The strength of the pack is the pack: The Steelers improved their record to 10-3, and continue to lead the AFC North, after a 27-14 win over the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium.
It was a team effort in every aspect, with big plays coming from the offense, defense and special teams.
"Appreciative of the efforts in-game," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "It didn't start off the way we would like in terms of fluidity. We weren't converting third downs early on. But the guys found traction.
"I appreciate the defense providing some short fields and splash in order to get us going as a team. It is a team game in that way. Obviously, the special teams with the splash play down the stretch to get us out of the stadium.
"That's what teams do, they make plays in all three phases. They uplift one another when a certain component doesn't roll in as smoothly as you like.
"Thankful for the win. AFC North football. We will take it and keep moving."
The Steelers went into the game without receiver George Pickens, who was inactive after dealing with a hamstring injury late in the week. With Pickens out, Scotty Miller was active and had three receptions for 38 yards, including a 21-yard reception on third-and-seven.
"GP was listed as questionable," said Tomlin. "We didn't feel like he was going to be able to play the number of snaps we thought would be worth putting him a uniform for. We didn't want a small problem to become a big problem.
"We put a helmet on Scotty Miller. As you can see, most of the time when you put the helmet on healthy guys, they take care of the rest. Scotty made some plays for us. Thankful for that. That is another example of the team component of this game.
"You can waste a lot of time worrying about the guys that are unavailable to you. We choose to focus our energies on the guys that are available to us, their preparedness, ultimately their play.
"Tip of the cap to Scotty Miller stepping up and making some big plays for us."
In addition, receiver Mike Williams, who the Steelers acquired via a trade with the New York Jets in season, had three receptions for 36 yards, including a 22-yard reception on third down.
The receivers stepping up is something Tomlin has been confident about all along, and this was just another example.
"It's what we've been discovering, or rediscovering, throughout every component of this process," said Tomlin. "You guys were asking us about our lack of 'number two' in team development.
"The guys made plays where we throw the ball to make plays. The strength of the pack is the pack. We've got a bunch of guys that want to be the reasons why we're successful.
"When given an opportunity, I think they continually prove that, whether Scotty or Mike or Calvin (Austin III) or Van (Jefferson). We believe in our group. I know I've said that to you guys repeatedly. Maybe you'll start believing me."
Something special: Quarterback Russell Wilson has been in the NFL for 13 years and has seen his share of special teams, including the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl XLVII championship team.
Wilson sees something special from the 2024 Steelers, a group that is tightknit, on and off the field. It's that tightness that has helped them find success, while at the same time success has brought them closer together.
"I think all of it correlates," said Wilson. "I think the best thing is we've got great leadership. Guys that are Hall of Fame players in Cam (Heyward) and T.J. (Watt). I think guys like (Miles) Killebrew, who leads the special teams and his demeanor. I think just the guys up front, guys like Dan (Moore) and big Isaac (Seumalo), guys who have been around the game and been around this football team in a great way. I love how Naj (Najee Harris) has been stepping up to the plate every day, his leadership, his work ethic. I think all the receivers continue to rise and work in such a way. Obviously, guys like Pat Freiermuth. I love it when they start screaming Muuuuth. He energizes us as a football team, and he does things the right way. There's a lot of guys I could mention.
"I think the other thing is Coach (Mike) Tomlin is the best coach in the National Football League. Maybe in all of sports, in my opinion. How he leads us, communicates, his demeanor. His passion for winning and what it takes to win. It's a special thing. I can't explain it enough to you guys how great he is as a leader and the culture here.
"From an organization standpoint here, there have been three head coaches since 1969. I don't know how to explain it. I got to talk to Coach Bill Cowher (this week). I remember the first time I met him in 2008 at N.C. State. I remember him talking to us. I remember him walking in and my eyes lit up. I remember watching him and the Pittsburgh Steelers and guys like (Troy) Polamalu and Ben Roethlisbeger and these guys that were all-time greats.
"For me, I cherish these moments every day. Every day is a special day because I get to do it with the right guys, the highest character, highest work ethic.
"We are doing it together. That is part of winning. Part of winning is the culture. But it's also our habits. Success leaves clues. I think we are doing a good job of that."
What the team is also doing a good job of is using every weapon at their disposal on offense.
Last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, he completed passes to 10 different players.
In Sunday's win over the Browns, with receiver George Pickens on the inactive list, he connected with nine different players.
"I think the fact we got so many guys we can trust," said Wilson. "Nine guys caught it this week, 10 last week. The only guy we're missing is George. He would be the 10th.
"We have so much confidence in everybody. I think how we play together, we're having fun, enjoying the process, working our tails off every day.
"It's about winning. It's about the process of that. We're doing the right things. We've got to get better, keep working. But we're having a lot of fun.
"I think when you got guys that can step up like Scotty Miller today, which was unbelievable plays by him, made some great plays. I trust him. I have no doubt he's going to make a great play. Just try to give him a chance, put the ball where only he can get it.
"Same thing with Big Mike (Williams). We traded for him in a big way. His first catch as a Pittsburgh Steeler was a touchdown against the Commanders to win the game for us. In a way, he kind of helped seal the game this week, too, with some big catches on third down.
"There's guys that we trust. Obviously, we want to be able to facilitate the ball to everybody, make it really hard on the defense."
Showing out in front of legends: The Steelers honored the four newest members of the team's Hall of Honor at halftime of Sunday's game, and putting on a good performance for them was important to all.
Jason Gildon, Casey Hampton, Dick LeBeau and Willie Parker were all inducted into the Hall of Honor on Saturday night, and then introduced to the crowd at halftime.
"I just want to say congratulations to the Hall of Honor honorees," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "Dick LeBeau, Willie Parker, Jason Gildon, Casey Hampton. I had an opportunity and blessing to work with three of the four men. They're so deserving of the honor.
"I'm glad we were able to do our part in terms of making this a really good weekend for that. They're deserving of that. Just wanted to tip the cap to those guys."
Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward was coached by LeBeau during his career, and seeing them being honored meant the world to him.
"Coach LeBeau, he was texting me last year during the season, just trying to keep my head up," said Heyward. "I still talk to him to this day. I am thankful for that relationship. I am thankful that I got to have a (defensive coordinator) who was at Ohio State as well. I am just thankful I was in the room when he was around.
"Also, watching a guy like Casey Hampton, a leader, a glue guy. Watching those guys go into the Hall of Honor, you've got to play good in front of that crowd. We relish that moment. I am just thankful to have known those guys and be a part of something special."
A complete team: The stat line is one that has become the norm for defensive tackle Cameron Heyward.
And it's not a stat line you see a lot from a player in his 14th NFL season.
Heyward finished Sunday's game with five tackles, three of them solo stops, and two sacks for a loss of nine yards.
He continually delivers what the Steelers need, not slowing down one bit. Heck, he thinks there is still more he can do.
"I think for me, there's more to improve on, more to keep going after," said Heyward. "There's a hunger for me that I'm not satisfied with what I've done in the past. I expect a lot more of myself."
And he expects plenty out of the team as well. Heyward said there is something about the 2024 version of the Steelers that has them sitting at 10-3 and in first place in the AFC North.
"I think we just have a complete team," said Heyward. "We have a team that is complementary of everybody. I'm not saying that against the teams we've had in the past. You can look at the time of possession on the offensive side of the ball, the big special teams plays, the defensive big plays as well.
"All three facets, there's playmakers, there's guys that can take over a game.
"We need them week in and week out, but we have the guys to do it."
One of those playmakers against the Browns, in addition to Heyward, was defensive lineman Keeanu Benton. The second-year Benton recorded his first career interception when he picked off Browns quarterback Jameis Winston in the second quarter, returning it 11 yards to the Browns 31-yard line and setting up the Steelers for a Najee Harris one-yard touchdown run.
"Heck of a play," said Heyward. "Great awareness just to track it down line. It's not like it was popped in the air or anything. Can't say enough about the kid. He works his tail off. I know he wants big plays all the time.
"It was a big play for us in this game. Lucky to have that kid on our sidelines."
Blending together: Safety DeShon Elliott was all over the field on Sunday, finishing with 13 tackles, nine of them solo stops, and a pass defensed.
It's what Elliott has been bringing to the defense all season after being signed this offseason as an unrestricted free agent, a valuable addition to help complete a defense that has been dominant this year.
Elliott has fit perfectly with the group, another in a long list of playmakers on that side of the ball, and a group Elliott thinks has a lot more potential than they have shown.
"We got the guys," said Elliott. "We've been doing this since Latrobe. Built these building blocks for weeks and months. I feel like if we play together, we can be a great defense.
"We got the guys up front. It starts there. It starts with the bigs. If the bigs are having a great game, it makes everyone else's job easier. We have great linebackers, and we have a technically sound and play-making secondary.
"Once we get going, I think we're a great defense. We will be a great defense. We haven't shown it full yet. Once we put a good game together, everyone will see that."
Against the Browns the defense allowed an early touchdown when Jameis Winston hit Jerry Jeudy for a 35-yard score. After that, the defense closed the door on the Browns.
"We were just playing our brand of football," said Elliott. "That first touchdown was just a play breakdown. We got to apply, be technically sound. That one play, we weren't. After that we were like, 'Okay, let's get back to it.'
"We felt like going into this game it was very important just to make sure we didn't make the same mistakes from last time. I think we went out there and played efficiently."
The ability to respond to giving up the early touchdown is a testament to the group, one that can react to a negative play and come back stronger.
"Everyone is smart. Everyone on the defense is savvy," said Elliott. "We blend well together. We've been doing this for months. If you can't make in-game adjustments, how great can you be? Everyone is always on one page.
"Another thing is, being an interchangeable part, play multiple positions as some of the guys can do. Proud of the guys, how we played, the adversity we've had over the year."
Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.
