ESPN thinks the Steelers should be on upset alert tomorrow night in Cleveland. Should they be? They haven’t won there in 5 years – since the final year Ben Roethlisberger was the team’s QB. The winner tomorrow night will be in possession of 1st place in the AFC North, at least for the time being. Should we be afraid of the Browns like we have been for the last few years? Does it make a difference that the Steelers have Mike McCarthy instead of Mike Tomlin?
BREAKING: Joey Porter Jr. ruled out against the Browns tomorrow night. Does this signify the end of his Steelers career?
Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike thought things were trending up for Joey Porter Jr. playing in the game tomorrow night. Mike said to make no mistake – this is a hold-in and it always has been. What other options do the Steelers have here? Mike said the team could fine him, suspend him, etc. as long as they can prove it’s not a real injury. If they suspend Porter, does it really help them? Should the Steelers wait on this a little bit? At some point, if it isn’t already, the situation will get really awkward because the Steelers continue to use the ‘back’ injury to keep him out. Did the Steelers make a mistake from the outset by backing up the injury? Mike went back to the Steelers tradition of not negotiating in-season, but said if they wanted to get it done, they would. The Steelers are asking for a 1st or 2nd round pick, but will they get that? Should the NFL revisit the ability to challenge a pass interference penalty? Mike talked about some of the shameful flops we have seen from receivers and corners this season.
