SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR CHRIS HORTON
Opening statement: "Happy New Year. It's good to see everyone. I hope you guys are doing well. Just to recap [quickly] from the Green Bay game, I thought our guys came out, played physical [and] played with good effort. I thought our execution, for the most part, was pretty good. Those are the things that we're chasing consistently and weekly. Moving forward to this game, it's just one of those things; I just want to see our guys go out and play a really good football game and try to put this thing all together – all six phases combined – and just really go out there and just really have our best night of football. That's what we're looking forward to. Questions?"
Obviously, Acrisure Stadium is a really hard place to kick or at least has that reputation. I know Steelers K Chris Boswell does pretty well. But when K Tyler Loop goes into the stadium, what do you want him to keep in mind about the kicks? (Kyle Goon) "I don't think there's anything when [Tyler Loop] walks into this stadium. Obviously, he's never been there; he's a rookie; he hasn't been a lot of places. He's kicked well this season. For Tyler and the things we'll talk about pregame, once we go out there, we'll figure out if it's a windy day. We'll figure out the winds. We'll figure out what we need to do, and he'll figure out how he needs to kick the ball in that stadium. Those are all things that he will figure out in pregame with [senior special teams coach] Randy [Brown], and they'll have those conversations. So, I don't think we make a big deal of it, because he's kicking the ball great."
How close do you think WR LaJohntay Wester is to hitting the big one? We saw it in the preseason a couple times, and it feels like it's been close, but not quite. What has prevented it or how close is he? What do you see? (Pete Gilbert) "'Tay' [LaJohntay Wester]'s very close. Again, everything with that phase, being a punt returner, it starts with decision making. Again, he's making the right decisions when he is fielding the ball. He is getting yards. A lot of it is the more opportunities he gets, the more chances he'll have to hit those big returns. There hasn't been a lot of return opportunities in those situations. A lot of time, it's in that fringe area where teams are hitting those 'sky balls,' the ball's up there forever, and we have to fair catch the ball. But I think as long as we continue to do what we do upfront and on the perimeter, blocking for him, we have a chance every time we touch the ball. As long as he picks up that first first down, we'll be OK."
I know you talked to WR LaJohntay Wester about that mistake in the Browns game, but do you feel like that hurts his confidence at all? (Kyle Goon) "No, I don't think [LaJohntay Wester]'s confidence is shot at all. I think every opportunity he gets, he fields the ball. You could look over the past couple weeks, we lined him up in the New England game. He gets a ball. He's lined up at like 40-some yards; it's a 36-yard ball, so I don't want him sprinting up there, and then the ball hits him, then you guys are asking me, 'Oh man, why did he do that?' So, I think it's a lot of 'What type of punt did we get?' If the ball's not where it's supposed to be, then we can't return the ball. Confidence-wise, this kid, he's where he needs to be, and we see that every time he touches the ball."
Big picture, there's a chance that this is our last time talking to you this year. Do you feel like, overall, the special teams game has kind of gotten back to the level of Raven special teams that you guys aspired to be this year? (Jonas Shaffer) "I feel like where we are with these young guys, we've done a tremendous job of just getting them ready to play every week, them coming in, understanding our schemes, our systems and the things that we want to get done. We talk about it – effort and physicality; I think over the last two weeks, those things are really, really starting to hone in and come together. That's just the way we want to play football, and it's a lot of young guys. We've done a tremendous job, I feel like, as a coaching staff, just even with our personnel department, getting the right guys in here playing football for us, and it's exciting to see. This won't be the last time you see me standing up here."
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TODD MONKEN
So as a play-caller, how does it feel to have a running back in RB Derrick Henry where even at carry number 36, he's running for a 20-something-yard touchdown? (Jamison Hensley) "Yes, there were a couple of those where [Derrick Henry] kind of was tapping out, and I said, 'No, no, get him back in there.' Yeah, I've been through that. Get his ass back in there." (Laughter) "No, he's proven that throughout his career, just by the way, he takes care of himself. It's his size, it's just the way it is. Obviously, we're lucky to have him. That's just the way it is. The way he takes care of himself, as the year goes on, he's going to continue to get stronger. As the weather turns the way it does, you're going to need him. And at the end of games, you're going to need him."
