HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "Alright, I appreciate everybody being here and appreciate the opportunity to just be a part of something like this. It's something that we're grateful for, and I believe the guys have earned a chance to play in a big game like this against our archrival, and to play the way they did, [I'm] just so proud of them. [I'm] so proud of what they did. They came out and they understood how to win a football game like this, and they knew how to win it. It's one thing to know it, [but] it's another thing to execute it and do it, and they did it, and I'm proud of those guys for that. What questions do you have?"
I know you're an old school coach deep down. How do you kind of relish winning a game kind of like this on the ground the way you did? (Jamison Hensley) "Yes, my dad's proud. Jack Harbaugh's proud right now. He likes to pound the rock, and that's what we did. I mean, Derrick Henry was running hard – hard [and] physical. Lamar [Jackson] started it off. I mean, Lamar carried the ball different times in the first drive or two. I mean, to get backed up to ... You talk about good – [like my] t-shirt 'GOOD' – [and] talk about having faith. The little punt gets bobbled, whatever, they get the ball, [then] we get the ball at the 5-yard line, and we go 95 yards for a touchdown – good. Whatever adversity you're faced with, find a way to overcome, and they did it with execution, [and] they did it with physicality. They did it by playing one game at a time [and] by being poised and just understanding it's going to be a long game, [and] there's going to be a lot of plays. Let's try to put as many good plays together as we could, and they just kind of kept it that simple. So, yes, the running game makes it possible."
I know you have an appreciation for what QB Lamar Jackson does as much as anyone. You see more of it than anyone, but does he teach you anything new about himself with a game like this – like you said starting open with a bunch of physical runs, and then just doing what he did without WR Zay Flowers? (Kyle Goon) "Yes, the thing about Lamar [Jackson] – I guess the thing that I continue to be amazed with is just who he is as a person. I mean, of course the plays he makes and how tough he is. I mean, just, you can't get over about how tough he is – how physically tough he is [and] how mentally tough he is. I mean, he's in there running the ball, [and] he's getting hit, and he's taking shots, and he gets back up, and then he steps up, and makes a play, runs around and throws a touchdown pass. I mean, that play at the end of the half – that's what we call a 'trigger.' That basically a ... You hit it, or you dirt it, or you throw it out of the back of the end zone. He runs around and finds a touchdown pass. In his head he knows what 11 seconds is. The clock was going a little faster for me in my mind." (laughter) "I'm like, 'Throw that thing away.' And he threw it, [and] it was a touchdown. It's like all you can say is 'Wow.' I believe I said 'Wow' about seven times right there. Glory; glory to God for that one."
Early in the game on the play where RB Derrick Henry takes the direct snap, fakes the sweep to QB Lamar Jackson and then he takes off on a huge gain. Has that play been in the book all year? Did you put it in this week, and what would you say broadly about offensive coordinator Todd Monken's game tonight? (Bo Smolka) "Yes, I mean I just feel like [offensive coordinator] Todd [Monken] did a great job. He called the game really well. He was patient, but he also had some ... We had a few play-actions dialed up and things like that. We had some things we didn't get to, too, because we were running the ball so well. But that was a play we put in this week. It's a play that went in. It's a little bit off the Tennesse play that they ran against us last year, you remember in London, so it was kind of off that play – that was kind of the idea of it. We just set it up a little bit differently. But the whole offensive staff is doing a great job – [run game coordinator] Travis Switzer coordinates the run game, [offensive line coach] George Warhop, [tight ends coach] George Godsey, [and] [running backs coach] Willie Taggart does a great job with that. I mean 'G-Lew' [wide receivers coach Greg Lewis] has those guys blocking out there on the perimeter. It's just a team effort."
Over your first 32 plays you guys had 24 rushing attempts. Was that the plan, or was that something that unfolded throughout the first half? (Reporter) "Yes, I couldn't sit up here and tell you that 24 out of 32 was the plan. There's a lot of people out there [that are really] happy about that though right now, and when you can do that, you want to do it. That's pretty awesome. That's kind of ... The thing about [offensive coordinator] Todd [Monken] I appreciate – and it's really all of our coaches – I believe those guys are a great unit together, but whatever it takes. We don't have to do it one certain kind of way. We don't have a particular back system that we're in. We're not like the West Coast system or something like that. We're just the Ravens system. What's the best offense that we can put together for our players at this time, and they do a great job of that."
Is that part of the formula, though, I mean, running the football and stopping the run this time of year? (Jerry Coleman) "Oh yes, I mean absolutely. I mean, that's a big part of the formula – it's football. It's like [the reporter was] talking about, that's the Jack Harbaugh. That goes back; that's as old as football, and it's kind of the Ravens way, too. If you look back and look at Baltimore since 2000, they were throwing the ball a lot the first three years, but every year after that, it's been run, defense [and] special teams. But Lamar [Jackson] has added a little flavor to that whole thing, hasn't he? We're throwing the ball well, too."
Do you feel this was a signature game for your offensive line as well? I mean, we know the talent on the other side of the ball. (Childs Walker) "I think so. [The Steelers are] a really good football team. That's a very physical defense. That's a tough defensive line. Their linebackers are downhill. I mean, we know Patrick [Queen, and Elandon] Roberts [is] a great player. Their guys on the edge are just a nightmare to deal with. They were crashing the ends off the edge. It was very physical. We were able to control the edges for the run game as much as anything, and how about our tackles in the pass game? It was not like we were chipping all the time when we were passing. I thought our tackles did a great job. Their offense came in the second half, [and] they made some plays, now. They hit us on three third downs. They found the weakness in the coverage, and we didn't play it quite perfectly. We have to chase perfection and play those things a little better. But they made those plays, and then, I mean, those throws up the sideline, they were just great throws and great catches. Those were well-covered plays, and they made them. That's a really good football team, and it's a really good win for us."
QB Lamar Jackson talked about earlier in the week about how he sometimes was too hyped or too antsy in these playoff games. What have you seen from him that's been different in that regard, because he looked very much obviously in control again tonight? (Brian Wacker) "Yes, I feel like [Lamar Jackson]'s kind of been that way all year. He is very much in control. It's probably a great way to say it. He has a great handle on the gameplan, but when the play starts, he's just seeing things. He has a good grasp of the coverage; he sees the coverage; he keeps it kind of simple in terms of what he's looking for; he studies a lot of tape. He's just seeing the field really well."
You made mention of Pittsburgh making the play they did. When they had that 98-yard touchdown drive, how impressed were you with the offense? You scored a touchdown in four plays and that had to be demoralizing for them coming back. (Luke Jones) "Yes, the answer. Yes, I mean, I didn't expect it. I mean I didn't expect ... You're kind of trying to figure out, [and] you're doing a little math in your head and [thinking], 'What do we need to do?' And then our offense just marches right down the field, and Lamar [Jackson] drives it, and the guys made plays. I mean, how about Tylan Wallace [making] a play to convert. That was what? We were second-and [or] first-and-20? Second-and-20, and Lamar finds him. He sees the field like [the reporter] is talking about, and Tylan gets open and makes the play, and Lamar dots him right there and he gets up field. Just guys are making plays. 'Bate' [Rashod Bateman] had a few huge plays. Mark [Andrews] had some big plays. Isaiah Likely early in the game where he swung the ball like that, [and] I was screaming, 'Put it away.' [He] gained more yards and made it out of bounds. Everybody's kind of stepping up. It's a real team effort."
We saw that there were captain patches on the Ravens jerseys. I believe that's the first time you've done that in team history. What went into that decision and for the six specific guys that were picked for that, what went into it? (Kyle Phoenix) "Right, well for the guys we picked – it was a team vote. We also had two game captains, which were Tyler [Linderbaum] and Kyle [Hamilton] this week. The idea was ... These guys [and] our leadership has been really ... It's not that ... It's been great every year, but this year, the leadership has been really outstanding. It's been really something they've been locked in, in a real special way. It was just an opportunity to acknowledge that, probably. I kind of wanted to put the patch on Lamar [Jackson] for sure, and Roquan [Smith] and some other guys – Mark [Andrews and] guys who ... But they all received the votes, and it's well deserved."
If the Broncos beat the Bills, you have a home game here next week. Do you get involved in that, or do you just...? (Jamison Hensley) "You mean root for them? I can always root for a home game. It bears noting [that] our fans tonight were unbelievable, and our stadium was incredible. I mean, it was a fun stadium. I have to tell you, I took a moment a couple times to kind of look around and see what was going on. I mean, the lights [cut] out, you notice that, right. When they put the lights out, and Ray Lewis comes out of the end zone and does the dance. I mean, I heard the song [and] I'm like, 'That kind of sounds familiar,' and here comes Ray out of the tunnel. I just think our fans were just really right on point. It was loud out there. It was hard for them to communicate. When they started chanting 'MVP' while we were trying to close the game out, but then once we closed the game out, they got it going again. Our fans were phenomenal, so if that happens and they get an opportunity to do it again, that'd be great. If not, we'll go to Buffalo, and we'll be ready to play."
WR RASHOD BATEMAN
On celebrating the win knowing there is more to play: "It's a playoff win, you know we've got to celebrate that; it was against a rivalry team. It's definitely a great feeling, but we know we've got some more work to be done, and we look forward to it."
On the offense always stepping up, especially without WR Zay Flowers: "I think it's just a credit to the organization, to the offense, to [OC Todd Monken] and the hard work he puts in. I think all season we've shown that we can be versatile to win games with different people having big games, and hopefully we continue to do that, and hopefully we get Zay [Flowers] back soon so he can be part of that."
On his touchdown: "I mean, honestly, I played vertically and turned left there and there was the ball. [Lamar Jackson] threw a really great ball where only I could catch it, and you know, it was a touchdown."
On RB Derrick Henry being the missing piece of their playoff runs: "Yes, I mean shoutout to Derrick [Henry], I don't really know what happened last year, I'm not going to [think] about last year, but this season he's been incredible for us. He was incredible tonight, and I know he will be incredible for the rest of the year, so I look forward to watching him play."
On if he will watch the other Wild Card games: "It only makes sense to, so yeah, definitely got to watch out who's playing."
On QB Lamar Jackson's play: "I mean that's Lamar [Jackson] being Lamar. Incredible athlete, incredible guy that leads his team in the right way. He did a good job today like he does every week. I know he'll put the team in a good offensive position and put us in the right direction."
On tonight's atmosphere: "Yes, you could definitely feel the playoff atmosphere."
On looking forward to next week: "I think the only thing you can talk about right now is the next challenge. We live in a do-or-die system right now, so we are going to enjoy this win and do whatever we've got to do to win the next one."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On how important it was to build a lead early: "Yes, we wanted to come out and execute and finish drives with points, and I think we did a great job on that as an offense, and just playing complementary as a whole, as a team, and I'm glad to get a win against a divisional opponent. It was a great team."
On if he can feel early on in the game that the ground game will be effective: "Like I told you, I'm just focused on doing my job each and every play. Give credit to the offensive line doing a great job, tight ends, receivers and fullbacks blocking for me and 'L' [Lamar Jackson] and us to have success as an offense."
On what having 299 team yards rushing says about the offense: "I think it's self-explanatory, if you ask me. But give credit to the guys blocking and the man above."
On how QB Lamar Jackson running a lot early in the game open up things for the rest of the offense: "I just think Lamar [Jackson] was seeing it, and he was doing a great job of seeing it and pulling it and making plays and getting the most out of a play. Guys did a great job blocking for it to open up, and 'L' [Lamar Jackson], week in and week out. So, he did a great job today."
On the environment at M&T Bank Stadium tonight: "It's nothing I'm shocked [with]. It's expected. They're die-hard fans, great fans, some of the best fans in the league – the best fans in the league – and it was a packed-out house. Just showing love back to the fans – they brought that intense energy. They were loud and locked in like us like I said earlier in this week."
On how much he likes playing in this cold weather: "It doesn't matter; we have to play. Whether it's cold, or it's 160 degrees – we have to play. So, it doesn't matter to me, whether it's cold or whatever it is."
On QB Lamar Jackson's preparation leading up to this game: "[Lamar Jackson's] approach is the same. We know what's at stake. It's one week, each and every week, so we have to focus on what we need to do to execute on all three phases to play complementary football to give ourselves a chance to get a W. Lamar is a leader. He's going to do what he does each and every day at practice, so it shows up in a game."
On how difficult it is for defenses to defend him and QB Lamar Jackson: "We're not going to get too [far] ahead of ourselves and go off the walls about how great we are. We're going to stay level-headed, enjoy this one, watch the film, see where we can get better at and then move onto the next one. It was a great win today; everybody did a great job. Like I said, [we'll] enjoy this one and get ready for next week."
On how much winning a playoff game in a Ravens uniform meant to him: "It was a great team win, especially against a division opponent. We know how important this rivalry is to this organization and the battles they've had throughout the years. So, yes, playing them a third time was always going to be tough, but hats off to everybody on the team for executing – teammates and coaches – to be able to get this victory."
