The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
BILL GLENN FROM LAWRENCEVILLE, GA: When I was growing up whichever team won the coin toss ALWAYS received the kickoff. Now teams usually defer to receive the kick after halftime. Why the change?
ANSWER: The Monday night game vs. the Dolphins is an example of what coaches are looking to achieve by deferring if they win the coin toss. After a scoreless first quarter, the Dolphins led, 3-0, when Riley Patterson made a 56-yard field goal toward the end of the second quarter. But then when Patterson shanked the ensuing kickoff out of bounds the Steelers took possession at their 40-yard line with 5:11 left and all 3 of their timeouts. The Steelers went 60 yards in 12 plays and scored a touchdown with 17 seconds left in the first half and Miami out of timeouts. The Steelers received the second-half kickoff and drove the ball 71 yards in 6 plays for a touchdown that gave them a 14-3 lead. Teams believe – and I'm sure there are analytics somewhere to back it up – that when a team is able to bracket halftime with touchdowns right before and then right after it, the chances of victory are enhanced. That's the theory behind it, anyway.
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CARTER NIELSEN FROM DENISON, IA: The Chiefs just had their 11-year playoff appearance streak snapped. How long was the Steelers' longest, and were we able to win it all during those years?
ANSWER: From 1972-79, the Steelers appeared in the playoffs in all 8 of those seasons and won 4 Super Bowls – 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979. From 1992-97, the Steelers appeared in the playoffs for 6 straight seasons. They did not win a Super Bowl during that period, but they did appear in one – Super Bowl XXX in 1995.
TERRY PECK FROM SPRINGFIELD, OH: I feel that maybe over the last ten years running backs are evolving. It seems to me no longer are running backs big and bruising but look more like wide receivers. Do you think running backs like Derrick Henry, Saquan Barkley, and Jerome Bettis are a thing of the past?
ANSWER: I do not. What I believe is that if faced with a choice between a RB who's big, strong, and fast vs. a RB who's strong and fast but smaller and lighter, NFL teams would prefer the bigger guy every time.
KEN MAULDIN FROM CLYDE, TX: Pinch me if am wrong, but has the signing of Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling changed the whole attitude of this team? Throw in Asante Samuel Jr. as well. How do you sign people off the street this time of year who make such an impact?
ANSWER: While I recognize what Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling have added to the WR position in terms of having experienced what December regular season football is like for a team fighting for a playoff spot. But I think you're overstating things to claim that their arrival "changed the whole attitude of this team." And as for "how do you sign people off the street this time of year who make such an impact?" You have to be lucky, and the Steelers were. Adam Thielen was dissatisfied with his role as a backup in Minnesota who had played just 189 offensive snaps in 11 games, and when he requested his release the Vikings accommodated him. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was released by Seattle after the preseason, then he signed with the 49ers, where he injured his calf, was placed on injured reserve and likely reached an injury settlement and was waived from IR. Asante Samuel Jr. had spinal fusion surgery in April 2025 and was a street free agent. Neither of the receivers was a full-time starter anymore, and the Steelers had Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback, which made coming to Pittsburgh an attractive option for them. Samuel's surgeon – Dr. David Okonkwo – is on the Steelers medical staff and so there was a heightened confidence in the player's ability to return to professional football.
DANIEL NEWSOME SR. FROM GROVELAND, FL: Is it a matter of money when a RB like Lew Nichols (most fans' preseason favorite) isn't afforded a parole from the practice squad? Or is it something different altogether?
ANSWER: The reason that RB Lew Nichols hasn't been "afforded a parole from the practice squad" is because he is not viewed as one of their top 53 players at this time. The 3 RBs on the roster are Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, and rookie Kaleb Johnson, and players such as Connor Heyward, Scotty Miller, and Ben Skowronek provide value in a variety of roles. Maybe Nichols' time will come, but right now it doesn't seem to be his time.
JAMES MAC PHERSON FROM BEACHWOOD, NJ: Yes, it was a big win. My question is why do we and other teams constantly play prevent defense? We held the Dolphins to 3 points for 50 minutes, so why don't we continue playing the same defense for all 60 minutes?
ANSWER: I also am not a fan of "prevent defense" when it's a soft version. But in every sport where clocks are used, there comes a time when time becomes the primary opponent and even calculated risks become unnecessary.
LAMBERT VAN DER WEIDE FROM ROLDE, THE NETHERLANDS: It seems like the Steelers are doing a pretty good job in December football and are closing in on the playoffs. Am I correct to think that it would be enough to beat the Ravens in the last game in order to make it? Although it might not be the easiest path.
ANSWER: There currently are three weeks remaining in the regular season. Those weeks have the Steelers at Detroit, at Cleveland, and vs. the Ravens. The Ravens host the Patriots, go to Green Bay, and end with a trip to Pittsburgh. If the Steelers lose in Detroit and in Cleveland, and if the Ravens defeat the Patriots and the Packers, the regular season finale would have the 8-8 Steelers hosting the 9-7 Ravens. A Steelers victory in the finale would make both teams 9-8, and the first tiebreaker is head-to-head, and Pittsburgh would be 2-0 vs. Baltimore.
