CHAMPIONSHIP​CHASE

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FIRE MIKE TOMLIN!!!

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For the firt time since his tenure as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin was in the direct line of fire this past Sunday during a 26-7 drubbing by the Buffalo Bills. With the game out of hand in the second half, Steeler fans loudly shouted in unison, Fire Mike Tomlin, Fire Mike Tomlin! As expected, the chant made more headlines that the actual game itself with talks show lines lighting up and the late Sunday and Monday morning quarterback shows all chiming in, that, maybe, the maddening crowd was right.

 

While there was no response from the Steelers front office or ownership (and that's the way it should have been) the coach met the media firing squad and cleverly disarmed repeated questions by agreeing that he and the team's performance did not meet "The Standard." And during his Tuesday weekly press conference, when asked similar questions about the call for his head, Tomlin again disarmed sportswriters with agreement and a smile. Why? Because he knows and you should know too, that he will not be fired. Period.

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So it's time to burn the Buffalo tape and move on to a crucial AFC North game with Baltimore. Both teams are 6-6 and tied for the division lead. If the Steelers win, Raven fans might think it, but I doubt if they will be chanting Fire Harbaugh! Fire Harbaugh!

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​2025 AFC NORTH

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Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, Browns

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STEELERS 6-6 (STEELERS 7  BILLS 26)

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Buffalo is not as formidable as they were two years ago, but they're still one of the AFC's top contenders. The litmus test for the Steelers sadly proved that they are in the third tier of teams in the conference just a shade above the likes of the Browns and Jets. And compared to newbies at the top like Denver and New England, they look like relics of a bygone era.

 

The Bills had their way in the game with an imposing running attack and a suffocating defense.The highlight for the Steelers was the "back wiggle" celebration Jaylen Warren displayed after scoring the team's only touchdown. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers once again looked like the rapidly aging gunslinger that he is and Mason Rudolph made a brief appearance only to have his one series end with an interception. It happened moments after the Bills had scored on a Rodgers sack and fumble recovery. As he came off the field cursing himself it looked like the last time we will see him under center unless "Old Man River" gets  balled up again.

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RAVENS  6-6  (RAVENS 14 BENGALS 32)

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The Ravens were due for a letdown after their five game winning streak and when you turn the ball over five times, winning streaks do come to an end. It's obvious that the Ravens and Steelers are both trending down in the AFC North, but the edge still goes to the  Blackbyrds because of their quarterback. ​​

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He may not run like he use to but Lamar Jackson does have mobility and escapability.

 

BROWNS 2-10 (BROWNS 8 FORTY-NINERS 26)

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Not only did Cleveland lose to San Francisco in what was the first home start for rookie Sheduer Sanders; they also allowed Brock Purdy to score a touchdown and do the "Dougie" (it's a dance)or something that resembled it.

 

Sanders was 16 of 25 for 149 yards and a touchdown and his quarterback rating was 93.6. Dougie Purdy was 16 of 29 for 168 yards and a rushing td. His quarterback was 83.7. The biggest difference in the game, San Francisco's defense traveled well and harrassed Sanders all day, but the Browns defense did not return the favor.

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BENGALS 4-8  (BENGALS 32  RAVENS 14 )

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The Bengals still have a pulse in the AFC and will be a factor in what teams make it to the playoffs. And, if they go on the road and beat Buffalo this week they would be back in the thick of the race in the AFC North. If you're a Bengals fan you have to be hoping they catch the Bills by surprise just like they caught the Ravens last week. This may quietly be the game of the week.

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For more on the Steelers on this site go to our Steel Talkin' page with Ty Miller 2.0 and Matthew Jedd.

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