On being voted a captain in his first year with the team: "I was little shocked. I voted for Lamar [Jackson] and Mark [Andrews], and I definitely appreciate my teammates for seeing me as somebody – as a leader and as a captain of this team, being in my first year here. That's all I wanted to do when I came and signed [was] just earn my teammates' respect, and [I] really appreciate them, and I'm going to continue to do that."
On how satisfying his 34-yard run out of the wildcat formation was: "Any play is satisfying when you execute it, and then you get an explosive [play], and you get down the field, so whether it was that play or another play. I'm glad that we were able to execute to get a big play on that for sure."
RB JUSTICE HILL
On rushing for 300 yards against a team built to stop the run: "That's our identity. Our coaches do a great job of dialing up a great scheme and it's our job to go out there, execute and run it. We always want to establish a run game. Lamar [Jackson] played amazing, like he always does. It was a great team win."
On the three long touchdown drives: "We were able to just chip away and when they're on the field that long, we kind of wore them down and got it into the end zone."
On his touchdown: "Any time you get some points on the board in a playoff game, that's big time. So, it was definitely nice, especially since we got the ball back after that. I wish we could've come back and scored again, but they played some good ball in the third quarter and got back into it. But, it was a great win overall."
On if he could feel the Ravens wearing down the Steelers' defense: "I'm not going to say that, but we just went out there and executed. The O-line did an amazing job handling all their fronts. They're obviously a very talented defense and overall great team."
On if he was aware what QB Lamar Jackson was doing in the pocket on his touchdown catch: "No, actually, I was supposed to be blocking on that play, but it was taking so long and I see all this green grass over here, so I slide on over. And then I see him moving around in the pocket. It was just a good play overall and it was a good play by him too to see me in that situation."
On if his touchdown was improvised: "Yeah, it was improv. Just two seconds left on the clock."
On if he was antsy to get back out on the field: "Any time you miss time and you're watching the guys go, you obviously miss it. I just wanted to heal up and make sure I was ready to go. It was a little anxious feeling to get back out there on the field. I was counting down the days and it was finally nice to go out there and play and help the team win."
On racking up 300 yards of rushing offense: "Yes, I mean that's our team, that's our thing. That's what our coaches preach. If you can't run the ball here, especially in the playoffs, it's going to be a tough go. So, we were able to come out and establish that and continue to build on that."
On preparing for the divisional round: "Prepare like we always do. Don't get too high, don't get too low. It's just ball and we're going to continue to do what we do, like it is."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On how it felt to beat the Steelers in that physical fashion: "To be honest, it's really not about the Steelers. It's just [about] us winning in the playoffs. It's great to win."
On getting kneed in the back on a play and how it affected him during the game: "I'm good. It really didn't affect me at all, to be honest with you. Just a little nag, but I'm good. Nothing to worry about."
On if he wrapped it and put heat on it during the game: "Yes, I was wrapping it with a heat pack. Yes."
On the gameplan and being able to run the ball down their throats: "Yes, shout out to the offensive line. Shout out to 'Trav' [run game coordinator Travis Switzer] with the gameplan, and Derrick [Henry]. You can't take anything away from Derrick. He's just that guy. The offensive line got great penetration, kept blocking those guys. [They have a] great defensive front, great linebackers, but our guys were just hungry. We know what's at stake for us, and they got it done. They got the job done."
On if he was surprised by the way the Steelers defense was reading the read option play: "They really weren't letting me keep it outside. They had a guy ... They were squeeze-scraping. They had a guy running for Derrick [Henry] and a guy wrapping around for me, but we're just playing football. Sometimes you win; sometimes you lose. Those guys had opportunities where they won. We had opportunities where we won, so it's just a cat and mouse game."
On if there was anything different for him in his prep or early in the game: "You just actually kind of answered it kind of in the same ... But, no. I was just chill. I'm not going to lie; I was eager throughout the whole week to hurry up and become Saturday, but when the day came, I was just cool throughout the day. I didn't want to get on the phone. I didn't want to talk. My mom called me. I said, 'I don't want to talk. No disrespect – never disrespect – but I don't want to talk. I'm just ready for the game. Let me get to the game. I don't want to play around or smile.' No, it was just that type of thing, and that's what it's going to be each and every time."
