HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "Alright, [that was a] good game, [but a] tough loss. [We] fought until the end. [We still have] four games left. The season is not over. [We will be] fighting for the AFC North for the next four games; that's where we stand. What questions do you have?"
On the replay, it looked like TE Isaiah Likely had gotten two feet down in the end zone. What was the explanation that was given to you on the sideline for why that wasn't a touchdown? (Josh Tolentino) "The explanation was that a third foot didn't get down before the ball came out. That's what they said."
Do you believe it should have been a touchdown? (Jamison Hensley) "You know what, I believe a lot of things. I think the play with, I think the Aaron Rodgers play [that was originally called an interception but overturned] – just talking about rules here – it's not an officiating issue; it comes from New York, but when you're making a catch, you have to survive the ground. He didn't survive the ground. He's not down by contact, he was catching the ball on the way down with another person, so you have to make a catch there and survive the ground. I don't know why it was ruled the way it was on that one. So, all those things, I'm sure they'll explain to us, but they had plenty of time to look at it, and they're the ones who are the experts on the rules, so that's how it works."
How was the overturned interception play by QB Aaron Rodgers explained to you, that he was just down with possession of the ball? (Mark Maske) "Yes."
What did you see on DL Travis Jones' unnecessary roughness penalty on the field goal that gave them the opportunity to get a touchdown? (Luke Jones) "I didn't see the head and neck contact. That's what I did not see, which you need to have head and neck area contact there, and it has to be forceful contact, not incidental contact. But, I didn't see any contact myself."
How do you talk to the players after a game where you feel like some of the calls might not have gone your way? How do you address and kind of take this loss and try to explain that to you and your players? (Jamison Hensley) "The players, they know. They've been in the NFL, they know how this stuff works. I tell them, basically, that we don't make any excuses. We don't point any fingers. That's not what we do here. We never have. We walk out of here with our chest out and our chin up, and we look to the next game. We are fighting, still, for everything that we want to accomplish. So, it's tough. It's been a tough, challenging road for sure, but that's where we're at, and we will keep fighting. We believe we can get it done."
From that last drive of the second quarter to almost the end of the game, is that kind of the QB Lamar Jackson that you're familiar with seeing and sort of the competitive level you're familiar with? (Kyle Goon) "I thought Lamar [Jackson] played really well. Yes – to your point – I thought he played really well, and it was what we've come to expect in how he plays. I always have so much respect for him and the way he plays, the way he fights and competes and everything else out there. When the game starts, and the lights come on, there's nobody you'd rather have."
On the touchdown that the Steelers scored in the second half where Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren just goes down the sideline. What broke down there? (Childs Walker) "Yes, there were a lot of breakdowns – a lot of misunderstandings, I guess you'd say. We weren't on the same page with assignments and things like that. That was one of our worst plays that we had [today]."
The Steelers had struggled to kind of get some of those splash plays down the field. In the passing game, they went right after that early. Why do you think they had success in that? (Cordell Woodland) "Well, I think they completed some passes on the sideline – some press fades. They completed them; there were three or four of them. And then they had that play that was just not well-executed by us in terms of the pressure on that."
How serious is the RB Keaton Mitchell knee injury? (Luke Jones) "We'll evaluate tomorrow. We'll know more tomorrow. That's one that's going to have to take [us] some [time to] look at tomorrow."
On the last offensive drive, it looked like there was some confusion between QB Lamar Jackson and the receivers. Obviously, you'll have to go back and look at it, but what did you see from the field level? (Zachary Pereles) "Well, that's a good question. That's one we're going to have to go back and look at, I'm sure. I'm just [now] walking out of the locker room right here, so I haven't had a chance to really break that down with the offensive coaches. But, we just weren't as crisp as we needed to be on that last two-minute drive, for sure – in terms of that part of it. We made plays – we got down the field twice, so I was happy with that, but that part we'll have to look at."
Did you consider taking a timeout on the second-to-last drive, that third-and-2 that ended up as a tackle for loss? (Jonas Shaffer) "I did. I did. It was one where there was a chance – it was really chaotic – and there was a chance that we thought we were going to be able to get lined up right, and it didn't work out that way. So, it was one of those ones where you didn't know how it was going to go right there."
There were stretches where your offense got some things rolling. There were stretches where your defense played well, but it didn't seem like there were times where they both happened together. Was that something that you felt, and how frustrating was that? (Zachary Pereles) "I think that's kind of how football goes, a lot of times. It's tough. It's tough to put it all together and [have] everybody on the same page. [It's tough to have] everybody dominating your opponent altogether at the same time for a football game. That's a challenging thing. Your opponents have a say in that as well."
You got forced into kicking some field goals in the red zone. Did you notice anything going wrong with the offense once they got close to the end zone? (Tyler Aitken) "We'll look at it. I'm not sure, exactly, in terms of this, that or the other with certain plays, but we'd love to score touchdowns there. But, our guys were fighting to do it, [it just] didn't work out for us."
WR RASHOD BATEMAN
On how the team can improve during the final stretch of the season: "I think we just have to get our ourselves together, contribute, execute and play football. We just have to put it together."
On him getting a lot of targets and if it was difficult to get into a rhythm: "I'm not really going to speak on too much. I just have to catch the ball at the end of the day. Ttat's my job. That's what I get paid to do when it does come my way. So, I have to [catch the ball] on that play."
