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

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey weighs in on the Steelers quarterback situation ahead of a crucial NFL Week 5 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. Is Justin Fields playing to keep the starting job with Russell Wilson getting closer to a return from his calf injury? And what should we make of coach Mike Tomlin's comments on the matter at his weekly news conference? Later, Jason weighs in on the trade rumors swirling around Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams and the potential fit with George Pickens and the Steelers. And he reacts to the Penguins exhibition loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night. 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 insider Ray Fittipaldo to ponder whether Steelers GM Omar Khan should pursue a deal for Raiders star Davante Adams amid his request for a trade out of Las Vegas. Could the team afford to make the deal, given Adams' lucrative contract? What kind of challenge would it be to rework Adams' contract to keep him in Pittsburgh long term? And what would the deal cost in terms of NFL draft capital? Our duo tackles those questions, then moves on to QB and offensive line talk. Could Russell Wilson be active for the Steelers' NFL Week 5 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys? If he is, what are the chances he could take the starting job from Justin Fields? And how important will Isaac Seumalo's potential return boost a blocking unit that has now lost James Daniels for the season, as well as Troy Fautanu for a substantial part of it? 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 recap coach Mike Tomlin's weekly news conference ahead of an NFL Week 5 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium. What's the latest on Russell Wilson as he recovers from a calf injury? How did Justin Fields' performance in Week 4 vs. the Indianapolis Colts impact his grip on the starting job? Why was Tomlin bothered by mistakes? Especially officiating mistakes, including a controversial call on Minkah Fitzpatrick? And where do injuries to other key players including Alex Highsmith, Jaylen Warren, Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels stand? 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.

On their weekly Pitt football mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson answer reader questions. Among them: Should QB Eli Holstein and the Panthers be favored by more than two points this week against North Carolina amid the Tar Heels' mediocre start? Are the problems on OC Kade Bell's offensive line more about talent? Or scheme? Was Miami's near loss to Virginia Tech last weekend a reason for hope that coach Pat Narduzzi's Panthers can compete seriously for an ACC title? And on the basketball side, what will guard Amsal Delalic's injury have on his ability to be ready for the season with coach Jeff Capel's squad? 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.

On his weekly Chipped Ham and Football podcast, Post-Gazette insider Brian Batko welcomes Yahoo! Sports' Jori Epstein to break down the Steelers' NFL Week 5 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium. Will OC Arthur Smith be at an advantage against the Cowboys defense, given significant injuries to star pass rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence? Will this be another tough matchup for the Steelers' own star pass rusher T.J. Watt? What about CB Joey Porter Jr. going up against QB Dak Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys' prolific passing game? And what is Jori's view of the Steelers' QB situation with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson from afar? 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 welcomes Pirates insiders Andrew Destin and Noah Hiles to react to news that the club has fired Andy Haines as hitting coach and Justin Meccage as bullpen coach. Why were the two men let go? Could GM Ben Cherington and/or manager Derek Shelton be next? And why are players including closer David Bednar and former No. 1 overall MLB draft pick Henry Davis among those who could benefit most from the moves? Our trio 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 insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin react to the end of the Pirates' 2024 season after a 6-4 loss to the New York Yankees. Is the MLB rotation for next season already set after the success of Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Mitch Keller and Bailey Falter? Can Ke'Bryan Hayes bounce back from injuries that led to a rough year offensively and defensively? What's next for struggling young hitters including Henry Davis and Jack Suwinski? Can Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds build on strong seasons? How much heat do GM Ben Cherington and manager Derek Shelton deserve for development failures? What changes will be made on the coaching staff and in the minor leagues? 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.

