Steelers 21, Patriots 14
Q. How frustrating a day is this when you move the ball pretty well but guys keep turning the ball over?
DM: Yeah, just hurting ourselves. Yeah, it hurts. I think it's one of those things that, yeah, just kept piling on. I think Morgan Moses brought the team together, brought the offense together, and we went back and we scored, hit Hunt, and yeah, we got the ball back tied. Yeah, it cost us. It hurts. It's something to learn from. It's a long season. The defense played their butts off, and the guys in the locker room are playing hard and they're fighting hard.
It's tough, and it stings just knowing we hurt ourselves, and that's what cost us.
Q. Specifically what happened on the second quarter interception right in the end zone there right before the half?
DM: Yeah, I had Boutte. I fired in there and I think 97 got a hand on it, and just kind of took it a different route. It was a good play by him, but yeah, I think I could have gave him a different ball flight, I think in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown.
Like I said, just one of those things that stings. I was thinking about it all halftime. Just got to move on.
Q. If I could follow up on that play, two plays prior to that you got hit pretty hard. The back of your helmet slammed against the turf. I just wanted to ask, were you surprised not to get evaluated? Did you have any thought of coming out? Were you in pain? Do you think it affected any decisions on the interception?
DM: No. Shoot, I felt good. I learned from last year, if you get banged up, you've got to get back up quick or they'll spot you. No, I felt fine. I feel good now.
Shoot, just two good players that try and get after the quarterback, and that happens.
Q. On the last play on 4th down, there was a time-out. What are the conversations like on the sideline about the look you expect, and how did you see that play develop?
DM: Yeah, I was expecting pressure, expecting to get something out quick. I wish I would have told those guys, 4th and 1, just try to catch it and get up field. I wish I would have told them that in the huddle. Those little things go a long way.
Yeah, nothing Pop did wrong. Just he was trying to make a play. I wish I would have -- we were expecting some type of blitz look. I think they played some blitz trap deal.
Shoot, that's just the league. You've got the ball, tied up, and it cost us, and then we got the ball with the tie to send it to overtime. That's the NFL. It's tough, but it's a great experience.
Q. What can you say to Rhamondre after this game? I know he had two fumbles. He's had a little more time in the league than you. I know you're looked at as the team leader. What can you say to him to just assure him he's still an integral piece of this team?
DM: Yeah, he's one of our best players. I think there's nothing that I think he can do that would change my view of him as a player, as a teammate. He does everything the right way. He knows just as much as we know. Ball security is the No. 1 thing as a running back, and he's had a great season and a great last weekend. That's this league. One week you're heck of a game and he was on the right track this game, and that happens.
He knows just as much as anybody else. I just pump him up, be there for him, and I know we need him throughout the season.
Q. Drake, I know you're disappointed in the fumble late. You also had a number of scrambles off schedule that were successful and got a lot of 1st downs. When you think about how to make that last play better moving forward, what do you see as your fix? Is it less off schedule, play making, holding the ball tighter? What do you think the lesson is from today?
DM: Yeah, just saw TreVeyon late and tried to do something stupid. Really I think it's just continue playing. Really my capability, feet outside the pocket makes it tough on them. They're a good front. I thought those guys up front blocked their butts off, but just be decisive, and if I have to take a sack, just take care of the football. That's the number one thing.
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