Ray Jr. on Sports

1. Well I have to admit the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking pretty good right now. Go ahead and say it, yes it’s still early, but I think they have a ‘look’ that I haven’t seen since 2008, when they last won the Super Bowl.
2. True, they kinda had that look in 2010 when they last went to the Super Bowl, but they lost that game. I think this team has what it takes to win it, provided they stay healthy (especially at the QB position) and the defense continues to get better. Time will tell.
3. This Sunday, the Steelers (2-0) will take on the Philadelphia Eagles (also 2-0) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. They haven’t played there since 2008 (or when my son was a baby) and in that game, the Eagles defense destroyed the Steelers 15-6 and sacked QB Ben Roethlisberger 9 times. That game gave me a headache. The Steelers redeemed themselves 4 years later with a 16-14 win at Heinz Field.
4. As for Sunday’s Game, we know what the Steelers can do. It would help if WR Markus Wheaton was ready for this game, but the other WRs will be ready-and I like how Roethlisberger used all of his pass-catchers, including undrafted TE Xavier Grimble, who scored his first NFL TD in their 24-15 win vs. Cincinnati on Sunday.
5. Speaking of Wheaton, he was a full participation in practice on Thursday so he looks like he’s ready to play Sunday. DE Cameron Heyward (back), FB Roosevelt Nix (back) and G Ramon Foster (non-injury related) was limited in practice, but I can’t see them missing Sunday’s game.
6. Speaking of the tight ends, Free Agent signee LaDarius Green (Physically Unable to Perform List) expects to be ready by Week 7 when the Steelers host the New England Patriots. It would be huge to have him, but I am a fan of 2^nd year man Jesse James and I like how Grimble is shaking up. But the deeper the depth, the better.
7. To be honest, the Eagles look pretty good as well, they beat the Chicago Bears 29-14 Monday night and it looks like they’re responding to first-year HC Doug Pederson’s coaching. Of course it also helps that they got rid of the Chip Kelly regime, which truly destroyed that team.
8. All the rave has been about rookie QB Carson Wentz who’s been pretty impressive as he has now thrown 71 passes without an interception. But it’s truly the defense that has really stepped it up for Philly. Their defensive line has been spectacular, shutting down the run against Cleveland and Chicago, something I’m sure the Steelers have noticed in the game preparation.
9. With that being said, I really believe that the Steelers will win this game on the arm of Roethlisberger. RB DeAngelo Williams will do what he can, but Big Ben will need to air it out. And score touchdowns to win this game, not field goals. I predict a 27-20 Steelers victory.
10. As for the rest of the NFL, I just had to shake my head when I saw Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson once again suffer an injury, this time a torn meniscus in the Vikings 17-14 win vs. Green Bay Sunday. The man is just 5 years away from recovering from ACL, MCL injuries. I honestly think he’s done for this year, no matter how coy Vikings HC Mike Zimmer is acting.
11. Bears QB Jay Cutler is expected to miss some time after injuring his wrist in the loss to the Eagles. Veteran Brian Hoyer will start in his place with former Eagles starter Matt Barkley backing him up. Losing Cutler is obviously not what the Bears need right now.
12. As for College Football, the Pitt Panthers (2-1) have licked their chops for their 45-38 loss to Oklahoma State and will now play their first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) game vs. the North Carolina (also 2-1) Tar Heels Saturday at 3:30 PM at Chapel Hill.
13. I didn’t realize this, but North Carolina is the only team in the Coastal that Pitt has not beaten. The Panthers are 0-3 against the Tar Heels in ACC play. Pitt’s last win vs. NC? At the Meineke Car Care Bowl in 2009.
14. The Panthers need to beat the Tar Heels Saturday, but they have to play better than they did vs. Oklahoma State. Yes, it was a close game, but the defense played pretty horrible, giving up 640 total yards, plus the play-calling could’ve been better late in the game as they played conservative with over 3 minutes’ left. Not acceptable if you’re trying to take it to the next level.
15. Nevertheless, The Panthers own the nation’s No. 10 rushing defense, surrendering just 75.7 yards per game, but it will certainly be tested this week when it faces the Tar Heels’ Elijah Hood who is averaging 6.2 yards per carry this year (266 yards on 43 attempts).
16. Congrats to Pitt DE Ejuan Price for winning the ACC Defensive Player of the Week award. So far, price has been a beast with 11 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles so far this season. He has to be in the running for ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
17. Here is this week’s Top 5 AP Poll: 1. Alabama (despite getting a scare last week) 2. Ohio State 3. Louisville (deservingly so) 4. Michigan and 5 Clemson. I’m also impressed with #6 Houston and #11 Wisconsin, who’s coached by former Pitt HC Paul Chryst.
18. As for MLB, apparently the Pittsburgh Pirates have caught fire, having lost just once in a week and they also reached .500 as well. I’m also impressed at the resurgence of OF Andrew McCutchen, who is now hitting over .250. It’s a shame that we didn’t see this earlier in the season. Plus 3B Jung Ho Kang (19 HRs) and utility infielder Sean Rodriguez (18 HRs) have also been hot. Impressive.
19. But you know I’m a realist, and it’s truly too little, too late for the Pirates to get a Wild Card spot this season. They still have to catch Miami, St. Louis, the LA Dodgers and NY Mets. But I hope they finish strong and be ready for 2017, provided the Front Office does right by the team, that is.
20. Speaking of which, did you know that former Pirate (and current Toronto Blue Jay) JA Happ has won his 20^th game? Yeah, it would’ve been great if he had done that in Pittsburgh. Oh well..

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