Ready for primetime: There is something about when the lights go on, the Steelers are at their best. Under Coach Mike Tomlin the team has a 17-8 record on Sunday Night Football, with a 9-4 record at home.
"We come and shine," said Bud Dupree. "We love it when the lights are on. We have to make sure we continue to make strides. We have to do better than last week, practice has to be better. We had a good day and we have to continue to move forward and have no setbacks."
This will be the second straight primetime game for the black and gold, coming off a 30-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.
"It's understanding that a lot of the time we are in primetime games because people want to watch us play," said Ramon Foster. "It's just history of our organization and players. When we are on primetime, it's always a game that we call traditional football of us against, this time Baltimore. That is a game you want to see. That is a game fans that aren't even fans of Pittsburgh or Baltimore want to see. Both teams rise to the occasion. We are a team that rises to the occasion when it's primetime football. You have to learn to put on a show and be who everyone thinks you are."
Still reacting: Vance McDonald is the type of guy who humbly goes about his business in a quiet manner every day.
On Monday night, he brashly let his presence be known without caring who heard him.
McDonald had the play of the game when he stiff-armed and took Tampa Bay cornerback Chris Conte to the ground on his way to breaking loose for a 75-yard touchdown.
The play had the Steelers sideline going crazy, and still talking about it during the week.
"I was shocked," said David DeCastro. "I was like, 'did that really just happen?' I was like did everyone see that. I was stunned. I don't get shocked by much anymore, but that was pretty impressive. That ignited the whole team."
Ben Roethlisberger said that was the only play that Coach Mike Tomlin showed in the team meeting the following Wednesday, forgoing watching much of the game tape because of a short week.
"It's the only play he brought up and I think Vance got a little bit humbled, embarrassed a little bit, but what a special play," said Roethlisberger. "I think everyone has been enjoying that. I am not a social media person, but it's been all over the Internet.
"That's the first time I saw it from the angle of a game film, not just TV, and to see our sideline, to me I enjoyed that as much as anything. It was fun to see the sideline get into it."
The play even drew reaction around the NFL on social media.
Watt's Up: T.J. Watt isn't in a competition with his brother, Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, to see who has the best stats this year. If he was, though, it would be a dead heat right now.
The Watt brothers both have 10 solo tackles, six assists and three sacks to date this season.
"It's crazy," said T.J. Watt. "If we keep going and we keep getting better throughout the season, and I end up above him at the end of the season."
Anchors Aweigh: While Marcus Gilbert is on the mend and could play Sunday night against the Ravens, his replacement last week against Tampa Bay drew rave reviews for the job he did.
Matt Feiler, nicknamed 'Anchor' by his teammates, got a big thumbs up from everyone for the job he did in his first start at tackle. From Coach Mike Tomlin, to offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, to his teammates, everyone sang the praises of 'Anchor.'
And Marcus Gilbert went further. He explained how he got the nickname.
"He was a stout guy when he first came in," said Gilbert. "He would anchor down so much. He is so stout you can't run through him. How strong he is. We nicknamed him the Anchor. When he anchors down he is ready to drop you out of there. The Anchor is very deserving. He has such lower body strength. The Anchor stops anything."
Fichtner told Feiler he deserved a game ball for his performance in the 30-27 win over the Bucs, and he isn't letting him down.
"I am ordered a game ball for him," said Fichtner. "It was his first start at tackle. The climate, the situation, he was outstanding. He was a part of the reason we had the chance to win that game."
Honoring a legend: North Texas will honor Joe Greene on Saturday, Sept. 29 when they unveil an eight-foot bronze statue, on a four-foot pedestal, of Greene at the main entrance of Apogee Stadium before their game.
"When you think about not only defensive linemen, but a player who represented this city more than anybody, I think it's Joe Greene," said Cameron Heyward. "The way he talked, played, cared, you knew you were going to get all you could out of Joe. Whether it was as player, person in the community, or a scout. Mr. Greene was one of the first people I met when I came here. I have always been a fan and always wanted to learn from him. When he grabs your hand you know, because he engulfs your hand no matter who you are. Mr. Greene is someone I always look up to and the whole city of Pittsburgh should look up to.
"I am glad he is being honored in North Texas. It's about time. But I am waiting for that statue to happen here."
The Steelers defensive linemen, whether they are new to the team or have been here for multiple years like Heyward, have the utmost respect for the standard that Greene set for them.
"He is a legend here," said Stephon Tuitt. "You hear all of the stories. He is a great leader here. He was a great football player here. He is a Hall of Famer. He has every accolade you could possibly think of. He is what it means to be a Steelers defensive lineman."
