BALTIMORE (93.7 The Fan) – Notes from the Steelers 27-22 win at Baltimore on Sunday. Was it a ‘winning one for Tomlin’? Joey Porter, Junior on the overturned TD. How James Pierre’s mom is going to relish the interception of Lamar Jackson.
Tomlin love
There was so much heat on Mike Tomlin this week that even former Steelers and national media, who usually defend Tomlin, were saying maybe it’s time for a change of leadership. How did that impact this team’s performance Sunday?
“We are really not worried about the outside noise,” said corner Joey Porter, Junior. “We know what we got in this room and know what kind of coach we have.”
“We knew not to pay any attention to any of that outside noise,” said receiver DK Metcalf. “I’ve said this before; ‘Coach T’ is a great leader for us, and he’s done nothing but take the bullets for us. Even when we were high or when we were low, every day he’s steady [and] always motivated us to play our best ball. That’s what he did last week. Like I said, we knew what was at stake, first place in this heated rivalry, and the better team came out on top.”
“I mean at the end of the day, that’s the media,” said linebacker Patrick Queen. “Media is going to do stuff like that. Any guy in the building could care less; it’s a brotherhood; it’s a family. We’ve got each other's backs. All we care about is what’s in the building. All the stuff outside we could care less about. We are just trying to do what’s best for us and our team.”
“Just consistent,” said captain Cam Heyward of Tomlin’s demeanor last week. “He didn’t get out of character. He didn’t say the sky is falling. Our message is the same-get better, own our mistakes. Everyone talks about what Tomlin needs to do, it’s about what the players need to do. It’s shouldn’t Coach Tomlin, players play, coaches, coach.”
“It means maybe you guys will shut the hell up for the week,” said quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Overturned TD
Joey Porter, Junior stayed after it when most thought it was a touchdown pass to Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely giving Baltimore the lead late in the fourth quarter. Porter, Junior stayed with it and was able to knock the ball free. The call of touchdown would be reversed by instant replay and the Ravens ended up with no points.
“I was just trying for the ball to come out,” Porter said. “It was really up to the refs to decide if it were a touchdown or not, I’m just happy they picked no touchdown.”
Intercepting cousin
Steelers were able to turn a James Pierre one-handed interception into seven points in the second quarter. It was a family moment as Pierre’s cousin is Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Pierre downplayed if he had ever intercepted him before, saying they usually played on the same team.
HOWEVER, it sounds someone is going to enjoy it.
“It’s just, my mom is going to be talking a lot about it,” Pierre said.
Concussions
The following Steelers players left the game Sunday with a concussion or checked for a concussion
· TE Darnell Washington
· LB Malik Harrison
· OT Andrus Peat
· CB Brandin Echols-returned to game
3rd rounder healthy scratch
Last year’s third-round pick, receiver Roman Wilson was a healthy scratch on Sunday against the Ravens in favor of 35-year-old Adam Thielen, who was picked up on waivers on Tuesday, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was on the practice squad and Scotty Miller.
Wilson appeared to have a breakout game against the Packers with four receptions for 74 yards and a late touchdown. In the last four weeks, Wilson has one total reception for seven yards.
Others inactive on Sunday
· QB Will Howard (emergency third)
· S Kyle Dugger-injured
· T Calvin Anderson-injured
· DT Brodric Martin-Rhodes, which meant Logan Lee was active for his fourth career game and first since September 21.
· WR/KR Ke’Shawn Williams
· DT Derrick Harmon-injured
Big quote
“Big time win,” said wide receiver Calvin Austin. “Both locker rooms needed this, but the better team just won today.”