Is there an extra, I don't want to say emphasis, but obviously RB Keaton Mitchell rotates in, on occasion, but was there an emphasis from you guys that, "Hey, we need to make sure we've got RB Derrick Henry in there a little more often," for lack of a better phrase? (Brian Wacker) "Maybe a little bit, but I think what we fail to realize sometimes is, games go that way. We've had games where we've had 38 snaps and 46 snaps and 50 snaps. And when you get in the 70s, usually that means you're having a lot of success on offense, you're having success on early downs, and you're ahead in the game. That's going to warrant more carries for whoever the running back is. Was there an emphasis on getting [Derrick Henry] going? Sure, but [it was] also our plan of attack – being under center, some of the formations of the personnel groupings we were in bodes a little bit more in terms of what we were doing for Derrick. And as the game went on, and we were still running it, obviously ... I don't know, how many runs did Keaton [Mitchell] have? How many did he end up with?" (Reporter: Nine) "Nine? I mean, that's about what we try to get him, somewhere around that number. And the more you have the ball, and the better you are on first down, that opens the gates to all kinds of – obviously, anything you want to do offensively."
At this point in the season, to have that level of sustained success during a game, the physicality, the run success, does it feel like you're ramping up to where you need to be right now? And now, of course then with the Steelers and Browns, the way that game played out, what you have now Sunday against Pittsburgh? (Pete Gilbert) "Well, it felt like that last week. When I got up here last week, I kind of said that the Patriots game, the Bengals game, the Steelers game the week before – it felt like we were able to run the football pretty effectively, and throw it, but lean on that heavily. And I felt like we were close. We've been close, obviously our guys have to go do it. So, I'm just proud of our guys, the way they played, the way they battled, and the way they practiced last week. Let's just talk about that. Not knowing what was going to happen on Sunday [in the Steelers-Browns game]. We had talked about that like, we owe it to ourselves with where we started. We battled back to get where we're at, to force Pittsburgh to play well to close us out. It'd be darn shame if we didn't do that. And our guys took that to heart and executed at a really high level. It's one thing to say that, but like I'd been talking about, the things that had been stopping us from really being elite again have been turnovers. Well, we didn't turn it over. All right, third downs, we were really good on third downs. And then we were scoring touchdowns in the red zone. That's really what the difference was. Obviously, we were able to run the football, stay ahead of the chains, but at the end of the day, we were able to get touchdowns and keep drives alive, because there's certain points in the game where it can go the other way. That touchdown past the Zay Flowers, that makes it a 10-point game instead of a six-point game. That's a huge, huge play in the red zone where sometimes, in other games, we may not have made that play."
Obviously, QB Lamar Jackson is coming off injury, but he was just here telling us he's definitely a go for Sunday. He's obviously been a full participant in the last two practices. Based on what you've seen, how confident are you that he's going to have his sort of full, physical complement on Sunday against the Steelers, and you're going to be able to kind of use everything in his toolbox? (Kyle Goon) "Well, it's been the closest we've been in a long time where [Lamar Jackson]'s going to be a full-go all week – that's a fact. I don't even know when the last – maybe go all the way back to Miami, maybe even then, and that was a short week, that wasn't even ... Maybe Minnesota? It's been that long ago where we get Lamar in a full week of practice and timing with the receivers and our communication. You can actually see that with Tyler [Huntley]. It actually has benefited Tyler. What backup quarterback has gotten as many reps as he's gotten? It's allowed him to function at a high level. If that doesn't really tell you that practice matters and the reps and your timing and your team's confidence around you – I don't know what does. So, we're excited. You like having your quarterback out there every day."
