Steelers 23, Browns 9
Q. There's been a lot of pressure on the pocket the last two games. What's been the difference by design. What's happening there?
NICK HERBIG: I think it's just a collective, a group of guys in that room. We've got a tight-knit group. We have great coaches in Coach Dunbar, Coach Denzel Martin. Great leaders: TJ, Alex, and Cam.
Like I said, man, it takes some time to mesh, come together, but I think that we're all starting to figure each other out and playing off each other and playing with a lot of energy out there together, and it's great to see all that come to fruition.
Q. One-game perspective, they came in with a No. 1 ranked rush defense in football. How much pride do you take in the job you did against their run today?
NICK HERBIG: Yeah, I mean, it's AFC North football, man. It's tough-nosed, smashmouth, old-school football. The goal is to go out there and be a better defense today.
Q. What's it like for you guys when you do that, and not only, you don't allow a touchdown?
NICK HERBIG: That's just credit to the coaches, the players. Everybody just doing their job.
Still let up too much points, too much yards. Not satisfied with what we did out there. We can be a lot better, and I'm excited to get back to work.
Q. Nick, I've never seen a defense introduced with 12 people, a 12th man. That honor is on your shoulders. How do you feel about that?
NICK HERBIG: I mean, I wasn't expecting that at all. DY and Mike T. told me before the game, I just wear that with great pride and an honor because I know all the great legendary players that have come through these buildings and walked the same halls as me. Just the fact that they have their belief in me, that respect for me to allow me to run out of the tunnel with all the guys, you know, I'm truly blessed.
Q. Nick, what does Ramsey mean to your defense?
NICK HERBIG: Oh, that guy is a dog. I grew up watching him when he was at Florida State. He's been doing it since I've been watching football. Just seeing that in person, seeing how he goes about his business day in and day out on and off the field, that guy is a true professional, true vet. He's a leader, inspiration to a lot of guys, and he's great for us.
Q. Mike told us on Tuesday he thought that Gabriel was quite good at processing opponent's defenses. Did he express that message to you guys? If so, how do you think you countered that on the field today?
NICK HERBIG: Yeah, you know, we knew that he's going to get the ball out quick. It's all over his film. Good at processing plays, making a good read. So we just have to go out there with a good game plan.
Q. Did you want to start running the other way too fast on that one possible pick?
NICK HERBIG: Yeah, my eyes got a little too big (smiling), to make that play.
Q. After the Dublin game, a couple of you in the locker room talked about how you really liked the performance that you had, but you needed to show more consistency. Do you feel like you showed that today?
NICK HERBIG: I mean, I think when you stack back-to-back wins in general, that's great for the team. Not just us as a defense, but team as a whole.
There's obviously still a lot we can learn from and work on. Like I said, looking forward to getting back in the building and getting to work on a short week.
Q. The rotation worked out today with all you guys healthy for the first time in a long time.
NICK HERBIG: Oh, it's great. We know what we're capable of, the three of us. Like Coach said, the full metal clip, or whatever he said. It's just awesome to be out there with those two guys. Man, they're dogs, super professional guys.
They take care of business on and off the field, and just being able to share the field with them. Even Cam, too. That's awesome, man. That's something I'm going to look back someday and be really blessed and grateful for.
Q. Nick, these last two games, is it what you have expected from this defense the way you guys are playing?
NICK HERBIG: Not really. Everybody in the locker room knows what we're capable of. I still feel like we haven't played up to our potential yet. We're just scratching the surface, so once we're firing on all cylinders, I'm excited for that.
Q. Playing two AFC North rivals within a few days, could that be daunting physically as well as mentally?
NICK HERBIG: We wouldn't want it any other way.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports