Pittsburgh Steelers 23, Green Bay Packers 19
Q. It looked like you guys were running into a lot of heavy boxes in the second half, just that much confidence in the ground game?
KENNY PICKETT: Yeah, we were getting pretty good yards per carry even when they were deciding to do that. Thought some of the play-action things we did off it were good early, gave us a chance to have some one-on-one shots, too, with George and Tae down the field. Wish we hit on a couple more. Would have been some more explosive plays for us, but overall, the way we're running the ball, you know, we felt like we had a lot of confidence in that.
Q. Kenny, what do you think led to that running game kind of carrying other from last week?
KENNY PICKETT: I think some continuity with the guys up front, getting a chance to have some more reps together. You know, having a positive game, having another opportunity to stack another positive game, which they did, and 22 and 30 ran great, so, you know, I think it was kind of a mix of the line and the backs getting a good rhythm.
Q. Why do you think you weren't able to hit on more of those down field throws?
KENNY PICKETT: We had opportunities, just didn't connect on them, you know. Had the one down the left side of Tae. Had a good back shoulder to George, which was a really good play for us, just wish he had some more opportunities to do so, but we got the win, that's the most important thing.
Q. Did you get a look at all at the penalty on Austin?
KENNY PICKETT: I say the replay. In game you have to flip to the next play quick. You know, it's tight in that situation. I think it's tight. But, you know, it is what it is.
Q. As a player, what do you appreciate about the way Jaylen plays the game and runs?
KENNY PICKETT: I think just as a teammate, the way he goes about his business, how hard he plays, the way he practices, the way he goes about his business. You know, one of the best teammates I'd probably say I've had in my career, football playing career. Can't say enough great things about 30 and what he does for us.
Q. Have you thought much about being 6-3?
KENNY PICKETT: It feels good, tell you that, it feels good. Got to enjoy it and then we have a really tough road test, a division road test coming up, so our full focus will be on that.
Q. Obviously that penalty did wipe out one, but what can you guys do to use the middle of the field more at this point?
KENNY PICKETT: You know, targeting more. We liked our one-on-ones outside what they were giving us. We thought that's where we had some opportunities, which is, you know, looking back on it, you know, the outside lane throws were clean for us, but you can always try to use the middle of the field, but if we feel like they're dropping guys out underneath there, the outside lanes were clean and that's why we did that.
Q. Is that maybe the adjustment made from the first half to the second half to have some more guys in the middle of the field to help with the run and maybe the thing that you guys needed to do was take it then on the outside?
KENNY PICKETT: Yeah, I think so. I think we did that in the first half, but I still felt like we were getting good yards on each run play. We had some penalties that really put us back early in that one drive. Moved the ball well, you know, just want some execution to get us in the endzone and not make it so tight.
Q. Kenny, what has Broderick brought to the offense as a starter?
KENNY PICKETT: Young with great energy, man. He approaches the game the right way. He brings a fire into the huddle which you love to see as a quarterback. I think he's nasty in the run game. He does a great job in protection, so. He's only going to get better, too, which is the great news with him, so he's going to continue to progress, work with all the vets we have up front and Coach Meyer, but he's been doing a great job.
Q. Kenny, I'm sorry if somebody asked, does it look to you or certainly feel like Jaylen and Najee just kind of feeded off each other?
KENNY PICKETT: Yeah, it was kind of a one-two punch that you didn't want to take it out of their hands too much with how successful they were at it, even getting the ball in the flat or in the screen game and getting them in space. I thought those two were playing, you know, unreal today. So huge hats off to 30 and 22 what they provided us.
Q. You guys went for 166 last game to 200 on the ground this game. Do you feel like that is now established and something you can count on every week?
KENNY PICKETT: Yeah, absolutely. That's what you want to see and that's what we've always been pushing to do and when we have that kind of balance, I think we're going to be a tough out so we just got to have to continue to have that balance, the pass game working with the run using all the weapons that we have on our offense and continue to push that way.
THE MODERATOR: Anyone else?
Q. Kenny, obviously having (inaudible) plays on the other side of the ball, made a couple of significant plays. Guys have talked about his mentorship. Have you had interactions or have there been things that you've learned from him?
KENNY PICKETT: A ton, man, any chance I get to talk to Pat, I always do. That goes all the way back to the spring, really, when I found out that he was going to be on our team. A vet that has seen a lot, has played a ton of ball, incredible IQ for the game and incredible player. Great mentor for me, just a guy on the defensive side that I can always talk to. A great friend as well. So, I can't say enough great things about Pat and the kind of leadership he brings to this team.
THE MODERATOR: All right thanks, guys.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports