Starkey & Mueller

What a difference a week makes. The vibes are vastly different this week than they were this week. Poni thinks that Aaron Rodgers is going to get hit a lot this Sunday against the Patriots and for a 41 year old quarterback that is not a good thing. He is on pace to get sacked 60 times. There seems to be a lot of negativity going into Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.

PM Team FULL Show 9-18-25

It has been 17 years since the Steelers won a game in New England. Who are the 5 franchises that have spited the Steelers for longer in their venue? Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo from the PG joined the show. How many issues do the Steelers have with their defense? Ray thinks Daniel Ekuale could see more snaps on Sunday in substitution for Keeanu Benton. Will the Steelers try to work Yahya Black in the mix at nose? Ray explained why the Steelers need to get TJ Watt on the move. Will Derrick Harmon make his debut on Sunday? The guys asked Ray about the readiness of a few guys, especially Kaleb Johnson, who made the big gaffe last week. Ray said people eventually have to point the finger at Mike Tomlin when they watch the Steelers defense disappoint. Ray picked against the Steelers on Sunday. Total Request Thursday.

Smith’s Sayings – What did Arthur Smith say to the media earlier today? Steve Palazzolo from the 33rd Team joined the show. Steve reacted to the horrid play from the Steelers defense in the first 2 weeks. Does Steve put more on the players or the coaching to a lot of their defensive issues? Steve doesn’t think TJ Watt is having a bad season, but he needs to find a way to make an impact. Steve credited the opposing QBs the Steelers have faced and talked about why some of the defensive players haven’t shined. How bad has it been for the inside linebackers? Steve likes a lot of what the Patriots added in the offseason and why their defensive front might make things difficult on Sunday. Is Drake Maye the best QB the Steelers will face so far? Steve said the 2026 QB class looks a lot worse than everyone expected. Donny Football Debrief – Patriots wearing an all-time throwback uniform on Sunday.

Austin’s Answers – What did Teryl Austin say to the media earlier today? KDKA TV’s Bob Pompeani joined the show. Bob talked about picking the Steelers last week and explained why he liked them over the Seahawks only to witness a 2-score loss. Bob thinks Sunday is a prove-it game in New England. Bob is tired of hearing about the Steelers moving around TJ Watt and wants to actually see them do it. Pomp said it’s pretty clear the defense is getting manhandled and knocked around up front. Bob reacted to the Kaleb Johnson follie from Sunday’s loss and doesn’t think he’d play the guy on Sunday. Bob thinks the Patriots win the game this weekend. Power Rankings – Most Hated Patriots.

Is Aaron Rodgers already having buyer’s remorse about choosing the Steelers? With injuries at QB in both Minnesota and Cincinnati, Rodgers could be stuck with a bad offense. Poni thinks the Week 2 performance and loss, filled with multiple gaffes, could already create some cracks in the armor. Can Mike Tomlin save this thing? HOCKEY TALK! Kyle Dubas responded to the rumors of Sidney Crosby – or his agent – tossing out the idea of a future trade. Dubas said if he placates Crosby right here and now, that doesn’t help his team in the future. The guys think Dubas has already tried things ‘Sid’s way’ and they didn’t work, so now they are facing a rebuild. PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason feels more confident than ever that the Ben Cherington era will be over in Pittsburgh as the Pirates skid to the finish. What does the future look like for this team? Jason still thinks Paul Skenes wants to win here. Jason doesn’t expect the payroll to go much higher in 2026 – maybe around $90M.

Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo from the PG joined the show. How many issues do the Steelers have with their defense? Ray thinks Daniel Ekuale could see more snaps on Sunday in substitution for Keeanu Benton. Will the Steelers try to work Yahya Black in the mix at nose? Ray explained why the Steelers need to get TJ Watt on the move. Will Derrick Harmon make his debut on Sunday? The guys asked Ray about the readiness of a few guys, especially Kaleb Johnson, who made the big gaffe last week. Ray said people eventually have to point the finger at Mike Tomlin when they watch the Steelers defense disappoint. Ray picked against the Steelers on Sunday.

Steve Palazzolo from the 33rd Team joined the show. Steve reacted to the horrid play from the Steelers defense in the first 2 weeks. Does Steve put more on the players or the coaching to a lot of their defensive issues? Steve doesn’t think TJ Watt is having a bad season, but he needs to find a way to make an impact. Steve credited the opposing QBs the Steelers have faced and talked about why some of the defensive players haven’t shined. How bad has it been for the inside linebackers? Steve likes a lot of what the Patriots added in the offseason and why their defensive front might make things difficult on Sunday. Is Drake Maye the best QB the Steelers will face so far? Steve said the 2026 QB class looks a lot worse than everyone expected.

PM Team Week 3 picks

Power Rankings – Most Hated Patriots.

KDKA TV’s Bob Pompeani joined the show. Bob talked about picking the Steelers last week and explained why he liked them over the Seahawks only to witness a 2-score loss. Bob thinks Sunday is a prove-it game in New England. Bob is tired of hearing about the Steelers moving around TJ Watt and wants to actually see them do it. Pomp said it’s pretty clear the defense is getting manhandled and knocked around up front. Bob reacted to the Kaleb Johnson follie from Sunday’s loss and doesn’t think he’d play the guy on Sunday. Bob thinks the Patriots win the game this weekend.

Is Aaron Rodgers already having buyer’s remorse about choosing the Steelers? With injuries at QB in both Minnesota and Cincinnati, Rodgers could be stuck with a bad offense. Poni thinks the Week 2 performance and loss, filled with multiple gaffes, could already create some cracks in the armor. Can Mike Tomlin save this thing?

PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason feels more confident than ever that the Ben Cherington era will be over in Pittsburgh as the Pirates skid to the finish. What does the future look like for this team? Jason still thinks Paul Skenes wants to win here. Jason doesn’t expect the payroll to go much higher in 2026 – maybe around $90M.

Judge Borges fills in for Judge Donny: Should Donny have invited the PM Team to his bachelor party?

Aaron Rodgers spoke, FAN Sports Director Jeff Hatthorn joins to talk about what he said