On his perspective of TE Isaiah Likely's overturned touchdown: "I think all of us thought [Isaiah Likely] scored. The fans counted out three steps of him having possession, so I'm not sure who was looking at that in New York. I just felt like we were robbed there, but there's a lot of stuff we have to clean up. We didn't lose because of that play. We didn't lose because of my play. We [lost] because there is a whole collective of stuff that we have to clean up to get better."
On the offense looking out of sync and what the team is doing to fix it during practice: "I don't even know. We're just practicing at this point, so I don't even know. I don't know at this point."
On TE Isaiah Likely's overturned touchdown: "As a player, and even [a player on] Pittsburgh – if they're real – they would say the same thing. It was definitely a touchdown. [Isaiah Likely] had three steps, but the officials and the cameras thought otherwise. So, it's just another play we have to deal with."
On where he thinks the disconnect with execution is for the offense: "That's a good question. I just think we all have to do our job at the end of the day. I think all 11 people involved – all players on the field – whoever's making the offense go at that point, we just all have to be on the same page when that ball is snapped, and that's pretty much it."
ILB TEDDYE BUCHANAN
On his overturned fumble recovery: "The ball got tipped up, and we kind of both had our hands on it, and I saw the replay. It looked like he was probably down, so it's unfortunate, but it was a great play by C.J. [Okoye] to get his hands on that. It's something we emphasize, so shout out to him. [It] almost led to a really good play."
On how much of a difference in momentum that play was: "Who knows? It's hard to say exactly. It definitely would've been momentum for us, but I feel like we still had a chance. I can't really live in what could have happened."
On the team fighting through the adversity of officiating calls: "The way I look at it, I'm part of the team, and I just do what I can do. I don't control the officiating. I just try and do my part, and we're not going to use that as an excuse or a crutch or anything like that."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On how difficult it is to lose when calls from the officials feel like are going to go one way, but end up going the other way: "It's just tough. The game is in the ref's hands, but we just have to be better. I'm focused on me being better. I feel like I needed to be better today to give us a better chance to win in the run game and do my job, but we just didn't make the plays when it was needed."
On what he liked about the run game today: "We had success. I just feel like I could have been better. [Keaton Mitchell] did a great job on that explosive run, and I did a great job blocking [on that play, but it] just came up short."
On if he thought TE Isaiah Likely's overturned touchdown should have been upheld: "I thought so, but it's not up to me to make the decision. I thought it was a touchdown. What'd you think?"
On what the conversations were like after TE Isaiah Likely's overturned touchdown: "[You have to] just let it slip away. You're kind of disappointed, especially right now when the game just end. So, it's disappointing. We let this one slip away. We had opportunities, but we just didn't capitalize on it. Like I said, I need to be better so [I am just] focused on myself, but as a whole, we just didn't capitalize on the moment today."
On how much he thinks this loss hurts the team's playoff chances: "I really am not trying to think about the playoffs, just because we just lost. I am just trying to focus on watching film, figuring out [what] I can do, and do better. [I want to] finish the season strong, and then see where we land. We still have time, but I'm just trying to focus on this game, learn from it and move to the next one."
On what the team can do to improve: "I just think we need to win. It's the most important thing; win these games [and] play complementary football in all three phases. [We need to] take advantage of the opportunities when they are given, and just execute, which we've been saying every week. [We have] another divisional game [next week]. Every game now is important for us to be able to get a chance at the playoffs. But, like I said, it doesn't matter right now. [We need to] learn from this one to get ready for the Bengals next week."
On if he feels like the team can still find the consistency they've been talking about all season: "Yes, I think we definitely can. It's just a tough one today in a close game – a divisional game – [against a] division rival, to come up short like that. But, it's a great feeling to learn from, so we can get ready for another divisional opponent who we just saw last week."
On losing three out of five games at home: "Yes, I know that hurts. You're supposed to defend your home turf, and we definitely should have a better record at home, but that hasn't been the case for us. That doesn't mean we [will] give up or [that we shouldn't] still play with confidence [or] believe in each other, and go [we will] out there and do what we need to do to give ourselves a chance. But yes, it definitely stings, for sure."
CB MARLON HUMPHREY
On if he was surprised how much the Steelers' offense challenged the defense downfield: "Over the years, that's kind of usually the Steelers' thing against us, is to take a lot of shots downfield. So, it didn't necessarily surprise me."
On the sentiment and assessment of where the team is at right now: "Honestly, that's a good question. We still have a chance. We play Pittsburgh again at the end [of the season]. We play 'Cincy' [the Cincinnati Bengals] next week, but obviously, this one hurts, and we'll look at the film and figure out where we go from here."
On the post-game message: "Just we need to win some games. That's kind of it."
On losing five home games this season: "I will say, that's something that definitely does bother me some. I think every home game we have, it's probably – no matter [if you're] young or old – someone's first game in 'The Bank,' and to continue these performances [of] people's first memory of being in this stadium is losing, I'm not a huge fan of that. Obviously, when you're home, you have the fans to your advantage. You want to win in front of them. People pay a lot of money to get in these seats. We appreciate them a lot, so losing at home, really, it's unacceptable. I'm not going to say it is what it is, but it's just unacceptable."
