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

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports editor and lead fantasy football analyst Chris Dell joins Tony Squares to break down their favorite starts, sits, stashes and sleepers for our 'Post-Gazette Fantasy Favorites' Week 4 show. The guys break down their top five start/sit players at each position — including D/ST & Kicker — and also play their weekly rapid-fire segment of "buy/sell" trade targets. Will Raheem Mostert keep up his top-5 RB pace, or should you sell high and trade him away? Are the Texans' "Tank" Dell and C.J. Stroud performing over their heads, or will they continue their run as viable weekly starters? Will Keenan Allen remain an elite WR option for the rest of 2023? Chris and Tony answer those questions and more, as well as play another edition of 'Marry, pluck, kill."Visit www.post-gazette.com/sports-fantasy-football for Chris' weekly 'Post-Gazette Fantasy Favorites' written column (also printed in our Sunday newspaper), and subscribe to our YouTube channel to avoid missing videos from our reporters, columnists, and 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 Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, host Christopher Carter welcomes two-time Super Bowl champion Max Starks to analyze the Steelers' offense through three games. Has quarterback Kenny Pickett, offensive coordinator Max Canada or the offensive line been most to blame for the unit's struggles so far? Did the OL show progress this past week in the win over Las Vegas? And when should fans expect to see first-round pick Broderick Jones take over one of the tackle spots? Our duo tackles those topics and also discusses what the defense will need to do to shut down C.J. Stroud, Tank Dell, Nico Collins and a red hot Houston Texans offense in Week 4. 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 show, host Adam Bittner and Seth Engle of the Post-Gazette and Daily Collegian break down the Nittany Lions' offense after a dominant Whiteout night win against Iowa on Saturday night at Beaver Stadium. Are Drew Allar, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen and KeAndre Lambert-Smith showing enough explosive with tough games against Michigan and Ohio State looming, especially with some analytics sites rating them lower than national polls? Does coach James Franklin need a receiver or two to step up statistically for his team to be a serious national title contender? Or is this a situation similar to 2016, when Penn State was able to find a dominant offensive rhythm in the second half of the season? Our duo tackles those topics, checks in on the defense after it smothered Cade McNamara and the Hawkeyes offense on Saturday and also takes a look at the national picture. Does Ohio State's own lack of explosiveness in its win over Notre Dame signal that an opponent more suited to Penn State's strengths? Which conferences and programs are the biggest threats to the Big Ten nabbing two playoff spots? And how is the NIL landscape continuing to shift? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the latest episode of the Chipped Ham and Football Podcast, CBS sports NFL reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala joins guest host Adam Bittner to discuss playing time for Steelers rookies. Are the Steelers being too cautious with rookies including Joey Porter Jr., Keeanu Benton and Broderick Jones, given the early success of names including Christian Gonzalez in New England and Brian Branch with Detroit? Or is there some logic to bringing them along slowly. Aditi also gives her expert assessments on how the Steelers, Bengals, Browns and Ravens have lived up to her expectations for them; how the Nick Chubb injury does or does not change Cleveland's identity; where she weighs in on the T.J. Watt vs. Myles Garrett debate; and what she's watching in Weeks 4 and 5 in the NFL as the Steelers take on the Texans and Ravens. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In their weekly Pitt football mailbag, Post-Gazette beat writers Noah Hiles and Christopher Carter answer reader questions. Among them? Is starting Christian Veilleux or Nate Yarnell at quarterback now the better move for the Panthers' post-Phil Jurkovec future? Is Pitt's future QB even on the roster, or could coach Pat Narduzzi look toward the transfer portal again next season? And how likely is it that both Narduzzi and athletic director Heather Lyke are at Pitt next season given developments at Michigan State? 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 welcomes Joe Starkey to break down the Steelers 23-18 NFL Week 3 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Did quarterback Kenny Pickett and offensive coordinator Matt Canada find a legit combination for offense success moving forward? Or did they simply take advantage of a bad defense? Where do things stand at the cornerback position after strong performances for Levi Wallace and Patrick Peterson as well as elevated snap counts for rookie Joey Porter Jr.? And are the Steelers legitimate contenders with the Bengals, Ravens and Browns, as they're now tied atop the AFC North standings? 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 latest episode of the Pitching In podcast, Post-Gazette Pirates insider Jason Mackey and AT&T SportsNet analyst Michael McKenry break down a busy week for the club. Was a 4-2 road trip against the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds proof that manager Derek Shelton's club is taking a step forward despite being eliminated from the MLB postseason race and dropping an 82nd game that guarantees a losing season? Was Cubs manager David Ross out of line for calling the Pirates a "bad team"? What does management have to get right this offseason to keep the rebuild on the right path? And was it fair for Hunter Stratton to lose his first MLB win on a controversial scoring change? 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 writers Adam Bittner and Joe Starkey react live after the Steelers' Week 3 Sunday Night Football matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. How did Kenny Pickett and the offense execute after ugly performances against the Browns and 49ers to open the season? Did T.J. Watt and the defense keep momentum going against Raiders stars Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams and Jimmy Garoppolo? And how should offensive coordinator Matt Canada's playcalling be graded after heavy criticism from fans and media over the past week? 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 Week 3 version of the Acrisure Fan Advantage podcast, Las Vegas Sports Network's Qiant Myers (Your Boy Q) joins Christopher Carter to preview Steelers-Raiders. Both offenses have struggled out of the gate, so will Kenny Pickett or Jimmy Garoppolo wake up first? Will T.J. Watt or Maxx Crosby take over on defense? And what are our final predictions? 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, Steelers insider Brian Batko joins Christopher Carter to look ahead to another prime-time matchup, this time Sunday night in Las Vegas. Steelers fans have clearly had enough of offensive Matt Canada, but is it even realistic to think the team could make a change? Would getting tight end Pat Freiermuth more involved help solve some of the offensive issues? Plus, we make our picks for Sunday’s game against the Raiders, and we have at least one prediction of a Steelers blowout win. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pirates reporters Jason Mackey and Andrew Destin reflect on what they've learned from a roller-coaster 2023 season and begin to look ahead to 2024. Which prospects have proven they can earn a role? And what outisde options should the Pirates target in the offseason? 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 lead fantasy football analyst Chris Dell joins host Tony Squares to break down his favorite starts, sits, stashes, sleepers, and busts for their all-new 'Post-Gazette Fantasy Favorites' Week 3 show.The guys break down their top five players to start - and sit - at each position, as well as top plays D/ST and Kicker. Tony also goes rapid-fire format with Chris on a new game of "versus" and "marry, pluck, kill" to figure out which players are worth starting vs. sitting, holding onto, or dropping to waivers.Is Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris finally worth starting vs. the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football? Will Geno Smith turn in another Top 10 QB performance against the Carolina Panthers? Does Kareem Hunt truly pose a threat in Cleveland to current Browns' starter Jerome Ford?Visit www.post-gazette.com/fantasy-football every weekend for Chris' weekly 'Post-Gazette Fantasy Favorites' column (also printed in our Sunday newspaper), and subscribe to our YouTube channel @PGSportsNow to avoid missing a single video from our sports reporters, columnists, and guests.For three months of digital access to the Post-Gazette for just 99¢, visit the following link: https://promo.post-gazette.com/youtube 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 weight in on all things Steelers after their dramatic victory Monday against the Cleveland Browns. Is it time for Broderick Jones to start over Dan Moore Jr.? Why does Ben Roethlisberger believe Moore is "killing it" despite heavy criticism from sources including Pro Football Focus? When should Joey Porter Jr. get the bulk of the starting reps at cornerback? Is Matt Canada or Kenny Pickett more at fault for the offense's woes? And have the Steelers' receivers been good enough so far? Our duo tackles all those topics, analyzes what's wrong with Phil Jurkovec and Pitt, ponders the meaning of Penn State's Whiteout matchup with No. 24 Iowa this week and weighs how much the Pirates' final win total is actually worth as long as young players including Quinn Priester, Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez are still struggling. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's In The Trenches podcast, Pitt football stars Gavin Bartholomew and Jake Kradel talk about what went wrong against West Virginia, why there's still belief on the locker room and why the first ACC game of the season represents a fresh start. 