On what it's like to watch RB Derrick Henry run on the field: "It looks like a movie clip, you know, when ... Do you watch the movie 'Cars'?" (laughter) "You're a little bit too old to watch 'Cars,' but anyway, for kids. I was a kid when I watched 'Cars.' That's all I'm saying. You know when Lightning McQueen is just flying and flashing past, and it's like '(whooshing sound).' That's how Derrick [Henry] looked when he was running past all those guys. It looked like a movie. I'm not going to lie to you, but I'd rather be watching it than be on the other side of the ball; I know that."
On what the sharp day offensively does for the confidence of the offense in the playoffs: "It means we need to do that each and every time – great preparation, great practicing. Guys just locked in. It's win-or-go-home mentality, and our guys are just showing that, each and every down. It's one play at a time. Things didn't go our way all the time out there. We got stopped [and] had penalties. We lost yards, like five or 10 yards sometimes, but our guys just stayed with it, and that's what happens in playoff games. We have to just stay locked in."
On if he expected to carry the ball as many times as he did tonight: "To be honest, I wasn't, but it's football. You never know what's going to happen during the game, so you just have to be prepared."
On how he'd describe RB Derrick Henry's impact in a playoff game: "I really don't know. I believe it's self-explanatory. [Derrick Henry] is just a work horse. That guy is just that guy. I don't know. I can't find the words to say, man. I believe everyone sees it. I can just hand the ball off, [and he gets] 10 yards, 20 yards, 30 yards, and I'm just chilling. Now, when they're attacking him, I go, and it's like I'm fresh. It's just making my job a lot easier. We just piggyback off each other."
On if RB Derrick Henry is Lightning McQueen, which car is he: "No, I didn't say [Derrick Henry] was Lightning McQueen. I said it's like watching Lightning McQueen just flashing past. I'm no car. I'm just chilling. I'm just watching the show."
On how he feels about not turning the ball over and giving them opportunities: "That's just something we preached. We preached that the second time we played them, because we played them earlier this year, when we were in Pittsburgh, and we had the fumbles [and] interception. It was like those guys got the momentum, and they put points on the board – field goals here and there – and it was like our momentum just died. So, going into the second game we played them, we were like, 'If we don't turn the ball over, we have a chance,' and we did that. We had a chance the second time. Tonight, [it was the] same thing. Don't turn the ball over. Keep the ball in our possession. We did that. We see the results."
On the rest of the offensive weapons stepping up without WR Zay Flowers: "Some guys [were] just waiting for their opportunity to get out there and show the world what they're capable of. Some guys have been here a long time. Tylan [Wallace] has been here for a while. He got in and made some splash plays for us. [He] kept the drive going on a critical second-and-long, like second-and-20. That was crazy, and Tylan caught the ball and got YAC [yards after catch]. That was great for him. We got Anthony Miller getting in, catching crucial first downs, making things happen, getting us closer if it's third-and-whatever. Our guys ... And Steven Sims got in and had that long run. Guys just want to play, and guys just want to win, and if you're over here, you better want to win."
On if they ever study the film of Army or Navy because of how much they run the ball: "No. Well, I don't know. Talk to 'Trav' [run game coordinator Travis Switzer] on that. He's our run game coordinator. You better talk to 'Trav'. I don't [know]."
On if he's going to be rooting for the Broncos tomorrow and the possibility of playing on the road: "I don't root for [anybody]. I'm not rooting for [anybody]. It doesn't matter. We've been on the road all season. We're ready. I believe our guys are ready, but it starts Monday. We don't know right now."
TE ISAIAH LIKELY
On the difference his early catches made in a game like this: "I feel like it made a big difference. Playoff games come down to momentum and who controls the line of scrimmage throughout the game. You have to make the most of your opportunities, and I feel like we did that."
On QB Lamar Jackson's play in this game: "I see Lamar [Jackson] on a mission. I tell you all the time, his focus is sharp and that's what he preaches all of the time. He doesn't care how it looks on the stat sheet, all he wants to get is a 'W.'"
On QB Lamar Jackson not wanting to talk to anyone today or take phone calls: "It was tunnel vision. He understands that we have four of them. He wants to celebrate this win. We'll watch the games tomorrow and see where we go."
On the offense stepping up without WR Zay Flowers: "You want to have your playmakers make plays. Zay [Flowers] is a great asset for the offense, one of the most explosive players that we have and one of the most explosive players in the league. But, we have a lot of explosive guys on this offense, and I feel we proved that today."
