FOXBOROUGH, MA (93.7 The Fan) – It was ugly, after a couple of touchdowns early the Steelers offense was going more in reverse than towards a win. It was an adjustment during the final series that led to a game-winning touchdown and a 21-14 win. The first at New England since 2008.
Rodgers said they talked in the huddle before the drive about a subtle signal he might give. Then he explained what he wanted if he gave that signal with Calvin Austin on that side of the field. And for one of the few times in the last three quarters, a least a couple of Steelers were in sync.
“That was nice we were on the same page,” Rodgers said. “I didn’t throw the best ball, but Cal is so damn fast. He made a great play.”
To show how much on the same page, Rodgers and Austin’s postgame comments were nearly the same even though they were in different rooms.
“8 (Aaron Rodgers) gave me a little signal,” Austin said. “We were on the same page and 8 converted.”
It turned into a 17-yard touchdown on 3rd and 6 with 2:20 to play in the fourth quarter and gave the Steelers the lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
How bad was it? Steelers had 19 yards in the second quarter and 11 in the third. They rushed for negative five yards in the second and third quarters combined and were not much better in the fourth until that final drive, nine plays, 62 yards in 5:25.
“There was no panic,” Austin said. “You get in moments like this and you go back to your training and go back to fundamentals. That’s all that was, was just basic fundamentals.”
Rodgers credited the defense for bailing them out. He said it was a strange game, they were feeling good about themselves after the early 14 points and then couldn’t get into a rhythm. Rodgers said he made a terrible pass early in the second half, which led to a Robert Spillane interception, but after that did what they were supposed to do.
“That is oftentimes the case, it cannot be going the way you desire, but you better have enough emotion, you better have enough belief,” Tomlin said. “You better stay the course in an effort to do it. You could say the same thing about the defense in New York and we were able to finish it at the end. Same thing with the offense today, but that is what team is about.”
“End of the day, it’s Week 3 and we got a win,” Austin said. “We got the right guys, everybody is locked in, engaged, happy for each other. As long as we have that mindset going forward, our talents will be able to show.”