Steelers 28, Dolphins 15
Q. What were you guys doing defensively that you were able to shut down their run game so effectively, especially early?
CAMERON HEYWARD: I thought we were able to limit as much as possible. Got off the field early in some instances. You know, I thought our tackling was a lot better. You know, one play I loved was PQ on that third down late in the second half, you know, really shooting the gap. I just felt like a lot of guys played downhill from there.
Q. Cam, do you feel like you guys are starting to hit your stride?
CAMERON HEYWARD: We'll see. You know, we got a lot of work to do. We got a lot in front of us and I love the challenges that are in front of us. I think our group does too.
Q. Historically you guy have not been that great when TJ is not in the lineup. What was different tonight?
CAMERON HEYWARD: I don't really know. You know, obviously we miss TJ, but I think we've had other guys step up. You know, in the past we haven't really had Alex, Nick, Jack to kind of make up that collective. But it's not a one-man team, a one-man defense.
We all got to thrive. We all got to play our best ball in December. You know, the way I look at it is we just bought a week off for TJ. I don't know when he's coming back but his leg should be feeling good.
Q. Did you tell him that you were going to celebrate a sack like he did?
CAMERON HEYWARD: Yeah, me, Nick, and Alex talked about it. I don't think I got my leg up high enough. We all wanted to shoutout TJ.
Q. This is back to back wins for you guys, for the first time since you were 4-1. Obviously you want to stack wins throughout the season, but how crucial is it to get back to that as we get to this point in the regular season?
CAMERON HEYWARD: Got to stack them like hot cakes. You know, in this game it's very precious to get a win. We don't take them for granted. Each week we have to prepare for the opponent and each week I look at who we have in front of us. It all comes down to stopping the running the ball, and we were able to do that today.
Q. You mentioned the play by Queen. How much was he leading by example out there today?
CAMERON HEYWARD: Yeah, PQ has grown in this defense. He feels more confident. You know, whether he's talking about a play, nixing a play, he's the vocal leader on our defense when it comes to having plays and getting us lined up.
When he can flow downhill, I don't think there is anybody can stop him.
Q. You've had a lot of games where you've been leading at the half that haven't got your way this year. This time, that third quarter might have been the best you played all season. What was different this time around?
CAMERON HEYWARD: We talk so much about double dipping before half, and it's the game within the game. We get 7 points late and then the second half comes and our offense really ran the ball well; then that caused confusion on the back end with the pass.
But when you're able to get 14 points like that, it really makes it hard for a team to overcome that early in the half. So I just feel like the offense controlled the line of scrimmage the entire game, and then as a defense we were able to get off quickly. The best defense is the defense on the sideline.
Q. These guys haven't had a lot of games where they've dominated the offensive time of possession. What did that mean for you guys that they were able to do that tonight?
CAMERON HEYWARD: I love it. I love being on the sideline. You know, I like to keep my legs as fresh as possible going into this run. When our offense can just move the ball, convert third downs, fourth downs, you name it, defense is happy about that.
Q. Last time you guys were in this building fans were voicing their frustrations. You guys were on a bit of a skid. What did it take from a leadership standpoint to turnt things around and come up with two significant wins back to back?
CAMERON HEYWARD: I think it comes down to just owning and being accountable of what you do. Understand our fans are passionate, but our players are passionate, our coaches are passionate. We hold ourselves to a higher standard here.
You know, when you play for a team like this that's had a lot of success, and, you know, we're not responsible for that, those guys before; we are trying to grasp what they did. The expectations are high and we like it that way.
Q. Aaron just mentioned that a lot of castoffs as he called them, or guys that were big contributors. Theilen, MVS, Asante Samuel, Jr. What does it say about some of these guys that have come in midstream and made a huge impact on this team and kind of contributed to this run you guys are on?
CAMERON HEYWARD: It's a testament to guys buying in. Coach always talks about jumping on a moving train. These guys are professionals. I'm watching, as soon as Thielen gets here he's opening up his playbook and still studying. They spend a lot time really learning the offense, learning the defense. Asante has been really chomping at the bit to get reps, and played very well with them.
Q. Minkah goes down and Mike T and some of you guys go out to support him. What does that show of support mean for you guys to go out there and support Minkah who you played with for so long?
CAMERON HEYWARD: You know, this game, I've had the pleasure of playing with a lot of great players and Minkah is one of them. He's a great friend of mine. You know, we were -- couple of us were in treatment last night and FaceTimed Minkah to see how he was. You knew he was going to be quiet going up to the game, but the game would mean a lot to him.
You know, that's my brother. I'm always going to check on him. You know, I know -- I wish he was here and Mink has always been a guy that I always want to roll with.
Q. What did you think of DK's touchdown?
CAMERON HEYWARD: Hell of an effort. He's physical. You know, when he plays mad like that, you better get out of his way.
Q. On the flipside with Jaylen, has a sack of Tua. Did you get a sense that this game meant something for him to come out and have a good showing?
CAMERON HEYWARD: Yes. Jaylen, I love Jaylen's passion. I love the way he tackles and everything he does. There was nothing stopping him today.
Q. Cam, you all had four sacks today. One from at least each level of the defense. So what does that mean from a defensive standpoint when you can do that?
CAMERON HEYWARD: I think it just means you got to keep your head on a swivel. Multiple guys can come and shoot a gap and you got to make sure you really are accounting for every guy. Our defense is flexible. When guys do their jobs, we're able to get sacks.
Q. You guys were leaning on O a good bit. Was it fun to watch him get that one?
CAMERON HEYWARD: Yeah, O has been growing every week. I love the way he practices, love the way he asks questions. You know, especially with D Harm and Yahya stepping up. O got a lot of reps and made the most of his reps.
You know, we're building depth and to watch him go out there and get a sack today, you know, he's been kicking a whole lot tail and I'm proud of him.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports