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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 12.16.24
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Brian Batko
11:45
Not sure, DSG. Hamstrings are notoriously finicky. That can be good if a guy is feeling healthy and able to come back on the early end of his prognosis. But obviously can be bad if it's the opposite. Since he's been here, George has struck me as an alien who can't get injured and makes plays that shouldn't be physically possible. Steelers need to hope there's some of that otherworldly stuff in this situation.
Benson DuBois
11:45
I think the absence of Elliott was as significant as the absence of GP.  Do you agree?
Brian Batko
11:47
Not sure if I'd go quite that far but it was significant, yes. Damontae Kazee didn't have a good day. Minkah Fitzpatrick was solid against the run but not in his usual spot to assist in pass defense. They need to get Elliott back for the Ravens, too.
Stairway to seventh seed
11:48
Brian:  are you having a normal chat today or can we just use this forum for those of us that think we have been the victims of fraud?
Brian Batko
11:48
If you thought the Steelers were going to beat the Eagles in Philly, you might be entitled to financial compensation.
Tall Guy
11:49
Brady was hyping up Minkah.  Do the announcers watch games that they dont cover?  Does he now know that Minkah has been a shadow of his former self this season.  Nice tackle  near the goal line but how about a pick six for old time sake.
Brian Batko
11:50
Tom Brady was actually better than I expected on the broadcast. Haven't been impressed with him the little bit I've listened so far this season. But his TJ Watt anecdote about the first time he faced him was good. And he was somewhat insightful on the Fields slide/penalty call.
Jim Bow Dean
11:50
Can we please stop the toss sweep to Harris?
Brian Batko
11:50
I'm not out there calling them!
Surly in Sheraden
11:51
Has D Jackson been a major liability in coverage and tacking all season (not just yesterday)?   I give him credit for catching the ball when it is thrown directly to him, but beyond the picks he seems like a major liability on a consistent basis.
Brian Batko
11:51
Yeah I'd say Donte Jackson has been more opportunistic than consistently good in coverage. The interceptions can paper over a lot of other issues. But yesterday was just rough all around and he seemingly gets nicked up every week. Maybe he's been less effective because he's playing through some things.
Steeler Joe
11:52
I mean, it was a "measuring stick" game, right? Everyone agreed. So should we really be shocked to get confirmation that we're not Tier 1 with the Bills, Eagles, Chiefs and Lions? It's perfectly respectable to be Tier 2, and if we can beat the Ravens on Saturday, we're arguably at the top of Tier 2 and could pull off a darkhorse run. The sky isn't falling, is it?
Brian Batko
11:54
No, but I pulled back a bit on the whole litmus test angle when it became clear that Pickens and even Elliott weren't gonna be in for this one. I was getting closer to putting the Steelers in that top tier, but certainly will not be going the extra mile now after what I watched yesterday, albeit minus a couple key guys. Your outlook is fairly close to mine, Steeler Joe.
Yates
11:54
Brian-  why has 83 fallen off the screen as a target for passes?  Would you please research and report back on the number of times 18 ran a route was open and Russ through ball to someone else?  How often is 28 getting open when he is in field?
Brian Batko
11:55
First I'm gonna need to research why Miles Killebrew would be getting open on offense.
December football
11:55
2-2 last four games with ravens and chiefs coming up and then playoffs. What is eternal optimist case history won’t repeat itself?
Brian Batko
11:55
Better QB play, better OC, healthier defense. And yet all three are not as much of a slam dunk after the trip across the state, so I'm just trying to give you the optimism you seek there.
Jason
11:56
Hi Brian! If the Steelers lose to the Ravens what do the Steelers need to do to Win the Division? If it’s a tie record who has the tie breaker if both teams win out after next week?
Brian Batko
11:58
It would ultimately come down to conference record between Steelers and Ravens and the Steelers actually have the edge there.
brian
11:59
Hey Brian, I'm not sure how to look at this game.  Certainly, the morning after, it looks bleak moving forward.  But we had momentum later in the game and were actually driving to tie the game before the fumble.  But strangely, it felt like for most of the game the Eagles offense could do what it wanted.  The gaffes of penalties, fumble, terrible clock management didn't help.  But what is your takeaway?
Brian Batko
12:00
My takeaway is that as quickly as the strong performances against the Bengals and Browns have been forgotten is how quickly this will be forgotten if they go and beat the Ravens in Baltimore. Because that's kind of what we do here in this reactionary sports consumption world.
12:01
OK folks, I've got to go listen to Mike Tomlin's press conference. Still in the car on the way home from Philly but Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo are there holding down the fort. Have a great week and if I didn't get to your question, you might see it in Thursday's mailbag.
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