Behind the Steel Curtain
A level-headed news-discussion site with a sense of history and community
Total reads
6,036
This week
0
Rank
#18 of 465
Published
2,216 posts
Last 12 weeks
Most read posts
Featured on Sportsblogs
Run this blog? Add the badge to your site to show readers you're featured — it links back to this page.
Latest Entries
Steelers vs. Saints tailgate thread
Calling all early risers! The Steelers and Saints kick off across the pond in a few hours. Here’s the place to talk any last-minute predictions, news and more. Get your fantasy football lineups set up, start planning lunch, and get your last French DuoLingo session of the week in —it’s almost kickoff.
How to watch Steelers vs. Saints
The Pittsburgh Steelers face the New Orleans Saints in a Week 7 showdown at Paris' Stade de France on Oct. 25, 2026, kicking off at 9:30 AM EST. The Saints (2‑4) come off a 34‑27 win over the Giants, while the Steelers (4‑2) fresh from a 26‑19 overtime victory against the Buccaneers. Fans can catch the game live on NFL Network. The article also teases new Steelers uniform combos, key play strategies, and player spotlights.
Saturday Night Open Thread: Un match a Paris
The Saturday Night Open Thread (SNOT) from Behind the Steel Curtain kicks off from Delaware with a live pre‑game chat ahead of the Steelers’ early‑morning clash against the New Orleans Saints in Paris. Host NAS204PSU invites fans to discuss the team’s recent comeback win over Tampa Bay, injury concerns, favorite French treats, and a quirky question about MVS and Aaron. A playful “Am I The JagOff?” feature and a Jimmy Buffet soundtrack round out the interactive thread.
Steelers to debut new uniform combo in Paris game vs. Saints
The Pittsburgh Steelers will debut a fresh uniform combo in the NFL’s inaugural Paris game, facing the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France on Sunday morning, Oct. 24, 2026. While keeping the traditional white away jersey, they will pair it with black pants featuring a gold side stripe—a look usually reserved for their color‑rush kits, marking a rare departure from their classic gold‑pants style. Edge rusher Nick Herbig praised the chance to showcase the sport on a global stage and wear the new kit. The matchup, the league’s first in Paris, has fans and players buzzing about both the historic venue and the Steelers’ new look.
Steelers keys to victory vs. Saints: Get Jaylen Warren the ball
The Steelers aim for a 5-2 record in Week 7, traveling to Paris to face the 2-4 Saints. With a playoff odds boost—80% of teams that start 5-2 make the postseason—their game plan hinges on a heavy rush attack, especially giving ball‑carrying back Jaylen Warren more touches to exploit New Orleans’ league‑worst rush defense. They also must adjust to the Saints’ frequent single‑high coverage and improve their third‑down efficiency, where they currently rank last in EPA and success rate. A win would position Pittsburgh atop the AFC North before their Week 9 bye. (Published Oct. 24, 2026, Behind the Steel Curtain)
NFL Predictions: Will Steelers get back to feeding Jaylen Warren vs. Saints?
The Steelers face the Saints Sunday at 9:30 a.m. EST in Paris, with FanDuel listing Pittsburgh as 3‑point favorites (-168) and a 44.5 total. The preview highlights three value props: Jaylen Warren anytime TD at -120, Aaron Rodgers over 0.5 rushing yards at -140, and rookie Germie Bernard over 53.5 receiving yards at -114. All three combine for a +475 parlay. The article also notes the Saints’ weak run defense and key Steelers injuries, making the matchup a prime betting opportunity.
Friday Night Happy Hour: European vacation edition
Welcome to BTSC’s Friday night open thread: Tonight’s song rec: Probably my favorite track off the new Fontaines DC album:
Steelers to take things slow with DeShon Elliott
The Steelers plan to activate safety DeShon Elliott for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints in Paris, but will limit him to roughly 50% of defensive snaps as he recovers from a season‑long knee injury. Rookie safety Robert Spears‑Jennings, a seventh‑round pick, will continue to see rotation time, reflecting the coaches’ confidence in his development. Elliott’s gradual return aims to bolster the secondary while the team balances veteran health with rookie growth.
Germie Bernard’s production is here to stay for the Steelers
In Week 7, rookie wideout Germie Bernard proves his worth for the Steelers, climbing to second among rookies with 24 catches and 17 coming in the last two games after injuries sidelined Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson. Bernard’s 11‑reception, 87‑yard, overtime‑game‑winning performance against Tampa Bay earned praise from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who now trusts him as a primary target in a pass‑heavy offense (233 attempts, fifth‑most in the league). With his seamless route running and high‑school Alabama experience, Bernard could become a contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year and solidify his spot even after the injured receivers return.
