PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Mike Tomlin and a few players used the same phrase to describe the win over Seattle on Sunday.
“We rode the wave the offensive line provided.”
It was phrased a little differently by each person, but the feeling was understood. The Steelers offensive line took it to Seattle with the team’s playoff hopes riding in the balance. They pushed the Seahawks around and the running backs were as physical with Najee Harris finishing with a season-high 122 yards and Jaylen Warren, 75.
“They set the tone early on,” said quarterback Mason Rudolph. “The way they ran the ball. It was impressive to watch from my vantage point. To see those guys push off-James, Isaac, Mason Cole, Broderick and Dan, they did a terrific job.”
“We had our game plan to come in and run the ball,” said tackle Broderick Jones. “I feel like we executed, us, the O-line. The running backs, they did their thing. How physical they were today and making people miss.”
“Najee got a great stiff arm. As an O-line, we love to see that. Just them being physical and continue to run through people’s faces. It’s a good feeling.”
“We just came out and did our thing and that’s what it looked like,” Warren said.
“They are totin it,” said Steelers linebacker Mykal Walker. “They are running that ball. When they are doing that, it gives everybody energy.”
Tomlin said they had talked all week about trying to ‘conquer the environment’ in dealing not only with the Seattle defense, but the Seattle crowd. He said winning the line of scrimmage was a major component of it. Tomlin said the whole offense embraced the challenge and they were able to control the environment, make third downs manageable and gave those waving Terrible Towels more to cheer about on Sunday.
Not only did they run for 203 yards, but finished with three rushing touchdowns. It matched their highest total since 2006. It was Harris’ second 100-yard game in his last 33 opportunities and the 122 yards was the second-highest of his career.
“I think we are doing a good job of knowing what we are doing,” Harris said. “Not every game is going to look like this.”
“It’s football, not every time is going to be amazing and great plays and great performances. If we just stick together like we did and really just believe and execute the game plan, things like this will show up. Really just a good job by the O-line and the receivers and Coach Sully and Coach Faulkner.”
“I thought (Najee) was determined as was Jaylen,” Tomlin said. “I thought we got appropriate effort from all parties involved. It was just a critical time. If you are a competitor, you are going to be at your best.”
Warren called it 100% Steelers football and it was just what the team has been trying to do all season.
“It’s good,” Harris said. “It shows the progression. It shows the grit and resiliency. We had a lot of distractions this year, Coach Sully and Coach Faulkner to have a good game plan, execute it and the O-line coming through. It shows what type of team we are.”
Warren said something else, that may sound like more philosopher than running back, but it speaks to the difference of approach over the last few weeks with the Steelers offense.
“No one is waiting to make the play, everybody is willing to make the play,” Warren said. “You could see it out there.”
Steelers imposed their will in Seattle and heading to Baltimore next week, still have a shot at the playoffs.