Views from 400’s Week 9 Thursday Night Football Roundtable

Every Thursday, the guys from Section 400 are here to answer the biggest questions heading into the Thursday Night Football game.

In this week’s roundtable, the guys talk Will Levis, the boringly good Steelers, best bets, and more.

Here is what Section 400 writers Brian Hauch, Jack Albanese, and Matt Kolen have to say ahead of this seemingly ugly Thursday Night Football matchup.

Free Will

Will Levis was let loose last week. The rookie threw 4 touchdowns in his first career start, defeating the Falcons 28-23. Can he repeat his success against a solid Steelers defense, or was last week’s game a mirage?

BH: The man puts mayonnaise in his coffee. If that doesn’t tell you he’s not scared of anything, I don’t know what does. He won’t throw 4 touchdowns again, but I do believe in Will Levis.

MK: I gave Will Levis a lot of juice last week because of his hot girlfriend. Brian went on to inform me they had broken up. I still don’t know if I was more shocked about the break up or the fact Brian knew about it. Either way, the guy is playing fearless football. As the great Kevin Garnett once said “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE”, especially with a rejuvenated Deandre Hopkins. I think we see another solid performance from the young gunslinger.

JA: I’m calling beginners luck. Some of those prayers that Levis tossed last week won’t be answered this week against the good Steelers defense. I don’t think he’ll have nearly as much success this week, but I’m interested to see how he progresses throughout the season.

Steeling wins?

The Steelers sit at 4-3 and second place in the AFC North despite a -34 point differential this season. Can this team continue to win close games and make the playoffs, or are you calling “fraud”?

BH: If you play in the AFC North and you’re team doesn’t have Joe Burrow. You are a fraud. I’ve made my hate for this division known and I will continue to make it known until they prove me wrong.

MK: This is who the Mike Tomlin Steelers are. They keep games close until the end and sneak out wins more often than not. It still is pretty miraculous they’re 4-3 because I don’t think they are very good. Can I call a 4-3 team a fraud? Yes, I can. The Steelers aren’t winning a playoff game, if they even get there. Kenny Pickett and Co. can’t win on the road, and that will be their demise.

JA: They can absolutely make the playoffs. Can they win the Super Bowl? No, so I do consider the Steelers frauds. They have playmakers that can help them make the playoffs, but this group is simply not talented enough to hoist a Lombardi Trophy.

Prime Disaster

Al Michaels has been the primetime voice on our screens for most of our lives but seems to have lost a step lately. Is it time for the hall of fame play-by-play man to retire?

BH: I don’t believe in miracles in the case of Al Michaels turning this around. He just doesn’t have it anymore and that’s okay. It’s time to hang it up Al.

MK: I’m sorry, I used to like Al Michaels but this guy has fallen off the deep end. He’s been all over the place on broadcasts and he fumbles around with his words more than Brett Favre fumbled the ball in his playing days. (How about that for a stat out of the archive; Favre had 166 Fumbles in 302 career games, insanity.) Anyway, Michaels has lost his juice. 

JA: The real question is “CAN WE GET JOE BUCK OUT OF HERE?” I respect Al Michaels too much to comment on this silly question.

Last Dollar

Best bet for tonight boys?

BH: Deandre Hopkins had a special connection with Will Levis last week. I’ve also gotten 40 or more points dropped on my head in fantasy for the last 4 games. My opponent this week has Hopkins on his roster. I’ll take “Nuke” over 52.5 receiving yards to hedge my happiness.

MK: I’m going with another disgusting player prop. Give me Chigoziem Okonkwo under 23.5 receiving yards. Catch me at the cash counter.

JA: I’ve gone with the player props in the last few roundtables. I’m keeping it simple this time around. Steelers -3 is the pick.

Final Score

Who is winning this snoozer?

BH: I’ll take the Steelers at home, 23-14.

MK: Steelers in a close one, 17-16.

JA: Steelers by a touchdown, 24-17.