The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in an unusual position, sitting at 6-3 despite being outgained in yards for nine consecutive games. While the Mike Tomlin-led team might not always achieve victory in the most aesthetically pleasing manner, Steelers fans remain satisfied with the win column. However, when Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James decided to draw a parallel between the Lakers and the Steelers, it didn't sit well with Steelers' superstar defensive lineman, Cam Heyward.
Diario / AS USA
The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2023 offense became part of a LeBron James postgame comment that didn't put them in the best light.
LeBron James' Steelers/Lakers Comparison
Following a 19-point loss to the Orlando Magic, James in a postgame interview with Lakers media, raised eyebrows in the Steelers' community with his unique comparison.
"We're like the Pittsburgh Steelers right now. The Pittsburgh Steelers right now have not out-gained or out-scored any of their opponents in this season right now, and yet they've got a winning record."
Heyward, in response to James' analysis, expressed his discontent and confusion on his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. Heyward, visibly ticked off, urged James to stick to basketball.
"I love LeBron, and I love that he plays basketball well. I appreciate what he does in the city of Cleveland, but man, stay away from football, my guy. You tried to say you guys [Lakers] are like the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it ain't looking like that. For us, we don’t really give a damn. 6-3 is 6-3."
Challenging Narratives and Media Criticism
Not Just Football with Cam Heyward
Steelers' Cam Heyward talks on his podcast.
Heyward took issue with the narratives surrounding the Steelers, particularly the suggestion that their success is limited to the fourth quarter. In his podcast, he questioned the logic behind such narratives, emphasizing that being strong in the fourth quarter is an inherent expectation in football.
"We are just driving a narrative that makes it seem like we are only good in the fourth quarter. Like damn it, you are supposed to be good in the fourth quarter. If you are not winning the fourth quarter, then what are we talking about?"
The challenges faced by the Steelers' offense during the 2023 season are widely acknowledged. Despite the struggles, the sentiment remains that a $100 bill is still a $100 bill, drawing a parallel to the realm of football. The notion emphasized here is that, regardless of the difficulties faced, a victory is inherently valuable, and securing a win in the competitive landscape of the NFL is a significant achievement.
The defensive lineman also took the opportunity to comment on the criticism from the media, asserting that there seems to be a deliberate effort to scrutinize the Steelers' winning style, particularly when other teams are grappling with their own set of challenges.
"We are at a point with the media where they say we are not winning the way they want to, and it seems calculated and brought to the front when their team isn’t winning."
Shutting Down Critics
Heyward didn't hold back in dismissing critics who view the Steelers as the worst 6-3 team. He emphasized that some of these critics might not even understand the nuances of football and suggested they keep their opinions to themselves.
"For someone to think we are the worst 6-3, man, some of those people don’t even play football, so keep it to yourself."
Emphasis on Winning
In a final statement, Heyward expressed frustration with the notion that winning isn't enough if it doesn't come with dominating performances. He reiterated the primary objective of football — to win — and urged detractors to move on.
"I hate that we have gotten to a point where, 'Oh, we are not blowing out the teams, so we are going to dice them up,' and not agree with how they are winning. It doesn’t matter; you play football to win the game, nothing else. Get off the field and keep it moving."
Despite the controversies and criticisms, the Steelers boast a 12-5 record in their last 17 games, showcasing their resilience and ability to secure victories even in challenging circumstances. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether the team can maintain its winning ways and prove its critics wrong.
Sebastian Foltz / Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt rumbles towards the endzone during the Steelers 2023 Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns.
This Sunday, the Steelers are poised to seize an opportunity to triumph over the Cleveland Browns, the hometown team of James. News broke Wednesday morning that the Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson would have season-ending shoulder surgey. That bodes well for the Steelers as they set their sights on this pivotal matchup, not only aiming to secure a victory, but also to enhance their playoff prospects, harboring aspirations of completing a sweep against the Browns. The game holds significant importance for both teams, and the Steelers are determined to capitalize on this occasion to fortify their position in the playoff race.
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