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 assistant sports editor Adam Bittner to discuss controversial Pro Football Focus grades from the Steelers' Monday Night Football victory against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. Was the Browns' Myles Garrett really more impactful than the Steelers' T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, who changed the game with defensive plays that led to touchdowns? Or is there a flaw in PFF's system that caused the scouting website to grade Garrett more highly? Our duo tackles that topic, analyzes who from the group of Matt Canada, Kenny Pickett and the offensive line is most to blame for the Steelers' offensive woes and ponders whether Joey Porter Jr. should see more snaps ahead of Levi Wallace after making two key defensive plays against 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 Pitt insider Noah Hiles welcomes legendary former Pitt receiver Larry Fitzgerald to discuss a range of topics. Among them: Fitzgerald's looming induction into the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fames; the qualities that drew him to Pitt as a young college football recruit; the 2002 season during which he challenged for the Heisman Trophy with 1,672 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns; and his pride in being a member of the NFL's decorated 2004 draft class. 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 video, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian insider Seth Engle break down the Nittany Lions' 30-13 win at Illinois. Were quarterback Drew Allar's struggles in the game a cause for concern? Or a net positive in his development? Should fans worry about the running game after Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton took a while to get going against the tough Illini front? And how did receivers including KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Malik McClain perform in their first Big Ten road test? Our duo tackles those topics and looks ahead to Penn State's Whiteout night clash with No. 24 Iowa at Beaver Stadium. Will the environment be the same for an opponent outside the top 10 of the rankings? How will the experience of the Hawkeyes' Cade McNamara factor into the outcome? And what role will injuries to some of Iowa's key pieces play? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In their weekly Pitt mailbag video, Post-Gazette beat writers Noah Hiles and Christopher Carter answer reader questions. Among them: Why won't coach Pat Narduzzi bench QB Phil Jurkovec after poor performance in the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia despite showing willingness to bench starters at other positions? When will tight end Gavin Bartholomew get more targets in the passing game? What is the reason that receivers aren't producing in Frank Cignetti Jr.'s offense? And should backup Christian Veilleux get a look at QB? 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' Week 2 Monday Night Football matchup with the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. How did quarterback Kenny Pickett bounce back from his ugly effort against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2? How did the Steelers cope with the injury absences of Cam Heyward and Diontae Johnson? And where does the team stand in the AFC North race moving forward following the Bengals' Week 2 loss to the Ravens? 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 edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo joins host Christopher Carter to discuss the team's Monday Night Football matchup against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. Will the Steelers finally be able to establish their identity after an ugly Week 1 loss to San Francisco? Did Browns rookie Dawand Jones give Steelers All-Pro pass rusher T.J. Watt bulletin board material in suggesting he's found a flaw in Watt's technique? And what role will injuries play on both sides of the matchup with Cam Heyward and Diontae Johnson out for the Steelers and Jack Conklin out for the Browns? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of the Pitching In podcast, Post-Gazette Pirates insider Jason Mackey and AT&T SportsNet analyst and former Pirates catcher Michael McKenry discuss expectations for the club in 2024. What will the opening day lineup and rotation look like? Can this team realistically compete for a playoff spot as general manager Ben Cherington suggested over the weekend? Where do players including Andrew McCutchen, Henry Davis and Liover Peguero fit into that vision? And what outside pieces should Cherington look to add in free agency? 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 Acrisure Fan Advantage podcast, Irie Harris from Cleveland.com joins the show to preview Week 2 of the Steelers' season. Can Kenny Pickett and the offense avoid a "nightmare scenario" against an aggresive Browns defense, led by Myles Garrett? And is Deshaun Watson ready to return to his old form and break Cleveland's long losing streak in Pittsburgh? Plus we make the case for each team to win and make our final predictions. 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, Steelers insider Brian Batko joins the show to give an early preview of the Monday night matchup with the Browns. After a rough start to the season, how can the Steelers help quarterback Kenny Pickett get back on track? Is George Pickens ready to be a No. 1 receiver? And which pass rusher will be scarier: T.J. Watt or Myles Garrett? For three months of digital access to the Post-Gazette for just 99¢, visit the following link: https://promo.post-gazette.com/youtube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In their weekly baseball chat, Post-Gazette Pirates beat writers Andrew Destin and Jason Mackey discuss the hot topics around the team. Is there reason to worry about Oneil Cruz's long-term future after his injury rehab was shut down for the remainder of the 2023? How does general manager Ben Cherington view the potential return of Andrew McCutchen to the roster next season? And will Nick Gonzales find a place in the Pirates' crowded middle infield situation? Our duo tackles those topics ahead of the club's weekend series against the New York Yankees at PNC Park. 