Steelers 30, Seahawks 23
MIKE TOMLIN: The guys, we were in a hostile environment today to say the least, and playing a team that was desperate like we were, and we didn't blink, and so I'm appreciative of that. They are to be congratulated for that, but I thought the offensive line provided the wave that we rode. We talked all week about trying to conquer the environment and winning the line of scrimmage being a major component of it, and they embraced that challenge, man, and I thought they kind of controlled the climate, made third downs manageable ones, minimized possession downs, minimized the crowd component of it, and so just thankful for that. A lot of plays made by a lot of people, but that's team football, particularly this time of year as the road gets narrow.
T.J. got injured in-game but I think he's going to be okay. The rest of it is bumps and bruises associated with play. I think Joey Porter went down, but he went back in.
Um, so, we're thankful, and we'll keep pressing. Questions?
Q. How encouraging is it to get back-to-back offensive performances like that, especially not when you really needed it?
MIKE TOMLIN: You said it. The really needed component of it, smiling in the face of adversity and being our best selves in the most critical circumstances is what we desire to be and the guys displayed that.
Q. Mike, was the plan to come in and try to run it like you did?
MIKE TOMLIN: Most certainly.
Q. Just saw that in the film, thought you could do it?
MIKE TOMLIN: We thought that it was the purest way to conquer the environment.
Q. What'd you think about the way Mason handled the environment?
MIKE TOMLIN: I thought he did a nice job.
Q. Was going under center part of the specific game plan for this? And how do you feel that played into the running success?
MIKE TOMLIN: You know, under center, at gun, it doesn't matter. We were committed to running the football to minimize the environmental component of it. It's today's NFL, man. You're running gun, you're running under center, you're running pistol. That's everybody. It's not just us.
Q. Mike, what'd you like about the way Najee ran today?
MIKE TOMLIN: I thought he was determined as was Jaylen. You know, I thought we got appropriate efforts from all parties involved and not to minimize it, it's just a critical time and so if you're a competitor, you're going to be at your best.
Q. Can you stay with a hot hand at quarterback for next week?
MIKE TOMLIN: You know, we'll talk about that next week. Right now we're just appreciative of the victory and we'll give you guys something to buzz about here for the next 24 or so.
Q. Mike, you're still going to need help because of what happened today. You just ignore that and do what you got to do?
MIKE TOMLIN: All we can do is win the games that we're in. That's this time of year. That's any time of year. You can't spend a bunch of time scoreboard watching and things of that nature. It's professional ball. We got to beat the people we play.
Q. Is it abnormal to watch scoreboards, though, at this point of the year?
MIKE TOMLIN: Not for me. A lot of that so it was cool to see that happen.
Q. Was Kenny not dressed because he was unable to play?
MIKE TOMLIN: Um, just the early portions of the week, we didn't know what his availability might be. We allocated reps accordingly and so we'll see what next week holds.
MODERATOR: Anyone else?
Q. Mike, one question. There was a big sack by Herbig there.
MIKE TOMLIN: Really was. Young guy on the come-in. We got a lot of young guys on the come-in. We needed that play. He loves football. He works hard. He made a significant play for us, certainly.
Q. Your defense gave up some big plays but they were also able to hold some field goals. How important was that, especially early part of the second half?
MIKE TOMLIN: You know, that's football, particularly this time of year, you know, they got an explosive group, man. They got a veteran quarterback, they got an awesome group of weapons, receivers, tight ends, running backs. Um, I'm appreciative of the efforts of everyone, particularly on the short field. Um, I just thought it was the difference particularly in the second half, holding them to field goals and being solid down there on the short field and to be honest, after we experienced a lot of attrition at linebacker and safety, we hadn't done a lot of that, so it was cool to see that happen.
Q. Did you get a good view of that catch George made on the third down deep pass?
MIKE TOMLIN: Yeah. We're used to seeing George make plays like that.
Q. You always talk about not living in your fears. Is that a perfect example of that? First down play?
MIKE TOMLIN: You said it. Scared money don't make money. I think I said that last week.
Q. Did that go into some of the fourth down decisions early as well?
MIKE TOMLIN: You said it.
MODERATOR: Anyone else? All right.
MIKE TOMLIN: Thank you.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports