Pittsburg, PA

Study: Did Pittsburgh Just Assemble The Best Deep-Ball Wide Receiver Duo?

Published

9 months ago

March 13, 2025

Study: Did Pittsburgh Just Assemble The Best Deep-Ball Wide Receiver Duo?

While many would consider it past due, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a huge splash at wide receiver with the trade for DK Metcalf. He’s the type you build in Madden NFL, the ideal physical specimen who strikes fear in the opposition.

One of the best parts of Metcalf’s 2024 season was the 6-4, 235-pounder as a vertical threat. Here is a chart on deep receiving (20-plus yards) last season, including targets and Pro Football Focus (PFF) deep-receiving grades:

Metcalf tied for the most deep targets among NFL receivers (32) with Washington’s Terry McLaurin. Also, three WRs tied for the best 99.9 deep-receiving grade – the aforementioned two and George Pickens.

This also came on high volume, Pickens right behind them with 31 deep targets. So, Metcalf and Pickens were two of the best quality and quantity deep-ball WRs in the NFL last year per PFF.

This potential is quite exciting, with two excellent talents to open up the passing game and the rest of the offense. There is, of course, the question of how Pickens feels about the move, worst-case angling for a trade like his new teammate. Knock on wood that’s not the case.

To add more context to the grades, here are deep-receiving yards and touchdowns:

Metcalf lands comfortably above the mean in both. His five deep touchdowns tied for second most among qualifiers, and 489 deeps yards ranked fourth last season. He joins forces with Pickens, who led the NFL in deep yards (577) in 2024. Wow!

Assuming the duo remains, the pairing presents a daunting task for opposing teams, namely defending the deep ball. Sure, the volume will likely change, but adding another top deep threat, including TD production (which Pickens lacked in comparison) is enthralling.

Of course, Pittsburgh has a big question at the all-important quarterback position, a critical element to the topic. Those dominoes are falling, including former Steeler Justin Fields agreeing to a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Jets.

If moon balls are your goal, 2024 Steelers starter Russell Wilson is known for just that. Plus, being a former teammate of Metcalf’s in Seattle is a strong dot connect for a potential return, though Pittsburgh’s five-game losing streak and dip in play to end 2024 left a bad taste.

The flipside is a player of Metcalf’s caliber makes any passer’s life easier. Most “upgrade” free agent QBs are off the board, and Wilson’s forte as a deep passer (NFL-best 97.3 deep-pass grade of 2024) aligns with the new-look Steeler WR room.

It’s great to see Pittsburgh’s aggressiveness, breaking historical team precedents, with the Metcalf deal. It was a shocking move in the best way possible, and on paper has the potential to create the most prolific deep-ball receiving duo in the NFL.

Here’s to hoping it transpires that way and has the Steelers’ offense humming in 2025.

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Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh-area group trying to break the world record for largest Christmas cookie exchange

Published

34 minutes ago

December 1, 2025

Press Room

Pittsburgh-area group trying to break the world record for largest Christmas cookie exchange

December 1, 2025 / 1:00 AM EST
/ CBS Pittsburgh

It was a potentially historic afternoon for Pittsburgh cookie table lovers as members of a Facebook community gathered to try and break the world record for the largest Christmas cookie exchange.

The “Wedding Cookie Table Community” group on Facebook made their best effort at breaking the world record as many of the community’s members gathered at the Kringle Kitchen at the Washington County Fairgrounds on Sunday.

33 teams of 10 people from within a 75-mile radius of the fairgrounds worked to make and exchange the sweet treats along with teams from across the country and even New Zealand taking part in the Christmas cookie spirit.

33 teams of people gathered at the Washington County Fairgrounds to try and set a new world record for the largest Christmas cookie exchange.

KDKA

Event organizers say at least 80,000 cookies were at Sunday’s exchange.

Each team had their own theme along with all of their tasty creations on display.

“We hope to establish a world record,” said Laura Magone, the founder of the Wedding Cookie Table Community group.” Right now, there is not one, but I think we’ll establish one today. We’re doing everything we can with the paperwork and trying to do it right.”

It’s unclear right now exactly when information will be released if the world record was reached.

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Kyle Dubas or Corey O’Connor? Penguins social media team posts funny video to clear up the confusion

Published

16 hours ago

November 30, 2025

Press Room

Kyle Dubas or Corey O’Connor? Penguins social media team posts funny video to clear up the confusion

November 30, 2025 / 9:55 AM EST
/ CBS Pittsburgh

If you have confused Pittsburgh’s Mayor-Elect Corey O’Connor and Penguins President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas, you certainly aren’t alone.

On Saturday, the Penguins and Pittsburgh’s next mayor addressed this head-on in a social media video aimed at clearing up any confusion.

Seeing double 👀
Thanks for coming out, @CoreyOConnorPA! pic.twitter.com/tYk8QQkL95
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— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 30, 2025

“People say I look like the new mayor of Pittsburgh,” Dubas said on his way to his office, where he found O’Connor sitting at his desk.

“People say I look like the general manager of the Penguins,” O’Connor responded.

Clearing up the confusion even more, Dubas reminded Pittsburghers that he’s not the one you call about potholes or taxes, and O’Connor isn’t the one who you call about the power play or who’s starting in goal – though that would likely be more of a Dan Muse decision than a Kyle Dubas decision.

Of course, it wouldn’t be social media content without a little bit of light-hearted chirping between two dopplegangers.

“For clarity, he’s the short one,” Dubas said with a grin.

“And clearly, he’s the tall one,” O’Connor responded.

Regardless of height, job title, or concern, both men clearly have a lot of pride in the 412.

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Malachi Toney’s big day lifts No. 12 Miami over No. 22 Pittsburgh in 38-7 win

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Press Room

Malachi Toney’s big day lifts No. 12 Miami over No. 22 Pittsburgh in 38-7 win

PITTSBURGH — No. 12 Miami kept its ACC championship and College Football Playoff hopes alive Saturday with a decisive 38–7 win over No. 22 Pittsburgh (8–4, 6–2 ACC) at Acrisure Stadium, delivering a dominant performance in a game the Hurricanes had to have.

Miami (10–2, 6–2 ACC) entered the matchup needing a victory to stay in contention for the ACC title game and responded with smothering defense and another standout outing from true freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney, who finished with 13 catches for 126 yards, a receiving touchdown and a touchdown pass.

The Hurricanes, who came off a 34–17 win over Virginia Tech, immediately set the tone.

Defensive lineman Ahmad Moten opened the game with a sack on Panthers quarterback Mason Heintschel, followed by a 6-yard loss forced by linebacker Zechariah Poyser that triggered a three-and-out.

Miami’s first offensive drive stalled after quarterback Carson Beck was sacked for a 15-yard loss, but the defense again delivered pressure on Pittsburgh’s next possession as defensive end Rueben Bain added another sack.

A 29-yard Carter Davis field goal gave Miami a 3–0 lead, but Pittsburgh answered quickly. Heintschel connected on a 41-yard pass to Cataurus “Blue” Hicks, then hit a wide-open Justin Holmes for a 5-yard touchdown, putting the Panthers ahead 7–3.

Beck responded on the next drive, hitting Toney, who snagged a 19-yard one-handed catch before the freshman found tight end Elijah Lofton on a trick-play 9-yard touchdown pass — Toney’s second scoring throw of the year — to reclaim a 10–7 lead.

Pittsburgh threatened again with a 38-yard sliding catch by Raphael “Poppi” Williams Jr., but another combined sack by Bain and Moten stalled the drive.

Panthers kicker Trey Butkowski missed a 42-yard field goal, and Miami capitalized. Beck hit Toney on a wheel route for a 22-yard touchdown to push the Hurricanes’ lead to 17–7.

Miami’s defense continued to overwhelm the Panthers, with Bryce Fitzgerald delivering a hit on Heintschel that left the quarterback appearing to suffer an ankle injury.

By halftime, the Hurricanes had posted three sacks and limited Pittsburgh’s offense to scattered big plays.

A sequence of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on Tamon Lynum and Shadarian Harrison extended Miami’s opening drive of the second half, setting up a 4-yard touchdown run by Mark Fletcher Jr. that pushed the lead to 24–7.

Miami’s defense delivered another critical stop early in the fourth quarter, forcing a turnover on downs at the goal line — a ruling upheld on review that sparked a visible reaction from head coach Mario Cristobal and defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman.

A 38-yard run by Girard Pringle Jr. set up the Hurricanes’ next score as Beck found CharMar “Marty” Brown for a 9-yard touchdown pass.

Beck found CJ Daniels for a 33-yard touchdown pass to give the Canes a 38-7 lead after Davis connected on the extra point. It was Beck’s 25th passing touchdown of the season and Daniels’ 27th score of his collegiate career.

Beck finished an efficient 23 of 29 for 267 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Miami’s defense totaled four sacks and consistent pressure on Heintschel throughout the afternoon. Fitzgerald also came up with an interception in the closing seconds of the game.

Toney surpassed 100 receiving yards for the second straight game and the fourth time this season.

Saturday’s win also secured back-to-back 10-win seasons for head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff.

Up next:

Miami turns its attention to a complicated set of ACC and national scenarios.

The Hurricanes need outside help to reach the ACC title game, requiring various combinations of results involving SMU, Duke, Virginia, NC State and Syracuse.

Miami could also remain in the College Football Playoff conversation if two of the following occur.

• Duke wins its game, but SMU and Virginia both lose, and NC State must beat North Carolina.

• Virginia wins, but Duke and SMU both lose, Syracuse beats Boston College, and NC State beats UNC.

• Duke, SMU and Virginia all lose, and NC State wins its game.

• Duke, SMU and Virginia all lose, and Syracuse wins its game.

• UCF defeats No. 11 BYU; Auburn upsets No. 10 Alabama; Stanford beats No. 9 Notre Dame; or LSU knocks off No. 8 Oklahoma.

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