Pittsburgh - 29, Chicago - 27
MIKE TOMLIN: Man, that's just the nature of this thing. It's the National Football League. You're going to be in battles, man.
The most important thing that you smile in the face of adversity and deliver the necessary plays. And, you know, that's the silver lining in tonight's performance, man, we were up against it. A lot of it due to our own doing.
But you got to tip your cap to the Bears, man. They competed and they competed for 60 minutes. The cool thing is we made the necessary plays, man.
Ben took the offense down the field and we got the necessary field goal. And we were able to close the game out and I'm thankful for that.
But to summarize, man, you definitely can't give up -- you can't turn the ball over and give up scores in the kicking game. You do that, there's a high probability you're going to lose, let alone be in a tight game.
So we got to hang on to the ball. We can't give up scores in the kicking game. When you do, boy, you better knuckle up. And they did. And so, I'm thankful for that.
Got some lessons to learn, but it's good to learn these lessons with a victory. So I'm appreciative.
Got some bumps and bruises associated with play. Chase Claypool's being evaluated. Don't have a lot on his status. The rest of it, I'll update you guys tomorrow when we get together.
Questions?
Q. It seemed like Fields hurt you rolling to his left a little bit. How rare of a skill is that and especially for a young guy?
MIKE TOMLIN: His mobility, his ability to create when there's nothing there, his scrambling ability. We talked about it during the week last week. He ran for 100 yards last week. But that was not by designed runs.
His ability to escape the pocket and get out on the perimeter, we tried to minimize him going to his right some. He went to his left some and he made some throws while going to his left. So you got to compliment him on that.
Q. Mike, was Ben's shoulder a problem for him at all tonight?
MIKE TOMLIN: Not to my knowledge, no. Not worth mentioning.
Q. Mike, you got a pretty established kicker on your practice squad. Did you ever for a minute think, Oh, give Boswell a week?
MIKE TOMLIN: No. Bos was ready to go. We were going to go with him.
Q. Mike, it looked like Arthur Maulet was left a little -- in single coverage a little more than usual.
MIKE TOMLIN: Who's that?
Q. Arthur Maulet. Was that part of the game plan this week, to let Minkah roam a little more? In the last couple games --
MIKE TOMLIN: Quarterback mobility challenges you from that standpoint. So, yes, there's not only Arthur, but a lot of people are in single coverage when dealing with quarterback mobility. That's just the function of it.
Q. Along those lines, Mike: How much did you ask of Terrell Edmunds in terms of various jobs? And how did he come through?
MIKE TOMLIN: You know, I like what he did. I like what everyone did. Man, we were challenged tonight. And so, we won the game, we got some lessons to learn.
But like I said, again, it's good to learn those lessons while you win. I'm appreciative of Edmunds' efforts.
Q. What were they doing that kind of held the -- for the tackles on Najee that kind of kept him really from being able to break out and make some of those runs we've seen the last few weeks?
MIKE TOMLIN: You know, they played good ball, man. Hicks, I thought was really dominant, 96. But he's no amateur, man. He's been at it a while. They got a good front with guys like him and Goldman, guys that are run-stop capable.
Q. (No microphone.) Does that carry any significance for you passing Bill Cowher?
MIKE TOMLIN: Man, I'm just appreciative of the standards that have been set by those that have come before me. All of us here.
That standard, you know, it's inspirational for us. It inspires us, it challenges us. And so, I'm just thankful to be a part of this thing that is the Pittsburgh Steelers and I work to do my job to uphold the standard.
Q. That fumble by Ray-Ray, was that just the case of him doing too much in that spot?
MIKE TOMLIN: I don't care what it was. It was unacceptable.
Q. Two things in the final sequence, the rollout from Ben was just short on the spot. And was the spot accurate or just --
MIKE TOMLIN: I'm not getting into that.
Q. How about the spike, was that something -- was that an attempt to get them with their 12th man --
MIKE TOMLIN: Correct.
Q. Coach, your thoughts on Freiermuth and his value in the red zone?
MIKE TOMLIN: You know, I don't think that any of us are surprised by what he did tonight. Those that watch us day-to-day, those that watch him day-to-day, he's a good combat catch guy.
He delivers in those moments. And it's just good to watch him develop and write his story in that way.
Q. It seems like a long time ago now, but what did you tell Cam Hayward after that interception?
MIKE TOMLIN: I'm going to keep that between him and I. (Laughing.)
Q. What did you think of your red zone execution on both ends actually in the first half? You kept them out a couple times in the first half and then your own red zone --
MIKE TOMLIN: It was critical. You know, that set the stage. But, again, you know, it kind of got negated by the turnovers and the score in the kicking game. And that's life.
Q. Did Mark say anything to you guys when he got called for taunting?
MIKE TOMLIN: I don't know what was said. You guys would have to ask them and him.
Q. Coach, did you learn anything about the resilience of your team, kind of being in tough games and being able to come back from behind to win?
MIKE TOMLIN: I think we displayed that, you know, throughout. You know, we made plays against Denver, we made plays at the end of the game versus Seattle. I thought the significant thing in this one was the offense had an opportunity to do it.
And so, that's the awesome thing about team sports, and football in particular, you're going to face enough adversity that everyone is going to have any opportunity to ante up and kick in.
And so, that's a good lesson to be learned throughout this. Hopefully we grow and grow in the right ways when you deliver like that.
Q. Did you have a little bit of a heart attack when Bos grabbed that fumble?
MIKE TOMLIN: No.
Q. T.J. Watt, 60 sacks, he's the fourth fastest in NFL history. I mean, obviously, he's been a really good player for you for a long time. Can you kind of characterize what that -- all 60 of those have meant to you?
MIKE TOMLIN: He's well compensated. (Laughing.) Thanks, guys.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports