regular season finale this week against Boston College or the Panthers' bowl game? What is RB Rodney Hammond's future with the program? And on the basketball side, who does coach Jeff Capel need to step up amid the injury to Damian Dunn with a big game against Ohio State looming? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey looks ahead to the Steelers' NFL Week 13 matchup with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals. Is Joey Porter Jr. the defense's key player as it looks to shut that duo down twice in the final six games? Do we need to see more from him with other tough games looming against the Eagles, Chiefs and Ravens? Could the Steelers lose OC Arthur Smith to the New York Giants, who are looking for a new coach? And how much concern should fans have about George Pickens following his latest outburst in Cleveland vs. Greg Newsome II and the Browns? Jason tackles those topics, then talks some Penguins. Has the franchise become little more than a nostalgia tour for stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang as their careers wind down on a hapless team? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey ponders the Steelers' NFL Week 13 matchup with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the AFC North rival Bengals this week in Cincinnati. Can coach Mike Tomlin, DC Teryl Austin and players including safety Minkah Fitzpatrick fix pass defense issues that crept up in the Week 12 loss to Jameis Winston and the Cleveland Browns? And how will the Justin Fields package be deployed at QB, particularly in big moments late in the game? Will he be given the chance to throw again? Or will OC Arthur Smith save those opportunities for Russell Wilson? Later, Jason ponders a report about Russell Wilson's future in Pittsburgh and reacts to the Pirates' moves to non-tender players including Connor Joe and Bryan De La Cruz. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to react to receiver George Pickens' latest outburst in his team's NFL Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Was the scrap with Browns CB Greg Newsome II just the latest example of Pickens failing to lose with grace? Or does coach Mike Tomlin have a bigger behavioral issue on his hands? How do Pickens' maturity issues compare to headaches created by predecessors like Antonio Brown and Chase Claypool? And is Pickens feeling the pressure of being the Steelers' one consistent receiver to this point, with Calvin Austin III, Mike Williams and Van Jefferson all struggling to draw regular targets? Our duo tackles those questions and more in the later segments. Including: Should we worry about the defense in late-game scenarios now that it's yielded final drive touchdowns in three of its last six outings? Is the unit too reliant on T.J. Watt to make game-clinching plays? Should Russell Wilson and the Steelers really be underdogs to Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals this week? What should we make of Week 12 results involving the Chiefs, Texans and Broncos? And what should we watch for in the AFC North rival Ravens' Monday Night Football matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Christopher Carter break down the Panthers' 37-9 loss to Louisville on Saturday afternoon, with Stephen reporting from L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Ky. Simply put: What happened to the Panthers' once promising season? How exactly did the wheels come off during this four-game losing streak? What does Eli Holstein's injury mean for the Panthers for the rest of this season — and beyond? Why has Kade Bell's high-powered offense slowed down in recent weeks? And what does this mean for Pat Narduzzi's program heading into next season? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian Penn State insiders Joel Haas and Lyle Alenstein break down the Nittany Lions' 26-25 win over Minnesota on Saturday afternoon from Huntington Bank Stadium in Minnesota. How were the Golden Gophers able to give the Nittany Lions such a scare? How did Drew Allar perform? Why can't the Nittany Lions running backs seem to put together a solid game? What led to James Franklin's gutsy fake punt call on the game-sealing drive? And what does this result mean for Penn State's College Football Playoff chances? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On a Saturday edition of First 10, Post-Gazette columnist Jason Mackey looks at how Steelers coach Mike Tomlin fell into yet another trap game and the questionable coaching decisions behind the loss to the Browns. Did the offense out-think itself with Justin Fields? Can the offensive line figure out how to protect Russell Wilson? And on the flip side, can T.J.Watt and the pass rush wake up? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports, specifically the Steelers' NFL Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. Is this team still a true contender with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills in the race for the AFC title? Or are those teams still a step above? What should we make of Russell Wilson, George Pickens, Najee Harris and the offense playing well in the second half after a sluggish first half? Did OC Arthur Smith make good use of backup QB Justin Fields? How much should we see from him moving forward? And why didn't T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Joey Porter Jr. and the defense have enough answers for Jameis Winston, Nick Chubb and the struggling Browns offense? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Friday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to react to the team's NFL Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Offensively, what should we make of the late surge from Russell Wilson, Calvin Austin III and the offense after a sluggish first half? Was the Justin Fields package a true spark? Or did it leave the unit disjointed at times? What was going on with George Pickens as some of his frustration boiled over? And what should we make of another game where Jaylen Warren was more efficient than Najee Harris in the running game? Are duo tackles those questions, plus looks back on some controversial Mike Tomlin coaching decisions that proved pivotal. Then they wrap the show talking defense. Was the Steelers' pass rush as bad as it seemed? Or did Jameis Winston, Jerry Jeudy and the Browns just make some impressive plays in the face of pressure from T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig and Cam Heyward? And what should we make of the secondary's performance with names including Joey Porter Jr., Minkah Fitzpatrick and Donte Jackson allowing some key plays to go Cleveland's way? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to the team's NFL Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. What went wrong for Russell Wilson, Najee Harris, George Pickens and the offense after a lackluster first half cost them in the end? Did Arthur Smith deploy backup QB Justin Fields correctly? Or was his late-game miss a bad call? What happened to T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig and the pass rush defensively after they struggled to get to Browns quarterback Jameis Winston? What should we make of a shaky performance from Dan Moore Jr. and the offensive line after Myles Garrett dominated them for three sacks? How encouraging was Pat Freiermuth's involvement in the gameplan? And why does Mike Tomlin's team seem to have so many problems in Cleveland in recent years? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports writers Adam Bittner and Paul Zeise react live after the Steelers' NFL Week 12 matchup with the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Were Russell Wilson, George Pickens, Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Mike Williams and the offense able to generate more red zone success? How did Zach Frazier, Broderick Jones and offensive line contain dangerous Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett? And how did T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and the defense perform in slowing down Cleveland QB Jameis Winston and RB Nick Chubb? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Thursday episode of First 10, Post-Gazette columnist Jason Mackey talks about Myles Garrett's comments on T.J. Watt. Does the Steelers star really owe the Browns' pass rusher an apology for anything related to the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award? Plus, a look at Thursday night's matchup, including Justin Fields' potential as a red-zone threat. Then we take reader questions about the Pirates' offseason and the types of moves they could make that would inspire confidence within the fan base. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On their weekly Penn State football podcast, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian insider Joel Haas analyze the job coach James Franklin has done to put the Nittany Lions in contention for a College Football Playoff spot. Does he deserve more credit despite his lack of big wins? Would Penn State be out of the CFP discussion had it slipped up against an inferior team as the Alabama Crimson Tide the the Georgia Bulldogs have this season? And is recent domination of the Washington Huskies and Purdue Boilermakers an example of his message getting through to plays effectively? Our duo ponders those questions and more. Can Penn State really be a national championship threat running it's offense through tight end Tyler Warren? Could freshman Luke Reynolds be the next dominant Penn State TE after Warren? Has OC Andy Kotelnicki shown too much of what backup QB Beau Pribula can do when he spells Drew Allar in meaningful moments? Which potential SEC foe does Penn State match up best against in the playoff? And who should Lions fans root for in this week's big game between Indiana and Ohio State? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to preview the team's NFL Week 12 showdown with the AFC North division rival Cleveland Browns. How can QB Russell Wilson and his offensive line be more effective in the red zone? How can OC Arthur Smith get playmakers including George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren better touches close to the opposing goal line? And what role do turnovers play in those struggles for coach Mike Tomlin's team? Our duo tackles those questions, ponders in the impact Browns RB Nick Chubb might have on this game amid his healthy return and weighs the potential for this to be a trap game despite its primetime setting. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the Penguins' latest loss, a 3-2 defeat in overtime against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Is the Fenway Sports Group ownership hurting the team with its loyalty to coach Mike Sullivan? Would a coaching change be in the best interests of all involved? Is there any other way to get players including Erik Karlsson and Tristan Jarry back on track? Jason tackles those questions, then ponders extensive change in Cleveland ahead of the Steelers' NFL Week 12 matchup with the Browns and the potential use of Justin Fields in place of Russell Wilson in red zone situations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news. Should the Steelers be using Justin Fields more in the red zone after his personal package of plays debuted in NFL Week 11 against the Ravens? Or should OC Arthur Smith stick with Russell Wilson in those situations? How much longer can Smith and coach Mike Tomlin stick with Broderick Jones? And how much of a threat is the Browns' Jameis Winston this week as he fills in for the injured Deshaun Watson? Paul tackles those questions, react to Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes winning the NL rookie of the year award and ponders his chances in Cy Young voting against finalists Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves and Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo report from practice ahead of the team's NFL Week 12 matchup with the Cleveland Browns. How does OC Arthur Smith plan to fix the red zone issues that manifested again in the win over the Ravens last week? Could we see more of Justin Fields when the threat of his running ability could help? Could we see him and Russell Wilson on the field at the same time? Could we even see Fields transition into a slash role like Kordell Stewart? Our duo tackles those topics and others. Among them: How can Smith get Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington more involved in the red zone? And how involved will Ben Skowronek become in this offense? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider welcomes former Pitt and Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Jason Pinkston to break down the rivals' NFL Week 12 matchup. Do T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, Preston Smith and the Steelers' pass rush have the potential for a huge night with the Browns navigating injuries to key linemen including Dawand Jones and Jedrick Wills? Can every-down players respect the success a kicker like Chris Boswell is having this season? And what are Pinkston's memories of going up against Steelers legends including Troy Polamalu and James Harrison in this rivalry? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to news that Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has won National League rookie of the year honors. Jason explains why he feels Skenes was deserving over the San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill; how he expects Skenes to fair in NL Cy Young award voting against the Atlanta Braves' Chris Sale and the Philadelphia Phillies' Zack Wheeler; and why the pressure is now on Pirates GM Ben Cherington to surround Skenes with better talent. Then later, Jason explains why he feels the Steelers are equipped to win multiple different ways ahead of their NFL Week 12 matchup with the Cleveland Browns. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On their weekly Pitt football mailbag video, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson answer reader questions. Among them: Could coach Pat Narduzzi be on the hot seat if the Panthers' losing skid continues through the end of the season? Is his apparent criticism of OC Kade Bell warranted? And should young offensive linemen get some chances to play before the end of the regular season? Our duo tackles those topics, then transitions to basketball. Is coach Jeff Capel missing out on too many recruits amid names including Derek Dixon, Amari Evans and Meleek Thomas committing elsewhere in recent weeks? And how many wins do Jaland Lowe, Ishmael Leggett and Co. need to get from their upcoming stretch of five games against power-conference opponents? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports. Can the Steelers stay focused to beat the Cleveland Browns with a short week to prepare for the NFL Week 12 matchup on Thursday night? Or could there be a hangover from the emotional win over the Ravens? What did we learn about T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and the Steelers defense after it dominated Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry on Sunday? And what should we make of the offensive line struggles in front of QB Russell Wilson, particularly from Broderick Jones? Paul touches those topics and offers additional thoughts on the Penguins' busy weekend, Pitt football's frustrating loss to Clemson and Penn State's College Football Playoff resume, which has drawn scrutiny over the past week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the team's NFL Week 11 victory against the Baltimore Ravens. How much credit do coach Mike Tomlin and DC Teryl Austin deserve for their gameplan to stop Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry? Why did the defense led by T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick execute so well? And how can names like Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson and Nick Herbig build on forcing important turnovers? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Including: Was the offense's performance underrated? From Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren playing well in the running game to Russell Wilson making big throws to Darnell Washington and others late? And can the Steelers contend with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs or Josh Allen and the Bills for the No. 1 seed in the AFC? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the Steelers' NFL Week 11 victory against the AFC North division rival Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. How long can the good vibes of this victory last, with coach Mike Tomlin's team in prime position to win the division? What did T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and the defense prove in shutting down Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry yet again? How resilient were Russell Wilson and the offense in outscoring one of the league's top scoring units without the benefit of a touchdown? And how valuable did kicker Chris Boswell prove himself to be after struggles by the Ravens' Justin Tucker and the Bengals' Evan McPherson loomed large over Week 11 results around the division? Jason tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports writers Adam Bittner and Joe Starkey react live after the Steelers' NFL Week 11 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. Were Russell Wilson, George Pickens, Mike Williams and Pat Freiermuth able to create more magic in the passing game? How did T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and the defense able to contain Ravens playmakers Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers? How did Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and the running game look amid Warren's injury? And what does this game for the AFC North race moving forward? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to a crucial NFL Week 11 victory against the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. How did T.J. Watt, Patrick Queen, Nick Herbig, Payton Wilson and the defense dominate Ravens QB Lamar Jackson yet again? Even with Derrick Henry in his backfield? What should we make of a sluggish day from Russell Wilson and the offense, which failed to score a touchdown? Who beyond George Pickens can step up as a reliable target in the passing game? How much credit do Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren deserve for solid work in the running game? And how are the Steelers now positioned in the AFC North race moving forward? Could they even be a threat for the conference's No. 1 seed alongside the Chiefs and Bills? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson break down the Panthers' 24-20 loss to Clemson on Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. What led to the Panthers' heartbreaking loss to the No. 17 Tigers? Who is ultimately responsible for the discipline issues and penalties that have plagued the Panthers all season? How did Nate Yarnell fare after starting for the injured Eli Holstein? Why did Pitt's defense have so much success against Clemson's stars like Phil Mafah and Cade Klubnik in the second half? And where do Pat Narduzzi's Panthers go from here? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson break down the Panthers' 86-62 win over West Virginia on Friday night at Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh. How did the Panthers dominate the 191st edition of the basketball version of the Backyard Brawl? How did Pitt show maturity after Guillermo Diaz Graham took an elbow to the face in the game's opening minutes? How can coach Jeff Capel continue to unlock transfer guard Damian Dunn's scoring ability? Did Jaland Lowe make up for his rough shooting night with a well-rounded performance? And what does this rivalry game win mean for Pitt moving forward? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter and Steelers inside Brian Batko take a final look at the massive AFC North matchup with the Ravens. Will Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson make this a higher-scoring game than usual? Plus our final predictions for the biggest games in Week 11, including Steelers-Ravens. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.