Washington Football Team - 23, Pittsburgh Steelers - 17.
Q. First question obviously what was up with the bloody foot there at halftime?
ALEX SMITH: Yeah, you get stepped on a bunch as a quarterback and especially that front leg. You get kind of used to it, number to it and really it was the visual when I looked down and obviously the my spat was bloody and could visually see the blood kind of pumping out. So I knew it was a good one, lucked out with the timing, it was right before half so it was kind of tape it up until we got in at halftime and able to kind of take better care of it. So never had one gush like that, new for me, but yeah, thankfully it's not serious at all.
Q. Did you get stitches at halftime?
ALEX SMITH: No stitches at halftime. We were able to kind of clean it and bandaged it up and get back out there.
Q. You guys were struggling there for a little while in the first half. What do you feel really started to get things going for you?
ALEX SMITH: We knew it was going to be a little bit this type of game. They're one of the best defenses in the NFL, I think they lead the NFL in points off turnovers and there were so many teams that I felt like gave up negative plays, turned the ball over, got frustrated and couldn't stay patient.
And for us we talked about all week being able to ride through that. We knew there were going to be some tough patches and be able to take it one play at a time and not get frustrated and not make the mistake that this team's kind of feasted on. I really that drive before half when we were able to kind of finally get some rhythm, get some tempo going, really thought like we had an opportunity, there were a couple plays there I wish I had back, really felt like we could have had seven instead of the field goal but it was what we needed I felt like to kind of get ourselves going to get the points before half and give us some confidence knowing we were getting the ball coming out for the second half.
Q. Why did you run off the field with the ball at the end of the half there after that sack?
ALEX SMITH: I knew we were going hurry up, field goal, I was pretty upset with myself for taking the sack at that point but I was running off to trying to get that ball off so they could get the K ball on. Because usually that happens very seamlessly with the change over, but from what I understand talking to the refs I think there was a little bit of a problem with the COVID, there's less people on the sidelines, less ball boys and that wasn't as fluid.
So it was not intentional really I was just trying to speed up the process of us getting off and getting the K ball on so they could go kick it.
Q. When they lost Joe Hayden to the concussion you guys took a deep shot and I think it was incomplete and then you hit the one to Sims after that. How much did that change things for you guys?
ALEX SMITH: He's a really, really good player, a heck of a player, and so, yeah, a little bit I think it was that, unfortunately the deep ball didn't work out, they were definitely out of there and obviously another one I wish I would have had back.
But, yeah, he's an elite player in this league, a veteran player, so obviously -- you hate to see something like that happen, like that, but obviously the calls came in and for me to just trying to execute them.
Q. How good was the play of Logan Thomas and Cam Sims to this win? You see the play of Logan Thomas, stretching out lunging, not getting the first down and stuff like that, but how imperative was what they did in this game for this win?
ALEX SMITH: The past few weeks it's been pretty consistent that we have been getting some unscouted and looks to Terry, obviously he's demanding a lot of attention and rightfully so. And, same thing, we have been talking several weeks that obviously if that's going to happen, a lot of opportunity elsewhere. And for all of us staying ready and taking advantage of that opportunity and felt like both those guys did today. Playing really, really tough, tough football and made some clutch plays for us when we needed them.
Q. Why is it that that end of first half start of second half when you score on both ends that have, that that's such a big momentum build for a team?
ALEX SMITH: Yeah, to sneak those points at the end of the half not only was a momentum thing for us coming in at halftime obviously to get the goose egg off the scoreboard, but yeah, it's a steal the possession, to get that possession and know we're going to get points any way possible and know you're getting the ball to start the second half. Obviously more important to get something going, we really didn't start out great to start that half, coming out of halftime, but luckily converting on that third and long and then were able to finish it off.
But it is big, those are huge momentum gains. All of a sudden it goes from 14-0 to 14-10 and it's a completely different ball game. So big momentum changer.
Q. People watching this team, today they watched the team beat the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers in Heinz Field and I know you don't like looking ahead, necessarily, but what do you feel like people watching this team have learned about it after this three-game winning streak and then again coming into the Steelers' house and winning?
ALEX SMITH: It's not for me to say what anybody else is thinking. For us it's all been about obviously week-to-week you're trying to win every single game, but for us to continue to keep improving and keep growing and I really feel like this team has done that as the season has gone on.
And it doesn't stop, you just got to kind of keep that same mindset going. Luckily, we're still in it at this point, but continue to keep improving and find a way to win a game. You want to be playing your best football come this time of year.
And we knew this was going to be kind of be this brand of football coming up here. Playing Pittsburgh in December we knew it was going to be a little bit ugly.
But proud of our team I think to find a way to win this game like that, especially as young as we are, I think it showed a lot of maturity.
Q. What, for you, is the level of satisfaction at being back at the helm of a team now you're on a three game winning streak and you guys are in the mix for a playoff spot?
ALEX SMITH: Me personally I literally, each and every week, I'm making the most of it, living like it's my last and enjoying that mindset. I'm not looking beyond literally that next start and trying to take advantage of it with everything I got and enjoy it.
I think this entire team, a little bit, from the way we started that season, has kind of got that mentality and I think that's a great mentality to have, just a sense of urgency and living week-to-week and going all in and not looking past that, not getting a held of ourselves. So look forward to kind of keeping that going, obviously a short week this week so quick turn around.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports