Joe Sargent/Getty Images Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium on October 16, 2022.
A week ago former Pittsburgh Steelers safety and current ESPN commentator Ryan Clark was calling out Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin for his team’s lack of fight during a 38-3 beatdown at the hands of the Buffalo Bills.
On Sunday Oct. 16 — shortly after the Steelers vanquished Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium — he was singing a different tune.
“I took Mike Tomlin to task last week for the Steelers not fighting. With stars hurt they fought like hell to win.. confident, physical, and dialed in all day!” began Clark, making reference to how Pittsburgh played without All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and its three best cornerbacks, as well as a number of other key players. “If you screamed for his job last week make sure you scream how great of a coach he is today! Well done,” he concluded.
A Shout out to Steelers Captain Cam Heyward
Ryan Clark also took a moment to salute Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward for leading by example.
“Shootout (sic) to @CamHeyward.. he knows the standard of defense in Pittsburgh more than anyone” in the Steelers locker room,” Clark tweeted. “He didn’t just talk about being better. He led by example. Balled the whole game. Salute to a real one!”
Shootout to @CamHeyward.. he knows the standard of defense in Pittsburgh more than anyone in that Lockerrom. He didn’t just talk about being better. He led by example. Balled the whole game. Salute to a real one! 🫡
Indeed Heyward stood out against the Buccaneers, recording three tackles, including a tackle for loss, a sack and a pair of quarterback hits. But he knows the Steelers are still a long way from where they want to be.
“We ain’t back yet. We’ve got work to do,” said the defensive captain, during his postgame press conference.
Cam Heyward says the defense still has work to do, but says they applied pressure and stopped the run.
“We ain’t back yet. We’ve got work to do.”
(Also, a top-notch fall fit by Cam)
Ryan Clark: Kenny Pickett ‘Adds Juice’ to the Offense
Last but not least, Clark also liked what he saw from Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett, saying that “Kenny 2 Mittens” just “adds so much juice to the offense.” At least he did early in the contest — well before Buccaneers linebacker Devin White knocked him out of the game with a concussion.
Yet by virtue of having started the game, Pickett gets credit for the win over Brady, snapping “Tom Brady’s streak of 12 straight wins against rookie quarterbacks,” this according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN, via Elias Sports Bureau. That’s a streak that dates back to 2013. Moreover, only six rookie quarterbacks have ever bested Brady, with the first being Ben Roethlisberger, who accomplished the feat in 2004.
In advance of facing @kennypickett10 in Pittsburgh, know that @TomBrady has won 12 straight vs rookie quarterbacks.
The last rookie QB to beat Brady: @GenoSmith3 in 2013
The first to do it? The last first-round QB drafted by @steelers: @_BigBen7 in 2004…in Pittsburgh.
All that said, the last-place Steelers (2-4) are just one game out of the lead in the AFC North, as the 3-3 Baltimore Ravens and 3-3 Cincinnati Bengals both lost on Sunday, with Baltimore falling to the New York Giants and Cincinnati losing to the 2-4 New Orleans Saints.
The schedule doesn’t get any easier in the next two weeks, however. After a date against the Miami Dolphins (3-3) on Sunday Night Football, the Steelers will play yet another road game — at the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles (6-0), who will be coming off a bye.
Of course, if Pickett isn’t ready to return at Miami, the Steelers will turn back to quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who closed out the game by going 9 or 12 for 144 yards with a touchdown to wide receiver Chase Claypool, good for a passer rating of 142.4.