On the overturned touchdown by TE Isaiah Likely: "I don't know, maybe [Isaiah Likely] bobbled the ball. It looked like he got two steps, but it did go to [official] review. Yes, I couldn't tell you. I'm very curious to see what the NFL says. I don't know. I can't tell you."
On the overturned fumble on a batted ball: "Yes, that was another weird one. Both [were] overturned, so it has to be clear evidence, so it was definitely ... That was an interesting one, as well, but I think [Isaiah] Likely's seemed a little more, to my eye, just kind of a little obvious."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On his takeaways from today's game: "[It was a] divisional game that just came down to the last second and the last minute. We have to finish and find a way to put some points on the board. They beat us by five points. We have to find a way to [score] a touchdown on that last drive."
On if he thought the TE Isaiah Likely touchdown that was ruled incomplete was a touchdown: "I believe so. I thought it was. [Isaiah Likely was] in the end zone taking steps. [Their guy] just kept punching at the ball. That's all I can see."
On what kind of an emotional swing it was to go from a drive ending in a touchdown to it turning into a turnover on downs: "I believe we probably had like one timeout, and our defense had to get back out on the field and stop those guys. We wanted it to be a touchdown, but unfortunately it wasn't. So, we just tried to do what we could to drive the ball down the field and put points on the board with probably one timeout on the board."
On if it is surprising that the offensive has struggled to click with the current roster: "Yes. Yes, I can say that because we have new additions. We have 'D-Hop' [DeAndre Hopkins] and guys like that on our team. I don't think he came over here for us to be in this situation. We are known for winning, but I feel like this is just an adversity game right here. At this point of the season, we have to just keep fighting and just keep God first."
On where he would say the team is at after this game: "We still have how many games left? Four or five games left. We are still turning it around. I believe this loss to, like I said, a divisional opponent was a tough loss at that, because I felt like we could have put more points on the board, and unfortunately, we didn't. Time ran out, and those guys do what they're supposed to."
On what his level of frustration is right now: "Through the roof. I feel like [with] the Thanksgiving game, we shouldn't have lost that game. It was turnovers, unfortunately. But this one here, I don't know what happened."
On what head coach John Harbaugh's message was to him after the game: "'We still have four games.' Basically, [head coach John Harbaugh] was saying to just stay locked in."
On what the mindset is going into another divisional game against the Cincinnati Bengals: "Just like it was this game, but we have to be better going to those guys' territory. You just have to lock in for four quarters each and every play."
On what he saw on his interception play: "I was trying to make something happen. It was like third down. I tried to throw it to Rasheen [Ali], but I threw it too light. He just made a good play on it with a one-handed interception."
On what his feelings were after the TE Isaiah Likely touchdown call was overturned: "I don't know, nothing else. Like I said, I thought it was a touchdown, but the referees made the call that they wanted; they believed that was right, so you have to go with it and you have to stay locked in."
On if he thought the incomplete catch for TE Isaiah Likely was a touchdown: "If you were on the field with us, I believe you would've thought it was a touchdown too, but I can't do the ref's job. It is what it is."
On if the refs gave the players an explanation about the touchdown call that was overturned into an incompletion: "No, I didn't ask. I had to stay locked in. We had another opportunity, so I couldn't worry about it."
On how crucial it is to continue to push the run game: "That's what Derrick Henry is for and Keaton [Mitchell] and Rasheen [Ali]. We have great running backs, so it was great to see, but I wish we would've had a 'W' at the end of that, but it's good to see."
On if he felt physically well today: "Yes, I did. I felt like I moved pretty well, kept drives alive. I felt like I was moving pretty well."
On how challenging was it to run the offense with the pressure that Pittsburgh gave: "It's football. Sometimes things like that happen. Our guys are going to watch film, then they are going to lock in because they hold themselves to a high standard, I believe. So, I have to watch film."
On the last play of the game, if he felt Pittsburgh Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith coming for him: "I just saw chaos. I tried to move much as I could, [and I was] just trying to give my guys a shot to the end zone, but guys were in the end zone. I just didn't want to throw it to a bunch of Steelers players in the end zone. That's pointless."
On if he still sees the Baltimore Ravens winning the AFC North: "Yes, we have to see those guys [Pittsburgh Steelers] again. We [also] have Cincinnati. We just have to finish strong."
On if it feels like there is less room for error with a couple of games left: "Absolutely. I feel like each and every week there's no room for error. We are professionals. Now, I feel like we are just trying to win as much as we can right now. We've just been talking about the four-game stretch. You just have to lock in and put it all on the line."
On what gives him belief that the team can win the AFC North: "Because we still have these two divisional opponents in front of us."
DL TRAVIS JONES
On why he thinks the Steelers didn't run the ball much and if he thinks that can be attributed to positive performance from the defensive line: "Up front, we've just been locked in on stopping the run because Pittsburgh-Ravens [games] are big games, and usually they come and try to run the ball. So, that was a big [point of] emphasis this week, and I feel like we did a good job on it."
On if he feels like the officiating impacted the result of the game: "That's above my pay grade. I'm not going to speak about that one."
On if they expected Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers to target the secondary so much: "I really don't know. [Aaron Rodgers is] a great quarterback. He has the arm strength [and] he's smart. He had a good game today."
TE ISAIAH LIKELY
On his TD reception that was overturned: "[The referees] made a call, and it ended up being incomplete, and [I moved] on to the next play. We had to get points on the board, and we didn't."
