Club Shay Shay: Debo & Joe - Steelers Take AFC North Title with DRAMATIC Win over Ravens + Browns FIRE Stefanski

Podcast: Club Shay Shay
Hosts: James “Debo” Harris & Joe Haden
Date: January 5, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the dramatic, tense AFC North clash where the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched the division title with a narrow 26-24 win against the Baltimore Ravens. NFL legends James “Debo” Harris and Joe Haden break down the game possession by possession, sharing raw emotional reactions, technical insights, and plenty of banter. The hosts also discuss the fallout across the division, including the firing of Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, and speculate on coaching changes and player futures. The tone is lively, fan-centric, and steeped in Steelers pride, with plenty of inside-talk for die-hard AFC North fans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Steelers vs Ravens: Game Recap, Momentum Shifts, & Key Plays

• Opening Drama, Early Nerves

  • Debo and Joe exchange emotional reactions about “the dirty birds” and the buildup (01:39–02:37).
  • “I was nervous in church. I was even sweating in the pew.” – Debo (02:08)

• First Quarter: Big Runs & Defensive Breakdown

  • Ravens open with a huge Derrick Henry 47-yard run, exposing Steelers’ defensive gap issues (03:27–04:55).
    • Debo details the breakdown: “For a man to break off 47 yards, something got to be wrong, right?” (03:34)
  • RPO and option plays from Lamar Jackson keep Steelers guessing.

• Steelers’ Offense: Slow Start & Screen Game

  • Pittsburgh’s early possessions dominated by screens, swing passes, checkdowns—minimal downfield attack (08:56–09:57).
  • “A rod went 0 for 5 in the first half, going passes over 10 yards.” – Joe (09:00)
  • Frustration over lack of run game and failed fourth-down gamble (15:47–16:23).

• Defensive Turnarounds, Big Stops

  • Praises for Cam Hayward’s veteran leadership: “He was playing like his hair was on fire.” – Joe (10:20)
  • Defensive adjustments lead to timely stops and some massive sacks, notably by Herbig (14:20–14:46).

• Back-and-Forth Second Quarter: Missed Opportunities

  • Steelers miss open receivers and fail to capitalize in the red zone. Debo laments going for it on fourth down before halftime, missing the chance for points:
    • “If we had went ahead and punted the first one, that wouldn’t have gave him that three... What the flip are we doing, huh?” (27:56–28:17)
  • Ravens lead 10-3 at halftime.

2. Second Half: Momentum Swings & Clutch Performances

• Hamilton’s Injury Changes Everything

  • Pivotal moment: Ravens’ defensive stalwart Kyle Hamilton goes out, opening up Pittsburgh’s attack (29:33–30:04).
  • “That was the biggest play of the game. They lost Hamilton. That switched a lot of things up.” – Debo (29:33–29:37)

• A-Rod’s Second Half Surge

  • Rodger's deep throws finally start connecting. Standout: 28-yard “handoff” to Thielen (30:46–31:04).
  • Joe: “A rod with a 28-yard handoff. That was one on one, Humphrey. Late hands and everything.” (31:09)

• Tush Pushes & Gritty Drives

  • Steelers convert crucial short yardage via the “tush push,” twice in a row to tie at 10-10 (31:51–32:26).

• Game-Changing Interception

  • Key turnover: TJ Watt makes a critical play off a tipped pass by Cam (32:26–33:17).
    • “Pam Hayward with the Cliff Paul to TJ Watt.” – Joe (33:03)

• Relentless Ravens & Steelers’ Resilience

  • Both teams trade scores. Ravens retake lead 24-20 after a blown Steelers zero-coverage assignment (44:57–47:21).
  • Steelers respond with a poised two-minute drill.
    • “Luckily we got Aaron Rodgers still. Let’s get the rock back. Aaron Austin, 16... Lance, beautiful two minute war.” – Debo & Joe (47:45–48:02)

3. The Wild Finish: Special Teams, Missed Kicks, and Emotional Swings

• Boswell’s Extra Point Miss

  • After the go-ahead TD, Boswell inexplicably misses his first XP in forever—Steelers up only two (49:09–50:25).
    • “He ain’t missed one all year. 90 straight extra points, bruh.” – Debo & Joe (50:20)

• Ravens Set Up for Win, But Rookie Kicker Misses

  • Ravens torch the Steelers on the ensuing drive, but the rookie kicker, “Luke,” pushes the field goal try wide right (52:01–53:10).
    • Debo, relieved: “Don’t you know? Loop loops that motherflicker to the right. Aha. Yes, sir.” (52:40)

