Steelers News: Steelers are hoping “Pittsburgh West” brings new meaning in Week 14

The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving into Week 14 of the NFL regular season, and as the team prepares for the Arizona Cardinals we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until the next game starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how as the Steelers travel to Arizona Sunday, they are hoping for a new type of “Pittsburgh West”.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Steelers and Cardinals have been linked for a long time now. Fans call Arizona “Pittsburgh West” because of the amount of players and coaches who have left Pittsburgh to go there, but the team is hoping the Steelers fan base will be loud and proud in Week 14.

Tim Benz, Kevin Gorman: Will Steelers feel at home against Cardinals?

Tim Benz and Kevin Gorman: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

But we bury the hatchet long enough to do our weekly podcast after Mike Tomlin’s press conference in advance of that Cardinals game.

We examine the danger facing the Steelers defense as it prepares to face Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray.

Also, we delve into the success of Devlin “Duck” Hodges. Is the Cardinals defense bad enough that the Steelers can enter the game with a pass-first mentality, even though they are starting a fourth-string quarterback?

And we focus on the need for the Steelers to continue being sack-happy and turnover-saturated on defense.

Finally, we tell you how a TribLive sports department retreat may be inspired by the Hodges-James Washington duck hunting trip.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Will the Pittsburgh pass rushers be able to slow down the elusive Kyler Murray?

Evasive Kyler Murray will provide test for Steelers pass rushers

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

For all of his elusiveness and ability to make plays moving around in the pocket, Arizona Cardinals rookie Kyler Murray has been sacked more than any other NFL quarterback.

Murray, the No. 1 overall draft pick, has been sacked 41 times this season. Waiting in the wings Sunday are the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose 43 sacks are more than all but two teams.

The 5-foot-10 Murray presents an intriguing matchup, but the Steelers hope they can take advantage of his size and disrupt his vision.

“I think with our pressure up front, he’s got to throw over us,” defensive captain Cameron Heyward said. “He’s not going to be able to see his targets, that’s what we’re hoping for. He buys time to make things happen.”

Perhaps too much time, as his sacks total suggests.

But when Murray gets rid of the ball, it usually is on target. He has completed nearly 64% of his passes, and he’s thrown only six interceptions on 427 attempts.

Murray also doubles as the Cardinals leading rusher with 446 yards, which makes containing him more difficult. Defensive coordinator Keith Butler said the Steelers will have to pick their spots when rushing Murray.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• JuJu Smith-Schuster is running, but don’t get too excited for a return this Sunday.

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster runs for 1st time since knee injury

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday practiced for the seventh time since JuJu Smith-Schuster last appeared in a game. And for the seventh time, Smith-Schuster did not participate.

The team’s top wide receiver did, however, run on his own for the first time since suffering a knee injury Nov. 14 during a loss to the Cleveland Browns.

“It feels fine,” Smith-Schuster said of his left knee. “We’ll just ride it out. I don’t want to re-injure it.”

Smith-Schuster suffered a knee injury and concussion on the same play during the second quarter of the loss to the Browns, absorbing helmet hits from Greedy Williams and Morgan Burnett.

“It is frustrating not being out there to help the guys and making plays,” Smith-Schuster said. “I feel like I am a huge part of this team, but at the same time, I do what’s right for my team, for me to be healthy. Our guys can lead us to the playoffs, and, hopefully, I will be back in time to compete at the end of the season or the playoffs.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Devlin Hodges Media Session

• Social Media Madness