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the Steelers' NFL Week 4 loss against the Indianapolis Colts. What happened to DC Teryl Austin's defense in yielding by far its most points in a game this season? How could the game have ended differently if Joey Porter seizes two opportunities to make interceptions, or Patrick Queen recovers a fumble by Colts QB Anthony Richardson in the first quarter? And why weren't T.J. Watt and the pass rushers able to generate more pressure on immobile backup QB Joe Flacco? Our duo tackles those questions, then turns attention to the offense. Were Justin Fields' fumbles at QB forgivable as he looks to hold off Russell Wilson for the starting job? Are mistakes to be expected from the offensive line amid a rash of injuries to guys like Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels, which have pressed young players including Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson and Broderick Jones into service? And can OC Arthur Smith get receivers Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III more involved in the offense? Or is another solid veteran needed for that group? 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 4 loss against the Indianapolis Colts. What were some of the poor decisions coach Mike Tomlin made that impacted the game? And did Tomlin's post-game explanations for them make sense? Would the outcome have been different if not for key fumbles by Justin Fields and George Pickens, as well as a dropped interception by Joey Porter Jr.? And what should Fields' future be as starting quarterback after he played fairly well otherwise? Jason tackles all of those questions, plus gives his thoughts on the end of the Pirates' season, as well as the Isiah Kiner-Falefa bonus situation that has gotten some attention following a similar drama with former teammate Rowdy Tellez. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to the Steelers' NFL Week 4 loss against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Does Colts coach Shane Steichen have Steelers coach Mike Tomlin's number after gashing his defense in each of the last two meetings? Why did OC Arthur Smith's offense get off to such a slow start? What should we make of Justin Fields' day at QB, which was good statistically but included multiple costly fumbles? Ditto George Pickens, who had a seismic fumble down near the goal line? What impact did James Daniels' injury have on an offensive line already missing Isaac Seumalo and Troy Fautanu? And why did Najee Harris have such a bad day running the ball while Cordarrelle Patterson was finding holes? 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 Christopher Carter react live after the Steelers' NFL Week 4 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Did QB Justin Fields continue to put pressure on coach Mike Tomlin to start over the injured Russell Wilson? How did TJ. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and the Steelers defense handle second-year Colts QB Anthony Richardson? Was Najee Harris able to keep his momentum from Week 3 going? And what about receivers behind George Pickens including Scotty Miller and Calvin Austin III? 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 talks about why Derek Shelton remains the Pittsburgh Pirates' manager, what should happen in a few days once the MLB regular season concludes and why Bob Nutting continues to own the franchise. He also takes a look at how the Penguins' top-six will look this season and who has earned depth-forward spots moving forward. Jason also breaks down just how far Pitt football has raised its floor (and ceiling) heading into its bye week. 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, host Christopher Carter and Steelers insider Brian Batko look ahead to the Week 4 matchup on the road with the Indianapolis Colts. Will the Steelers' No. 1-ranked defense continue its dominant ways against turnover-prone QB Anthony Richardson and RB Jonathan Taylor? Also, how will the Steelers' run game look with both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren banged up coming out of their Week 3 victory over the L.A. Chargers? Plus, Chris and Brian give their top Week 4 picks around the NFL, as well as break down their x-factors and final score predictions for Steelers-Colts. 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.

Post-Gazette sports editor and fantasy football analyst Chris Dell breaks down his favorite players to start and sit at every position ahead of Week 4 using his top 150 rankings cheat sheet and positional tiers, as well as his top offensive matchups to target. Host Dalton Brown runs through the guys that Chris is higher and lower on vs. the FantasyPros Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) and looks at top trade targets, sleepers and stashes heading into the weekend, including some Steelers-specific fantasy talk. Chris is the founder of Bet­tingPred­a­tors.com and the for­mer fan­tasy foot­ball and sports bet­ting lead an­a­lyst for ESPN 97.5. He re­cently won first place out of 235 an­a­lysts in the Fan­ta­syPros’ 2023 Fan­tasy Foot­ball NFL Draft Ac­cu­racy rank­ings com­pe­ti­tion. He's also currently ranked first out of 200+ analysts for the FantasyPros 2024 in-season accuracy rankings. For more fantasy football content, including Chris' top 150 weekly rankings and his '30 in 30' strategy series, visit post-gazette.com/sports/fantasy-football. 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 Jason Mackey, sitting in for colleague Paul Zeise, joins host Adam Bittner to react to a report from ESPN's Dan Graziano about the Steelers' interest in pursuing a trade for a No. 2 wide receiver behind George Pickens before the NFL trade deadline. What should the level of urgency for GM Omar Khan be after he missed out on dealing for the San Francisco 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk in the preseason? How adequate are the team's existing options: Van Jefferson, Scotty Miller and Calvin Austin III after solid showings in NFL Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers? And are the Tennessee Titans' DeAndre Hopkins and the Jacksonville Jaguars' Christian Kirk viable targets, as Graziano reports? Our duo tackles those questions and a couple of others on Steelers. Will the offensive line's growth be linear? And what are reasonable expectations for this team in the AFC North race with the Ravens, Browns and Bengals all struggling? Later, they focus on the Pirates' Rowdy Tellez dilemma and Penn State's primetime matchup with Illinois this week. 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 welcomes Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian Nittany Lions insider Joel Haas preview this week's Big Ten opener and primetime matchup with Illinois at Beaver Stadium. What does coach James Franklin mean in calling for "White Out energy," and was the Fighting Illini's Bret Bielema providing bulletin board material with his comments about it? And ow important is this game for OC Andy Kotelnicki and Drew Allar in silencing their loud critics who remain despite a record-setting win against Kent State? What is receiver Omari Evans' upside after another explosive effort against the Golden Flashes? Can fellow WRs Liam Clifford and Julian Fleming build on their best efforts of the season against a quality opponent? And how good can the tight end room be with Tyler Warren, Luke Reynolds and Khalil Dinkins? Our duo tackles those questions and analyzes the impact veteran Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer could have on the contest. Will the Lions defense contain him like it did WVU's Garrett Greene? Or could he be a challenge in the mold of Bowling Green's Connor Bazelak? 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 coach Mike Tomlin's handling of his QB situation ahead of an NFL Week 4 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. Is he savvy to keep Russell Wilson in the QB1 spot as he continues his recovery from a calf injury? Or has Justin Fields earned more respect amid the team's 3-0 start? Later, our duo analyzes the offensive line and defense. Has Broderick Jones turned the corner after dominating the Los Angeles Chargers' Joey Bosa this past week? What is Mason McCormick's role after seeing his first action Sunday? What's the injury outlook for Isaac Seumalo? How much have Dan Moore Jr. and James Daniels impressed in the early going? When will the defense start generating turnovers? And how will injuries to Alex Highsmith and Cory Trice Jr. affect that unit? 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 Pirates' decision to designate first baseman Rowdy Tellez for assignment four plate appearances short of a $200,000 bonus in his contract. Was this a cheap move by manager Derek Shelton and GM Ben Cherington. Will it hurt perception of the club among MLB free agents this winter? And will the club really learn enough about Liover Peguero and Joshua Palacios -- the minors leaguers replacing Tellez and Michael A. Taylor on the roster -- to justify the move? Later, Jason gives his thoughts on coach Mike Tomlin noncommittal stance about Justin Fields as the Steelers' starting quarterback over Russell Wilson. And reacts to the Penguins' NHL preseason home opener Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena, a 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. 