• Reflections & Relief

  • The guys soak in the moment:
    • “I can’t be hurt again. Okay? I’ve been hurt too many times. Don’t you know? Loop loops that motherflicker to the right. Aha. Yes, sir.” – Debo (52:40)
    • “It could have been the other way... Somebody gotta win, somebody gotta lose. I am a fan. I love Lamar Jackson, but it had to be him or it was gonna be us.” – Joe (53:16)

4. AFC North Fallout: Browns Fire Stefanski, Coaching Carousel

• Stefanski’s Out, Hope for Browns

  • Joe’s thoughts on the firing:
    • “I’m actually happy for the Browns... We kept Andrew Berry too. He believes in Shador... I just know that the next coach that we get is going to have to like him...” (67:52–68:36)

• Other Firings & Cynicism at How Fast Teams Move On

  • Discussion of Pete Carroll and others being let go (68:36–69:48).

5. Rivalry Banter, Legacy Talk & Notable Quotes

• Steelers Superstitions & Divine Favor

  • Repeated riffs about holy water, blessings, and divine intervention (56:27–57:31).
  • Debo: “If I was a betting man, I’d have to say that God was a Stiller fan.” (57:00)

• Legacy, Loyalty & the Future

  • Persuading Joe Burrow to join the Steelers, tongue-in-cheek (60:08).
    • Debo: “We missing a piece, Joe. That would be that peace.” (60:08)
  • Ball-busting about “we” and who really rides for which team (70:30–71:28).

• Classic Tomlinism

  • “If my aunt had male parts, she’d be my uncle.” (55:31–55:37)
  • “There’s a thin line between squashing grapes and drinking wine.” (55:45–55:50, again at 76:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Handling Pressure During the Ravens’ Final Drive:

  • “Bruh, in my heart, I already know the defense about to sell. Cause we ain’t stopped nobody. We don’t close it out.” – Debo (49:28)

• Celebrating the Missed Ravens Kick:

  • “I’m so happy it happened. I couldn’t listen. That is your problem. And I’m glad you got it.” – Debo (53:10)

• On the Meaning of Winning Ugly:

  • “Listen, we never gonna apologize for winning. We can’t never. A win is a win.” – Debo (75:08)

• On AFC North Rivalry:

  • “That’s all we do. We hunt ravens. We hunt ravens.” – Debo (33:26–33:37)

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 01:39 | Show proper starts, emotional Steelers fandom | | 03:31 | Ravens open with huge Derrick Henry run | | 08:56 | Steelers’ first-half offensive struggles | | 14:20 | Praise for Cam Hayward, defensive leadership | | 27:56 | Frustration over red-zone play call before halftime | | 29:33 | Ravens’ Hamilton injury swings the game | | 30:55 | Rodgers’ big 28-yard “handoff” (deep ball) | | 32:26 | Cam-to-TJ Watt interception turns the tide | | 44:57 | Ravens’ quick TD after blown coverage | | 47:45 | Steelers’ clutch two-minute drill begins | | 49:09 | Boswell’s missed XP, freakout ensues | | 52:40 | Ravens’ rookie kicker misses, jubilant Steelers | | 55:31 | Tomlin quote, postgame reflections | | 67:52 | Browns fire Stefanski, Joe’s reaction | | 75:08 | Reflecting on the win, attitude toward ugly victories |

Summary Takeaways

• The episode captures the chaos and intensity of a classic Steelers-Ravens battle, told from the chest-thumping, black-and-gold perspective of two NFL veterans.
• Tactical and technical breakdowns are mixed with emotional, superstitious takes and locker room authenticity.
• The hosts are honest about both Steelers’ flaws (“We ain’t stopped nobody”) and proud of their grit.
• The Ravens’ missed field goal is celebrated almost as divine intervention, punctuated by inside jokes and references to Pittsburgh football lore.
• Significant attention is given to the AFC North’s changing winds—coaching firings, player futures, and what the next week holds for the Steelers.

For Next Episode

The hosts tease a deeper dive into the looming Steelers-Texans playoff game, promising a full breakdown of Houston’s strengths and what it’ll take for Pittsburgh to keep dancing.

If you’re a Steelers fan, or just love a passionate, raw football breakdown, this episode is a must-listen.