On if he thought the decision to overturn was accurate: "They made a call, and we have to live with what the referees say at the end of the day."
On if he feels frustration with their struggles in the red zone: "We're really just getting back to the drawing boards. [We're] understanding what's not working, trying to get everybody on the same page to be able to score, put those three [points] into seven [points] or being able to just put points on the board."
On if not being on the same page is surprising to them this late in the season: "At the end of the day, everybody's human. It takes a whole offense, a whole 11 to really get the best outcome of the whole play. So, if one person misses a block or doesn't do something right in their assignment, it could be detrimental just depending on where you are in the play. So, [it's about] really just understanding what everybody's job is and just getting back to everybody loving your brother and making sure we score."
On if he thought getting two feet down constituted a catch: "I thought [so], but at the end of the day, they made a call, and we have to go with it. We have to put points on the board after that."
On if he saw a replay of his touchdown catch that was overturned: "No, I haven't."
On if he received an explanation from an official: "No. Once they made the call, we were kind of trying to get back in the end zone to get up one to be able to go up three.
On if he was told that he needed to get a third foot down: "I guess I have to just get my third foot down."
On making adjustments to secure the ball: "I'd say just finishing the plays. Last week it was more so me just being lackadaisical. I'm just preaching fundamentals to myself. I need to just hold onto the ball tight when I'm crossing the plane, and this week, I just have to live with the referee's call.
On if he felt in his mind that it was a TD: "You have to live with what the referees call."
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On his thoughts on the TE Isaiah Likely touchdown that was ruled an incomplete pass: "I don't make those types of calls, nor do I make the catches in the end zone from the quarterback. So, that's not my position, and I'm not sure."
On his thoughts on the ILB Teddye Buchanan interception that was ruled a completion by Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers: "I wasn't – I don't make those calls, nor was I there for the interception. But from the looks of it, I thought Teddye [Buchanan] had it, and it was clear the ref made it [the call] on the field. He saw it as well, then overturned it. So, I'm not sure, that's not my job. My job is to just go out and play my brand of football."
On how frustrating it is to have those calls overturned and the game ends in a loss: "I think it's the game of football, and I think it's the game of life as well. You just have to play the cards you're dealt, play the hand you're dealt, and go for it every time. I think that's just simple. You just have to control the 'controllables,' and I think that's what it is. So, each and every individual just has to control their 1-of-11, and I think that's what it boils down to each and every play. That always will be the way in this game."
On what led the Pittsburgh Steelers to have success with WR DK Metcalf and how the Ravens' defense tried to adapt: "Yes, absolutely. Obviously, [DK Metcalf] has been doing it for a long time, and D.K. is a good receiver in this league. I thought it was some really good balls out there, [he] made some really good catches and some perfect placements on the ball. So, I think it was just hats off to those guys for making those completions and it was what it was. Just have to move on [to the] next play."
On what he thinks of the Ravens' chances to make the playoffs: "How does it stand and shape out? I'm not sure." [Reporter: 'You're one game back of the Steelers right now with four games left.'] "Oh, OK, cool. All right. It is more about playing the cards you're dealt, and this is our hand and that's life. You play the cards you're dealt, day in and day out, game in and game out. It's about next week, like, obviously learning from the mistakes from this game and playing Cincinnati next week. So, it's about correcting the mistakes, not having self-inflicted [mistakes] and playing our brand of football. I'm sure if you're one game back and, what, you win out – I don't know how that works – but it's just one game at a time. I think we just have to go take care of business in Cincinnati, and that's all you can look forward to in this league, [is] the next moment you have, because you never know which one will be your last."
On if there is anything that the team can still unlock with the offense, defense and special teams playing hand in hand: "Absolutely. Yes, absolutely. Without a doubt. It's more about going out and doing that. Obviously, this is the 'show you' business, as in the 'show me.' So, it's not about talking about it, it's actually about being about it and letting your play speak for you and not words in a sense. So, it's just about going out and each and every individual taking control of their 1-of-11, and doing it play in and play out. I think if you do that, and if every single person does that, you will get what you want. The talent's there, but it's not about the talent. Obviously, talent only gets you so far in life and in football in general. So, it's about playing, doing your 1-of-11, and [if] No. 10 is doing their job and No. 1 is not – hey, it's not good enough. So, it's about honing-in on the details, each and every individual, including myself, play in and play out. And yes, it's the NFL, people are going to make plays, but it's about responding. How are you going to respond? I think that's a response mechanism in life and in the game of football. It all echoes through. So, that's what each and every person has to do, and I think it's just that plain and simple."
On what the message from head coach John Harbaugh was after the game: "That was the message for the team."
T RONNIE STANLEY
On what his thoughts were on the overturned calls in the game: "there's definitely moments where you felt that way, but you can't blame it one way or the other. we know even with those calls, we still should have made enough of a difference to win this game."
On what happened on the last play of the game: "No idea. I have no idea what happened on the interior. I know my guy ran pretty wide up the edge. I don't know. I have to look at the film."
On if he thought that the TE Isaiah Likely touchdown play that was overturned was a catch: "Yes, I think common sense will tell you that's a catch. A lot of things get overthought, but it is what it is."
On if it is deflating to get multiple important calls overturned in favor of the opponent: "Yes, I think so, but you just have to fight through it. A champion mindset is, 'Accept whatever happens and overcome.'"
On what led to a better rhythm for the offense: "Staying consistent with the run game, being physical up front. Just making sure we're creating the line of scrimmage, moving the guys off the ball, and I think we did that for the most part during the whole game."
On if improved offensive success provides confidence for the AFC North battle: "Sure, it gives you confidence, but we didn't come out with the result that we wanted, even with how it felt playing. So, there's things that need to get fixed, and we need to fix them."
On if he thinks that the Ravens can still be the team that they want to be this season: "Yes, of course. I still have a ton of belief and confidence in us. We just need to focus on our next task at hand, and that's beating the Bengals and just putting everything forward for that game."
On what happened with the illegal formation penalty on third-and-2: "I really don't know. I think they called Andrew [Vorhees] off the ball. He's in a three-point stance, so I really don't understand. But yes, not sure."
On where he thinks the offensive line stands as a unit right now: "I think we're doing a lot of good things. I think there are things that definitely need to get fixed, especially to play at the level that we need to play at to get to our goal, but I do think we're doing a lot of good things out there. We're playing physical and giving effort."
On if he is surprised that the team is searching for consistency at this point in the season: "Yes, definitely a little bit, but we have full faith and trust that we're going to get it. I have played with these guys for years, and I know what they're capable of and what we can do together if we focus on what we need to do."
On what happened on the first few plays of the last drive: "I think it's always hard in those obvious pass situations where the defense doesn't really have to deal with not knowing what type of play it's going to be, so just making sure you're on your P's and Q's and your technique is right in those moments."
S MALAKI STARKS
On his emotions after the game: "It just sucks. You don't come to the game to lose, and I think everybody in this locker room is a really big competitor. We love football. We love our job. We take things very seriously, so it just sucks when we don't get a win."
On the overturned touchdown catch by TE Isaiah Likely: "I see it as a touchdown, but it's not my call, and we just have to play the cards that we're dealt and just go out there and be who we are. I think we're doing a good job. This team has shown the resiliency and the willingness to overcome adversity, and I think we just have to keep doing what we're doing."
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
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 do 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 the Steelers defense today: "I'm just appreciative. When you start having linebackers go down, in that period of time when Patrick Queen was unavailable to us, it was uncomfortable. But that's just the component of it. That's why it's the ultimate team game. I'm just appreciative of the collective efforts."
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 LB Alex Highsmith making big plays: "I thought as the game got thick, you just really felt his presence. We were actually coming out of that very last timeout, and he turned around and was walking back to the bench with me. I was like, 'Alex, what are you doing? Get back in there.' I'm thankful that I did because obviously he made the play of the day."
On his initial opinion if he thought Isaiah 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."
On WR DK Metcalf's effort on offense and special teams: "He just brought that approach all week. I think often times, gameday is indicative of what transpires during the week. I just thought he had that 'can do' attitude. He was wired all week – he texted me after hours, etc. I just appreciate his mindset and what he brought into the building today."
On if he had the sense that QB Aaron Rodgers was in control the entire game: "I did. But again, we knew what was on the line today. That's why you go do business with a guy like Aaron [Rodgers]. Thick days, like today, he's a been there, done that guy. Beyond the experience component of it, he relishes it. You can just tell. That's the benefit of having a guy like him."
On if the decision to be aggressive in the passing game was established at the start of the week: "Yes."
On how they practiced their passing game this week: "Practice is just that – it prepares you for play. So we were reserving judgement until we got into the stadium."
On if he feels the downfield passing game will help establish the run in the future after not rushing well today: "[The Ravens defense] smashed us today. I've got to give them credit. We weren't able to get it going the way that we desired. Then certainly as attrition set in, we weren't able to maintain their run. That's what made the game as tight as it was."
On if the decision to deactivate WR Roman Wilson was due to their new veteran wide receivers: "Exactly what you said, because of the veteran receivers."
On what he saw out of WRs Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling: "I appreciate their efforts. I think their experience showed, but certainly with another week, it's reasonable to expect it to be better."
On what they saw from the Ravens defense that allowed the Steelers to take advantage of downfield passing: "I'm not going to speak for [the Ravens]. I was just talking about our mindset and what we desired to get done, particularly in the passing game. I think we were able to do so."
WR CALVIN AUSTIN III
On the difference in today's win: "Sometimes on offense, it's a matter of taking what the defense gives you and sometimes forcing the defense to get in certain looks that we can take advantage of. I think today is a combination of both – us forcing them to be in certain coverages that we knew we would get man-to-man and everything. I think we were just trying to be aggressive and attack the defense."
On if he knew QB Aaron Rodgers could run as well as he did: "No, I did not. When I saw him scrambling, I was thinking he was about to throw it, and then I saw him running and figured he was going to run it in, so that was cool to see."
On how important it was to come out aggressive today: "It was important from a standpoint of this being a big game and setting the tone early. We didn't let the crowd get into it or let them get momentum early. The past games last year, I feel like the crowd really got into it early and stayed into it. When we can hit a big shot that early, it definitely catches the defense off guard and makes them play a whole lot different."
On if the team is currently thinking about the playoffs: "Look at the percentages. If you look at the chances we had with a win and with a loss, it kind of explains itself. It was a big time."
