PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was something Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said after the late comeback win minutes before Christmas that is a truth of this Steelers football team whether they have a winning season or make the playoffs.
"As a collective, particularly some of the young offensive skill guys, I thought it was a grow-up night," Tomlin said. "8 [Kenny Pickett] and 14 [George Pickens] and 22 [Najee Harris] and 88 [Pat Freiermuth] and 18 [Diontae Johnson], all of them. They showed poise and resolve and made the necessary plays, and so we move forward."
It was 8 to 14 that equaled 13 against the Raiders. It wasn't the only equation. A big 19-yard reception from 22 that equaled a first (down). Another steady game from 18, 30 with a big 13-yard run, 83 sealed it and 88 led all receivers with seven (receptions).
"I thought Pat [Freiermuth] played a really good game," said Steelers captain Cam Heyward. "GP [George Pickens] and Diontae [Johnson] caught some really big balls for us. Najee finishing plays. And them just having the poise on the last drive.
You see an offense really grow in that moment. There is a lot you can learn from it when you don't shoot yourself in the foot with penalties. We were penalty-free on that drive. What do you know, we get a touchdown."
"I think all the guys made plays," Tomlin said. "They made the plays when called upon. I think the end of the game kind of reflected that. Muth [Pat Freiermuth] made a big play. Naj[ee Harris] made a big play jumping somebody. GP [George Pickens] made a play in the end zone. We've just got a bunch of young guys that's got some talent."
Mistakes killed this team in the first half of the season-not just the penalties, but turnovers, drops, lack of cohesion-including play-calling.
"There were a lot of questions going into the season to be truthful," said tailback Najee Harris. "For us to come back at the bye week and set some ground rules of what it would be like. I think that sparked a lot of stuff in the offense. We are more strict on the small things we weren't hitting on earlier in the year."
"We got leaders across the offense," said Steelers center Mason Cole who's also played with Minnesota and Arizona. "When it's time to go, everyone is of the right mindset."
"My hat is off to all of those guys. Najee is playing really well. Kenny is awesome and the receivers made the plays that needed to be made. Pat made some really good plays. Hats off to those guys."
The wins are the ultimate test and after a 2-6 start, the Steelers are currently 7-8. They averaged 15 points a game over the first eight games, since, 20.5 points and that included a game in negative wind chill. Individually, Harris averaged 45.1 yards rushing per game over the first eight with one touchdown. In the last seven, 68.9 with five rushing touchdowns. Johnson caught 57% of the targets his first eight games, 72% since.
Freiermuth has 60 catches for 696 yards, the most catches ever by a Steelers tight end in a season was 76 for 789 yards by Steelers Hall of Honor inductee Heath Miller in 2009.
"We've just got a bunch of young guys that's got some talent," Tomlin said. "They're getting better. They are good enough to win as that happens. We've just better keep rolling our sleeves up and keeping our head down, out mouth shut and working."
"Coaches say we got a few days off, but guys still want to come in," Pickens said. "Big thing is the mentality. The mentality is great. That's one thing the record can't decide. The mentality of the guys is super, super good."
"Every single day you want to grow," Freiermuth said. "Last year, obviously, a couple key mistakes I made, but I'm just proud of myself for growing up in those moments. I'm proud of the team for trusting me."
It can't happen without growth at the quarterback position. Kenny Pickett started the off-season as the third string quarterback and earned his way to back-up to begin the season and then took over against the Jets. A rocky beginning, three interceptions in his first half of NFL football. Eight picks in his first five games. He's thrown ONE since. Pickett battled through a pair of concussions to lead the team to wins in three of his last four starts. The loss he left in the second series.
Then Christmas Eve, after multiple missed opportunities, the night the team was retiring the number of an all-time great who just passed. Pickett stepped up like the leader the Steelers drafted in the first round.
"I told them they're going to execute," Pickett said of the message to his team in the huddle as seconds were dwindling and playoff hopes in the balance. "I'll execute and we're going to win the game. That's pretty much it."
"I don't think any of us are surprised with those intangible things," Tomlin said. "I'm so happy that our young guys had an opportunity to do that in some small way tonight."
"When you're in the locker room after and you are hugging guys after a win, that's the best feeling in the world," Pickett said. "I had no doubt that we were going to get it done."
Realistically this was always a rebuilding season. The foundation is laid and the bricks are starting to stack.
