From the opening play to the missed field goal by the Ravens, Cameron Heyward played a significant role for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin highlighted Heyward’s performance, saying, “He was. But he’s been that way. He’s played well all year. He’s always been, as we all know, really good against the run. But you watch in terms of his effort and his leadership and all that stuff, it’s just top notch. And when you get into thick moments like that, when you get into games where every snap is counting, a win-or-go-home moment, you like those guys to be out in front. And he was right out front.”
Heyward led the team with five solo tackles and seven total tackles against Baltimore, tying with linemate Keeanu Benton for most on the team. He ended the season with 78 tackles—his highest since 2021.
Austin noted that Heyward’s influence went beyond statistics: “Our best players right now for us, they’re our best leaders and our best examples for our guys,” Austin said. “So, they’ve always been that way. Shoot, I watch Cam chase guys all the time and it still amazes me. I watch him and you just watch how he runs and how he plays. There are young guys that don’t do what he does. So, he’s a unicorn in a lot of ways. But he’s also a unicorn in terms of his demeanor and leadership and all that other stuff. We’ve got good leadership. We’ve got good things. And I think that brings the rest of your guys along all the way, because they know how much they care.
“Your best players don’t push stuff aside. It means a lot to them. And so, I think that has a really good trickle-down effect on everyone.”
T.J. Watt was another key player mentioned by Austin for both his performance and leadership qualities during critical moments of play.
“I’m not surprised at anything I get from T.J., because I know the way the guy is always in shape,” Austin said regarding Watt’s return after missing several weeks due to injury.
Watt played 43 snaps (83% of defensive plays) against Baltimore and recorded an interception off a batted pass—a feat making him only the second player since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to have nine interceptions along with 100 career sacks.
Austin discussed Watt’s resilience: “You got a guy that’s missed three or four weeks and coming back and, everybody thinks, ‘Oh, I’ll just come back in and be the same guy I was.’ It’s going to take you a minute to get your legs underneath you… There’s a whole bunch that goes into it… I assume he’ll be better this week than he was (last) week…”
On offense, coordinator Arthur Smith credited smart player acquisitions for success during crucial game situations—including their division-clinching touchdown pass late in regulation.
“We were in a third-down call,” Smith said about quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ execution under pressure late in the game.”Like a lot of things we build in… Aaron does a terrific job with protections… Every year you’re trying to build in when you’ve got smart players like we do…”
Rodgers told Calvin Austin III before the play to run an out-and-up route as an option if needed; seeing opportunity after Baltimore’s cornerback slipped allowed Rodgers to connect with Austin for an easy touchdown.
Smith added: “As he told Calvin, we were looking for a double move… He made a terrific throw… Just a big-time moment…” Smith also pointed out Rodgers’ strong fourth-quarter performance with his highest passer rating of any quarter this season.
“It’s a combination of a lot of things and that’s why this is the ultimate team game,” Smith concluded.
The Steelers’ history includes six Super Bowl championships according to their official website, recognition through Hall of Honor inductions as detailed online, community engagement efforts outlined by team sources, as well as interactive experiences at their museum located at Acrisure Stadium per official information. The franchise operates as part of the National Football League as stated by team records.