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 lead fantasy football analyst Chris Dell joins host Tony Squares to break down his favorite starts, sits, stashes, sleepers, and busts for our Post-Gazette Fantasy Favorites NFL Week 2 show. The guys break down their top five starts, sleepers, and busts at each position - including D/ST and Kicker. Is Brandon Aiyuk the top receiving threat in San Francisco over teammate Deebo Samuel? Will the Bengals, Seahawks, and Giants offenses bounce back this weekend? Which Ravens running back should we prioritize after the season-ending injury to J.K. Dobbins? Chris and Tony also debate potential start/sit decisions in rapid-fire "buy/sell" format such as Anthony Richardson, Tyler Allgeier, Romeo Doubs, Hayden Hurst, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill. Visit www.post-gazette.com every Friday for Chris' weekly Fantasy Favorites column (also printed in our Sunday newspaper) and subscribe to our YouTube channel to avoid missing a single video from our sports reporters, columnists, and guests. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode of In the Trenches, Pitt players Jake Kradel and Gavin Bartholomew open the show by breaking down the Panthers' Week 2 loss to Cincinnati. Hear what went wrong for the Panthers and how they intend to fix it. After that, All-ACC cornerback M.J. Devonshire joins Jake and Gavin to talk about his hometown of Aliquippa, his journey from Kentucky to Pittsburgh, his big moment in last year's Backyard Brawl and more. Finally, the show is wrapped up by Jake and Gavin giving their preview for this year's contest against West Virginia this Saturday in Morgantown. 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 Noah Hiles analyze the Steelers' free agency options following injuries to Cam Heyward and Diontae Johnson during the NFL Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at Acrisure Stadium. Should general manager Omar Khan consider names like J.J. Watt, Jarvis Landry, Carlos Dunlap and Julio Jones as potential replacements? Could those guys realistically be in shape to help the Steelers over the timeframes in question? Or are the Steelers better off seeing what they have in young players including George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, DeMarvin Leal and Keeanu Benton? Our duo tackles those questions.And later, Noah puts on his Pitt football beat reporter hat to preview the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia. Will the Panthers be prepared for the hostile environment of Morgantown after complaining about boos at home this past week against Cincinnati? Should Pat Narduzzi consider a change at quarterback if Phil Jurkovec struggles again? And should this rivalry game be played every year? 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 assistant sports editor Adam Bittner to analyze the impact of Diontae Johnson's injury on the Steelers' wide receiver room. How noticeable will his absence be beginning on Monday Night Football in NFL Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium? Are players including George Pickens, Calvin Austin III and Allen Robinson prepared to step up in the way the offense needs them to? And how much of the blame for Sunday's dysfunction against the San Francisco 49ers should fall on QB Kenny Pickett compared to the receivers? Our duo tackles those burning topics.Later, Chris and Adam discuss the cornerback situation and when Joey Porter Jr. may become a threat to Levi Wallace's playing time if the latter keeps performing poorly. And Adam explains the Steelers' noteworthy Pro Football Focus grade. Among them? Dan Moore Jr. getting the worst marks of any tackle in the league in Week 1 with first-round draft pick Broderick Jones looming behind him on the depth chart. 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 show, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian football reporter Seth Engle analyze coach James Franklin's handling of the Nittany Lions' running back situation in light of unusual comments during his weekly news conference Tuesday. Should Penn State fans worry about star RBs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen becoming dissatisfied with their playing time? Could one of the two players test the transfer portal this offseason to find a backfield they can lead alone? And what part will NIL attention play in these decisions? Later, Seth explains why he believes Penn State should play an FCS opponent every year after the Lions thumped Delaware 63- 7 on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Then our duo reacts to strong starts from players including quarterback Drew Allar, linebacker Dom DeLuca and receiver Malik McClain and previews Penn State's Big Ten opener this week at Illinois. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his Chipped Ham and Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes ESPN's Brook Pryor to discuss Cam Heyward's injury, which the P-G's Gerry Dulac reported Monday could keep the defensive end out several weeks. Can the Steelers defense stay competitive without its captain? Or will it struggle without him just like it struggled without T.J. Watt for the first half of last season?Later, the duo discusses receiver Diontae Johnson's hamstring injury and its potential impact on the receiving corps. Is George Pickens prepared to step up and carry the passing game as the No. 1 target? Or were his visible frustrations during the loss to the 49ers and social media activity after the game a bad sign? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In their weekly Pitt mailbag video, Post-Gazette beat reporters Noah Hiles and Christopher Carter answer reader questions. Among them? How much should the loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium change expectations for the Panthers? Why were quarterback Phil Jurkovec and receiver Bub Means so out of sync in the defeat? Why wasn't coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff -- including coordinators Frank Cignetti and Randy Bates -- better prepared for what Cincinnati QB Emory Jones and coach Scott Satterfield had to throw at them? And should transfer quarterback Christian Veilleux start the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia instead of Jurkovec? 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 Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to break down the Steelers' ugly 30-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in NFL Week 1. Specifically, Ray explains the failing grades he gave out in his weekly report card to players including quarterback Kenny Pickett, running back Najee Harris and free agent cornerback Patrick Peterson. He also levels harsh criticism on coach Mike Tomlin and coordinators Matt Canada and Teryl Austin after their units looked totally unprepared to face a Super Bowl caliber 49ers roster that included stars Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the latest episode of the Pitching In podcast, Post-Gazette Pirates beat writer Jason Mackey and AT&T SportsNet analyst and former Pirates catcher Michael McKenry discuss Ke'Bryan Hayes' criticism of home plate umpire Bill Miller and some comments the Pirates third baseman made after Sunday's game. They also analyze Saturday's situation between Johan Oviedo and Ronald Acuna Jr., while Jason takes you inside the visitors' clubhouse for Oviedo's postgame comments.Later, our duo discusses the Jerry Meals game in Atlanta from July 27, 2011 and Fort's memories from that, along with other takeaways from the Braves series. They finish with talk about Paul Skenes potentially making the 2024 opening day rotation and whether fans should be concerned with Mitch Keller's drop in velocity. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette columnist Paul Zeise joins Adam Bittner to discuss the Steelers' Week 1 loss to the 49ers. What happened after a preseason of hype that led to a 30-7 domination at home? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On a special Saturday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast brought to you by the Acrisure Fan Advantage, host Christopher Carter welcomes the Athletic's Matt Barrows to preview the Steelers' NFL Week 1 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. What role will star pass rusher Nick Bosa play after missing the entire preseason amid a contract holdout that resulted in a record new contract this week? Will star tight end George Kittle play after nursing a groin injury this week? And what kind of fit is quarterback Brock Purdy in coach Kyle Shanahan's prolific offense? The 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 editor and lead fantasy football analyst Chris Dell joins host Tony Squares to break down his favorite starts, sits, stashes, sleepers and busts for our Post-Gazette Fantasy Favorites Week 1 show. The guys break down their top five players at each position - including D/ST and Kicker - while Chris advises fantasy football managers to bench Deshaun Watson this Sunday. Is the Los Angeles Chargers' Mike Williams due for a breakout 2023 season? Will Tyler Lockett lead the Seattle Seahawks in targets this weekend? Are Tua Tagovailoa and Geno Smith locked in as top 10 options? Chris and Tony also debate potential start/sit players such as Javonte Williams, D'Andre Swift, Alexander Mattison, Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Jake Ferguson, Gerald Everett, Kyle Pitts, and more. Visit www.post-gazette.com every Friday for Chris' weekly Fantasy Favorites column (also printed in our Sunday newspaper) and subscribe to our YouTube channel to avoid missing a single video from our sports reporters, columnists, and 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 edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to preview the team's Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. What will the return of Nick Bosa after his contract mean for the visitors? And Are the Steelers and 49ers similar teams on paper?They also discuss coach Mike Tomlin's choice to make QB Kenny Pickett the sole captain of the offense after Mitch Trubisky and Najee Harris shared the duty last season. Was there a purpose in taking the title from Harris? Or is this a natural step in Pickett's progression in taking charge of the 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.

On their weekly baseball show, Post-Gazette Pirates beat writers Jason Mackey and Andrew Destin discuss Andrew McCutchen's future with the club following his Achilles injury that ended his season earlier this week. Is his veteran presence and steady production too valuable to let go this MLB offseason? Or is it time to let McCutchen go so young names like Henry Davis, Jack Suwinski and others aren't blocked from playing time that's important to their development? And later, our duo discusses things they hope to learn about this club in its remaining games. Specifically, what do they have in prospects including Nick Gonzales, Liover Peguero and Endy Rodriguez? 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 columnists Paul Zeise joins host Adam Bittner to issues Steelers record predictions for 2023. Are more than 10 wins possible in a tough AFC North division that includes the Bengals, Browns and Ravens? And what are the best- and worst-case scenarios for a team that generated a lot of preseason buzz as a result of Kenny Pickett's strong play. Later, our duo analyzes the first week of college football action across the country. Did Penn State's Drew Allar play like the Big Ten's best quarterback in the win Saturday against West Virginia? Or does he have a ways to go to surpass Michigan's J.J. McCarthy? And which of Pitt's upcoming games against Cincinnati, West Virginia and North Carolina will be the toughest? Our duo tackles those questions and ponder what Andrew McCutchen's season-ending injury means for the Pirates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this week's episode of "In the Trenches" Pitt standouts Jake Kradel and Gavin Bartholomew recap their team's 45-7 win in Week 1 over Wofford. Hear their analysis on what went right and what could've been better. After that, the guys are joined by Pitt guard Blake Zubovic who recaps his six-year career as a Panther. Finally, the show is wrapped up by the guys discussing some national college football headlines and previewing this week's upcoming matchup against Cincinnati. 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 former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch to analyze Kenny Pickett's maturation process. Specifically, Charlie explains the parallels he sees between Pickett and future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger when the latter was in the early stages of his career.Later, the duo breaks down the Steelers' Week 1 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers and the challenges their Nick Bosa-led defense can present, with or without the All-Pro pass rusher, whose status for the game is up in the air amid a contract dispute. Charlie also gives his predictions for where the Steelers could be at the end of the season and whether the Super Bowl is a realistic hope for fans. 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 show, the Post-Gazette's Adam Bittner and Seth Engle discuss the No. 7 Nittany Lions' dominant win Saturday night against West Virginia. Where does Drew Allar fall in the pecking order of Big Ten quarterbacks after passing for 325 yards and three touchdowns? Does he already belong ahead of names including Maryland's Taulia Tagovailoa and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy?What should we make of this receiving corps after a big night? Do Malik McClain and Liam Clifford give the Lions the depth they've lacked at that position in recent years? And should we worry about the defense after the Mountaineers were able to run inside successfully for much of the night? 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 NFL Week 1 episode of Brian Batko's Chipped Ham and Football show, the Post-Gazette Steelers insider welcomes Go Long NFL expert Tyler Dunne to discuss a range of Steelers topics. Among them: What traits does quarterback Kenny Pickett have that make him special compared to other league QBs? How much less rosey is the national view of the Steelers compared to the hype in Western Pa.? What can the Steelers expect in their Week 1 matchup against Kyle Shanahan, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers? Our duo answers 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.

