Recap of The Ireland Contracting Nightly Sports Call: Nov. 19, 2024
Welcome sports fans! If you missed last night’s episode of the Ireland Contracting Nightly Sports Call, don’t worry! I’ve got the full breakdown of everything that went down in this action-packed segment from November 19, 2024. Hosted by local sports authorities, this show covered everything from NFL playoff predictions, the latest in the NBA, and some exciting discussions on the fate of various Pittsburgh sports teams. So, let’s dive straight into the juicy details!
Steelers’ Current Standing
First and foremost, the team that’s always on the forefront of Pittsburgh sports conversations: The Steelers! With the season nearing its final stretch, all eyes are on Mike Tomlin’s squad. The Steelers are flirting with a playoff spot, currently sitting at a 6-4 record. Host Rich Walsh and his expert guest took a deep dive into the team’s recent performances and discussed their prospects of making it deep into the postseason.
There’s no denying that the Steelers’ success this season largely hinges on their defense. T.J. Watt continues to be a game-wrecker, while Cam Heyward has been as steady as ever, anchoring the front seven. The defensive line has been giving quarterbacks nightmares, which has been a massive advantage for Pittsburgh. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows; fans have been concerned about the consistency on the offensive side of the ball.
Kenny Pickett, the Steelers’ young quarterback, has shown moments of brilliance but hasn’t yet proven to be the franchise QB everyone hoped for after taking over from Ben Roethlisberger. Pickett is currently sporting a touchdown-to-interception ratio that isn’t stellar, and many analysts, along with viewers of the show, are eagerly awaiting his development.
Can the Steelers Make a Run at the Playoffs?
Looking at the upcoming schedule, the Steelers will face three already playoff-bound teams. The odds aren’t exactly stacked in their favor, and the hosts discussed how important it will be for Pickett and the Steelers’ offense to find their groove before these key matchups. As of now, sportsbooks have the Steelers as slight underdogs going into their next game against the Bengals, listed at +140 for the moneyline. Cincinnati is favored with a -3.5 spread, a clear indicator of how challenging the game will be for Pittsburgh.
Considering the Steelers’ 6-4 record thus far, Pittsburgh will need to win at least four of their last seven games if they want to solidify a playoff berth. That’s easier said than done when you look at the formidable opponents left on their schedule, including divisional foes like the Baltimore Ravens, who are sitting comfortably at the top of the AFC North with an 8-2 record.
Pitt Panthers Football Woes
The Steelers weren’t the only local team covered in the episode. Fans of Pitt football were dismayed to hear some hard truths. The Pitt Panthers have had an abysmal season, currently holding a 3-7 record with just two games left to play. Unless there’s an unforeseen miracle, it looks like there won’t be any bowl games in their future this year.
The coaching staff has been under heavy scrutiny, with many fans calling for changes after another disappointing campaign, especially considering that the Panthers were ACC champions just two years ago. The panel briefly touched upon head coach Pat Narduzzi’s job security, stating that while Narduzzi has done great things for the program since arriving, patience is running thin among the fanbase.
In a bewildering season where injuries and inconsistent play have plagued the team, this isn’t the finish fans were hoping for after such recent success. As one of the hosts put it, “This team was expected to compete, not collapse.” Let’s see what changes Pitt makes after this tough year comes to an end.
Penguins Fighting to Stay Relevant
Switching gears to hockey, the Pittsburgh Penguins haven’t exactly been firing on all cylinders. Sitting with a 9-8-1 record, the Penguins are far from where they want to be this season. Sidney Crosby may still be one of the best in the business, but his supporting cast hasn’t lived up to expectations. The team has been plagued by offensive inconsistency and defensive lapses that have cost them several games.
A major concern for the Penguins has been their performance during 5-on-5 play. While their special teams have been solid, they’ve struggled to generate pressure and capitalize on scoring opportunities at even strength. As the panel discussed, the Pens’ margin for error is shrinking, and with younger teams in the East like the Flyers and the Rangers improving, Pittsburgh needs to step up if they hope to avoid being caught up in the fierce battle for playoff spots.
Penguins’ Schedule Moving Forward
Upcoming games against the top-tier Boston Bruins and the always-dangerous Carolina Hurricanes won’t do the Penguins any favors either. The Bruins currently lead the Eastern Conference and seem like an unstoppable force this season. If Pittsburgh hopes to make a push, they’ll need to find consistency fast.
Pirates Offseason Moves
Last but not least, the conversation pivoted to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ offseason priorities. After another year finishing near the bottom of the standings, the Bucs are in serious need of a competitive overhaul. The team has several key decisions to make about its future, including whether to hold onto or trade some of their young talent to bring in more established players. The Pirates’ farm system has been improving, with some promising prospects on the horizon, but fans are understandably frustrated with the lack of results at the pro level.
Will this be the year that the Pirates open up the checkbook? Will management make the sort of moves needed to bring the Pirates out of the basement and into competitive contention once again? Time will tell. But as we know from many disappointing off-seasons in the past, a lot of questions remain unanswered, and fans have learned to temper their expectations when it comes to the Bucs. Hope springs eternal, though, and the hosts were cautious but excited to see what sort of deals the Pirates can pull off in the offseason.
What to Watch For Next
With all of Pittsburgh’s teams facing uncertain futures, it’s definitely an exciting time to be a sports fan in the city. Will the Steelers clinch a playoff spot? Can the Penguins turn things around before it’s too late? And will the Pirates show any signs of life as they head into another crucial rebuilding phase? A lot of eyes are on these teams, and it looks like we’re in for a dramatic end to the year.
Be sure to tune into the next episode of the Ireland Contracting Nightly Sports Call for more in-depth discussions and insights on all things Pittsburgh sports!
Key Takeaways
- The Steelers are battling for a playoff spot with a 6-4 record.
- Pitt Panthers football team is having a rough season, finishing 3-7 so far.
- The Penguins are struggling in 5-on-5 play, sitting at 9-8-1.
- The Pirates are heading into the offseason needing significant roster changes.
That’s the rundown from last night’s episode. It’s going to be a wild end to 2024 for Pittsburgh sports teams — so buckle up, and let’s see how this crazy ride unfolds!
Originally Written by: CBS Pittsburgh Digital
