Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with Antonio Brown during a game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 12, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. Photo Courtesy: (Photo Courtesy: Keith Allison/CC License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode)
The season is almost at the halfway point and we are starting to see some separation from the elite teams in the league. This week will be no different as the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers head to Ford Field to face the Detroit Lions.
The Steelers look to make it three in a row and the Lions need a win to stay in the thick of the NFC North race.
Here are our picks for the winner of this Sunday Night matchup as well as our upset picks for the week:
Jason Romano – Pittsburgh Steelers 24, Detroit Lions 21 – Big Ben has turned the ship in the right direction and the Steelers are playing much better after that terrible home loss to Jacksonville. I like Pittsburgh on the road to do enough to get the victory.
UPSET – New York Jets 27, Atlanta Falcons 24 — Atlanta has not been able to duplicate their success from last year. Josh McCown has been a pleasant surprise, providing stability at the quarterback position. I like him to have a big game and the Jets to pull off the upset at home.
Justin Adams – Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Detroit Lions 20 – I’m still not 100 percent convinced of which Pittsburgh Steelers team I will see on Sunday. The one that went into Arrowhead Stadium and beat the Chiefs or the one that lost at home to Jacksonville by double digits? I’m taking the Steelers by a touchdown in their final game before their bye week.
UPSET – Houston Texans 26, Seattle Seahawks 23 – Can a rookie QB come into Seattle and beat the Legion of Boom? Yes, if your name is Deshaun Watson. Watson is second in the NFL with 15 touchdown passes and has a 101.1 passer rating that’s good for sixth in the league. Give me the youngster to ace his toughest exam in his NFL career.
Jon Ackerman – Pittsburgh Steelers 34, Detroit Lions 17 – The Lions have little offense and the Steelers have a lot. Detroit won’t be able to keep up.
UPSET – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24, Carolina Panthers 14 – The 2-4 Bucs have lost three straight but I see them getting back on track against a struggling but 4-3 Panthers squad. Tampa trails only New England in offensive yards per game (392.8).
Last week’s picks:
Jason: Patriots 34 – Falcons 28
Justin: Falcons 38 – Patriots 31
Jon: Patriots 23 – Falcons 17
Actual Result: New England Patriots 23 – Atlanta Falcons 7
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING DAVID POLLACK
David Pollack is a former University of Georgia All-American linebacker, who was a first-round draft pick in 2005 by the Cincinnati Bengals. After his playing career, he spent more than a decade at ESPN as a college football analyst. He is also the co-host of the “Family Goals” podcast and the host of the “See Ball Get Ball” podcast.
Today on Sports Spectrum, David Pollack discusses his wife’s brain cancer battle, trusting God in the storm, carrying your cross, and the current state of college football.
Former New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr points heavenward after a touchdown, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr announced Saturday that he is retiring from the NFL after 11 professional seasons. The 34-year-old former New Orleans Saint and Oakland/Las Vegas Raider ends his career with 257 regular-season touchdown passes and 41,245 passing yards while completing 65.1% of his throws.
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with (my wife) Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” Carr said in a statement released by the Saints. “For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience. It’s difficult to find the right words to express our thanks to all the teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team officials and especially the fans who made this journey so special. Your unwavering support has meant the world to us.”
In a post on his Instagram account, Carr wrote, “Through it all, I gave this game everything I had every single day. I sleep well knowing that I gave my teammates, my coaches, and my cities my all. Now, I look forward to whatever God has next and I’ll pursue it with the same fire I brought to the field.”
He also posted a video of Heather documenting her husband’s activities on the first day of his retirement.
In late March, while preparing for the 2025 season, Carr and his doctors discovered he had a labral tear and significant degenerative changes to the rotator cuff in his right (throwing) shoulder. He ultimately opted for retirement rather than undergo surgery and miss most, if not all, of the season.
Carr spent the last two years with the Saints after nine with the Raiders, the franchise that drafted him 36th overall out of Fresno State in 2014. He is the all-time leader in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns in Raiders history.
Throughout his career, Carr has boldly proclaimed his faith in Jesus. He has a tattoo of a Chi Rho (an early Christian symbol) on his right wrist and one referencing the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11on his left.
“All the self-glory, that stuff is fleeting. I’ve already been through that,” Carr said after a 2021 win with the Raiders. “God took me to a place that all I want to do is glorify Him, and wherever He’s going, that’s where I want to go. So if it’s a win, awesome. If not, I’m still gonna glorify Him.”
In a Sports Spectrum video from 2014, Carr explained how he first became a believer. He was claiming to love God while in college at Fresno State, but his actions weren’t reflecting it. It was then that Heather (just a friend at the time) wrote him a letter to challenge him in his faith. He apologized to Heather, repented and trusted anew in Christ.
“That next week, we had a game at the University of Ole Miss. I got up in front of my whole team and I told them, ‘Guys, I’ve been calling myself a Christian, and I haven’t been living it. You guys know what I’ve been doing. I’m a Christian now, and I’ve asked God for His forgiveness. Now watch how I live my lifestyle.'”
Later, he added, “That’s how I know He’s with me — because I have a peace and a joy. I can’t describe it, but I have it and I know it’s real.”
Carr is a gifted speaker and has accepted many invitations to speak at churches throughout his time in the football spotlight. In fact, he nearly quit football years ago to become a pastor before ultimately realizing God had called him to the gridiron.
“It was in that moment where I think the Lord knew that my heart was His, and I’ve been able to minister to thousands of people,” Carr said in 2022 on “The High Note” podcast, hosted by Christian musician Tauren Wells. “I’ve been in stadiums — 15,000, 18,000 people — preaching the Gospel and watching thousands of people get saved. I’ve seen healings take place. I’ve seen people set free. I’ve seen marriages reunite. I’ve seen kids come back home. All while playing football.”
As he said during a Night of Worship event with the Saints last year, “God did something in my life. He radically transformed and changed my life and I can’t help but tell people about Jesus.”
Now, as Carr’s playing days have come to a close, he knows that God’s call on his life to proclaim the Good News of Christ never will.
Kendrick Bourne in 2024. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING KENDRICK BOURNE
Kendrick Bourne is a wide receiver with the New England Patriots. He went undrafted in 2017 despite having a stellar college career at Eastern Washington, but eventually signed with the San Francisco 49ers, making the final roster as a rookie. He spent four seasons in San Francisco (2017-20) before signing with New England in 2021. He’s scored 11 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Patriots.
Today on the podcast, Kendrick Bourne shares his powerful story of surrendering to Jesus in Miami, God’s grace in his life, teaching his kids about Christ, and living out his faith in the NFL.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING ADAM BURT
Adam Burt is the team chaplain for the New York Jets and lead pastor of Every Nation Church in New Jersey. Prior to his work in ministry, Burt was an NHL player for 13 seasons (1988-2001) with the Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers and Atlanta Thrashers.
Today on the podcast, Adam Burt shares his journey from being an NHL player to becoming an NFL chaplain, emphasizing the importance of living authentically as a Christian in a competitive environment. The conversation touches on the challenges athletes face, the significance of mentorship, and the impact of faith in their lives.
Adam Burt has taken the unique path from NHL defenseman to pastor, and now author. He's taking stories from his playing career, including playing in the longest game in NHL history, and using them as examples in his new role. https://t.co/FBXO7SuYvj