Steelers-20, Titans-16
Q. You guys have been in so many time games. When it gets tight late because you've been in these situations so much, do you feel like you have an advantage?
T.J. WATT: I don't know. Games are hard to win. I feel like a lot of teams are in these situations a lot. It's just kind of getting into the mode and try to do your job, do your best.
We always say defense wants to be out there when the game is on the line, and tonight was no different. Glad Kwon was able to deliver a big play for us.
Q. Speaking of adjusting at halftime, what did you see out of the group tonight to get Levis off his rhythm there in the second half?
T.J. WATT: I feel like he showed some toughness tonight. He took some hits, was able to deliver some good passes under pressure, and we were able to just continue to kind of keep him under duress and be able to have him throw that pick at the end. That was huge.
Q. Kwon talked about the need for better communication in the second half, and that was the adjustment you guys talked about in the locker room. What were those conversations like with you guys trying to get back out there?
T.J. WATT: Have better communication. It's that simple. We just need to talk more, especially when a guy like Mingo is down, a guy that does a lot of talking. Any time a guy like Cole goes down, a guy that does a lot of talking in the middle, we need to emphasize communication.
Especially when we are playing at home and the fans are going crazy, it makes it a little more difficult, but I feel like we did a better job in the second half for sure.
Q. How do you feel you did against Henry, and how critical was that?
T.J. WATT: I feel like we did pretty well against the run. I haven't looked at anything, but just continuing to bow up in situations and make them one-dimensional, and I feel like we did a good job of that tonight.
Q. Did you notice Cam Heyward, his presence?
T.J. WATT: Yeah, of course. I don't know how many tackles he had, but I know he played his butt off tonight, and he definitely is a difference-maker for us.
Q. How about the play of Roberts and Kwon, especially after Cole went out?
T.J. WATT: Huge. Next-man-up mentality, but those guys have been -- they're all alphas in the middle. They all want to be out there as much as possible.
Obviously we feel for Cole, and hopefully it's nothing too serious. But when those guys stepped in, we didn't skip a beat.
Q. What does it do you for you when Alex is getting so much pressure in the backfield? I think he had seven or eight tonight again.
T.J. WATT: It's huge. Alex Highsmith is a hell of a player, and I'm glad that he is finally starting to get the recognition he is getting.
Q. With your brother in the stands, a little different knowing he is out there?
T.J. WATT: His arm is going to be sore from waving that damn towel. Every time I looked up there, he was waving the towel. I can't wait to see them and hear about how they enjoyed the game.
Q. You guys are almost halfway through. You haven't really, I guess by your standards probably, played a complete game yet, but you are still definitely in the mix. How encouraged are you about what lies ahead in the next two months?
T.J. WATT: We have some big-time games coming up. We have another home game next week, and then I think some divisional opponents are coming up.
Obviously not satisfied with where we are, but we just need to continue to improve and eliminate problems as quickly as possible and just get as healthy as possible. That's what is so crucial about this extra little rest that we have.
Q. The phrase is always stay ahead of the chains on offense, stay on schedule. Do you feel like you guys are at least doing that, did that in the bye coming out after Jacksonville this week?
T.J. WATT: Yeah, we're definitely putting an emphasis on three-and-outs, just trying to get off the field. Anywhere you look the really elite, good defenses are on the sidelines a lot, and that's something that we're trying to do.
I feel like we're moving in the right direction, but by no means are we there yet.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports