Pittsburgh Steelers - 20, New Orleans Saints - 10
T.J. WATT: In front of the fans today to be able to create an awesome atmosphere as a defense, being able to fly around, being able to pin our ears back at the end there. That's all you ask for as a defensive rush man. I had a lot of fun today.
Q. T.J., Myles wasn't able to play a lot, but Rob played a lot of big moments for you guys. What does he bring to the defense?
T.J. WATT: He's a very versatile player. He can blitz well, he can cover well as well. He's just a good communicator also. That's super important, especially at home. Very loud. He did a great job today of just communicating. He's made some big plays for us .
Q. How fun was the first possession, getting them backed up there, making plays. Crowd was getting into it?
T.J. WATT: It's fun, man. When you feel like you can control the crowd and get them involved, I'm always going to try my best. It is a competitive advantage. Especially playing at home. When they get loud, makes it tough for offenses. I'm here to make plays and help make a difference in the game. That's what I'm going to continue to try to do.
Q. T.J., when did you find out about Minkah. Knowing that you had Kazee, did you feel like he was capable of making a play like he made today?
T.J. WATT: Yeah. I mean, Mink was yesterday when everybody else found out. As far as Kazee, I mean, we've seen him itching to get back, wanting to get back. And just the amount of preparation that he put in this week, he was one of the big guys about wanting splash, wanting to make plays, and he went out and did it. Super happy for him.
Q. How key are the splash plays? Two interceptions, the fourth down stop to get the win and be in the defense you guys feel like you can be
T.J. WATT: It's huge. We talk about wanting to create splash here. We need splash. We need to continue to do it, and it's something we're always hunting, but it comes with creating an incredible atmosphere, and that's what we had today.
Q. T.J., how did it feel just being back out there?
T.J. WATT: Felt good. Felt really good. Probably won't feel really good tomorrow, but it felt good today.
Q. Did you feel limited in any way?
T.J. WATT: No. I mean, aside from my legs feeling like wed noodles, that was about it.
Q. T.J., we've asked you before about Alex. Why is it you guys work so well together?
T.J. WATT: I mean, when there's so much chipping on one side or the other, you can't block everybody up front. I think Cam Heyward has done a great job. Chris Wormley, Larry O has done a phenomenal job as well. It's to a point when if you're one-dimensional, someone is going to get through. It's just a matter of time. Today, Alex got through quickly and was able to of a the game. He deserves it. He works his ass off.
Q. T.J., there's so much shuffling going on with this roster, especially defensively, do you get the sense this is what we're expecting to see in the second half?
T.J. WATT: Yeah, that's what we're here for, to be able to create the atmosphere like we had today. Hopefully, we can get it again next week. Take it one day at a time and go from there.
Q. T.J., you said Friday how good the practice week was. How much do you think that led into what we saw here today?
T.J. WATT: Huge. I mean, you don't win the game on Sundays. You win it through all the preparation you put in throughout the week. That's from, I mean, 8:00 a.m., extra meetings, to having clean, crisp practices and communication. That's why it's so important at home to have that communication as a defense because it's so loud in there. But, like I said, Spill did a great job today.
Q. Talk about the atmosphere. Crowd getting into it a little bit more today. You guys feed off that? Did you feed off that?
T.J. WATT: 100 percent. I think they were wild, going crazy. And like I said, I hope we can keep that up because I want them to know how big of an advantage it really is for us as a defense. It makes life hell for offenses, and we're going to continue to try to make plays to feed off them.
Q. Started with your intro, didn't it?
T.J. WATT: Yeah. I might not have gotten as high this time, but it was fun. I mean, those moments, it's hard when you're in the actual moment to feel. I mean, it's just full body chills, and it's like you wish you could freeze time for just one second while you're looking around and people are going crazy. But just super happy, more than anything, to get the win today.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports