Despite their wide receiver depth being an issue throughout this season, the Steelers managed a two-score win over the Browns without George Pickens. The standout Pittsburgh pass catcher suffered a hamstring injury doing post-practice work late last week, and the Steelers exercised caution by holding him out. That strategy is expected to continue against the Eagles in Week 14, with Mike Tomlin pointing to another absence for Pickens. The third-year wideout, who had never missed a game as a pro until Sunday, is battling a grade 2 hamstring strain, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac. Tomlin said this injury has proven to be “a little more significant” than the team initially believed, and this comes at a bad time for the AFC North leaders.
The Steelers face the Ravens in Week 15 and Chiefs in Week 16, those matchups coming on short weeks. While Pittsburgh is two weeks from its Christmas Day matchup with Kansas City, Pickens’ availability for the Baltimore rematch should probably be considered up in the air. The Steelers traded for Mike Williams and have seen flashes, most notably a game-winning TD grab against the Commanders, but the team would be lacking against upper-crust competition if Pickens is sidelined.
Here is the latest from the AFC North:
- Perhaps the NFL’s lead underachievers this season, the Bengals are 5-8. A team expected to return to Super Bowl contention has seen its defense crater. This franchise has proven conservative when it comes to many matters, and coaching is among them. As such, Zac Taylor is unlikely to be viewed as a hot-seat occupant, per ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano. This reaffirms the team’s October stance. Though, this certainly does not mean the Bengals will maintain their status quo throughout the coaching staff. DC Lou Anarumo should probably be viewed as a chopping-block candidate given how poorly the once-well-regarded coordinator’s unit has performed. But Taylor, who took over after 16 Marvin Lewis Cincinnati seasons, is believed to be safe. His contract runs through 2026.
- Putting up MVP-caliber numbers (without the required record for consideration), Joe Burrow made some noise this week by indicating he will play a role in helping to push for the Bengals to re-sign Tee Higgins. The franchise-tagged wide receiver, who has been viewed as likely to leave in 2025, has said he would like to stay but did not offer much confidence he would re-sign. The Bengals cannot reengage on negotiations, which are not believed to have been serious this year, until season’s end. When the team does, new Higgins representation may be at the wheel. Rumblings have surfaced regarding a potential Higgins agency change, Graziano adds. Such a switch would inject an interesting variable into Higgins’ next round of negotiations. The Bengals hold exclusive negotiating rights with their WR2 until March 10.
- Dan Moore Jr. has twice managed to fend off competition to keep the Steelers‘ left tackle job, doing so despite the team using first-round picks on tackles in back-to-back drafts. Troy Fautanu‘s injury did leave the team with fewer options, and Broderick Jones has continued to play right tackle this season. The plan remains for Jones to switch sides in 2025, when Moore is due for free agency. Though, Jones was rumored to be the team’s preferred LT this year. Moore is likely to depart in March, Dulac adds, as they have not shown an indication they are losing faith in Jones. Next year’s Pittsburgh tackle plan will be for their 2023 and ’24 first-rounders — Jones and Fautanu — to start, with veteran Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly leaving little doubt about the 2025 starters.
- Two nonguaranteed years remain on Jack Conklin‘s contract, and the Browns — facing an unprecedented situation with Deshaun Watson — will need cap space. They will almost definitely look to Conklin’s deal, with The Athletic’s Zac Jackson noting the team will either restructure it or move it off the payroll via a post-June 1 cut. Conklin, 30, has returned from a second career ACL tear, coming back after missing 16 games last season and five this year. The quality starter’s injury history will factor into Cleveland’s 2025 decision.
“Perhaps the NFL’s lead underachievers this season, the Bengals…”
The Cowboys would like a word…
So would the Jets, but everyone but they and Aaron knew.
Seven of the Jets’ 10 losses have been by 6 points or less. Five of those losses had a blown 4th-quarter lead. Yet only the clueless think “it’s all about the QB”.
Alot of people make the Jaguars a preseason favorite every year, but this season has taught me to stop listening. Even if it looks like they have all of the right pieces, something goes wrong every year.
Love how the Steelers have overachieved this year, how Russ has quieted doubters. As a lifelong fan though, it still seems something is off with the idea of the truly being contenders. Don’t know if it’s the average at best O-line, a bland receiving corp outside of Pickens, a defense that allows chunk runs and passes.
No way they should win in Philly, which is why I should probably bet the mortgage
Steelers play the Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs in a 10 day span and since they already have a postseason spot all but locked up they aren’t going to go full throttle and get players injured. There are better matchups to wager on.
Disagree. They need a home field in the playoffs. Your logic might be right for the Chiefs. That’s about it
I think the sportsbooks rate home field advantage in the playoffs as being worth about 3 points. I doubt many head coaches are going to risk their key players to injury down the stretch for such a slim edge. You have to win one game on the road anyway to claim the SB trophy.
Dan Moore Jr, welcome to New England!
I don’t know if I blame Anarumo for the Bengals’ failure. Even if I did, another team would grab soon after he’a fired. The quality work that he’s put in in seasons prior should give him the same leash at least that Taylor’s gotten. I think that the whole league respects Burrow as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, who on any given day could be the best quarterback in the NFL. I don’t know if we can say the same about Zac Taylor as a coach.
The Bengals have to give Anarumo something to work with. Letting DJ Reader walk was a huge mistake. Teams seem to be able to run up the middle at will, leaving the secondary to watch the receivers and anyone who blows past the defensive line. Geno Stone has been a bust as was the return of Von Bell. Hilton tries, but has no backup and also appears a step slower this year. Never thought we would miss Awuzie so much. I wouldn’t penalize Anaramo to much because the personnel are the ones not doing their jobs. Can’t blitz if nobody can get to the QB, and the secondary is 2 steps behind the receiver.
Burrow needs to get off the Tee Higgins train. He gets his 55+ million a year and wants two 30 million dollar receivers. Should have given them a home town discount Joey. Ever heard of a salary cap? At this rate the Gatorade guy will be playing free safety next year for 50 bucks a game. And Jermaine Burton sure isn’t the answer. Pajama boy needs to be taken in the back by some veterans and “TALKED ” to.