I think the Steelers were really committed to kind of stacking the box when they played you guys in Week 14. Obviously, you kind of popped them for a couple long runs. Can you just talk about the give and take of wanting to commit to the run, but not wanting to bang your head into the ball too many times when they're on the run? (Jonas Shaffer) "You're going to play certain teams, and especially the teams you play a lot, or that you faced a lot, or coach [against] a lot. I'll give you an example, like when we played the Patriots. The very first play of the game, we were in base personnel, and they went 6-2. Now we threw a shake route to Zay [Flowers], and then on the touchdown run, we ran a gap scheme, and they didn't have anybody to spill it to, and he went. That was the last time we saw 6-2. So, the way to get people out of stacking the box is the ability to get the ball down the field and be explosive. Three-, four-, five-yard gains are not going to get them out of that mentality. You have to be able to run the ball effectively when you get the right numbers, and sometimes you don't get the right numbers, but you're going to have to be able to throw it when they get down there. When we played the Steelers the first time, the non-touchdown or touchdown to [Isaiah] Likely was because they had everybody up in there, and we had been in that formation a couple times before and struggled to run it. It was Cover-0, 6-2. So, our ability to run the football effectively, as I said before, and still be able to throw it, because if you're only ... One-dimensional isn't just throws and passes, it's using all of your skill players, using every blade of grass, and it all fits together; it all fits together. Our first game against them, we had the big run by Keaton [Mitchell], but we had a couple big passes to Zay [Flowers], a couple of the big plays in there that you're going to have to sustain drives and to be able to get yourself in position to score touchdowns."
You're around QB Lamar Jackson in the building every day. There's been a lot of attention this season on how hard he works, how hard he studies and his conduct in meetings. What have you seen*, from your perspective, on how he's dealt with what's been a challenging season?* (Jeff Zrebiec) "I've just seen the same guy every day. I haven't seen anything different, but I can't speak to that. I've just seen the same guy every day, and I don't really comment to whatever's out there. What I see every day is really what matters. Same with all of us; we have a job to do, and that's what we're paid to do. The bottom line is I'm paid to score. [Lamar Jackson] is paid to play at a high level. [Head coach] John [Harbaugh] is paid to win. That's what we do. That's what we do. That's what our job is, and so you try to keep that same outlook every week, even when things aren't going your way. That's the only way to give yourself a chance, and that's what I give our guys a lot of credit [for] – Coach [Harbaugh], all of us and the players. There's a reason why we've gone 7-3 after being 1-5. That's not by mistake. That doesn't happen without everybody being committed, everybody being positive, everybody knowing that you have everything it takes to get it turned around. Has it been perfect? Of course not, not by any stretch, but I haven't seen really a change in him at all."
How important is the availability of Steelers OLB T.J. Watt for what you guys want to do and what Pittsburgh wants to do defensively? (Jonas Shaffer) "[T.J. Watt] is a great player. Like any great player, he's much harder to go against. You have to gameplan, especially [for] a player of his caliber, his craftiness, his ability to get to the quarterback. Guys that can get to the quarterback change the game. There's no other way around. All you have to do is look at who gets paid the most money in this league, and that'll tell you who's the most important; that's a fact. General managers and owners aren't giving money away to the guys that aren't critical to winning games – obviously edge rushers, quarterbacks, pass catchers, all those guys – so he's an elite player, and we'll scheme like he's going to play, like we're planning on him playing."
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR ZACH ORR
Obviously, the last time you guys played the Steelers, Pittsburgh Steelers WR DK Metcalf had a pretty big game. In watching them and how the offense played against Cleveland, how different is this offense without him? (Jamison Hensley) "I don't think it's different at all, honestly. Obviously, DK [Metcalf], he's a heck of a player, one of the top receivers in the league. But Aaron Rodgers and [Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator] Arthur Smith, they're running the same offense. They're still going to take the shots on the outside [and] give their guys chances one on one. So, I don't see anything changing much, and they have capable receivers. They just didn't come down with the plays. I'm sure that they wanted to, but the offense really hasn't changed."
With no Pittsburgh Steelers WR DK Metcalf, how do you guys kind of change your preparation for the Steelers? (Michael Howes) "I don't think the preparation changes at all, because like I said, obviously, DK [Metcalf], the caliber of receiver he is – is very good. But when you're going against a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, who can pinpoint, place the ball where he wants to, like I said, they're still taking those shots and everything. Obviously, we have to be better on those plays than we were last time."
