Pittsburgh Steelers 19 - Atlanta Falcons 16
Q. Marcus, we asked Arthur this question, but to only run the ball six times in the first half and then to have 100-plus in the second half, how much of that was decided by what Pittsburgh was doing defensively?
MARCUS MARIOTA: Yeah. I think initially they tried to load up the box. We made some explosives down the field in the pass game. Unfortunately we stalled out in a couple of our drives, and when you're playing a team like this, they're going to limit your possessions, and when you're not able to capitalize on it, makes it tough.
Q. I think only three for are ten on third downs today. What went into that number and kind of what needs to happen moving forward to change that.
MARCUS MARIOTA: Well, I think we got into some third and long situations. Obviously delay of game didn't help in the penalty. When we were able to get into some third and manageable, we were able to convert. We were able to convert a third down on the scoring drive. You know, at the end of the day if you're not into these third and manageable situations and you let a pass rush like that get going, it's tough.
Q. Coach just said that everybody is going to be valued and there's going to be changes going two weeks into the Saints games. What do you think you need to do better to remain as the starter?
MARCUS MARIOTA: Well, starts on third down. If we're not able to convert third downs, we're not getting any more plays, we're not allowing ourselves opportunities to score points. So it always kind of starts there for the quarterback position. If you're not able to convert third downs, you're not allowing your offense a chance to score points.
Q. I know this moment is tough right now, but would you understand if he decides to make a change at quarterback?
MARCUS MARIOTA: That's not a server where my mind is at. You're still trying to reflect on what happened in the game. At the end of the day they gotta make a decision that's best for the team, and whatever happens happens, but I'm not really thinking about that right now.
Q. Marcus, want the last drive but the drive where you got down to the ten-yard line, how much do penalties just derail things when you get penalties in the red zone like you guys did?
MARCUS MARIOTA: Well, yeah. Puts you in bad spots, right? Unfortunately it was a tough call. You get the false start. It was a lack of communication on my end, and when you're getting negative plays and you're putting yourself in these third and longs or second and longs, they can kind of bend their ears back and do what they want and defense really dictates how the game is played. So negative plays, penalties, when those things happen, they really stall drives.
Q. Going back to the third downs, how much did not having Kyle in the lineup affect the drop-offs and the things that you can normally look for on third downs?
MARCUS MARIOTA: Well, I mean you are going to miss a player like Kyle no matter what. His ability to create separation, find ways to get open, make catches like that, you know, it's tough when he's not in the lineup. But I gotta give our guys credit. I thought our tight end group as a whole really stepped up. Whether it's Firk, whether it's Pru, whether it's Parker, Feleipe, when you lose a guy like Kyle, you gotta have multiple players to be able to fill that role and I thought our tight end group has done a good job.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports