Stepping up big: How you react to adversity is a true test of character, and on Sunday the Steelers showed their character when they responded with flying colors.
The Steelers defeated the NFL's hottest team, the Indianapolis Colts, 27-20, at Acrisure Stadium to improve their record to 5-3 and maintain their two-game lead in the AFC North.
The win comes on the heels of two straight losses and a desire to turn things around fast.
"It was a tough week, but we certainly deserved it based on the last performance," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "I like the way the guys absorbed it, smiled in the face of it, and prepared and waited for the next opportunity.
"That's the National Football League. You get one opportunity every seven days. Sometimes you've got to wear it. We certainly wore it this week.
"I'm appreciative of their spirit, their efforts, their resolve. Certainly, we weren't perfect in any of the three phases, but we fought. We did what was necessary. We made plays. So, it's a big-time win for the collective."
The defense has preached all season about stopping the run, and they held the NFL's top running back, Jonathan Taylor, to 45 yards on 14 carries.
"Can't say enough about the defense's effort to minimize the runner," said Tomlin. "I don't think you slow that group down unless you minimize the runner, and we were able to do that.
"I think that's why we were able to get them in some one-dimensional circumstances, create some pressure, create some sacks and the turnovers that go with that. It started with minimizing their dynamic runner. He is that. He's dynamic."
It was a game where contributions came from all over on defense, including one player who hasn't even been with the team for a week.
Safety Kyle Dugger was acquired via a trade with the New England Patriots on Thursday and finished the game with four tackles, stepping in with injuries in the secondary.
"Can't say enough about Kyle Dugger," said Tomlin. "Gave him the game ball. This guy got on the moving train, and played a lot of defense for us, and we needed it. We were really short at the safety position. Coupled with DeShon Elliott's injury. We have some illnesses, and soft tissue injuries. We're running super thin, and that dude came in here, and gave us some quality work. We're certainly appreciative of that.
"He's a veteran guy, and that's why you go get a veteran capable guy like that. It's reminiscent of when we acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick, to be honest with you. We got him at a similar time in the week. We were in the Bay area, and he fit in instantly. His talent showed. He made plays with us. Felt similarly with the contributions we were able to get from Dugger today."
Shout out to Jalen: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers knows a lot about leadership, serving as an offensive captain for the 15th time in his career this year.
So, when he calls someone out for their leadership, it's high praise.
And it was safety Jalen Ramsey who earned plenty of praise from Rodgers.
"Our defense played incredible after getting blasted for the last week," said Rodgers. "Really proud of them, thought the energy was great, but there was a good message (Saturday) night by Jalen, and I think the guys responded well."
Ramsey spoke in the team meeting on Saturday night at the team hotel, sharing thoughts that Rodgers didn't share, but made it clear his message was heard.
"I noticed that something kind of changed (Saturday) night when Jalen spoke," said Rodgers. "It's not easy to speak in front of the team, even when you're a player. It's unnatural. Coaches are used to it. They do it every day. Mike (Tomlin) is fantastic about it.
"Jalen went on and on. Had the attention in the room.
"He said good stuff. I'm not going to get into it. It's kind of need-to-know information. It was meaningful to me on the offensive side. I felt like we had a different energy in the locker room.
"All week, I don't pay super tight attention to that side of the ball in practice. In the locker room pregame, there was a different energy for us. They played really well."
On Friday, Ramsey said the defense needed to play with 'some swagger, some fierceness.'
On Sunday, they did just that, led by Ramsey.
"I think he played with an edge," said Rodgers. "The only peek into the conversation last night was that he wanted us to play with the edge on defense. Didn't feel like we were doing that enough. And they played with an edge today for sure.
"Really thankful that Jalen is here and that he felt comfortable speaking up and then the guys responded the right way."
Contributions all around: The defense got the memo on Sunday.
And then some.
After a few games where they admittedly didn't play up to their standard, they put on a show against the Indianapolis Colts.
The defense created five turnovers, in addition to one on special teams, sacked Colts quarterback Daniel Jones five times, and held the NFL's best running back, Jonathan Taylor, to just 45 yards on 14 carries.
"We came out and we did what we know we can do this week," said linebacker Alex Highsmith. "We came out and we obviously stopped the run. That's where it starts.
"And then our culture came alive. We had five turnovers. When we do that, we're an amazing defense.
"We've got to put more performances like that together. I'm confident we'll continue to stack this and play like this every week from here on out. We've got to continue to play like that."
In addition to the sacks, the defense was also able to bat down a few of Jones' passes, one of the things they said they needed to focus on in the week leading up to the game.
"We knew if we stopped their run in second and long, they would try to get back on schedule with rhythm passing, quick game," said Highsmith. "I think we did a good job getting the hands up. One of them led to a pick.
"I think we did a good job of just recognizing when they were in those quick game formations and then executing, getting tipped balls, relating to guys in those zones.
"So, I think we executed that plan."
Highsmith finished the game with four tackles, including three for a loss, two sacks and a forced fumble.
But contributions came from everywhere.
Linebacker Payton Wilson led the defense with 13 tackles, while adding an interception and two passes defensed.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. had an interception, while linebackers T.J. Watt and Patrick Queen had forced fumbles.
"It's awesome," said Highsmith. "We know that whenever we are creating turnovers, our culture comes alive. Everybody feeds off that.
"I think these last couple weeks, we hadn't got any turnovers. We weren't really feeding off of each other.
"We know to be a great defense, you've got to be a defense that plays to energy, plays with passion. We did that today.
"Obviously, they still had 20 points on the board, which is something we can't let happen. We've got to get back in the film and see what happened towards the end of the game.
"Like I said, I'm proud of these guys and proud of the way we responded because the past couple weeks, it had been not our standard. So, the way we responded today I think shows how resilient we are as a unit.
"I think we always say they come in bunches. Usually, I feel like if we have a turnover in the game, we have multiple. (T.J.) started it off, and we kept feeding off of that. Kept feeding on the energy. We've got to continue to do that week in, week out."
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