CINCINNATI (93.7 The Fan) – Pat Freiermuth said it wasn’t necessarily a goal of the offense to reach 400 yards, but the smiles and the attitude in the locker room would tell you it’s a group much more satisfied with the performance in a 16-10 win at Cincinnati.
It was the first game with Eddie Faulkner as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan calling plays, nary a complaint about the calls and it seemed just a better overall operation in finishing with 421 yards, first time in 58 games to reach the 400-yard number.
“More communication and more, I don’t know how to say this without being too explicit, but more willingness to take shots,” said tailback Jaylen Warren. “Taking more risks.”
That pretty much tells you want they were thinking, and what wasn’t happening.
“The calls were just coming in, everybody was doing their job today,” said receiver Diontae Johnson. “Just seeing the energy was different. We were moving the ball, playing our part and we were able to get the job done.”
“We came together as a unit,” said quarterback Kenny Pickett who finished with a season-high 278 yards passing. “Huge shout out to Coach Faulk and Coach Sully. Those guys did a great job preparing us this week. I think we did a great job of coming together and staying together in a time of adversity.
Coming on the road and getting a really big-time AFC North win that we needed.”
Pickett said he felt like every possession they were having productive drives, even though a couple stalled with penalties, a turnover or lack of execution. He understands they need to score more points, but Sunday was a move forward after so many backwards.
“I think we all looked at each other and knew,” said center Mason Cole. “We got to play for each other. We all had a hand in Matt’s firing. We didn’t play well enough for him to keep his job. We had to make it right with the guys in this room.”
It started off quickly as the first pass of the game was down the middle of the field to Pat Freiermuth for 24 yards.
“Confidence, man,” Freirmuth said following nine receptions for 120 yards, both career highs. “We connected on that first play, an explosive, it made everyone help believe. You could see us together today. It was a great win for us.”
“Obviously handled adversity this week as a unit. A lot of eyes were on us.”
“I thought we spread the ball around, we changed things up schematically with different launch points,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “We attacked down the field early when they were in split safeties. We weren’t going to let them sit in that comfortably all day.
We did what we needed to.”
It wasn’t just what they did for their confidence, they also helped out the defense. The success of the offense meant the Bengals only had 20 offensive snaps in the first half. TJ Watt said it was a big factor to get that rest early in a game.
“It was huge,” said linebacker Alex Highsmith. “I knew it was going to happen. They had a great game. Kenny balled out. It was a great first step for them. I know they are going to get even better.”
“It was a step in the right direction,” said defensive captain Cam Heyward. “Could have scored some more points, but I thought they competed every down. It seemed like it was a lot more open and they guys all worked together. I knew they were going to be under a microscope after losing their OC. They were able to attack the challenge.”
“I definitely was glad to see Kenny be more comfortable and throw the ball more,” said safety Trenton Thompson. “We got a lot of playmakers. I was happy we were able to go out there and do something a little different. I think we had 400 total yards of offense. It’s untold.”
“I’m really happy for him. I know, first-round draft pick, the way the media can bash you. I’m really happy for Kenny.”
“As an offense, you want to set up field position for the defense, and for the points,” Freiermuth said. “It was a big day for us. It felt nice moving the ball at will. We are just going to continue to move from here and build on it.”
“Hats off to Sully and Faulk, super-happy,” Cole said. “They deserve a lot of credit. Good to see this team and this offense come together, on the road, kinda crappy weather and come out with a W.”
“We always knew what we were capable of doing,” Pickett said. “It was just putting it together. We haven’t 100% put it together. We were driving really good. We left points out there, but we have to take the positives and march forward.”
400 yards, no one would have thought it would have taken so long to achieve. Can they follow it up with home games against Arizona and New England? That’s the next step.