Recently I was thinking about my time writing about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout my career doing so, I’ve essentially done it all.

Commentary, news, breaking stories, features and even took a stab at simple film room breakdowns.

The one thing I’ve never done is work on just a random thought type format.

I can’t speak for you, the reader, but I am always thinking about writing and the Steelers. Thinking about different aspects of the team and game. Thanks to reading Myron Cope’s biography I decided to put a unique spin on this type of feature.

Now, for the name of the article, anyone who is familiar with the Styx song “Renegade” should know where it came from. If not, this is where it came from…

The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore to go astray
This’ll be the end today of the wanted man

The jig is up…time for some randomness.

Final Stretch Run

The Steelers final six games loom large, and it’s mainly based on the fact the Steelers margin for error in the AFC North is now razor thin. When you look at the final stretch, the teams they play absolutely will be difficult. Let’s recap who they play, in case you forgot:

• Week 13: at CIN
• Week 14: vs. CLE
• Week 15: at PHI
• Week 16: at BAL
• Week 17: vs. KC
• Week 18: vs. CIN

There are a lot of prolific offenses in this mix, but I can’t help but look at this final stretch run and put the onus on the Steelers offense. Can they go out and put up points against defenses which are giving up a lot of points? Defenses like the Bengals, Ravens and Browns? In my opinion, I expect the defense to give up some points, but can the Steelers offense get the job done? That will be the difference between hosting a playoff game and just barely getting in as a Wild Card team.

Cole Holcomb Return?

Thanksgiving day brought a report which I didn’t think I’d see anytime soon. Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reported how Cole Holcomb was doing some work at the side of practice, and also hinted at potentially having some news soon.

#Steelers ILB Cole Holcomb (knee) works off to the side at practice. He said earlier this week he may have some news soon. pic.twitter.com/1ObB9ZGSkV

— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) November 28, 2024

If you are like me, you never expected Holcomb to be a part of this team in 2024. Maybe in 2025, but I had convinced myself Holcomb would have to sit this year out as he continues to rehab his knee injury. Maybe he’ll return, and if he could do so at full health it would bolster the team’s inside linebacker position even more down the stretch.

Replay Assist needs an assist?

Earlier this week Mike Tomlin spoke openly about replay assist, and how it has gotten the best of the Steelers on multiple occasions this season. For those who don’t know, replay assist is an official in the booth, or in New York, who might see something like a bad spot and tell the crew on the field of the necessary adjustment. The only problem is sometimes those officials aren’t communicating this clearly to the coaches on the field. This has happened in short-yardage situations with Pittsburgh this season, and has had the team have to either burn a timeout, or rushing players on/off the field. I like the Replay Assist format, but if they are going to use it at a high frequency, which I’m also okay with to get calls right, they have to figure out a way to get coaches time to make calculated decisions based on the “assist”.

Mike Williams’ single shot?

When the Steelers beat the Washington Commanders by way of a Mike Williams touchdown catch, I said on the post-game show how if that was the only catch Williams made in a black-and-gold uniform that would be okay. Never in a million years would I think two games later and Williams wouldn’t have another catch.

I stand by my statement after that Commanders win, but I also hope the team finds a way to include him in the offense more moving forward. The offense needs another deep threat, and Williams fits the bill.

Memorable, one way or another

As I mentioned above, the Steelers final six games will be critical to the postseason dreams we all had just a couple weeks ago. But we knew this when the schedule put a murderer’s row in the second half of the season. This finish is going to be memorable, one way or another.

Could this team put together a 2005-like finish and rattle off wins no one expects on the way to a thrilling postseason? I’m not predicting a Super Bowl, but a playoff run.

This also could turn into the, “We are going to unleash hell in December.” finish, and if you remember 2009 season they did anything but unleash hell as the team missed the postseason.

It will be memorable, so buckle up!

Any given Sunday in the NFL

If we’ve learned anything since the Steelers divisional road loss on Thursday Night Football in Week 12, it is how the NFL is an “any given Sunday” league. Just look at some of the games which have taken place.

• Titans beat the Texans
• Cowboys beat the Commanders
• Panthers take the Chiefs to the brink
• Bears take the Vikings to OT
• Bears almost beat the Lions on Thanksgiving

I know some of these games were won by the better teams, but if the Steelers would have found a way to win in Cleveland the last game the fan base would be bemoaning the fact they aren’t taking care of business in an appropriate fashion. Say what you want, but you never know what can happen in the NFL.

Announcer Analysis

Another week, another game with CBS and their ‘B-Squad’ of Ian Eagle, Charles Davis. I’ve said this before, and my thoughts haven’t changed about my feelings, I like Ian Eagles but sometimes Davis can be a little too much for me from an announcer perspective. Now that I think about it, most announcers would be better off talking significantly less and letting the plays speak for itself. Nonetheless, I’ll take Eagle and Davis over some of the other CBS squads for lower tier games.

Officiating Crew Breakdown

The Steelers have Shawn Hochuli’s crew this week in Cincinnati, time to take a look at these individuals:

With the new show Landman now out, I’m intrigued by Adam Choate being a petroleum landman. Is he a living embodiment of Billy Bob Thorton’s character? I’m intrigued by this individual. What about Tim Pordraza, he is a business performance consultant. Is this a fancy way of talking about a financial advisor? Or is this something different altogether? Terry Killens, a former NFL player, being a campus security specialist certainly has me picturing a former NFL player chasing down college kids who might be doing crazy stuff on campus. I’ll have to see what position he played to envision if we are talking a defensive back, or a lineman, rumbling down the street after college kids. Scary thought…

That does it…the jig is up, they’ve finally found me. This renegade is outta here…be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13.