Head Coach Mike Tomlin
Opening Statement: "Awesome team win. I'm just appreciative of the effort of the men in that locker room. It's classic Steelers vs. Ravens. Unfortunately, we had a lot of guys go down in the game, but that's kind of been a component of it, too. Darnell Washington had a concussion. Malik Harrison had a concussion. [Andrus] Peat had a concussion. [Keeanu] Benton had an ankle, but he was able to go back. [We had] a couple other [evaluations]. I think they were able to go back, but it's really kind of indicative of how this game is played. [I] appreciate the efforts. Big win for us, obviously, in a hostile environment, and we'll keep moving."
On setting the tone with downfield passes: "I think we were in an aggressive posture all day. I just think that's how we got out of bed this morning. That's what's required when you're playing these guys in their venue."
On what from the Ravens defense made the downfield passing game possible: "I just think that's the way we needed to play. We needed to be aggressive. We've just been in here a lot. We are familiar with them in this environment, and that's what's required."
On CB Joey Porter Jr.'s defending TE Isaiah Likely on the non-touchdown play: "I'm just appreciative of the effort. That's just kind of indicative of how the game needs to be played; and you know, be a good example of that."
On his initial opinion if he thought Likely had a touchdown: "I did not. But I know sometimes in an effort to get it right, they'll signal it a touchdown and give it the benefit of a review. But no; I didn't think it was a touchdown."
QB Aaron Rodgers
On his reception: "I was trying to bat it down. I was trying to get my hand on top of it and push it down, and when I did, I felt his, whoever's, big paw was there; so I kind of had a 'David Tyree' for a second, and then it was kind of a battle for the football. I didn't realize at the time that my knees were down, I was just struggling with it, and he was grabbing on my left wrist, which, you know. And there was some extracurricular at the bottom of the pile. I was just pissed jogging off the field, so I was just glad that went our way."
On if he was surprised that the Likely touchdown was returned, and was he preparing to put together a drive: "I was thinking we've got to put a drive together, and so was Mason [Rudolph]. He keeps talking my ear off, you know about different things that we like, and he likes, and I like. So, he's sitting next to me, Will [Howard] is on the other side, and Will and I are kind of like tuned in to what is going on and the incompletion. Then they moved the ball back and are lined up for the next play and Mason can't believe it, because he's just been talking my head off about these random plays and I'm like multitasking and finding this out. So, we had a good laugh at his expense."
WR DK Metcalf
On turning it around this week after losing to Buffalo last week: "I think we just knew what was at stake, first place in the division. We knew we were coming in facing a good team that had just come off a loss as well. We knew we were going [to get] their best shot."
On attacking the Ravens defense right off the bat: "We got opportunities downfield, opportunities to make plays, and when the ball was in the air, we capitalized off it."
On what the conversation was like on the sideline during the replay review on the touchdown that was overturned: "Joey [Porter Jr.] didn't give up on the play, and we knew that the defense was going to get the stop, and we were going to go back out there and at least get a first down. We weren't able to do that, but the defense went back out there and got the stop on their two-minute drive."
On if he feels he was defended any differently today by the Ravens defense: "I didn't see much safety over the top, and I think that was a big, big thing on how we were able to throw the ball downfield."
On if he thought the rivalry lived up to it: "At the end of the day, I look at football as football. They're trying to stop us, and we have to score points, and that's how I look at it. I don't look at any one game being bigger than another game."
LB Alex Highsmith
On how important the stops were in the fourth quarter: "Knowing how much we needed this win, I think we did a good job of just bowing up. They were able to get down to the red zone on those drives in the fourth, but shout out to the guys that made plays on the defense."
On how big the win was for Tomlin: "It is huge. We believe and trust the men and ladies in this locker room. We know we have a good team in the locker room. We have to continue to build, and everyone trusts each other. We need to close out these last few weeks, and like I said, stack a win and fight."
CB James Pierre
On his interception of Lamar Jackson: "Just listening to my coach and keeping my eyes on the quarterback."
On the overturned touchdown: "Next play mentality. No matter what happens in a game, it's always the next play."
On his interception of his cousin Jackson, and if it gives him family bragging rights: "Not necessarily, no. It's just my mom will be talking about it a lot."
On if he has ever intercepted Jackson before: "No, because we've always been on the same team."