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 redzone on those drives in the fourth, but shout out to the guys that made plays on the defense. It wasn't perfect at all. We gave up a lot of rushing yards, and there are a lot of things we can get better at. This was a collective win, and I'm proud of these guys."
On how the team stayed motivated after a bad loss last week: "Just the love of football. There are going to be circumstances. There are going to be times when it is not going well, and the past couple of weeks did not go well for us, but we have a lot of guys in this locker room that love to play football and love to play this game. So, whenever you have a love for football, you are unwavered by circumstances. I think we need to continue to build and stack another win."
On how big the win was for Head Coach Mike 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."
On how important it was to get a close win like this: "We know we needed to come in, on the road and get this victory. You know this was a big game, and we are fighting for first place. We came here last year [and] lost twice at the end of the year, so this is a big win for us, but we have to keep stacking wins."
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. We had great practices all week. We were locked in on all the details, and throughout the weekend, everything came to fruition."
On what was said among the players during the week: "I just felt it. Everybody was talking about the rivalry between the Steelers and the Ravens, and that's all that needed to be said. We were shown old clips from the previous years, how the games came down to the last second, plays made by our team, but I think we just knew what was at stake, and that's why it happened."
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 the key to executing the big plays: "I think [it's about] us just connecting in practice on Wednesday and Thursday and even on Friday. The defensive scout team gave us great looks. We were competing all week at practice, and then we were on all the details, the checks. All the looks. We were communicating all week, so I think it was a perfect storm for everything to just come together and for us to play like we did today."
On what it's like to get a win for head coach Mike Tomlin: "We knew not to pay any attention to any of that outside noise. I've said this before; 'Coach T' [Head coach Mike Tomlin] is a great leader for us, and he's done nothing but take the bullets for us. Even when we were high or when we were low, every day he's steady [and] always motivated us to play our best ball. That's what he did last week. Like I said, we knew what was at stake, first place in this heated rivalry, and the better team came out on top."
On if it's satisfying to get that win in this situation with head coach Mike Tomlin: "Yes, the offense played good despite the little low we had in there. The defense came up big."
On how much first place at stake means to the team: "It was great. It felt great. I saw Aaron [Rodgers] loaded up, and I said, 'Great, here we go.' That's all I needed was opportunities down the field, and we were able to capitalize on them."
On if he sensed that QB Aaron Rodgers was locked in more than normal: "No, [Aaron Rodgers] has always been the same. He's always locked in, but this week just felt different as a team, as a whole. As an offense, we knew what was at stake, and like I said, it just felt different this week at practice and this weekend. Getting off the plane last night and getting to the stadium today, it just felt different."
On the Monday meeting at QB Aaron Rodgers' house with the skill position players and if it had any impact today: "No, I didn't go to the meeting. I meet with Aaron [Rodgers] on Tuesday morning."
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 takes that personally because he's been seeing double-teams all year: "Yes sir. I'm not going to tell the defense what to do or not to do. But if they're going to go one-on-one with me, so be it."
On being the gunner on the final punt of the game: "'Skow' [Ben Skowronek] was on the sideline saying his finger hurt, so I said, I got you. When I saw him running on the field, I went to the other side. I got one gunner rep in college, but I'm trying to win."
On if he took it upon himself to be the gunner: "Yes, if you want to say that."
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."
On what this win from a confidence standpoint means for the Steelers: "I think we put our best foot forward today. We still have to clean up some mistakes. We still have yet to play our best game, but I think that's the most confidence that we can take out of this game, that if we can clean up those mistakes, this win can propel us."
On if he knew QB Aaron Rodgers could move like that: "No, I thought it was a busted play at first, and then I saw [Aaron Rodgers] run to the sideline. I just started cheering. My boy can still move pretty quick."
CB JAMES PIERRE
On his interception of Lamar Jackson: "Just listening to my coach and keeping my eyes on the quarterback."
On key stops of the Ravens offense: "It was huge for the organization, for this team. The mentality that this defense has is we're just trying to get off the field in three plays or however we can."
On bouncing back from last week's loss to Buffalo: "Most definitely was necessary. Each week we're going out trying to do our best, trying to get the win."
On the overturned touchdown: "Next play mentality. No matter what happens in a game, it's always the next play."
On the play of the linebackers with so many getting hurt: "Just next man up. We've got to tackle hard. We've got to tackle Derrick Henry. So guys go down – [the] next guy has to be ready."
On his interception of his cousin Lamar 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 Lamar Jackson before: "No, because we've always been on the same team."
On there being so much at stake and how it happened here last year, how big this was: "Oh, it was big. Playing them here last year in the playoffs and having them just run all over us. We just had that mentality that we're going to see them again."
On stopping RB Keaton Mitchell on the 55-yard run out of bounds: "Most definitely a big play. We've got guys like Payton Wilson running, so I just want to match his image. We're all brothers. We all want the same things for each other."
On if he thought he had a shot at stopping Keaton Mitchell: "Just run to the ball. The 21-man rule, just run to the ball."
On DK Metcalf being a gunner on the punt unit and making that big play: "He wasn't supposed to be out there. I should've taken it, but I'll take the rap for it."
LB PATRICK QUEEN
On how important it was to get a win today given the outcomes of last year's playoff game in Baltimore: "I don't think last year really mattered to us. I think it was more of us coming out here fighting for what's at stake. You know, everything's about the future, so today we just had to be present and do what we got to do to control our destiny and the future."
