Steelers Daily Links: Duck Gets Girl, All Winners in AFC North?

Cynthia Frelund of NFL.com thinks every team in the AFC North will have a winning record in 2023. Frelund’s projection for the Steelers is nine wins, which is the fewest among the AFC North teams. She has the Bengals at 11 wins followed by the Ravens (9.9) and Browns (9.3). The Steelers haven’t finished last in their division since 1988, which is the longest active streak in the NFL.

“Pittsburgh is easily the best team of any I have projected for the fewest wins in their division, and we all know that Mike Tomlin (has) yet to finish a season below 500,” Frelund said. “In order to make the playoffs, Kenny Pickett and the offense need to put up more points after averaging just 18.1 last season.”

? Warren Sharp: The Pittsburgh Steelers had just two touchdowns from outside the red zone last year, which ranked dead last in the league. Both touchdowns came via a Kenny Pickett to George Pickens connection, a 24-yard touchdown pass in Week 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals and a 31-yarder against the Cleveland Browns in Week 18.

? Sharp had another interesting stat, and this one was in favor of the Steelers. Pittsburgh allowed just 36 points off turnovers last year, behind only the San Francisco 49ers defense, who allowed 23.

? National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches: North Hills High School assistant varsity football coach and Shrine Bowl fellow Javé Brown was selected as the Steelers Nunn-Wooten Scouting Fellowship recipient.

? According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, the Atlanta Falcons are signing former Steelers defensive lineman Carlos Davis. Davis is a 6-foot-2, 320-pound former Steelers seventh-round pick from Nebraska. Davis has recorded 12 career tackles, three for losses and one sack. 

? Deshaun Watson wants DeAndre Hopkins in Cleveland, but D-Hop signing with the Browns is considered a long shot, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Per Josina Anderson, the Ravens have began to monitor the Hopkins market.

?  Country music singer Lainey Wilson confirms she’s been dating former Steelers quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges for over two years. Wilson said they met in Nashville through mutual friends.

? Happy Birthday to former Steelers offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum, born on June 8, 1989 in Mexia, Texas. Beachum, who currently plays right tackle for the Arizona Cardinals, has carved out a long career after being selected by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Beachum has started 147 of the 152 career games that he’s played, 39 of those starts came with the Steelers from 2012-2015. After not being re-signed in free agency, Beachum signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a one-year, $5 million contract in March of 2016. Following his one season in Jacksonville, Beachum played three seasons with the New York Jets before signing with Arizona in July of 2020.

? Nate Tice of The Athletic critiqued a Steelers’ play-action play from their Week 16 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders last season.

“Can see the issue when you try to attack down the field but don’t have anything underneath like a checkdown or a harder PA action to tie down the intermediate defenders. Letting them muddy up the look. A downside if you full slide your protection against non-pressure looks,” Tice tweeted.

AROUND THE NETWORK

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Larry Fitzgerald joined two other Pitt alums on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot.

West Virginia Sports Now: WVU football is near the top of the Big 12 in recruiting spending.

Nittany Sports Now: Freshman tight end Mega Barnwell is no longer on the Penn State football team.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Kyle Dubas will be running the Penguins 2023 NHL Draft table.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Cutch sac fly sends Pirates to sixth straight win.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: The Riverhounds are set for their U.S. Open Cup clash with Cincinnati.