Monday, December 8
December football is underway: For many people, December means the start of the holiday season.
For cornerback Joey Porter Jr., December is all about football season.
While things obviously start in September, it's when December hits that the intensity picks up and football at its finest is played.
"We've been trying to say we've been going on this December run and pick up what we've been slacking," said Porter. "So, it's December ball. This is where it really matters the most. Where you can really make your plays and make your money.
"We're all locked in, we're all really motivated to keep putting good football out there."
The Steelers kicked off the month defeating the Baltimore Ravens, 27-22, at M&T Bank Stadium to take sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
But the job is far from finished.
"We just have to believe in one thing, and all chase the same thing, and I feel like we'll win every game," said Porter.
Porter did his part against the Ravens to help get that started.
With 2:47 left to play in the game, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson hit tight end Isaiah Likely in the end zone for what was initially ruled a touchdown, which would have given the Ravens the lead.
Porter was right in on the play, breaking it up, which forced a review.
After further review, the officials ruled it incomplete.
"The ruling on the field was a touchdown," said NFL Vice President of Instant Replay Mark Butterworth, via a pool report interview with Jeff Zrebiec. "We quickly looked at the play. The receiver controlled the ball in the air, had his right foot down, then his left foot down. The control is the first aspect of the catch. The second aspect is two feet or a body part in bounds, which he did have. Then the third step is an act common to the game and before he could get the third foot down, the ball was ripped out. Therefore, it was an incomplete pass."
Porter was in agreement.
"I've seen it," said Porter. "It's a drop.
"Close though. It was really close."
Porter wasn't about to give up a touchdown, especially at that point.
"I was just fighting because I was like, man, this can't be my first touchdown I'll give up," said Porter. "Especially not to a tight end.
"I was just fighting, I was just raking and it finally came out. So, at that point, it's really up to the refs how they call it.
"But then after I looked at it, he didn't get the third step so incomplete."
It was another example of the fight the defense continues to have, even through tough times.
"Just standing tall when we needed to," said Porter. "We already knew in games when we lean on the defense to make those game stopping plays and every time our name was called, we made those plays, somebody stepped up and made their plays.
"So, we just have got to continue to keep doing that and keep fighting."
Next man up: The next man up mentality was in full effect on Sunday against the Ravens on the offensive line.
With left tackle Broderick Jones on the Reserve/Injured List, it was Andrus Peat who stepped in to his spot and start for the second straight week.
Peat, though, was evaluated for a concussion during the game and didn't return. With Calvin Anderson inactive due to an injury, it was Dylan Cook who would step in.
Cook was elevated for the game from the practice squad the day before and made sure the offensive line didn't miss a beat.
"I felt it was good," said Cook of his performance. "Definitely ready for the moment. Been prepared, so it was good to see it finally come through."
Cook had a few minutes to warm up on the sidelines before he stepped on the field because of the injury timeout, and then it was right into the fire of a Steelers-Ravens battle.
"I definitely had a couple seconds to collect myself, take some sets, get ready to go," said Cook.
And the first thought he had.
"Let's play ball," said Cook. "Nothing more to it."
Cook knew there was no other option.
"I mean, intimate divisional relationship, so energy's always high," said Cook. "They expect next man up to be able to perform at that level, so I just felt relaxed and ready to go."
Cook said it helped having such a veteran line there alongside him.
"Credit to those guys," said Cook. "Troy (Fautanu), Fraz (Zack Frazier), Mason (McCormick), Isaac (Seumalo), they have such good chemistry already. Such good communication.
"It made it easy for me. I just had to listen. Listen to Isaac and then play ball after that. They're really good players, so I just had to do my part.
"Isaac's such a dawg. He communicates. He almost over communicates. I just had to listen to what he said and play ball after that."
What Cook's role will be moving forward with injuries at the position is not known yet, but whatever it is, he will be ready.
"I can definitely relax a little bit more," said Cook after getting thrown into the fire. "Going forward, I know I can kind of take a deep breath. I have more time than I think I do when it comes to the ball being snapped, so just kind of settle in."
Cast your vote: Steelers fans, get out and vote.
Voting is now open for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, presented by Verizon. The Pro Bowl Games will be held on Tuesday, February 3 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco as part of Super Bowl LX week.
Fans can vote as often as they would like to send Steelers players to the Pro Bowl Games from now until December 15. Fan votes count for one-third of the overall votes, along with player and coaches votes each counting for one third as well.
Social voting – Fans can vote directly on "X" (formerly Twitter) by posting the first and last name of the player, tagging the player's official X handle or creating a hashtag including the player's first and last name. All three of these methods must include either #ProBowlVote or Pro Bowl Vote. During the final two days (Dec. 14-15), social votes will count as double.
Madden Mobile – New this year, fans can access Pro Bowl Games voting on Madden NFL 26 Mobile through the Pro Bowl event tile in the Madden Mobile Ultimate Team™ mode. Votes can be made using Ballot Tokens (up to 30 per day) and Ballot Tokens reset daily at 10:30 a.m. ET. Votes on Madden Mobile also count double during the final two days of voting (Dec. 14-15).
The Pro Bowl Games will once again feature a flag football game and other fun, competitive events. Coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with the game starting at 8 p.m.
Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.
