PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Guys made plays was the quote from Mike Tomlin about his defense after the 26-22 win over the Browns. It was splash plays by the outside linebackers that turned the outcome on Monday.
Both TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith scored touchdowns, each scoring as many as the offense as the Steelers found a way to get a first win of the season.
"Splash," Watt said after a heavy sigh postgame. "I mean, I think that's what we talk about is creating splash as a defense. Alex Highsmith played his absolute tail off tonight."
Highsmith filled up the stat sheet on Monday. Seven tackles, a sack, tackle for loss, two quarterback hurries and an interception returned for a touchdown. Watt, had four tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, a pass defended and a scoop-and-score fumble recovery.
"We did a good job of working together," Highsmith said. "When we work together, we are great up front. We were working different games. We were communicating well. I think it starts with communicating well and doing that. That's how we were able to get after them."
"Big players make big-time plays in big games," said Larry Ogunjobi, who added his own sack, a fumble recovery and two QB hurries. "Just to see those two come up in a moment where we really needed it is special."
"Those guys are just fearless," said receiver George Pickens. "Alex and TJ coming off the edge, that's a lot of pressure. They complement us well."
"When both of our edges went crazy, they both scored touchdowns and made impact plays," said corner Joey Porter. "They really gave us a chance to make plays in the secondary which we capitalized. I feel like we did a good job on defense."
Good job is an appropriate comment. It's how the Steelers started the game. Coming off a lousy performance on both sides of the ball, the defense got a touchdown on the first play. As a ball tipped off Harrison Bryant's hands, if eventually found Highsmith and he went 30 yards for the opening score.
"It was kind of slow motion," Highsmith said. "I was dropping and I thought Minkah picked it off and it just popped out and there is was. I saw some open grass and I just took off. I was pretty tired after that play, I'm not going to lie."
Highsmith said it's his first touchdown scored since he was a kid in Pop Warner ball. It was also, surprisingly given all he's done in his career, Watt's first regular season touchdown. It gave the Steelers the lead and they were the last points in the game. Highsmith with a strip-sack of Deshaun Watson and Watt scooped up the ball at the 17-yard line and ran into the end zone as Acrisure Stadium exploded.
"We both kind of knew it was going to be play/pass," Watt said. "It will be a fun play to watch on film. We both got wide. Alex just had a phenomenal rush. I was coming off a chip, so I had a little bit of room to see the play process. I just saw the ball come out and thankfully I didn't dive on it, and I was able to scoop it and score it, and the place went bananas like it did all night. Steelers Nation was absolutely incredible."
As were two of the Steelers defensive stars, especially when considering they were without Fitzpatrick for most of the second half due to a chest injury.
"He's the best in the league at what he does and he shows it every week," Highsmith said of Watt. "Him coming out week after week and doing what he does. It's no secret, he works his butt off. Just being able to go to war with a guy like that is a blessing."
"He makes me better in all that I do. I'm thankful to go to war with him."