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 podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson answer reader questions. Among them: Are coach Pat Narduzzi, QB Eli Holstein and the Panthers a playoff contender amid their 4-0 start? Or are ACC foes including Miami still ahead of them in the pecking order? What's the status of injured players including defensive linemen Anthony Johnson and Seaon FitzSimmons? Whose undefeated start is more legit? Pitt's, or that of the Steelers? And on the basketball side, who do Chris and Stephen expect to form coach Jeff Capel's starting five alongside names including Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett? 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 coach Mike Tomlin's news conference at the team's South Side facility ahead of an NFL Week 4 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. Is Justin Fields in line to start again at QB? How is Russell Wilson progressing in his return from injury? And has the plan for when he's fully healthy changed at all? Our duo tackles those questions and recaps a growing list of injuries to players including Alex Highsmith, Cory Trice Jr. and Jaylen Warren. What would that mean for the workload of existing starters including Najee Harris? And reserves like Cordarrelle Patterson, Darius Rush, Nick Herbig and DeMarvin Leal who are looking for opportunities? 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 and Football podcast, Post-Gazette insider Brian Batko welcomes comedian, impressionist and big Steelers fan Joey Mulinaro to look ahead to the team's NFL Week 4 matchup with the Colts. What is the mood around the team out in Indianapolis, where Joey resides? What's going on with Anthony Richardson, the former first-round draft pick who's struggled at QB so far? Will be be the next to have a rough day against T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and the Steelers defense? Later, Brian gets Joey's thoughts on the quarterback competition between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson; how the excitement around Fields differs from the hype that accompanied Kenny Pickett; and his favorite experiences with Steelers players over the years. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey ponders the Penguins' power play unit as it looks to improve on an ugly 2023-24 NHL season. How will new assistant David Quinn shake things up, both in terms of personnel and scheme? How do pieces including Erik Karlsson and Rickard Rakell fit within that dynamic? And how can they help the Penguins get more out of stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang? Jason tackles those topics ahead of the preseason home opener Tuesday night, then weighs in on the Pirates' final MLB homestand over at PNC Park. Can they match their win total from 2023? What consequences should follow for manager Derek Shelton and GM Ben Cherington if they don't? And what is Ke'Bryan Hayes future after being shut down for the season yet again with back issues? 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 3 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium. Specifically, they tackle the QB situation. Will coach Mike Tomlin elect to stay with the hot hand of Justin Fields in NFL Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts? Or will he go back to Russell Wilson, who won the QB job out of training camp before his calf injury caused him to miss the first three games? Later, our duo weighs in on the offensive line and the defense. Was Sunday a turning point up front, as young linemen including Broderick Jones, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson and Zach Frazier played well amid the injury to Troy Fautanu? Can the Steelers regularly close out games the way they did against the Chargers, will Najee Harris and Cordarrelle Patterson ripping off big gains? And what is the ceiling for T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Nick Herbig and Co. on the other side of the ball after they held Los Angeles to minus-5 yards in the second half? 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 3 victory against Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium. Are T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward's elite defense turning this team into a legit contender for coach Mike Tomlin? How can Tomlin bench Justin Fields as the starting quarterback when Russell Wilson is healthy? Should we feel good about the running game with Najee Harris and Cordarrelle Patterson at running back despite a slow start? And how legit is Calvin Austin III as a receiving threat after his long touchdown? Jason answers those questions, and reacts to some Pitt football and Pirates topics as well. How did Eli Holstein continue to prove himself in the blowout victory Saturday against Youngstown State? And is Paul Skenes now the odds on favorite with win National League rookie of the year? 