Mike Prisuta’s Sports Section
A weekly look at the games people are playing and the people who are playing them.
Fire Still Burns on Occasion for Still-Capable Penguins
Wins over the Flyers and Blue Jackets might signal a turning point in what's been a mediocre stretch of hockey for a team from which much more is expected.
7 Reasons Why I Think Steelers Will Beat Pats Next Time
The Steelers have been unable to beat New England in their last five outings. But there are plenty of good reasons why that streak could be broken next time around.
Steelers Can't Ease Their Patriots Pain Until January
Much as they’d like to, the Steelers won’t be able to exorcise the ghosts of AFC Championship Games Past, even with a win on Sunday.
Even When Pens Aren't Playing, There's Good Hockey to Be Found In Pittsburgh
PPG Paints Arena hosts a number of exciting hockey teams this month, and none of them play in the NHL.
Are Steelers Obsessed with Patriots? Why Wouldn’t They Be?
If the Steelers aren’t obsessed with beating New England by now, they’re doing it wrong.
Are Steelers Good Enough to Overcome Themselves?
The time has come for the offense to more often resemble what everyone thought it would become this season, as opposed to sinking on occasion to a Cleveland Browns-esque level of ineptitude.
What Steelers Have Experienced Suggests Where They’re Going
Their toughest opponent in the second half of the season, aside from the New England Patriots, might be themselves.
Steelers Will Ultimately Go Where Roethlisberger Takes Them
The Steelers quarterback has yet to make the argument that he should at least still be in the conversation when the likes of Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are discussed.
Visit from McDavid Brings Out the Best in Crosby, Penguins
After a pair of blow-out losses, the Pens reminded everyone they still have the formula that earned them back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships.
It's What Steelers Do After Kansas City That Matters
The team is more than capable of beating the Bengals Sunday, but are they willing to keep their eye on the ball long enough to begin stacking victories again for a change?
Steelers' Latest Soap Opera is Timely If Not Manufactured
All of a sudden the Steelers have that us-against-the-world mentality many a team has sought to manufacture in tough times such as these.
Playoff Baseball a Far Cry From What Pirates Delivered in 2017
Instead of Buc-tober, they left us with a reminder of how fast and how far they had fallen.
Steelers and Ravens Battling More Than Each Other This Time
Sunday's national anthem fallout has changed the game.
Encouraging Start Only a Start for The Steelers
The season's first two victories were notched against mediocre competition. Eventually, the degree of difficulty is going to ratchet up considerably.
Mike Sullivan All-In On Penguins Winning It All Again
If the Penguins aren't again hoisting the Stanley Cup next June, it won’t be because anyone doubted such an outcome was possible.
Pitt’s Needs to Make Penn State Rivalry Less One-Sided
Pitt has a chance Saturday to pull an upset reminiscent of last November’s improbable victory at No. 2 Clemson or, given Penn State’s No. 4 ranking, the chance to get humiliated in Beaver Stadium.
Steelers Still Reaching for Answers in Defensive Backfield
Newly-signed cornerback Joe Haden could provide much-needed help, if the Steelers were right and the Browns were wrong about his health.
Steelers Are a ‘Close Group’ Still Seeking an Identity
The team looks good on paper, good in practice and even, uncharacteristically, good so far in the preseason. But very soon now, none of that will matter.
Who Belongs on a Pittsburgh Steelers Mount Rushmore?
As the team prepares the inaugural class of its Hall of Honor, Mike Prisuta selects the four members of the Steelers family most deserving of inclusion.
From the Obvious to the Minute - Steelers Don't Miss a Detail
For the Pittsburgh Steelers these days, no aspect or nuance of the game is considered too small to not be worth covering in training camp and beyond.
Steelers Must Man-Up if They Are Ever Going to Beat Patriots
“Press/Man” might be the Kryptonite the Steelers have been seeking to finally deal with New England.
Deal or No Deal is a Complex Question for Surprising Pirates
There’s no reason to be sellers now that the season has taken a turn toward the competitive, but nor should the Pirates be desperate to buy and in the process over-spend.
Stan's in Town Making the Rounds as Pens Celebrate
The Penguins’ successful Cup defense this season also has ensured trips to Canada, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Germany and Russia, as well as various stops in and around Western Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh Pirates Looking for Relief from Their Bullpen
The just-completed, pivotal 10-game stretch began and ended the same way for the Pittsburgh Pirates –– with no one having an answer for the faltering bullpen.
History Can Wait Until Penguins Are Done Making It
The desire for more a year ago helped fuel the Penguins’ quest to repeat this season. Should their thirst for yet another Cup prove as unquenchable next season, there’s no limit to what they might yet achieve. Even a Three-peat.
Pittsburgh's Belief Might Be What Ultimately Outlasts Nashville
What separates these two championship-caliber teams? Just ask Mike Sullivan.
Penguins Good at Exploiting Predators' Few Mistakes
The Predators have taken to forcing things that aren’t there. Not often, but often enough to give the Penguins a sliver of room to exploit.
Frightened about Game 7? You Should Be
A win will send the Penguins to the Stanley Cup finals for a second year in a row and re-write team history.
Time Running Out for Penguins to Respond to Senators
The Penguins suddenly have a lot to sort out as they attempt to respond to another disappointing playoff loss.
Pens' Game 7 Resurrection More a Reminder Than a Surprise
The Penguins are at their best when the stakes are high, which is what allows them to keep their heads when many around them are seemingly losing theirs.
Capitals' Skill is No Match for Penguins' Will
Patric Hornqvist's play in Game 4 is the perfect personification of what the Penguins had clearly dedicated themselves to becoming in the wake of losing Sidney Crosby.
‘Use Him Like ‘Troy Polamalu’ – Steelers Should Jump on This Pick
If Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers is still available, the Pittsburgh Steelers would be wise to make him their first-round pick in the NFL draft.
A Life Well Lived: Dan Rooney's Humility and Humanity
Delivering the Homily at Rooney's funeral, Cardinal Donald Wuerl acknowledged a longstanding Rooney philosophical belief: “You can get anything done if you don’t care who gets the credit.”
The Unknown Should be Embraced in the Chase for the Cup
At some point, maybe a couple of times, the Pens are going to have to benefit from something that few if anyone anticipated, from something it would have been impossible for Mike Sullivan and his coaches to script.
Pens Send Blue Jackets a Message That Resonates
The Penguins’ ability Tuesday night to score gritty goals against the Blue Jackets is a development that will have an impact in both locker rooms.
Penguins Uncertain About More Than Just Their Goalie
The Penguins’ inability to simplify their game of late has complicated things considerably.
About This Blog
Mike Prisuta is a veteran of Pittsburgh sports reporting since 1985.
Mike can be heard Monday through Friday talking sports with Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show.
His favorite sport is whatever’s in season.
Follow him on Twitter @DVEMike
