It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for a weekly Steelers links roundup at BTSC. But first, let’s take a look around the AFC North:
- Browns offense: Dillon Gabriel, Quinshon Judkins show promise for Cleveland in Week 5 vs Vikings (Dawgs by Nature)
- Ravens to trade OLB Odafe Oweh to Chargers (Baltimore Beatdown)
- Zac Taylor won’t give up play-calling duties and is keeping QB decision a mystery (Cincy Jungle)
And a new category: what’s the latest on the Steelers’ upcoming opponent? (A few more Browns stories this week):
- Browns QB Shedeur Sanders speaks about the trade of Joe Flacco, seeing vet after deal (Dawgs by Nature)
- Browns befuddling decisions playing safe side of “balanced” leads to more questions (Dawgs by Nature)
Now, onto some Steelers news and discussion:
How Steelers Fare After Bye Weeks Under Mike Tomlin
(From Steelers Now’s Jobe Morrison): Since 2007, the Steelers have recorded an outstanding 14-4 record following a bye week. Last season, they won a road thriller against the Washington Commanders. However, last
season, their break came after eight games. This time, they got an early bye after their trip to Dublin, Ireland, in week four.
If you’re worried about a trap game, here’s a confidence booster. Under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers historically look like a well-rested and prepared team leaving their bye week.
Speedy Steelers wide receiver gives injury update after scary shoulder injury
(From PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh): Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III had no definitive update on his shoulder injury when speaking on Monday.
Austin did not rule out missing the next few games, including an IR stint, but would not give a definite timeline nor would he talk about the specifics of his injury.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has since made it sound like Calvin Austin III has a chance to play in Week 6. But on Monday, Austin wasn’t quite as optimistic.
Option for Steelers? Former First-Round WR Cleared after Injury
(From Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders): The Pittsburgh Steelers now have another option to address their wide receiver room, should they choose to. Former Tennessee Titans first-round draft pick, wide receiver Treylon Burks, has been cleared to return to action after an offseason collarbone injury, according to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Burks would not be a candidate for the Steelers’ WR2 role, but the former first-rounder could be an option for a team’s practice squad as a reclamation project.
Week 6 Blog: ‘Glad to be back’
(From Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley): Porter said the focus this week isn’t on (Dillon) Gabriel, but the scheme as a whole in a game that always brings out the best of both rivals.
“We’re really not looking at the rookie quarterback, we’re really looking just at the rivalry in itself,” said Porter. “This is one of those games, it doesn’t matter who’s out there, it’s going to be a close battle. And that’s how we’re preparing for it regardless of the situation.
“We’re just going to keep moving forward with that mentality.”
The fans know it, and the players do as well: One team being heavily favored doesn’t always mean much in AFC North rivalry games.
Could the Steelers be in danger of a trap game?
Could the Steelers lose to the hapless Browns? Sure! It’s the NFL. It’s a rivalry game. One staple of the NFL is that no game is ever a guaranteed win or loss. There are teams of professionals on both sides.
But this doesn’t feel like a trap game for Pittsburgh.
Check out the above article about how well the Steelers historically play after bye weeks. And the last time the Browns won in Pittsburgh in the regular season was 2003.
Plus, while the Steelers are 3-1 with a commanding AFC North lead, it’s fair to say they haven’t played up to their standards to start the season. Even their best win so far, Week 4 against the Vikings, came with the team almost losing their lead in an underwhelming fourth quarter.
I’d expect the Steelers to come out prepared against the Browns on Sunday in their first divisional game of the year.
Are the Steelers in danger of a trap game? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