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 3 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium. Paul Zeise joins later with reaction from the locker room. How did Justin Fields perform in his third game as the starter amid Russell Wilson's injury? How did TJ. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and the Steelers defense contain the Chargers' Justin Herbert and J.K. Dobbins? Who won the coaching battle between Jim Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin? And what happened with Broderick Jones starting at tackle over the injured Troy Fautanu? 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 insider Joel Haas is joined by the Daily Collegian's Lyle Alenstein to recap Penn State's historic 56-0 blowout of Kent State on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. How dangerous can OC Andy Kotelnicki's unit be in Big Ten play, which begins next week vs. Illinois, after setting a Nittany Lions record for yardage in a game against the Golden Flashes? Is Drew Allar playing the most efficient football of his career right now? Can receivers Trey Wallace, Omari Evans, Liam Clifford and Julian Fleming remain on their upward trajectory after a huge day? Just how dangerous can TE Tyler Warren be after contributing as a runner, passer and receiver on Saturday? How did Beau Pribula look in replacing Allar late? And just how dominant can Abdul Carter and Penn State's defense be for coach James Franklin? 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' 73-17 win over Youngstown State on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. What led to the most complete performance of the season for the Panthers and quarterback Eli Holstein? How has Holstein improved week to week? Why didn't star running back Desmond Reid play, and how did others like Derrick Davis Jr. and Daniel Carter perform in his absence? Has Kade Bell's offense found its stride? And on the defensive side of the ball, how far can Pitt linebackers like Kyle Louis and Brandon George take Randy Bates' unit? 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, host Christopher Carter and Steelers insider Brian Batko look ahead to the Week 3 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers in Pittsburgh. What will make the Steelers' offense "dam break" when it comes to Justin Fields, George Pickens and others? Can either Najee Harris or Jaylen Warren help kickstart the scoring vs. Jim Harbaugh and company? And can the Steelers' OL stem the tide of LAC's pass rush in their 2024 regular season home opener? Plus, Chris and Brian give their top picks around the NFL and final score predictions for Steelers-Chargers. 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 Q&A edition of his First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey analyzes the Steelers' offense through two weeks this season and its struggles despite a 2-0 start against the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos. Also, what will Sidney Crosby's contract extension allow the Penguins to do during the 2024 NHL season and beyond? Jason also breaks down the chances of the Pirates ever leaving PNC Park. What gives Pittsburgh fans confidence that Bob Nutting, Ben Cherington and Derek Shelton will get changes right next season? Plus, what could MLB free agency look like for the Pirates this offseason? 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.

Post-Gazette sports editor and fantasy football analyst Chris Dell breaks down his favorite players to start and sit at every position ahead of Week 3 using his top 150 rankings cheat sheet and positional tiers, as well as his top offensive matchups to target. Host Dalton Brown runs through the guys that Chris is higher and lower on vs. the FantasyPros Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) and looks at top trade targets, sleepers and stashes heading into the weekend, including some Steelers-specific fantasy talk. Chris is the founder of Bet­tingPred­a­tors.com and the for­mer fan­tasy foot­ball and sports bet­ting lead an­a­lyst for ESPN 97.5. He re­cently won first place out of 235 an­a­lysts in the Fan­ta­syPros’ 2023 Fan­tasy Foot­ball NFL Draft Ac­cu­racy rank­ings com­pe­ti­tion. He's also currently ranked first out of 200+ analysts for the FantasyPros 2024 in-season accuracy rankings. For more fantasy football content, including Chris' top 150 weekly rankings and his '30 in 30' strategy series, visit post-gazette.com/sports/fantasy-football. 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 the team's Thursday practice session at its South Side facility. Why is OC Arthur Smith praising QB Justin Fields, despite criticism of his lack of statistical production? How is the defense preparing to face Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert in NFL Week 3. Are Troy Fautanu and Dan Moore Jr. still locked into the starting tackle spots this week amid Broderick Jones' recent struggles? And how will they handle the Chargers pass rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack? 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.

On their weekly Penn State football podcast, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian Nittany Lions insider Joel Haas react to news from coach James Franklin that star safety Kevin "KJ" Winston will be out for the "long-term" with an injury. How long will the projected first-round NFL draft pick be out? And does Penn State have enough depth in the form of Jaylen Reed, Zakee Wheatley and Cam Miller to navigate the the coming weeks without much trouble? Our duo dives into those topics and more. Including: How much pressure is on the team to dominate Kent State, given the Golden Flashes profound struggles so far in 2024? Will we see highly-touted prospects including Ethan Grunkemeyer, Max Granville and others in extensive duty if the Lions can get out to a big lead? How closely should we be watching Illinois' ranked showdown with Dylan Raiola and Nebraska this week, ahead of the Fighting Illini's visit to Beaver Stadium on Sept. 28? And what's the deal with No. 3 Penn State volleyball after getting dominated by No. 1 Pitt on Wednesday night? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In his weekly YouTube appearance, Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise joins host Adam Bittner to weigh Steelers QB Justin Fields' performance in an evolving NFL offensive environment. Is his lack of counting stats so far a concern? Or does it track with passing numbers that are plunging across the league? Is it unrealistic to hold Fields -- and any modern QBs -- to the pass-happy standard of retired legends like Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and others? Is Fields opponent this week -- the Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert -- a perfect example of this phenomenon? Is this even, really, a passing league anymore? Our duo tackles those questions and more, then gets into some college football plus Pirates and Penguins talk. What's a realistic standard for Pitt and coach Pat Narduzzi now that they're 3-0? What Neal Brown's future at West Virginia after a 1-2 start? Can Penn State cover a huge number Saturday against Kent State? Has celebration of Pirates MLB debuts gotten over the top? And does Sidney Crosby's contract extension have any chance of resulting in another deep Stanley Cup run? 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 No. 1 Pitt volleyball's electric and dominant win over No. 3 Penn State, which drew nearly 12,000 fans to the Petersen Events Center on Wednesday night. Can anyone stop the Panthers from winning a national title? And what made the atmosphere so special for the big win? Later, Jason reacts to the Pirates' latest bullpen implosion by David Bednar and Jalen Beeks; ponders the legacy of the Penguins Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang as training camp opens this week; and wonders if the Steelers defense is facing its toughest test yet this season in its NFL Week 3 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium? 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, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to analyze the team's situation at offensive tackle. Was benching Broderick Jones the right move for coach Mike Tomlin after Jones' numerous penalties in NFL Week 2 vs. the Denver Broncos? And what has rookie Troy Fautanu done right to earn a starting job across from veteran Dan Moore Jr.? Then later, the duo offers thoughts on the team's QB and WR situations. Why does Justin Fields seem poised to remain the starter for NFL Week 3 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers this week at Acrisure Stadium? How is Russell Wilson's injury situation progressing? And is Tomlin serious in his belief in the receiving corps as names including Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III and Scotty Miller have struggled for production behind No. 1 option George Pickens. 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 Pirates' latest loss Tuesday to the St. Louis Cardinals. He ponders another strong start from Bailey Falter; three hits for Nick Yorke in his MLB debut; manager Derek Shelton's curious decision to pinch hit Yasmani Grandal for Billy Cook late in the game; the disturbing surge of stolen bases allowed to opposing runners; and what it all means in the big picture. How has the team crashed so hard since the July 30 MLB trade deadline? And can they even match their 2023 win total by playing decent baseball over the final couple of weeks? Jason answers those questions, then turns attention to the Steelers. Why should there be no controversy at QB this week with Justin Fields likely starting in NFL Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers, as Russell Wilson continues to navigate his injury? And will Broderick Jones get another chance at tackle from coach Mike Tomlin? 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 Sidney Crosby's contract extension. How much pressure does it put on GM Kyle Dubas and coach Mike Sullivan to get back in the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs and win? Do additions including Cody Glass, Blake Lizotte and Kevin Hayes make the supporting cast around Crosby and fellow starts Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin better? And what are the consequences if the Penguins struggle and miss the playoffs again in 2025? Jason tackles those questions, plus Oneil Cruz's shift to center field for the Pirates. Are some fans overreacting to his early mistakes? And are the overall results actually promising for manager Derek Shelton and GM Ben Cherington? 