Ryan Clark Unfiltered: Flacco’s Revival, Steelers’ Reality Check, and Who’s Really Built for February

What happened: On The Rich Eisen Show, ESPN’s Ryan Clark went from hilarious fan-anguish to sharp, clinical analysis. His Instagram rant about Joe Flacco’s surprise revival (and the ripple effects across the AFC North) segued into a sober look at the Steelers’ defensive failures, Mike Tomlin’s stewardship, the NFC/AFC pecking order, and a moving tribute to Stuart Scott.

The viral moment (and what it means)

Flacco’s resurgence: Clark joked he wanted to “jump out of a first-story window” watching Flacco pull the ball and run, then torch a defense that had dominated other QBs. Beneath the bit: Cleveland/Cincy’s offense looks energized with Flacco operating on-time, giving elite weapons clean chances.

Translation: A veteran QB playing decisive, efficient ball elevates everything—the run fits, the protection confidence, the play-caller’s aggression. That’s why the tape felt so jarring.

Pittsburgh, under the microscope

Defensive slippage: Clark says the Steelers’ pressure packages and disguise that worked vs. the Jets/Patriots didn’t translate; matchups outside exposed them. Even stars (T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward) didn’t flip the game in pivotal moments.

Coaching critique—fair but firm: Clark still capes for Mike Tomlin as an elite leader who’d be hired “in two seconds,” but called Thursday’s loss “on the staff,” citing late-game adjustment failures when they needed just one stop.

NFC confidence meter

If he can pick only one 4–2 team: Detroit Lions.
Why: An explosive offense, improving health (e.g., Alim McNeill), and a DC (Kelvin Sheppard) growing into the role. Corner injuries are the wart, but the ceiling is real.

AFC confidence meter

The team to beat (even at 3–3): Kansas City Chiefs.
Clark loved Mahomes’ urgency post 0–2, expects the offense to pop with Rashee Rice integrating, and trusts Spagnuolo’s back-end chemistry to keep tightening.

Among the 4–2 bunch: Buffalo Bills get his marker—injury-riddled but with a top-tier QB/HC axis that can stabilize.

Ravens status: Not buried. Lamar + two divisional shots late keep them in the bracket conversation, but Clark doubts the current roster build can win multiple big playoff games.

A note on Stuart Scott

Clark closed with heartfelt praise for Rich Eisen’s return-to–SportsCenter tribute to Stuart Scott—crediting Stu for making it okay to be authentically yourself and relentlessly prepared. It was the segment’s emotional spine and a reminder of why so many got into this business.

Three takeaways that matter on Monday

Veteran QB clarity is a cheat code. Flacco’s timing/processing lit the fuse for his weapons—and exposed a defense that’s been living on splash plays.

The Steelers need an answers package, fast. Third-down rules, leverage tools, and late-game counters have to tighten or they’ll squander a favorable AFC landscape.

The path still runs through KC. Clark’s broader board says Lions (NFC) and Chiefs (AFC) carry the most January-proof DNA when healthy and focused.

Headlines you can use

“Ryan Clark on Steelers: One Stop Away—and They Didn’t Have It”

“‘Don’t Bury Them’: Clark’s Case for the Chiefs (and Lions) in January”

“Flacco’s Revival, Tomlin’s Test: Ryan Clark’s Brutally Honest Read of the AFC”

Social cutlines

X/Threads: “Ryan Clark: ‘If I can pick one AFC team—even at 3–3—it’s still the Chiefs.’ Also picks the Lions to scare the NFC. Full breakdown of Steelers’ defensive lapse and Flacco’s shock jolt.”

IG Reel caption: “Flacco cooked. Steelers stalled. Chiefs still the standard. Ryan Clark explains why. 🏈🔥”

If you want, I can turn this into a tight 90-second video script or a newsletter-ready brief.