On why he thinks they're the No. 1 red zone team in the league: "Having 'DH' [Derrick Henry] and Lamar [Jackson] in the backfield, that makes everybody's job easier on the perimeter. When the defense is focused on Derrick and Lamar deciding if he wants to run or pass, that's giving us the best looks to get open."
On what he does when he sees RB Derrick Henry break out in the open: "If you ever watch me on film when you see Derrick Henry break, I always put my hands up. I'm assuming it's a touchdown. And I say to myself, alright let me get back to the huddle, and I'm already looking to the sideline to see if we're going for one or two."
On QB Lamar Jackson dancing around on the touchdown to RB Justice Hill: "That just shows you he's a two-play quarterback. That shows you he's the MVP, actually the MV3, for real. He shows you who he is every snap, every down. And that's the difference between three and seven [points]. I feel that when you have Lamar [Jackson] back there, you're going to get seven, nine out of 10 or 10 out of 10 times."
On being a recipient of a lot of those improv plays: "We're really just trying to get open. We try to make eye contact with the quarterback, and we understand that the play's not over until 'L' [Lamar Jackson] is on the ground. And I haven't seen anyone be able to get him on the ground. So, you really just want to be able to get open and try to click on it."
On QB Lamar Jackson running a lot in the first couple of drives: "It shows that the defense is going to have to play him as well. With 'DH' [Derrick Henry] back there in the backfield, you're going to have to come for '8' [Lamar Jackson] also. He showed he wasn't going to slide. He was going to take as many yards and as much contact as they were going to give him."
C TYLER LINDERBAUM
On finishing one yard shy of 300 yards rushing: "It was the knee, right? I mean 299 is still pretty good, right?"
On the offense in general: "Just proud of the guys. Proud of our unit. Proud of the backs. Proud of Lamar [Jackson]. We knew they were going to try to come in here and stop the run, especially after last game. Just proud of our guys to continue to stay after it, keep moving forward. Those two 14-play drives in the first half were critical. It kind of set the tempo right away for the way we wanted to play this game."
On what it says about the offensive line to create those long drives: "That's a lineman's dream. Being efficient, moving the ball forward. We want them to get as tired as possible so that when it gets to that third and fourth quarter, we can keep running the ball. Proud of our guys."
On if he felt the Steelers' defense getting tired: "They're a great unit. They have great players. Any time you run the ball that effectively, it's going to tire you out."
On what it feels like to block for RB Derrick Henry: "We have the best job in the world. Blocking for Lamar [Jackson] and Derrick Henry. It's great. I'm proud of these guys, proud of the team, proud of what we were able to accomplish today. We have a little time to enjoy this, but then we're advancing [to] next week, and we're excited to see who we play."
On how it feels when he hears that the team rushed for one of the highest totals in playoff history today: "To do it against a team like that just speaks volumes about how we prepare during the week, how the coaches prepared us and how we took on the challenge to run the ball. They were trying to stop the run and I'm just overall proud of the guys and now we're moving on to next week."
On focusing on the ultimate goal: "Yes, we have more to do. But right now, we're 1-0. And next week we have to go 1-0 again. We have to keep moving forward and prepare our butts off again to take on whoever we play. We know it's going to be a good team, but we're off to a good start."
DL NNAMDI MADUBUIKE
On QB Lamar Jackson going in motion on the play that ended up with RB Derrick Henry running out the wildcat formation: "It's what Lamar [Jackson] does. I've seen it multiple times in practice and just to see it in the game, that's when everybody sees it in live motion, it's amazing. He's a great quarterback, and I'm glad he's on my side."
On if it was important to be dominant in this game: "Yes, for sure. In the locker room, we were just talking about on defense, 'Start fast. Start really fast. Pummel them early.' And I feel like that's what we did in the first half, and the second half was just about finishing. Just finishing. They caught some moon balls here and there, but I felt like we finished strong in the end."
On what inspired the defense's dominant first half: "Everybody was just doing their job. People were making plays; 'Dafe' [Odafe Oweh] making plays; me going in there and being disruptive. Everybody was just doing their thing, doing their one-of-11, and I feel like everybody just came together at the end, and we got a 'dub.'"
On how important it is for the defense to continue to get pressure on opposing teams' quarterbacks: "[It's] huge. Especially in the playoffs, stopping the offensive momentum, keeping them off of their schedule and just being disruptive every play, and that's just the goal, and that's what we're trying to do."