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 and Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes ESPN Los Angeles Chargers reporter Kris Rhim to break down the teams' NFL Week 3 matchup Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. How has new coach Jim Harbaugh changed things since arriving from Michigan this offseason? Does Harbaugh have some surprises for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers with the unusual way he's preparing for this game? How has quarterback Justin Herbert performed in this more run-based offense? What's his injury status for Week 3? And how has Harbaugh used names including J.K. Dobbins, Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey effectively through two weeks? Our duo tackles those questions. Then Brian gets Kris's view from the outside of the Steelers' QB situation with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. 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 podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson answer reader questions. Among them: Is offensive line play a concern for coach Pat Narduzzi's Panthers despite the thrilling Backyard Brawl victory against West Virginia on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium? How can the group better protect QB Eli Holstein and block for RB Desmond Reid? What about the defensive line's inability to pressure opposing QBs, leaving defensive backs exposed? And is the linebacker group that includes names like Braylan Lovelace, Kyle Louis and Brandon George the best of Narduzzi's tenure at Pitt? 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 Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, host Christopher Carter and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo react to the team's NFL Week 2 victory against the Denver Broncos. Specifically they weigh in on Justin Fields' performance at quarterback. Is he doing enough to keep the starting job when Russell Wilson gets healthy? Or does he need to play better this week in a likely start against the Los Angeles Chargers? What impact did OC Arthur Smith's gameplan and frequent penalties have on his bottom line production. And are receivers including Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III letting him down? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Including: What's going on with Broderick Jones at tackle after a rash of penalties Sunday? Is his development being derailed by playing on the right side? How will coach Mike Tomlin handle his tackles including Troy Fautanu and Dan Moore Jr. moving forward? And can Teryl Austin's defense continue to be elite? Or are they padding stats against bad teams and players like Bo Nix and the Broncos? 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 2 victory against the Denver Broncos. Can Broderick Jones be fixed following a penalty-plagued performance? Can OC Arthur Smith's offense as a whole clean up its numerous mistakes that short-circuited its second half? Are we seeing positive signs from Justin Fields with Russell Wilson's return from injury seemingly a ways away? And how good can coach Mike Tomlin's defense be after limiting Bo Nix and the Broncos to just six points? Then later, Jason reacts to Pitt's Backyard Brawl victory against West Virginia on Saturday. What does it mean for coach Pat Narduzzi's Panthers to have started 3-0? And what has quarterback Eli Holstein proven about himself after engineering yet another comeback? 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 2 matchup with the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. How did Justin Fields perform in his second consecutive game filling in for the injured Russell Wilson? Did receivers behind George Pickens including Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III get more involved? How did T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and the defense look against Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix? And how did the offensive tackle situation shake out between Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu? 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' 38-34 win over West Virginia on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium in the 107th edition of the Backyard Brawl. How on earth did QB Eli Holstein and the Panthers offense stage a crazy comeback for the second week in a row? How did new-found star Desmond Reid perform against the Big 12's Mountaineers? How did Pat Narduzzi's squad handle its emotions during the fierce rivalry game? What does this win mean for the team going forward and for the athletic department without Heather Lyke? And should Pitt be concerned about its run defense? 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, host Christopher Carter and Steelers insider Brian Batko look ahead to the Week 2 matchup with Broncos in Denver. Is first-round pick Troy Fautanu ready to make his NFL debut? And would have change how Justin Fields and the Steelers offense would attack the Broncos? Plus, keys to game and predictions on if the Steelers will start the season 2-0. 