How do you feel? Obviously, the numbers have been great the last few weeks for your secondary. How do you feel guys are holding up specifically in one-on-one coverage, and what needs to be better? (Kyle Goon) "I think that our fundamentals and technique have to be better and more consistent. Sometimes they make plays, and it's a good throw, good catch, and you live with that. But what's unacceptable is playing with bad eyes, bad fundamentals and not giving yourself a chance. So, I think we had a good meeting about it this week, and I think the guys came out being intentional about it in practice. We know what that group is capable of doing. So, nobody takes it more personally than them and us. We've been working like crazy to get it fixed. I'm excited to see those guys go out there and compete on Sunday."
When you looked at the Green Bay game, in particular, was the problem more of letting Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis out of pocket and giving him so much time for guys to get open down field or was it more losing the guys when he threw downfield? (Childs Walker) "Yes, it was a combination of both. When the coverage was good, and [Malik Willis] held onto the ball, we messed up something in the rush lanes more times than not. When the rush lanes were good, and we were getting back there, coverage and fundamentals weren't good in the back end. So, when we're able to put that together, we were able to do some good things against him. And he made some plays, but we feel like it was more of what we were doing than what they were doing."
I think like a third of the Steelers' play in the past few weeks have been in empty. What kind of challenge does that present for a defense like yours that likes to show as much as it does before the snap? (Jonas Shaffer) "It really started with our game the first time we played [the Steelers]. Their offense has shifted from the last time that we scouted them. It started with our game where they started going more empty, and 'A-Rod' [Aaron Rodgers] started having more control at the line of scrimmage and really just calling his own pass plays, trying to dictate the game. Obviously, he's been doing it for a long time, and he's great at doing that. So yes, it presents a lot of challenges, because he wants to ball out quick. It's easier to see rushers when they're coming. It's easier to see certain coverages when you spread them out. So, we have a good plan for that, and we got to go out there and execute it."
What has this week been like after you get the second life? It was surprising to know what that you had in store, and it's also this rivalry, those two things combined. What's this week been like? (Pete Gilbert) "Man, it's great. It's an exciting time. At the beginning of the season, [head] Coach [John] Harbaugh puts up a mission statement every year at training camp, and the first thing is 'Win the next game.' And then the next thing after that is 'Win the AFC North.' And what's crazy about this week, with everything we've been through, through the ups, through the downs, being counted out, chances are looking really slim, especially after that New England game; all we have to do [now] is win the next game, and we win the AFC North. So, it's an exciting time. It's definitely like a new life. We had faith, but truth be told, when you don't control your own destiny, when you lose the opportunity, it's hard to see it through. It worked out in our favor. Now we have to go maximize it and make the most of that opportunity that we have."
To kind of build on that, what was that like watching that Steelers vs. Browns game? Because obviously you have to scout, because either way, you're playing each other, but then you sort of know, "OK our lives are in your hands." How did you kind of mentally process watching that live? (Kyle Goon) "It was crazy. First, shout out to [head] Coach [John] Harbaugh having everybody over. It was beautiful. Obviously, he has a nice house, so that helped out." (laughter) "But it was crazy. I remember we were talking as a defensive staff, I was like, 'Look, we're going to go in. We have to go play. We want to finish the season strong regardless.' And we said we're going to go in, no expectation, no emotion. But when it started getting close, especially in that third quarter, fourth quarter, we were sitting on the edge of our seats, and it was good. The preparation didn't stop. We were already preparing for Pittsburgh. I think what Coach does a good job for us is after every game – regardless of a win, loss, short week – we debrief as a staff of what we would like to do, and what we would do going forward. So, a lot of preparation was already put into place. So, we were going to be ready to go regardless. Now it's just the stakes are higher, which is good."
What have you seen in regard to CB Nate Wiggins with some of the stuff you talked about earlier with execution and technique and all that? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I think Nate [Wiggins] would be the first one to tell you that this last game wasn't one of his best games. He's a young player. I still have all the confidence in him. He made plays in that game when he was locked in and doing things right. So, we just have to do a better job of continuing to work with him and making it easier for him. He's taking ownership of being locked in on his technique as well. So, I'm excited to see him bounce back. He'll be the first to tell you that, 'Hey, that's going to be a one-off game' for him. So, we always tell him, 'You play this game long enough, you're going to have games where you're going to want back, and you're going to get got. But the true testament of the player you are and the man you are is how you're going to respond.' And so, I'm looking forward to seeing how he's going to respond on Sunday."
You've been involved in a lot of these high-stakes Pittsburgh games. Do you almost have to tell guys, "Look, something weird is probably going to happen. It might be a call, might be a turnover or whatever, but you can't let it knock you off track?" (Childs Walker) "It's crazy you brought that up. The first thing that we talked about is poise, just keeping your poise this week. It should be exciting; it's an exciting time. This is what you work for. You have the opportunity to go win a division championship and then clinch a playoff spot, which is every NFL player's dream. But you have to keep your poise. The game is going to be played within the white lines. The field is not going to get any bigger. You just have to lock in play by play, and then you have to move on, whether it's a good play or a bad play. You have to play the next play until the game is over."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On if there is a different feel for this game than any other regular season game: "Yes, it's win or go home. It's basically like we're in the playoffs. Going into Pittsburgh, like you said, [they are] a division rival who we both know each other very well. I feel like we're the underdog going into this game. They came into our house and beat us. They have a better record, so I feel like they're up on us. We have to execute this week and go in there with a great plan to go execute."
On why the Ravens had so much success running the ball in Green Bay: "Everybody was just locked in and focused on executing, finishing the drive with points and, overall, just playing better, because we knew what was at stake [and] what we needed to do to put ourselves in a position to be here."
On if there is a sign that the opposing defense is worn down by the run game: "I just think when you get in the game, you get the ball, the line of scrimmage is moving, [and] you're moving forward as you're getting tackled, you just feel it. [You're] gaining yards, getting in long drives; it usually wears defenses down, and everybody just is doing their job. I feel like everybody can feel that rhythm when everybody's clicking."
On starting the season 1-5 and now being in a position to make the playoffs: "We've been through a lot this season, but like you said, we have to heck of an opportunity this weekend, so we have to go out there and do our job to get the job done. We know it's going to be tough, going to be a four-quarter battle, but it's a testament to everybody [that's] part of this team, this organization, to get to this point knowing what's transpired."
On the Pittsburgh defense: "They have an upper hand on me. They played better than we did last time. They had a great gameplan, a great scheme [and] executed it well. I didn't like how I played last game, but they were the better team and better on defense than I was. I'm just watching the film from that game and going out in practice, watching film, just trying to be better and make sure I'm better when that time comes."
On if their gameplan against Green Bay can be a recipe moving forward: "Green Bay was Green Bay. That's already happened. The Steelers are a whole different team. They play us totally different, but it's a good game to build off of, and we're just looking forward to the next one. We actually did do what we needed to do in Green Bay, and now it's on to the next one."
On if QB Lamar Jackson practicing in full gives the team more confidence: "[Lamar Jackson] is the starting quarterback. Anytime you have a starting quarterback coming to play, everybody's happy. It should be a given, right?"
On how quickly he physically bounces back to be ready to play in the next game: "I just know when it's time to go to practice on Wednesday, I'm ready to go. I just do my regular recovery, get my body back under me and be ready to go practice on Wednesday."
On offensive coordinator Todd Monken saying this is the time of the year where everything he does during the year shows up the most: "I don't really know. I just try to go out there and do my job and let my work show for itself. I don't really get into the, 'Oh, this is when I'm going to be Macho Man or something like that.' I just try to go out there and do my job. Whatever the result is, that's the result, but I'm going to give it my all when I do."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On if he will be starting this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers: "Yes, 100 percent. Yes, [I will] be out there."
On how it feels to get in a full week of practice: "It feels great. It feels great to be out there with my guys, as always. It feels great."
On having the opportunity to make the playoffs after a rough start to the season: "Yes, it's very important. Like you said, we started off 1-5. [We've made a] tremendous change. I am looking forward to playing on Sunday though. And not just me, I feel like all of us [on] all [three] phases."
On his journey returning from his back injury: "[I've been] doing a lot of treatment, trying to get that contusion out of there much as possible. I feel great right now."
On if he plans to play with any back protection on Sunday: "Yes. I'm trying to keep my back protected. So yes, definitely."
On if playing with back protection will feel different for him: "No, not at all."
On if this is the first time he's ever had to wear protective gear for his back: "No, I think I played with something similar my rookie year, but I just stopped wearing it."
On how nasty the bruise on his back was: "Well, I was in pain, so very, [it was] extremely nasty. But, it's good now though."
On when he felt like he would be healthy enough to play this week: "Sunday or Monday. Yes, I believe Monday –truly, Monday – because I got some treatment and worked out a little bit. So, Monday."
On his takeaways from QB Tyler Huntley's performance against the Green Bay Packers: "[Tyler Huntley] was lighting the field up all night; that's what we expect. I think I told you guys this years ago. I always look to see that with Tyler – Snoop – each and every time he gets an opportunity to play. I feel like he's a 'QB1,' so there was no doubt in my mind seeing what he was capable of doing and what he did."
On not being able to play in last week's must-win game against the Green Bay Packers: "I always want to play football, but I felt like my brother [Tyler Huntley] had a – that he could pull a win off for us because I wouldn't be able to do anything. I was really hurt. I don't know why I have to get questioned about – or I hear things about – 'Oh, I don't know if he's really hurt.' I've never quit on my team before. I've never quit anything, to be honest with y'all. So, I don't know where that noise came from, but I already knew my brother was going to pull it off if I couldn't get it done."
On if it surprises him when people question the validity of his injuries: "Someone probably thinks I'm a robot, but I'm a human being, too. Unfortunately, I couldn't avoid that injury when it happened. But, we got to win in Green Bay, [and] I'm looking forward to playing on Sunday. So, it is what it is."
On if that criticism adds fuel when he gets back on the field: "No, I just want to win. I don't really care about the criticism, it's going to be that way, especially with how the season was going and stuff like that. When you're winning, there's no noise, but soon as you lose, or things don't look right, all types of noise come out of nowhere. So, it is what it is."
On outside media noise and people questioning his work ethic: "I heard that I [was] playing a game at like one or two in the morning. I don't even do that during the summer, so I don't know where that comes from either. But yes, I don't know. I don't know. I don't know where that comes from."
On how he responds to people saying he's fallen asleep in team meetings: "Do you think [head coach John] Harbaugh would let me fall asleep in his meeting? That's crazy. I'm right in the front. I don't know, man. It is what it is though. Like I said, it's just noise. I just play football."
On fans asking if he wants to be in Baltimore: "Absolutely, man. Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely. I don't even know where that comes from."
On people waiting for him to sign a contract extension: "Well, we have to focus on winning right now. So, contract talk can be after the season or whatever, but during the season, I'm locked in."
On if this season feels similarly to 2022 when he was injured: "See, it's different in a way because we have a chance to make the playoffs, and I can actually play. Then, I couldn't play, so it's different."
On if the opportunity to prove people wrong and reach the playoffs feels like new life for him and the team as a whole: "I doubt it will silence [the outside noise]. They're probably going to be quiet for a little bit, but there is always noise; it's the National Football League. [We just have to] to focus on winning."
On what he thought when he watched the Steelers incomplete pass that ended the Steelers-Browns game: "No, I didn't watch the game. I didn't want to jinx it. I just wanted to find out what happened after."
On his reaction when he learned the outcome of the Steelers-Browns game: "'Let's go. Let's go.'"
On what he was doing instead of watching the Steelers-Browns game: "[I was] sleeping. I was recovering. I was recovering just in case [the Steelers] lost. [I was] trying to get back to play."
On if he did anything to test out his back early this week while rehabbing: "Yes, I was throwing and ran a little bit."
On if he has a good relationship with head coach John Harbaugh: "Yes, I believe so. Like I said, I don't know where the noise came from. I don't know where the noise came from."
On if this game against their division rivals for the AFC North championship has any different feel for him: "No, you just have to be calm. You have to be calm in the storm. So, that's my approach. And I feel like that's the team's approach."