On how he survived this game: "I thrived. I had a little hiccup here and there, but I made it through."
On if the defense fed off the offense's aggressive mindset heading into this game: "Yeah, that first play, I was not expecting that at all, so that definitely got us fired up. We really trust our offense. I was talking about it earlier in the year, we let them down a couple of times and stuff. We know we've got an offense; we've just got to get them the ball, get it to them in good field position. We trust every single guy on that offense to go out there and do their job and do it at a high level. So it comes back to us on defense to be able to do our job at a high level and get the ball back to them."
On what this win does for their confidence: "I think we've just got to stack them. I don't think it's a confidence booster. I think it's just the fact that we are going to go out there and do it again. It's more of a thing of just us being consistent. There were flashes in this game; we still weren't as consistent as we need to be, but it's just the whole thing. I think it's more momentum than confidence, if anything."
On holding the Ravens to only field goals in the second half: "It's huge. Any time you can cancel out points like that, it gives our offense a good chance to go down there and score seven. It would be better to stay out of those situations and keep them from getting field goals, too, but at the end of the day, it's three or nothing in those situations."
On the motivation for him to get back in the game after leaving to get treatment: "I was just trying to be me and get back in the game. I was trying to get back in the game two [or] three plays before that, but you can't have both of the headsets on the field at the same time. [Payton Wilson] was in there, and I trust Payton to be able to do his job at a high level, so I was just waiting for the perfect time to be able to get back there. I didn't want to have no confusion going on. I didn't want us to waste a timeout or anything. It was just me waiting on the situation for me to be able to go back in there. That's all that was."
On what it means to get his first win back in Baltimore: "I think if you would have asked me last year, it would have meant a lot. But I think at this point, I'm two years in here. What was at stake was more important, and that's all I care about — trying to win the division. At the end of the day, does it feel good? Yeah, obviously so. But the whole, you know, mess – I'm over it."
On making a stop after returning to the field when Isaiah Likely's touchdown was overturned: "As soon as it happened, we all were all still sitting there talking and trying to realize what play was going to come next. We know what kind of team they were in those situations. Everybody did their job. We were able to get off. I think the biggest thing is everyone stayed locked in; everybody talking and communicating with each other, trying to understand the situation and how big it is for our team."
On LB Alex Highsmith's impact today: "Yeah, you got a guy like that, for us, when we recovering, it's just all about getting those guys time to go and make a play. Just knowing him as a person and how strong his faith is, every single day he comes into work super early. He's always got a smile on his face; he's never down. If he is, it might be like a two-second down period, and then he's back to smiling and stuff. Dude is an absolute dog. He comes in every single day, like I said, with a smile on his face, ready to work, there early, and that's something we can all feed off of."
On how he feels the defense did from a communication standpoint: "I think we were way better. It was every single play. Guys calling stuff out — guys calling stuff that out we don't even expect. So it was just a whole lot of talking, every single person on the field, from [James Pierre] all the way outside coming down to [Jabrill Peppers], [Chuck Clark], and [Jalen Ramsey]. Every single guy from the D-line talking about, Hey I see this,' [and] 'I see this.' Like it was so much communication, and that's what we need every single play, every single game; guys just communicating at the high level that gets everybody on the same page, and if somebody says something wrong, then we can all make them right. So you know, the biggest thing [is] us understanding that and just repeating it."
On the Ravens running 26 more plays than the Steelers and why the outcome was different today for the Steelers after that has happened in the past: "I think at the end of the day, we don't be looking at play counts; we don't be looking at all that stuff, we just looking out there to go for the stop. At the end of the day, they got a few runs here, beat us here and there, a few checkdowns that we could have been closer to in coverage. So at the end of the day, we got chances to get off the field, and we could, we just didn't. So that's one thing that we've got to grow on and be better at, and I know we will."
On what the win means with the fans' frustration with the team and Mike Tomlin last week: "I mean at the end of the day, that's the media. Media is going to do stuff like that. Any guy in the building could care less; it's a brotherhood; it's a family. We've got each other's backs. All we care about is what's in the building. All the stuff outside we could care less about. We are just trying to do what's best for us and our team. So just being able to get a win like this right now, it's going to create momentum. I think at the end of the day, we all understand how everything went this week, so we need to repeat that this week."
On if their next focus is stacking wins: "I think we just need to take it one day at a time. Stack that day, stack the next day, rep after rep, meeting after meeting, whatever it is, be locked in because the season flies by. To me, everything flies by, so every single day I wake up I try to be present in the moment, that's how I take it. I think that's how we should take it as a team. Just live in the moment, day by day, play by play, meeting by meeting – whatever it is, just stack it."
On LB Cole Holcomb stepping up: "You know, anytime you've got a guy that went through what he went through and battled back, it's just incredible to see. Every single day he's in meetings taking notes, answering questions that somebody else is trying to answer and stuff; he's always on top of his stuff. He's a smart guy. He's an extremely, extremely high competitor, so we really don't expect nothing less. Dude's a baller — everybody knows that. Before he got injured, he was a baller. Everybody knew about him, so he's just coming back doing what he does."