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 First 10, Jason Mackey takes reader questions and looks ahead to the Penguins season, which begins with training camp. Will Erik Karlsson live up to his hefty contract? Where does new addition Rutger McGroarty fit? Plus, thoughts on the job Pirates GM Ben Cherington has done and what should happen with Andrew McCutchen. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Post-Gazette's Brian Batko and Christopher Carter report from the Steelers' South Side practice facility, where the team's QB plans for NFL Week 2 against the Denver Broncos remain uncertain. Why does the story about Russell Wilson's status seem to keep changing? And is Justin Fields the likely starter for a second week in a row? Our duo tackles those topics, plus comments from other notable plays. Will OC Arthur Smith use George Pickens as a decoy against Devner's Patrick Surtain II to free up Pat Freiermuth? Will Troy Fautanu start after taking first-team reps? And where does Broderick Jones fit into that conversation? 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 Nittany Lions insider Joel Haas ponder the outlook for coordinator Tom Allen's defense after it was torched in the first half against Bowling Green this past week at Beaver Stadium. Was this just a bad, one-off effort physically? Or could it be a sign of more struggles to come? They also weigh in on some questions on offense. Is Omari Evans emerging as the No. 2 wide receiver behind Trey Wallace? Where has Julian Fleming gone in this offense? Can Tyler Warren exceed the production of recent Penn State greats including Mike Gesicki and Pat Freiermuth at tight end? And what should we make of Drew Allar throwing his first interception months earlier than he did a year ago? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In his weekly YouTube appearance, Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise joins host Adam Bittner to analyze the Steelers' situation at receiver behind George Pickens. Was the group's two catches by Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III for eight yards vs. the Atlanta Falcons in NFL Week 1 alarming? Or is it sustainable in the type of offense OC Arthur Smith wants to run? Did GM Omar Khan bank too hard on acquiring Brandon Aiyuk via trade? And how closely should we watch potential fallback options including the Denver Broncos' Courtland Sutton and the Las Vegas Raiders' Davante Adams? Later, the guys weigh in on the QB situation with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Plus the tackle competition between Troy Fautanu, Dan Moore Jr. and Broderick Jones. Then they give their thoughts on the Backyard Brawl between Pitt and West Virginia; Eli Holstein's development at QB for the Panthers; Penn State's struggles defensively vs. Bowling Green; and Pirates GM Ben Cherington's expectations that manager Derek Shelton will return next season. 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 weighs in on what Pitt should be looking for in its next athletic director after firing Heather Lyke earlier this week. What role should fundraising play in the new college athletics world of NIL? And what are the challenges of the job in a saturated sports market that includes the Penguins, Pirates and Steelers, to say nothing of other regional schools like Penn State and West Virginia? Jason delves into those question, then reacts to some Pirates news. How important is Bailey Falter to the team's future after another strong start Wednesday vs. Miami? And should we believe GM Ben Cherington when he says he expects manager Derek Shelton to return next season? 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 editor and fantasy football analyst Chris Dell breaks down his favorite players to start and sit at every position ahead of Week 2 using his top 150 rankings cheat sheet and positional tiers, as well as his top offensive matchups to target. Host Dalton Brown runs through the guys that Chris is higher and lower on vs. the FantasyPros Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) and looks at top trade targets, sleepers and stashes heading into the weekend. Who on the Steelers is still worth starting — and rostering — after a TD-less Week 1 performance, what does say about Jaylen Warren as a possible cut candidate? When should fantasy managers look to sell-high and trade away household fantasy RB names like Rachaad White and Travis Etienne, who lost playing time in Week 1 to fellow risers in Bucky Irving and Tank Bigsby, respectively — and where does Chris have Anthony Richardson and Jayden Daniels ranked after each finished as top-5 scoring fantasy quarterbacks in Week 1? Why is Chris so low on the Texans' offense, including C.J. Stroud, as they face the Chicago Bears in Week 2, and how does that affect the rankings of fellow Houston skill players, such as Joe Mixon, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs and Dalton Schultz? Chris is the founder of Bet­tingPred­a­tors.com and the for­mer fan­tasy foot­ball and sports bet­ting lead an­a­lyst for ESPN 97.5. He re­cently won first place out of 235 an­a­lysts in the Fan­ta­syPros’ 2023 Fan­tasy Foot­ball NFL Draft Ac­cu­racy rank­ings com­pe­ti­tion and finished fifth out of more than 200 analysts in the FantasyPros Week 1 accuracy contest for 2024. For more fantasy football content, including Chris' top 150 weekly rankings and his '30 in 30' strategy series, visit post-gazette.com/sports/fantasy-football. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.