Aaron Rodgers wishes the Steelers left for Paris sooner
Aaron Rodgers says the Steelers should have arrived in Paris earlier, noting the New Orleans Saints have been there since Monday. The Steelers flew in on a Thursday redeye and face the Saints on Friday, hoping to improve their 5-2 record and climb to the No. 3 AFC seed. Rodgers, who’s now played in three countries, expressed wishful timing via Mike DeFabo. The team’s recent overseas experience includes a 2025 win in Dublin against the Vikings. Other headlines mention injuries, roster moves, and a cancelled fan event in Paris.
Steelers news: Defense pushing for top 5 status
The Steelers head to Paris for a Sunday showdown with the New Orleans Saints, aiming to boost their defense into the NFL's top five. After six weeks, Pittsburgh ranks sixth in defensive EPA per play (-0.10) and holds opponents to a 42.43% success rate. The Saints sit 27th defensively, allowing only 0.04 EPA per play, presenting a prime offensive opportunity, especially against their secondary. A win is crucial for division standing and to get the Steelers' offense back on rhythm. Highlights include T.J. Watt’s return from a calf injury, Sebastian Joseph‑Day heading to IR, and a nod from All‑Pro tackle to Alex Highsmith.
Steelers rule wide receiver OUT vs. Saints, DeShon Elliott likely to play
The Steelers announce wide receiver Ben Skowronek is out for the upcoming game against the Saints due to a calf injury, while cornerback Brandin Echols also misses the contest with a hamstring strain. Running back Rico Dowdle and safety DeShon Elliott are listed as questionable after recent knee and ankle issues, though Elliott practiced all week. Despite earlier injury doubts, Alex Highsmith, T.J. Watt and Cam Hayward are confirmed to play, and Jalen Ramsey continues with his Week 1 wrist injury.
Steelers WR DK Metcalf done with playing overseas
Wide receiver DK Metcalf says he’s done with overseas games, insisting he only wants to play in the U.S. as the Steelers head to Paris for their second straight international matchup, following last season’s Dublin win over the Vikings. Metcalf’s blunt comment comes amid the NFL’s expanding global slate, which now includes London, Germany, Spain, Dublin and an upcoming Paris game on Sunday.
Steelers-Saints preview: What to expect from New Orleans’ offense, defense in Week 7
In Week 7’s Paris showdown, the 4‑2 Steelers aim to extend their two‑game streak against a 2‑4 Saints squad that finally broke out with a high‑scoring win over the Giants. New Orleans posts a top‑10 points‑per‑game rank (25.3) despite a weak rush (97.3 YPG, 19th‑overall) and only modest passing numbers (224.2 YPG, 17th). The Saints have capitalized on soft defenses, but struggled against the league’s best unit (Vikings). Rookie QB Tyler Shough matches Aaron Rodgers with 12 TDs and 5 INTs, yet the offense leans on quick throws amid a porous pass rush. Steelers should expect relentless inside‑zone runs, as the Saints’ run game ranks near the bottom of the league.
Steelers climb AFC playoff standings after Bears defeat Patriots
The Steelers climb to the No. 6 seed in the AFC after the Bears upset the Patriots 30‑21 on Thursday night. The Patriots drop from No. 5 to No. 9, promoting Denver to No. 5 and pushing Baltimore to No. 7. Pittsburgh (4‑2) now faces the New Orleans Saints in Paris on Sunday (Week 7). A win combined with a Browns loss could propel the Steelers to the No. 3 seed. The article also notes recent Steelers moves: DE Sebastian Joseph‑Day to IR, safety Rayshawn Jenkins released, CB Jalen Ramsey earns AFC Defensive Player of the Week, and NFL criticism over the Paris game.
BTSC Thursday Night Football thread: Patriots at Bears
Week 7 Thursday Night Football pits two 4-2 teams against each other as the New England Patriots travel to Chicago to face the Bears. Both squads feature high‑profile 2024‑draft quarterbacks, raising expectations for a more exciting tilt than the usual Thursday night slog. The BTSC thread invites fans to share predictions, key matchups to watch, and fantasy insights.
Steelers’ T.J. Watt limited with calf injury
The Steelers list edge rusher T.J. Watt on Thursday’s injury report with a new calf issue that limits his practice participation. Watt missed Wednesday’s session under a rest designation, and his status remains uncertain for Sunday’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Other injuries include Jalen Ramsey (wrist), Alex Highsmith (groin), Rico Dowdle (knee), and the already ruled‑out Brandin Echols (hamstring) and Ben Skowronek (calf). Sebastian Joseph‑Day moves to injured reserve, and Cam Heyward again sits out with a rest designation. The Saints also report several limited players ahead of the game.