QB AARON RODGERS
On why they had more success in the deep passing game: "Well, I hate to sound like a broken record, but it's all about practice when you're out there and executing in practice like we did this week. It gives you confidence to make some of those plays, and I thought it was our most crisp week of prep on the field. I think off the field we've already been good. I thought the energy was good, not a big believer in coincidences. So, I've got to think that just Marquez [Valdes-Scantling] and Adam [Thielen] out there made a difference from a professionalism standpoint. Not saying those other guys don't have professionalism. I love all of our other guys, but I just think there was an extra level of focus this week. And you know, [offensive coordinator] Art [Smith] wanted to be aggressive on the first play as you guys [media] were talking about; we hadn't completed a pass in over 20 yards in a while. We took a shot, and DK [Metcalf] got it, and then he was kind of on one, but then he was on one in practice on Thursday. He was on one in practice on Friday as well. So, love that from our guy. I think he even ran down on a punt. So, proud of DK. Proud of our defense standing out there at the end and that the offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage from a pass game standpoint. We didn't run it very well, but when we had to have some conversions on third down and we made some plays."
On confidence in completing a deep pass on the first play: "We did it against Cincinnati as well on the first third down. It wasn't the first play of the game, but I just like [offensive coordinator] Art's [Smith] kind of focus. He wanted to be aggressive when throwing the ball. I knew it was going to be a lot of different guys, but once DK [Metcalf] got going, [I] just had to keep feeding him. He had a couple of huge plays. In the second half, we've kind of sucked [with] the first possession of the first half. So, you know, to start off with an extended pass play and then for DK to keep working and keep working and keep working that big play. Get us down there, get a field goal, then go down and score a touchdown. That was two good drives for us to start the half."
On how important it was to be aggressive coming out in the second half: "Yeah, it's important. We have talked about how many three-and-outs that we've had starting second half when you're trying to defer that first possession. The second half is very important, especially after we went down, and for six [points] there, at the end of the first half to be able to put it back to two scores and then; they went back down again and scored. But then, the most important drive of the game was that response that we had to get it back to 27-16, which was a lot of different guys. I believe it was that drive where we had a second-and-20, I think; they hit DK [Metcalf] and then had a conversion. They tried to pressure us and dropped two guys. Really, Pat [Freiermuth] was wide open; I just didn't see him. I just saw Jaylen [Warren] in the flat and because Pat [Freiermuth] was so wide open, he was the convoy there to get in the inside. So, proud of our guys."
On his mobility: "Yeah, I mean some games you feel better than others. I was just telling the lineman they will understand when they are 40. Some days you feel better than others. Wake up and there is no specific why, thinking like what did I do last night? Did I sleep wrong? But some days, you feel great and other days you feel maybe just good. Today, I felt great, maybe because they've got such a beautiful grass field. But I felt good moving around there and then to be able to run a touchdown, it's been a long time. It was actually in no way the play at all. It was a play to Jonnu [Smith] and the whole left side just caved in. I started running and realized I had two larger humans chasing me that I maybe was equal to, or slightly faster than. Always nice to get in the end zone."
On being able to go under center this week: "I don't know how much it opened the offense. It was important only because I did not feel like our action passing game was exceptional today but the threat of being under center. I think it was nice to not have to catch a shotgun snap all day and be able to kind of hear some of the calls that were going on a little better at the line of scrimmage. That was kind of a rogue decision that I made on Saturday. [Head athletic trainer] Gabe [Amponsah] is a great dance partner when it comes to all medical things, because him and I have a real good back and forth about what we should be doing, and today I just went with a soft cast on there. As you know, the bones are healing up and hopefully I can get out of that at some point."
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 (laughter) 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 how the offensive line went today with pass protection: "I thought the pass protection was excellent. You know 'AP' [Andrus Peat] went down and I'm sure 'Cookie' [Calvin Anderson] stepped in and played pretty well, you know, obviously we gave him a little help on the first couple. I'm proud of him for stepping in. The line really gave me a lot of time today. There were some extensions I kind of got out of a couple of potential sacks. But for the most part a super clean day, and you know to still be recovering from my injury and to not really get hit a whole lot, I don't know if I was on the ground one time without being clumsy and falling down. So, that's a good day, a good feeling tonight. Appreciate those guys and I really felt, you know, the rivalry today and how much it means to both teams and the fans."
On what it means for the team to get a win after the week that the team and Mike Tomlin had: "It means maybe you guys will shut the hell up for the week."
On if a different cast made a difference: "Not on the reception, no. I mean you can probably tell me this, but I don't feel like I've had a reception for positive yards in this career. I believe that's three catches. I wasn't trying to catch that one, I promise. But glad it wasn't a pick."
On if he was surprised that the Ravens TE Isaiah 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."
On what the defense did despite a large number of injuries: "Yeah, great effort. I think a lot of guys stepped up with the injuries that we had. It looked like there were three or four guys that went out. I'm proud of all of those guys and the guys out there playing. You know with 'JP' [James Pierre] coming up with another huge pick turnover. And Chuck [Clark] played a lot of meaningful snaps after not playing a ton of defensive snaps over the last two weeks. [Jabrill] Peppers was out there for us. Cole Holcomb was out there for a number of snaps. I'm so proud of those guys. It was an incredible effort down the stretch to hold them in red zone and then obviously in the two minute, and come up big with a timely play by Alex [Highsmith]."
