Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Christopher Carter break down the Panthers' 48-46 loss to Toledo in Thursday afternoon's GameAbove Sports Bowl, with Stephen reporting from Ford Field in Detroit. What led to the defeat for the Panthers? How did coach Pat Narduzzi and Kade Bell affect the outcome of the contest with some of their late-game coaching decisions and play calls? How did David Lynch perform in the place of the injured Eli Holstein? What made true freshman Julian Dugger so successful in his time on the field? Did Desmond Reid put a bow on his fantastic season? And where do the Panthers go from here? Our duo tackles those topics and more.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news around 5 p.m. Primarily, he reacts to the Steelers' NFL Week 17 loss to Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs. Can coach Mike Tomlin still win with this team in the playoffs? Are C.J. Stroud and the Texans an opponent they can beat if they have to travel to Houston for the wild-card round? What is going on in the secondary with DeShon Elliott, Patrick Queen and others venting frustration and Minkah Fitzpatrick struggling? Are T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and the pass rush part of the problem? Is George Pickens' body language and lazy route running sustainable any longer? Should we worry about Russell Wilson? And what buttons do coordinators Arthur Smith and Teryl Austin need to press to get this team back on track?

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the team's NFL Week 17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Who and what are this team's biggest problems right now? Are players like DeShon Elliott and Patrick Queen referred to guys like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cam Sutton when expressing their grievances with the secondary's struggles publicly? Can Mike Tomlin and DC Teryl Austin get their pass defense to sort out communication issues after Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce dissected them on Christmas? And what is going on with George Pickens after he showed his frustration with body language and failed to run out his routes in key moments?

Our duo ponders those questions and more. Including: How much does this December losing streak have in common with last season's? Could personnel changes be coming, with Najee Harris getting swapped out for Jaylen Warren more? Can this team beat Houston, their likely playoff opponent right now? And what buttons can Tomlin, Austin and OC Arthur Smith push to turn things around? Especially with QB Russell Wilson and the passing game?

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to the Steelers' NFL Week 17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium. Can coach Mike Tomlin, OC Arthur Smith and DC Teryl Austin fix what's doomed their team in three consecutive losses? Why did Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce look so dominant against Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Donte Jackson and the Steelers' once-strong secondary? Can this team win in the playoffs -- likely against the Houston Texans -- now that they've lost control of their destiny in the AFC North race against the Ravens? And can Russell Wilson bounce back from arguably his worst performance with the team, even with WR George Pickens back in the lineup? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

Post-Gazette sports writers Adam Bittner and Paul Zeise react live after the Steelers' NFL Week 17 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium. Were T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and coach Mike Tomlin's defense able to bounce back from a shaky performance against the Ravens? What difference did the return of George Pickens, DeShon Elliott, Donte Jackson and Larry Ogunjobi from injury make? Were Russell Wilson, Calvin Austin III, Pat Freiermuth and the passing game able to get back on track with Pickens in the lineup? And how did Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren look after some inconsistent weeks in the running game?

Pitt insider Stephen Thompson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is joined by Toledo insider Kyle Rowland of The Toledo Blade to break down all things college football ahead of Thursday's Pitt-Toledo matchup in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. The guys discuss current injuries for both teams, look ahead to possible starting lineups, and provide their picks for the game. For more sports, visit post-gazette.com.

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey talks about the Steelers' current laundry list of injuries and the much-needed impact of George Pickens' return. He also discusses the importance of getting DeShon Elliott and Donte Jackson back in the lineup and how the running game will be key to defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Pittsburgh on Christmas Day, on Netflix, in Week 17. Jason also analyzes what Wednesday's game means for the Steelers' NFL playoff hopes and AFC North title chances. He wraps up the show by expressing his belief in what the Penguins are doing, as well as what the Pirates are telling us with signing Andrew McCutchen and no one else this week. For more sports, visit post-gazette.com.

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes former Steeler Derek Watt to preview a big week for his football family. How will T.J. Watt perform amid his injury in a crucial NFL Week 17 matchup on Christmas against Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs? Does he deserve the NFL's defensive player of the year (DPOY) award for his work in 2024? Is J.J. Watt ready for his big role on the first-ever Netflix broadcast of an NFL game? And what are Derek's thoughts on the Steelers' special teams excellence this season, including a monster season from Chris Boswell? Our duo tackles those questions and more.