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On how big the stakes are against division rival Pittsburgh on Sunday: "Obviously, it's the next game on the schedule, and we know how much weighs on it. It's like the playoffs have started early, so it's [a] win-or-go-home [game], and we know what it is, and we know what it isn't. So, we just have to come out, play our brand of football, and if we do that, everything will be just how we would like it."
On how eager they are to get a win on Sunday and have a fresh start heading into the playoffs: "Potential is one thing that's untapped, so it's more about just showcasing who we are play-in and play-out on a consistent basis. We've done it, but we haven't done it on a consistent basis week-in and week-out, play-in and play-out. So, I just think it's a great opportunity knowing the stakes that we have for this game to just come out and show who we are, and I know each and every guy is confident in each other, and we're just going to go out and show exactly who we are and get this [game] season started. We are looking at this game as a part of the new season, so I'm very excited and very eager to get out there and show the world."
On playing between the lines and not beyond the whistle against a division rival: "I always think in the game of football, [when] people are doing stuff after the whistle and things like that, it doesn't really reveal how tough you are. What reveals how tough you are is what you do between the lines, and I would say myself [that I am] one of the toughest ones out there. I'm not one to do stuff after the whistle and things of that nature. You show your manhood by how you do it during the whistle, and I think it's going to be a physical game. It always has been, always will be, and it's just part of it, but I'm just eager to get out there and get the pads popping. I'm excited to get in there and show who we are to the world."
On they've had success on the road this season: "I don't really have an answer for that, because if I did, I would say it's the same. For home [games], it should be that way. I don't have an answer for it, but at the end of the day, when you're going into enemy territory, your back is against the wall. But I feel that way in each and every game that we play; your back is against the wall, and these guys are trying to take something from you that we've worked our entire life for. I'm sure I've told many of the guys that everything you want – how we got into this situation – you would dream to be in a situation like this. You win, and you go to the playoffs, so I think it's pretty sweet. Just also knowing that it's the division title on the line, too, so it's a step closer for us chasing our dreams. So, I'm very excited about the opportunity, and I just know our backs [are] against the wall, but hey, that's life every day. How are you going to respond? Are you going to do your job play-in and play-out? That's including myself, so that's all we have to do. Take a deep breath, one play at a time and do our job. If we do that, trust me, we'll all like the outcome."
On Steelers WR DK Metcalf not playing this week: "I think [DK Metcalf] is a really good receiver in this league, definitely. [Aaron] Rodgers used to depend on him a lot for those go-balls and whatnot. But at the end of the day, there's injuries and other circumstances where players are out all the time, so the only thing we can focus on is who's out there. The same goes for the defense: Who's out there with us? We can't worry about who's not out there, because it doesn't really matter. What matters is who's playing between those lines, and if he's out there miraculously, sure. Whoever's out there has to get dealt with."
On if he's surprised to hear when there are outside questions surrounding QB Lamar Jackson: "No, I think just like from a team perspective, when you're not playing to your standard – including the defense – and then when we've had different hiccups, people are always going to come out with opinions and the way they feel. Granted, we all do live in America, like I've said before, so we all are entitled to our own opinion and [can] write stories regardless of if they're true or not. That's nothing that anyone can control. The only person that can control that is the person that's writing the story and the person that buys into it. So, at the end of the day, like [Lamar Jackson] said, it's just noise, and I don't really listen to it. I don't really know too much about it, truth be told, because I don't really concern myself with those things. I just concern myself with myself, how I go about my business and how I control that and how I try to echo that throughout my teammates. But at the end of the day, it is what it is. It'll always be that way. People are always going to talk. That's why we have mouths."
On if he anticipates the Steelers trying to run the ball more on Sunday without WR DK Metcalf: "Absolutely. Any and every team going into each and every game, your plan – regardless of your philosophy – is to run the ball, because if you run the ball, then things go on your term. So, I think the thing for us is very simple. Like I've said before, [it's about] making the [opponent] one-dimensional, stopping the run and then going from there. Then we stop the run, make them one-dimensional and know that you can get predictable in that sense. But it's going to be a four-quarter game. I'm very excited for it, and it's just going to be one play at a time, and we're going to make sure that happens. So, make sure you tune in. I'm sure you will."
