The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are both 5-2, tied atop the AFC North, and preparing for one of the biggest regular-season meetings between these rivals in decades. After losing 27-24 in Cleveland just a few weeks ago, can the Steelers turn things around at home?

In Episode 40 of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris previews Sunday's Steelers-Browns showdown and explains why Pittsburgh looks like a different team than the one that lost in Cleveland.

We also dive into the latest NFL trade deadline rumors, including reports that the Steelers are interested in Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs. Could Downs be the missing piece that helps Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, and Germie Bernard take Pittsburgh's passing game to another level?

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
04:19 - Hottest Take of the Week
12:03 - Personnel Updates for the Steelers
13:45 - Steelers Trade Rumors, Josh Downs
20:59 - Previewing the Game: When the Steelers Have the Ball
30:35 - Previewing the Game: When the Browns Have the Ball
38:14 - Steelers Special Teams Have to Improve
43:32 - Predicting the Game

Pitt football has lost three straight games, but Saturday's matchup against Georgia Tech could be exactly what the Panthers need to get back on track.

In Episode 39 of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris previews Pitt's Halloween night matchup against the Yellow Jackets and explains why this could be a massive opportunity for the Panthers to regain some momentum before their bye week.

Holden Geriner is coming off an encouraging performance against Miami, and Georgia Tech's defense just surrendered 399 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns to Boston College. Can Pitt establish its running game and build on Geriner's recent improvement?

On the other side of the ball, Pitt's defense has struggled mightily on third downs and against explosive passing plays. Can the Panthers get back to their defensive identity against Georgia Tech quarterback Alberto Mendoza?

We also discuss Pitt's running back injury concerns, Blue Hicks' impressive receiving numbers, the ongoing debate surrounding Pat Narduzzi's future, and the biggest games around the ACC this weekend.

Plus, game predictions and a look around the ACC!

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
05:35 - In The News: Pitt & Georgia Tech Are Reeling
20:15 - Previewing the Game: When Pitt Has the Ball
25:57 - Previewing the Game: When Georgia Tech Has the Ball
34:00 - Game Predictions & A Look Around the ACC

The Steelers went overseas to Paris and took care of business in a 16-10 win against the Saints, and the game featured some masterful football by Aaron Rodgers.

In Ep. 38 of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris breaks down the game and highlights all of the ways that Aaron Rodgers is successfully leading this Steelers offense. He may be 42 years old, but Rodgers is pretty clearly playing better football now than he was last year — and maybe his best football in 5 years.

We also cover the Steelers defense getting a massive game from middle linebackers Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, and how it allowed them to do just enough against Tyler Shough and the Saints offense to get the win.

Finally, we wrap up by looking ahead at the Cleveland game on Sunday, the Steelers schedule after the bye week, and talk about what moves Pittsburgh should make at the trade deadline to give this team a better chance to make a playoff run.

I hope you enjoy it!

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
06:13 - Aaron Rodgers Looks Like A Different Quarterback
22:15 - Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson Led the Steelers Defense
30:28 - Looking Ahead to Cleveland and the NFL Trade Deadline

Rather than do a deep dive into Pitt's blowout loss to Miami, we're spending a lot of time talking about what you've been thinking in the past 2-3 days.

Where does Pitt go from here?

Is it time to fire Pat Narduzzi? Does Pitt need to switch quarterbacks again? Is there any way to turn this season around?

In episode 37 of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris opens up and thinks about the road ahead — both the rest of this season and into the future of Pitt football — to discuss how Pitt can improve, and what the best decisions are from a coaching and roster standpoint.

Is the future really as bleak as it seems? Let's break it down together.

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
05:15 - Outlining Pat Narduzzi's Future at Pitt
33:48 - Positives That Emerged for Pitt Against Miami
49:17 - Listener Reaction to the Game

The Pittsburgh Steelers are headed to Paris to take on the New Orleans Saints, and this could be the perfect opportunity for Pittsburgh's offense to finally put together a complete performance.

Coming off a wild overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Steelers have shown flashes of what their offense can become. But can Aaron Rodgers, Jaylen Warren, DK Metcalf, and Germie Bernard put it all together for four quarters against one of the NFL's worst defenses?

In Episode 36 of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris previews Steelers vs. Saints, breaking down the matchups on both sides of the ball. We discuss Pittsburgh's offensive inconsistencies, the signing of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and whether the Steelers' improving defense can take advantage of Saints quarterback Tyler Shough playing through an injury to his non-throwing hand.

Plus, we examine Pittsburgh's ongoing special teams problems, the potential return of DeShon Elliott, and the unusual circumstances surrounding Sunday's game in Paris, where the NFL is moving forward despite significant civil unrest.

Can the Steelers keep building momentum and deliver their most complete performance of the season?

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
04:46 - The Situation in Paris
10:24 - Steelers Injury Update
14:51 - Marquez Valdez-Scantling to Boost Wide Receiver Position
17:32 - Steelers Are Making Trade Calls
22:30 - Previewing the Game When Pittsburgh Has the Ball
27:06 - Previewing the Game When New Orleans Has the Ball
32:11 - When Will the Steelers Fix Their Special Teams Issues
36:26 - Predictions for the Game

Is expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams actually good for college football?

