Getting back to business: The Steelers turned things around against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, coming up with a 32-13 win after dropping two straight games.
And while the game was on the road, it had the atmosphere of being at home, with Steelers fans turning out in large numbers and having an impact on the game.
"The first thing that needs to be said is I'm just really taken aback by the support that we got here from our fans, Steelers Nation," said Tomlin. "Continually they show up and I just thought it was awesome. The environment for a road venue was special. It was special to be a part of it."
The Raiders came out of the gate strong, scoring on their opening drive when they marched the ball down the field on a 10-play, 70-yard drive that finished with a three-yard touchdown run by Alexander Mattison.
The defense tightened the reins after the opening drive, forcing three turnovers, including two forced fumbles by linebacker T.J. Watt and an interception by Donte Jackson.
"Can't say enough about T.J. that hadn't already been said in terms of his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways," said Tomlin. "It is special. We're not surprised by it. But it's still special.
"I don't know what other way to state it other than I'm not surprised by it, but it doesn't make it any less amazing. If you've been around him during the course of his career here, you just know that he is going to seize those moments. He's going to rise up and be what we need him to be in some form or fashion. And I just think today was a reflection of it. It's just another chapter in his awesome story that is his career."
Running back Najee Harris got it done on the ground, with 14 carries for 106 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown run, the longest offensive play of the day for the Steelers. It was Harris' first 100-yard game of the season.
"I felt like we needed to get another win. We lost two in a row. It was the perfect time to get another win. We are 4-2, going to play our next opponent. That is really just my mindset."
Overall the ground game put up 183 yards, something Tomlin said was a group effort.
"I just thought it was a collective effort, not only the bigs, but the perimeter people and obviously Najee and everyone else," said Tomlin. "It is a collective. When I look at it, I just thought the collective energy and effort that was necessary."
The win improved the Steelers record to 4-2, with a Sunday night game against the New York Jets next up.
"Just really appreciative of getting back on track and handling our business and winning, because that's what this business is about," said Tomlin.
"Winning is our business. Football is our game. Winning is our business. We hadn't been handling business. And so, it was just good to get back to taking care of business. This is a normal state for us. It needs to be."
On the injury front, center Zach Frazier left the game with an ankle injury and didn't return.
"It'll be evaluated," said Tomlin. "There were some other guys that went out of the game but were able to return. Minkah (Fitzpatrick) was able to go back with his shoulder. Donte Jackson was able to go back with his shoulder, to name a few.
"We'll keep assessing those things. I'll give you an update next time we come together on some of the medical things."
Affecting the game: Linebacker T.J. Watt knew the assignment on Sunday.
Just play his game.
With injuries to outside linebackers Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig, stopping Watt was the focus for the Raiders offense.
"I can definitely feel the slides and more chips and things of that nature," said Watt of the attention the Raiders paid to him. "But I understand that at a certain point, if they want to truly eliminate you getting to the quarterback with getting the ball out quickly, the slides, the chips, a team can pretty much do that if they want to," said Watt. "So, I'm going to have to try to find ways to continue to affect the game as much as possible."
And he did just that.
Watt finished the game with five solo tackles, two tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles that he used the textbook punch out to create.
"I've been doing the punch out since college, I carried that with me from Wisconsin," said Watt. "It's been something I've continued to try to do, especially when you get in those situations. When you have a defense that flies around like this, you're able to take more chances. I don't always get the football, but when you do, it's a big play."
With Highsmith and Herbig out, it was Jeremiah Moon and Ade Ogundeji, who was signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Saturday, who were asked to step up.
"I just thought it was an awesome game in that we had a lot of guys getting elevated and getting an opportunity to contribute who hadn't," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "And I'm just really thankful for their efforts. Just the collective attention to detail that allows that to happen.
"When you have guys that have been elevated, that lack in-game experience and stuff like that, usually it's a collective in terms of communication and so forth to make sure the day comes off with fluidity."
Both Moon and Ogundeji made their contributions, with Moon even coming up with a blocked punt.
"He played a lot," said Watt of Moon. "Him and Ade stepped up, had a great game today, trying to find ways to get off the field a little bit more and let those guys get some snaps. We knew they were more than capable of getting some positive snaps. And even at the end, Ade had a couple of nice rushes. And the blocked punt was incredible by Moon."
On the run: Quarterback Justin Fields completed 14 of 24 passes for 145 yards.
And while he didn't get it in the endzone in the air, he rushed 11 times for 59 yards and two touchdowns, including a three-yard run and a seven-yard run in the fourth quarter to seal the game.
"I thought he did a nice job, particularly making some things happen with his legs, managing the circumstances and taking care of the ball," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "Obviously, he took a few hits, but he's a tough guy. I'm glad he's okay and we'll keep moving."
It was the run game that got their share of attention on Sunday, and their share of praise.
And rightfully so.
Najee Harris put up 106 yards rushing, and the offense as a whole had 183 yards rushing.
"The O-line did a great job," said Fields. "Najee did a great job. All the running backs did a great job to be honest with you. I think we played with a lot of effort and physicality. Yards after contact. Najee was getting pushed by the O-line a couple of times. Those yards after contact, pushing the pile. We need those kinds of sparks.
"I don't know what (Najee) ate last night. I don't know what he did, but he sure did ball out today. So, whatever he did this week, hopefully he comes back and does the same thing next week."
Fields said what Harris was able to do in the run game helped the offense overall, especially on Fields' second touchdown run.
"I think my second rushing touchdown, Najee scored on the toss so they were probably thinking we were going to do the same thing," said Fields. "There were only one or two guys over there. It starts with the O-line up front and the run game. Everything works off of that. Najee and the O-line did a great job executing."
It wasn't just the offense that benefitted from Harris and the ground game. The defense did as well.
"It's huge anytime you are able to run the ball in the National Football League," said linebacker T.J. Watt. "It's demoralizing for a defense. We know from experience. But it also allows us to get a little bit more wind on the sideline and be able to come out. And we always say the best defenses spend a lot of time on the bench."
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