On the ascension of the defense in the second half of the season and his level of confidence: "It's just trusting the guys in the locker room. There were a lot of people giving us flak early in the year. It's just about us. We told each other that, 'It's about us.' So, we made some corrections, [and] people started playing at a high level, and we're just getting on a roll. We have to keep going, and it starts with practice on Monday."
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On the confidence of the defense and how far they've come this season: "I have the utmost confidence in every single guy that I go out there on the field with, and I've been saying that all year long, despite what the critics say. I just know each and every guy and how they feel and how they're going to play. I've seen it all week throughout practice, and I knew talent [versus] talent. We outweighed those guys. It was that simple, and we just have to show that, but that is why the game is being played."
On what was clicking in the pass rush: "[We were] being who we are. We are who we are. That will make any quarterback's life a living hell, and we just have to keep our composure and do that throughout the game. Yes, there was adversity throughout the game, but there was adversity throughout the season, as well, and we stood tall, despite what anybody said, despite that adversity that was going on out there. We're just getting started."
On the lessons they learned from tonight's adversity and the focuses moving forward: "Honestly, I don't think that adversity weighs anything compared to what a lot of individuals on this team has been through in their life, not just football. Then, the adversity that we've faced throughout the season – early on in the season with the criticism and different things like that – but at the end of the day, it's all noise, and it's about adversity and pressure. Pressure either bursts pipes or makes diamonds, and like I said last year, we're in the diamond-making business. We're on our way, and we're just getting started."
On how it feels to beat the Steelers twice and knock them out of the playoffs after hearing the narrative of losing eight of the last nine to the Steelers: "All that is, is talk, and the game is played for a reason. It's very simple. I think I remember my guy 'PQ' [Patrick Queen] saying ... I think the last time we played them, it was a hat and T-shirt [game], but I guess he's got the T-shirt he has on. He'll be in Cabo or somewhere, but he's still my guy – much love."
On if it felt like a vintage Ravens performance with the ground game, aggressive defense in front of appearances from Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata and Terrell Suggs: "A lot of respect for those guys. Seeing Ray [Lewis] out there, man, that turned me up. Then, seeing Haloti [Ngata] at the coin toss, it was pretty awesome seeing him. I told him, 'Much respect. I have a lot of respect.' I wish I played behind a guy like him, but I have a lot of beasts in front of me as well, though. It was pretty sweet just seeing those guys out there, and that's what it's about in the playoffs, playing tough, stingy defense. Obviously, they got a couple plays we would like back, and then, just being able to run the ball. When you can do that, you impose your will on another man, and it's just like, 'Hey, I'm doing this. You have to take it,' and that's what it was."
On how tough it was to play a team for the third time: "It's not that tough at the end of the day. It's very simple. It's ... They know what we're going to do. We know what they're going to do. It's about, 'May the best man win.' 'Mano a mano.' Hey, I'm doing this. You stop it. You're doing this. I'm going to stop it, and that's what it is. It's just that simple, and hey, we showed that today."
On if he likes to see the offense run the ball like they did today: "I love to see that. I have a lot of respect for 'D-Hen' [Derrick Henry], what he's done throughout his career and then this year. Man, I think he's just getting started. Then, what Lamar [Jackson] is able to do as well through the air or on the ground. You pick your poison. I have a lot of respect for those guys, and then the O-line. Those guys [are] leading the way, so we're just getting started. This is the appetizer to what we have on the menu."
On what it meant to be one of the first Ravens to ever have the Captain 'C' on his jersey: "That's an honor, truth be told. To have your teammates and peers view you as a captain and a leader, that's big time. I have a lot of respect for the guys, and I'll never sell the guys short. I'll always lay it on the line for those guys – not just talk, but actually go out and do it – so when you're a guy like that, guys tend to follow, and guys get behind you. That's what it's all about, and there are a lot of other leaders in here as well, despite the six that were named with the 'C' on their chest, but there are a lot of other really good captains and really good leaders on this team. I'm grateful for that, and we're just getting started."
On the leadership of this team and in the locker room: "Leadership is what it's all about. There are a lot of really good leaders throughout this team that are willing to lay it down on the line for each other, regardless of the circumstances and being selfless and just laying it all on the line, regardless of what somebody needs. If that takes me doing this on this play to let another guy come free, I'm willing to do that, and guys don't pout, moan or do anything about that. When you have guys like that, who are very selfless, it's very good, and it's a great way to build a team, and I think we're just getting started."
T RONNIE STANLEY
On being able to run the ball so effectively: "I think it was just a complete team effort. All the guys coming in with a mindset [and] communication. We knew they were going to give us all they had. we knew they were going to give us exotic looks, and we just want to be on the same page and executing."
On what opened up on RB Derrick Henry's 44-yard touchdown: "The way they were trying to play the defense, they were being a little risky. In that play, we kind of took advantage of that, and we hit them on the seam. It was off the outside. The whole left side did a great job on that – the tight end, the guard, and Derrick [Henry], as well. When you hit the seam, that's what happens when you do good execution football."
On how much he notices the defense being off-balanced when trying to account for QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry: "You notice that a lot I think, just during the season though, so when you do that against other teams, you know that's what your capable of, and that's what we did tonight. We had those guys kind of guessing around the field and really took advantage of the opportunities we were given and the favorable looks."
On what winning a game like this without WR Zay Flowers says about the versatility of this team: "We just have a team full of 'dawgs.' No matter who's in there, I know who we have. I've been around this team long enough. I really know every single one of our players and the depth chart we have. I'm confident in whoever we put in there. I've been confident the whole year with whoever we put in there, and I'm looking forward to what we're going to do and build off of this."
On how QB Lamar Jackson sets the tone for the offense when he runs like he did early in the game: "I think it sets the tone, especially when you start off fast like that. Lamar [Jackson], Derrick [Henry], when those guys get going – especially early in the game – I think it sets the tone for everyone."
On what successfully running the football says about the style of the offense's play: "I think we're a physical offense. We're a physical downhill offense, but we also can attack you from multiple ways, multiple angles, multiple playmakers. I love playing with this offense. We're very diverse, but we also [play] smash mouth football. I think that's our identity, and people know that."
On what it means to beat a divisional rival in the playoffs: "It means a lot, especially when it all matters. Winner take all, loser go home. They know what's at stake, we knew what was at stake, and for us to come up and play the way we did, it means a lot. I'm very proud of how we operated."
On an example of QB Lamar Jackson being more locked in this season: "I think an example would be us winning the AFC North and him not really caring. We've been through these things enough throughout the years to understand that we can celebrate those things after it's all said and done. But our focus is on the big goal, and while these things are nice, and we appreciate the accolades, the records, whatever it is coming along the way, I just think we're all about one goal, and that's just all our focus is."
On if the team's tame celebrations are because they are looking forward: "At the end of the day, we really know that those things don't really mean much, especially for our own sanity as players. We know what we want to do as competitors, and that's win it all, so that's all we're looking to do."
On what it means to win the last two games against the Steelers and knock them out of the playoffs: "It just means that we're a team that's never going to back down. The past is the past, and we've taken our step forward to make sure that we're not that team. We're going to be a new team, we're going to be our team, and we're not going to regress. We're just going to keep progressing, even into the playoffs. There's no starting over. We're just going to keep getting better."
On how important some of the changes from offensive coordinator Todd Monken helps keep the Steelers off balance: "I think it's very important, especially when it's a team within your division. You play them twice a year. [They're] very aware of our style of offense [and] what we like to run. When you go against people like that, you have to make sure they're caught off guard and off balanced."
On setting the edge on RB Derrick Henry's run out of the wildcat formation: "I love blocking for Derrick [Henry]. It was very ... I thought it was fun watching Lamar [Jackson] run, but watching Derrick Henry run for a touchdown, I think that might take the cake. Maybe it's because he's 6'5 [and] running like a gazelle."
S AR'DARIUS WASHINGTON
On patiently waiting for his opportunity to play and make an impact: "When I get my opportunity, I just want to go out there and make plays, just like with the rest of those 11 guys. They count on me, so when I go out there, I'm going to go out there and make plays. Coaches made changes that needed to be made with the scheme and with players, but when I go out there, I just want to make a name for myself and help this defense and help this team win."
On if it helps the defense that the offense, the run game and RB Derrick Henry is on the field for a long time: "Absolutely. The best defense is the defense that's not out there, so as long as the offense is out there, they're definitely making our job a lot easier."
On if it still amazes him what QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry have done this season: "Every time, it's like a movie. Pick your poison. Who are you going to cover, [No.] 8 [Lamar Jackson] or [No.] 22 [Derrick Henry]. Just pick your poison. They amaze us every time."
On if he'll watch the Denver-Buffalo game and if he cares about the outcome: "I'm definitely going to watch the game and see who we potentially play."
