The NFL is a week-to-week league, and you know the old adage “any given Sunday.” Meaning, on any week, any team can be beaten, even when they’re two touchdown favorites and facing a rookie quarterback making his first start.
That’s the case this week as the 3-1 Buffalo Bills, a trendy Super Bowl pick, host the 1-3 Pittsburgh Steelers, who’ll be starting their rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett for the first time. When asked about the point spread, which had the Steelers favored by two TDs, Pickett had this to say about outsiders calling them underdogs, a mentality that doesn’t resonate within the prideful Steelers locker room.
“It’s the attitude with which you go about it,” the rookie said. “Everybody else thinks we’re underdogs. We don’t. We’re going to go in there with some confidence. We know how great we can be when we’re detailed and we execute at a high level. That’s something we need to take care of during the week or we won’t have a shot.”
Teams tend to use being the underdog tag as a source of motivation. Some coaches have been known to use it as “bulletin board material.” But the former Pitt Panthers star isn’t doing that. It seems like the guy who’ll be chasing Pickett all day on Sunday agrees with the NFL frosh. Broncos pass rusher Von Miller had some fun at Pickett’s expense over the comments.
Kenny Pickett confident, ready for first-career start for Steelers Sunday in Buffalo.https://t.co/sfpyz638Ep
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) October 5, 2022
Miller Pokes Fun At Pickett’s Comments
During a podcast livestream, Miller a two-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP and one-time DPOY, took Pickett to task for his remarks.
“Who thinks you are underdogs, bud? Jeez, Kenny. Nobody said … What? Stop it, Kenny. Stop it, Kenny! Don’t try to get crazy on us, man. Just come in and play the game.”
Miller continued …
“Why’s he looking at the spread? Nobody’s looking at the spread of the game! Like, nobody’s looking at none of that. We’re just getting ready to play the Steelers, bro.”
https://twitter.com/mpsmp4s/status/1577844867698462726?s=46&t=r24iqZVsZwQjzWShTXlWbA
Maybe Pickett should listen to Miller, who’ll he making his 154th career start, while the rookie will be starting for the very first time. Miller’s play is a huge reason the Bills’ defense has only allowed 58 points through three games and just seven points in the second half this season.
Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin Knows How Great Miller Is
Miller has long been one of the most feared pass-rushers in the league. Known for his quick burst and twitch off the edge, the former Texas A&M Aggies star has accrued 547 tackles, 118.5 sacks, 26 forced fumbles, and 24 passes defensed in his illustrious career. Tomlin is well aware of the greatness of Miller, and he expounded on it during his weekly media session.
“He’s Von Miller,” said Tomlin, who has never had a losing season in 15 years at the helm. “Some guys are just aliens visiting from another planet, and that’s just the reality of it. Man, in the National Football League, you’ve got to respect all these guys — they’re all freaky. But some guys are even freaky in our setting. And he’s just one of those guys.
“He always has been since he came out of Texas A&M, moving, changing, and running like a corner. He needs no endorsement from me. Kudos to Von Miller. We talk about his talents often, but this guy’s a scientist. He works at his craft. He encourages others to do that like him.”
What Tomlin said is exactly why the Bills signed Miller to a six-year, $120 million deal with $51.4 in guaranteed money at age 33, which is usually when elite pass rushers begin to taper off. Not Miller, who’s helping to develop young Bills edge rushers Greg Rousseau, AJ Epenesa, and Boogie Bansham.
All four will be after Pickett on Sunday. The rookie already made his first rookie mistake. Let’s see how he handles it.
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