Steelers news: Jalen Ramsey looks to continue fantastic start
Jalen Ramsey is thriving in Pittsburgh, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week after a six‑tackle, two‑sack, two‑pressure, four‑stop performance against the Buccaneers. The former No. 5 overall pick posts impressive PFF grades—78.5 overall, 80.3 tackling and 75.7 coverage—and has cut his missed‑tackle rate from 19.4% in Miami to 5.3% in his first two seasons with the Steelers. Ramsey’s hybrid safety/slot‑corner role could propel him toward a Hall of Fame run as the Steelers’ veteran‑heavy roster continues to excel.
Steelers place DE Sebastian Joseph-Day on IR
The Pittsburgh Steelers place defensive end Sebastian Joseph-Day on injured reserve after a triceps injury, sidelining him for the next four games. His IR move follows rookie Derrick Harmon’s foot injury in Week 4, further thinning the defensive line. Pittsburgh will rely on Yahya Black, rookie Gabriel Rubio, Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton to fill the void. The upcoming matchup vs. the Saints—ranked 21st in rush success—could favor the Steelers, who rank tied for sixth in stuffed runs and recently limited Jonathan Taylor to 45 yards and Bucky Irving to 46 yards on the ground.
Steelers fan event in Paris cancelled by NFL
The NFL cancels the planned Steelers House fan event in Paris amid ongoing riots and protests in the Bastille district ahead of the Week 7 showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints on October 22, 2026. A league statement cites recent unrest over school conditions, cost‑of‑living pressures, and French politics as the reason for the cancellation, though the game at Stade de France will still proceed with heightened security. The article also teases related Steelers news, including Rayshawn Jenkins' release, Jalen Ramsey’s AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor, and T.J. Watt’s wife criticizing the Paris game.
Are the young Steelers living up to their new money?
After a 4‑2 start capped by a win over Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh evaluates the future of its 2023 draft class—its first full offseason under GM Omar Khan and A.G.M. Andy Weidl. The Steelers locked up three young studs: OLB Nick Herbig (4‑year, $100 M), DT Keeanu Benton (4‑year, $72 M) and TE Darnell Washington (4‑year, $42 M), while cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and tackle Broderick Jones departed. The article breaks down Herbig’s surge—two sacks against All‑Pro T.J. Wirfs after a sack‑less stretch—and questions how the new contracts fit with veteran pass rushers Watt and Highsmith. It previews a deeper look at each retained rookie’s development.
DeShon Elliott full participant in Steelers practice
Safety DeShon Elliott returns to full participation in Wednesday’s Steelers practice, his first snap since being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury and designated to return. The move follows the release of veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins, signaling that Elliott could re‑join the 53‑man roster ahead of the Week 7 showdown with the New Orleans Saints in Paris. Six Steelers remain non‑participants, including Jalen Ramsey (wrist) and Ben Skowronek (calf), while T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward sit out for rest. New limited listings are Alex Highsmith (groin) and Rico Dowdle (knee).
Steelers release safety Rayshawn Jenkins
The Pittsburgh Steelers release safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who signed on Aug. 1 and played in six games with 16 tackles before seeing his role shrink after the loss to Cleveland. His departure hints at the return of DeShon Elliott, who cleared his IR stint and became eligible again on Oct. 8. The move comes as the Steelers prepare to travel to Paris for the NFL’s first game there, facing the New Orleans Saints.
Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey named AFC Defensive Player of the Week
Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey earns AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 6 showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ramsey logged 10 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks, including a walk‑off sack that sealed the win. The three‑time First‑Team All‑Pro’s versatile play bolsters a bruised Steelers defense as the season moves forward. The honor adds to Ramsey’s decorated résumé and underscores his reputation as a physical, game‑changing defender.
Steelers news: Zach Frazier has had tremendous start to season
In his third year, Steelers center Zach Frazier cements his value with just two sacks allowed over 1,540 pass‑blocking snaps and a 1.2% blown‑block rate (three blocks) among players with 100+ snaps, according to SIS Data Hub. After a rookie season of 12 pressures and 11 in year two, he has allowed only seven pressures so far in 2026 with no sacks. His performance fuels speculation that the team may soon reward him with a lucrative contract while navigating a contract standoff with cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Displaying entries 126-150
of the latest 1,250