Daily News & Links: Steelers-Bengals Picks; Ex-Steeler Calls George Pickens a Terrible Loser

Pittsburgh Steelers OT T.J. Watt Jonah Williams
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt rushes the quarterback against Cicninnati Bengals tackle Jonah Williams on Dec. 24, 2023. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

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? NFL.com released its Steelers-Bengals preview for Sunday. The 10 analyst on the panel are split 5-5 on their pick for the game. Despite a 4-7 record, the Bengals are currently 3-point favorites against the Steelers for Sunday’s matchup at Paycor Stadium, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under point total is currently set at 47.5. points.

? Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch said George Pickens is a terrible loser.

“If you’re starting to play the game for free, if that’s not resonating to you, then I don’t know what else will,” Batch said on the DVE Morning Show. “Those veteran guys, they’re gonna have to continue to tame him down a little bit. If you get two personal fouls, guess what? You exit the game. Is that the next phase of it? Now you’re really hurting your team. All I know is George Pickens is a terrible loser, and I’m okay with that because this is the most that he’s lost ever in his entire football career. So you’re trying to learn how to lose, and for him it’s just a little bit more of a challenge.”

? On early downs, Pittsburgh’s offense generates just 4.8 yards per play,which is 31st in the league, according to Matt Williamson. In addition, 52.5% of the Steelers set of downs reach third down. That is 30th in the league.

? Joe Burrow told the Cincinnati media that he has yet to play in a cold weather game and isn’t sure how his wrist will feel. When asked how he threw at practice on Wednesday, he wasn’t necessarily pleased.

? Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk thinks it would be smart for Arthur Smith to stay in Pittsburgh instead of becoming North Carolina’s new head coach.

“No. Not for North Carolina. A bigger school, higher-level program, like West Virginia or something like that? Yes. But no, I don’t think it makes sense, and I don’t think Smith would want to do it,” Florio said on 93.7 The Fan. “I’m sure he’d be flattered by it and it’s good to see that he’s rehabilitated himself to a certain extent. But I think that he’s smart to stay where he is.”

On Wednesday, FootballScoop provided an in-depth update on the University of North Carolina’s search for their next head coach. In the update, multiple sources confirmed that the Steelers’ offensive coordinator was indeed interested in the prospect of returning to college coaching. Smith graduated from UNC in 2006 and began his coaching career there as a graduate assistant.

? Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson has a 91.2 Pro Football Focus grade over the past two weeks.

STEELERS NOW CONTENT FROM NOV. 27

Steelers Get Bad News for Chances of Alex Highsmith Return This Week

Russell Wilson Confident Steelers Will Fix Red Zone Issues: ‘I Don’t Think We’re Far Off’

Steelers Afternoon Drive: Get Right Game for Steelers Offense?

Russell Wilson Defends George Pickens on Hail Mary Skirmish: ‘He Was Getting Pushed Out’

TV Map: Most of Country Will Get Steelers vs. Bengals

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