PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – ‘A pack of hyenas’ some of the best quotes, notes and the key stats from the Steelers 20-10 win over the Chargers to get to 3-0. Starting with that, seven times previously the Steelers have started 3-0. They have won a division championship each time.
Austin TD
WR Calvin Austin set a career-high with 95 receiving yards and caught his second career touchdown, the 55-yarder in the second half which sealed the game. It was one of four catches.
“Huge play,” said Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. “They were just in zone, quarters high. You’re really just high-lowing that hook defender. The hook defender took GP underneath and Calvin was right behind him. Great play call. In that situation, of course, you always appreciate the yards after catch that Calvin got us.”
Austin nearly was caught before the end zone, was he worried he might be tackled short?
“I didn’t think so, but I was tired,” Austin admitted. “I won’t lie on that. I was feeling it, but I know I had some extra blocking out there too. When I saw the end zone, I knew I was going to get there.”
Heyward 2nd All-time leading sacker
With his sack at the end of the game, Cam Heyward moved into second place on the Steelers all-time list with 81.5, moving past James Harrison. He trails only TJ Watt.
“It’s not done by myself, I know the record is mine, at second,” Heyward said. “It’s working with guys, it’s communication. It’s working on your technique. It’s working with the groups under John Mitchell-Brett (Keisel), Aaron (Smith), Casey (Hampton), Ziggy (Hood) to working with guys like Larry Ogunjobi, Stephon Tuitt, Javon Hargrave, TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith. It’s a bunch of guys winning their one-on-ones and I’m trying to win mine.”
Stats
· Held Chargers to -5 total yards in the second half
· Held Chargers to 13 rushing yards in the second half
· Justin Fields 25-32, 245 yards, TD, INT, 6 rushes for 6 yards and a TD
· Najee Harris 18 rushes for 70 yards
· Cordarrelle Patterson averaged 8.3 yards-per-rush
· Calvin Austin 4 receptions, 95 yards, TD
· George Pickens 5 receptions, 57 yards
· Corliss Waitman 52 yards per punt with one inside the 20
· Chargers 3-11 on 3rd down
· Patrick Queen led the Steelers with 8 tackles
· Nick Herbig had 3 tackles, 2 were sacks, plus 2 QB hurries
Best Quotes
“We are a pack of hyenas. It’s like dangle a little bit of meat, everybody wants a piece. Everyone is hungry to get the sack first.”
Cam Heyward, defensive captain
“At the end of the day, it’s not just me winning games. It’s the whole team. I’m just happy to be a part of this team, happy to be part of this organization. We definitely look forward to keeping it going vs. Indy.”
Justin Fields, quarterback
“I’m not too worried about that. At the end of the day, we got a dub. That’s all we can ask for, first one at home. Steeler Nation showed out today, for sure.”
Nick Herbig, when asked about personal stats
“Comes to work every day ready for his name to get called because we have two dogs on the outside. He’s just ready, he’s always foaming at the mouth. He wants to get in and when he does, he makes splash plays like he did today.”
Joey Porter, Junior on Nick Herbig
“I’m sick of talking about Herb (Herbig), let’s just stop of all this right now. Geez Louise.”
TJ Watt said laughing
“When we get a team effort like this, the sky is the limit.”
Patrick Queen, linebacker
Injuries
The following players left the game and didn’t return
· Steelers CB Cory Trice (hamstring)
· Steelers LB Alex Highsmith (groin)
· Chargers Edge Joey Bosa (hip)
· Chargers QB Justin Herbert (ankle)
· Chargers OT Rashawn Slater (pectoral)
· Steelers RB Jaylen Warren (undisclosed, Tomlin said he didn’t like the way he looked running)
Towel wave
Every home game a local or national celebrity will lead a pre-game Terrible Towel wave. To open the season, Pens three-time Stanley Cup champions Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang led the twirling of the gold towels from the sideline. Malkin wearing a Troy Polamalu jersey.
Inactives
Some familiar names on the Steelers inactive list. QB Russell Wilson was again the emergency quarterback. WR Roman Wilson had a few full practices, but not activated for his first NFL game Sunday. Corner Darius Rush, safety Terrell Edmunds weren’t on the field. Guard Isaac Seumalo and TE MyCole Pruitt had been ruled out prior to the game.