Counter-Attack with Zach

An angry Pittsburgh sports fan ranting about everything

Author: Zachary

  • “Ugly” Does Not Begin to Describe It

    21 plays. 88 yards. Ten minutes and twenty-nine seconds. That is how the Steelers-Eagles game ended yesterday evening after the Steelers opted to punt the ball to the Eagles on a 4th-and-7 from their own 46. Philadelphia, starting from their own three, would utilize the entire clock, never to relinquish the ball back to Pittsburgh,… Read more

  • GEEEEOOOORRRRGE!

    Before we get into today’s entry, there are a couple items I want to address in the world of sports. Juan Soto signed a 15 years, $765 million deal with the New York Mets last night—unfortunately, the Pirates’ hypothetical offer of 765 years, $15 million was not quite enough to convince one of the hottest… Read more

  • What Just Happened?

    As Russell Wilson took the final knee to solidify the Steelers’ 44-38 victory over the division rival Bengals in Cincinnati, I admit that I was still in shock. The Steelers’ offense—which, despite the team’s now 9-3 record, had been inconsistent at best entering Sunday’s contest—was responsible for thirty-seven points, tied for the most points the… Read more

  • Out-Played and Out-Coached

    Zach greets Mike Tomlin, Arthur Smith, and Teryl Austin at the Steelers’ Practice Facility, 2024, colorized.  Four days later, you would think that a loss in the elements to a division rival would no longer sting—especially with the Steelers sitting at 8-3, a game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens (who play the Chargers tonight on… Read more

  • Football is Weird

    And…exhale. Do me a favor: inhale and exhale again, because that Steelers-Ravens game was nothing short of physically miserable until Najee Harris inched his way past the line-to-gain for the game-clinching first down in the 18-16 victory.  The NFL never ceases to amaze me, to puzzle me, to inexplicably exhibit the same Achilles heels for… Read more

  • “You Say the Hill’s Too Steep to Climb…”

    Photo taken by yours truly at the David Gilmour concert at Madison Square Garden, November 9th, 2024 When Russell Wilson perfectly executed a hard count with 1:02 remaining yesterday to draw Washington defensive lineman Johnny Newton offsides on 4th and 1 at midfield and seal a 28-27 victory over the 7-2 Commanders, a sigh of… Read more

  • State of the Union

    For legal reasons, the above picture is not an accurate representation of my current feelings. Tomorrow, November 5th, is a big day for two reasons: 1). The first official College Football Playoff rankings will be revealed, and 2). The NFL trade deadline will come to pass. Everything else (besides the Penguins-Islanders game at 7:30PM) is… Read more

  • Bye Weeks: a Time for Reflection (and, Hopefully, Transactions)

    If you had told me before the NFL season began that the Steelers would be 6-2 heading into their bye week—especially with the injuries all along the offensive line—I would have taken that, no questions asked. Remember that, coming into the season, Russell Wilson was expected to be the starting quarterback in week 1 until… Read more

  • Zach’s Apology Tour

    Sometimes, in this business (from which I make zero money), you look back on some things that you have said, and realize that an apology may be in order.  Such is the case after last night. On Sunday Night Football, against a 2-4 New York Jets team that recently added star wide receiver Davante Adams… Read more

  • Smash. Mouth. Steelers. Football.

    As Justin Fields’ knee hit the turf on the Raiders’ 26-yard line at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the book closed on a commanding 32-13 Steelers’ victory over a very short-handed Las Vegas Raiders team, bringing their record to 4-2. It was not pretty at times, but, for once, fans’ hearts were not in their… Read more