In their weekly Pitt football mailbag video, Post-Gazette beat reporters Christopher Carter and Noah Hiles answer reader questions. Among them: Is Cincinnati or West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl the Panthers' tougher upcoming opponent over the next couple of weeks? Was the Bearcats' offensive output in their season opener -- 66 points -- a concern for Pitt? And aside from quarterback Phil Jurkovec, which newcomer was most impressive in the victory over Wofford on Saturday? 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, Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo set the stage for Week 1 of the NFL season. Is Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett ready to take on the 49ers defense, with or without Nick Bosa? And how will the revamped offensive line hold up?For three months of digital access to the Post-Gazette for just 99¢, visit the following link: https://promo.post-gazette.com/youtube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the latest episode of the Pitching In podcast, Post-Gazette Pirates beat writer Jason Mackey and AT&T SportsNet analyst and former Pirates catcher Michael McKenry tackle several key questions, starting with Johan Oviedo's vastly different results across two Missouri starts. That leads into discussion about the recent road trip, where the Pirates have grown, and also Jason's story about Ke'Bryan Hayes, Double-A hitting coach Jon Nunnally and major league hitting coach Andy Haines.Fort gives some insight into the Pirates' offensive approach and argues why it's not fair to blame it all on Haines. They also discuss some key offseason decisions for the Pirates, most notably what (and who) they'd like to see general manager Ben Cherington add, as well as what it could take to ensure a smooth return for Andrew McCutchen.For three months of digital access to the Post-Gazette for just 99¢, visit the following link: https://promo.post-gazette.com/youtube 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, Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to analyze the Steelers' balance. Is the defense still far better than the offense? Or can both units rank well compared to their NFL peers starting in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers? Our duo tackles those questions.Later, they discuss how the Steelers stack up against the Bengals, Ravens and Browns in the AFC North division. And they give their picks for key NFL award winners including MVP. Can anyone unseat the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes? And how will T.J. Watt fare in the race for defensive player of the year? Be sure to stay tuned for their picks. 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 baseball video, Post-Gazette Pirates beat writers Jason Mackey and Andrew Destin analyze the club's sweep of the Kansas City Royals this week, which capped an extended stretch of .500 baseball. Is there enough reason to be encouraged with the results Derek Shelton and Co. have produced over the last month and change? Is Ke'Bryan Hayes' recent hot streak a legit sign of growth? Or just another flash in the pan? And can the Pirates keep winning games with a pitching staff that has few obvious answers beyond Mitch Keller and Johan Oviedo? 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.

In his weekly YouTube appearance, Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise joins ASE/Multimedia Adam Bittner to analyze the Steelers' signing of free agent cornerback and former All-Pro selection Desmond King. Is he simply a depth signing? Or does he have a chance to impact this secondary in a significant way? And does teaming him with second-round pick Joey Porter Jr., another former All-Pro in Patrick Peterson and a solid veteran in Levi Wallace give the Steelers their best group of corners since the Super Bowl years? Our duo tackles those topics and also analyzes how significant Kenny Pickett's spectacular preseason will prove to be starting with Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers. Later, Paul offers his thoughts on the Pirates' pitching rotation that's in shambles beyond Mitch Keller and Johan Oviedo and whether Ben Cherington and/or Derek Shelton should be in trouble because of it. We also look forward to Week 1 of college football action that includes tantalizing local matchups including Penn State vs. West Virginia and Pitt vs. Wofford. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the debut episode of In The Trenches, Pitt stars Gavin Bartholomew and Jake Kradel preview the 2023 season and their Week 1 matchup with Wofford. The pair break down why the Panthers are entering this season with a higher sense of confidence than last season and more. For three months of digital access to the Post-Gazette for just 99¢, visit the following link: https://promo.post-gazette.com/youtube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.