On Episode 35 of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris Gates breaks down the proposed 24-team College Football Playoff and what it could mean for Pitt, the ACC, and the future of the sport.

For programs like Pitt, expansion could create a much more realistic path to the playoff and open new opportunities for recruiting, fundraising, and national relevance. But at what cost?

College football is becoming more and more like the NFL, and a larger playoff could further diminish the importance of the regular season, eliminate conference championship games, widen the divide between the Power Four and Group of Six, and continue to erode the traditions and rivalries that have made college football special for generations.

Is the sport sacrificing its identity in pursuit of more money?

Plus, Pitt heads to Miami this weekend to take on the No. 1 Hurricanes as a massive underdog. Coming off two straight losses, with major questions at quarterback and a struggling defense, do the Panthers have any realistic chance of competing?

Chris examines Miami's potential weaknesses, what Florida State exposed in its recent matchup with the Hurricanes, and what Pitt needs to do to avoid another disappointing performance.

Topics include:

• Why a 24-team playoff could benefit Pitt
• Whether playoff expansion is hurting college football's regular season
• The future of conference championships and traditional rivalries
• The growing financial divide in college football
• Is college football becoming too much like the NFL?
• Pitt vs. No. 1 Miami: Matchup breakdown, keys to the game, and predictions

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
03:31 - How a 24-Team Playoff Benefits Pitt
16:06 - How a 24-Team Playoff is Bad for College Football
20:45 - Conferences Won't Mean Anything Anymore
24:15 - How This Impacts G6 Conferences and Teams
28:37 - The Business Side of A 24-Team Playoff
35:36 - Pitt-Miami: A Letdown Spot for the Canes?
42:51 - Does Miami Have Any Weaknesses?

The Pittsburgh Steelers found a way to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime, but HOW they managed to win might be the biggest story of the game.

In Episode 34 of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris breaks down a wild Steelers-Bucs matchup that featured another frustrating offensive performance through three quarters, an explosive fourth-quarter comeback, questionable late-game decisions, and special teams mistakes that nearly cost Pittsburgh the game.

With the Steelers holding the ball at the three-yard line and an opportunity to put the game away, why did they throw the football on two of three downs instead of leaning on Jaylen Warren? And what happened with the clock management and special teams execution that allowed Tampa Bay to force overtime?

We break down those critical sequences, plus:

• Aaron Rodgers, Jaylen Warren, and DK Metcalf stepping up when the Steelers needed them most.
• Germie Bernard's impressive rookie season and why he was one of the few consistent offensive bright spots throughout the game.
• Pittsburgh's offensive inconsistency and why the Steelers keep struggling to score until the fourth quarter.
• The Steelers' bend-but-don't-break defense, which generated more pressure as the game progressed and forced critical mistakes.
• Continued special teams concerns, including penalties, missed field goals, and coverage breakdowns.
• The bigger picture: Can the Steelers keep winning games this way, or will these mistakes eventually catch up with them?

A win is a win, and the Steelers deserve credit for finding a way to get it done. But this game left us with plenty of questions about the offense, coaching decisions, and special teams.

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
04:10 - How the Steelers Made it Way Harder Than it Needed to Be
13:54 - Confusing Clock Management At the End of the Game
21:39 - Special Teams Gaffes that Continue to Hurt This Team'
28:13 - Positives on the Offensive Side of the Ball for Pittsburgh
34:14 - The Steelers Continue to Play Bend But Don't Break Defense
42:17 - Where the Steelers Go From Here

Another ugly loss has Pitt football facing some serious questions about the direction of its season. After falling to Boston College, where do the Panthers go from here?

In Episode 33 of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris breaks down Pitt's disappointing performance against Boston College and, more importantly, what comes next for Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers.

The quarterback situation remains a major concern after Corey Dailey struggled to generate consistent offense. Should Pitt stick with Dailey, turn back to Holden Geriner, or rethink its offensive approach entirely heading into the matchup with Miami?

Defensively, Pitt struggled to stop Boston College's passing attack, while injuries and costly penalties made matters worse. The Panthers surrendered 133 penalty yards, and with a difficult schedule ahead, it's becoming increasingly difficult to identify where the remaining wins will come from.

Chris also discusses the growing frustration surrounding Pat Narduzzi, why firing him now isn't the answer, and how the remainder of this season could impact his future at Pitt.

Plus, listener reactions and questions about the quarterback position, defensive struggles, coaching decisions, and what Pitt needs to do to turn things around.

Topics include:

• Pitt vs. Boston College recap and biggest takeaways
• Corey Dailey vs. Holden Geriner: Who should start against Miami?
• Why Pitt's offense continues to struggle
• Defensive breakdowns, injuries, and costly penalties
• Is Pat Narduzzi approaching the hot seat?
• Can Pitt salvage its season with the remaining schedule?
• Listener reactions to another frustrating loss

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
04:17 - Can Pitt's Season Be Saved?
27:02 - Breaking Down Corey Dailey's QB Performance
33:07 - Pitt's Defensive Implosion
41:54 - A Few Random Thoughts
45:03 - Listener Reaction After the Game