HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "It's good to see everybody. I appreciate you being here."
When you look at the Steelers' defense, what kind of stands out to you? (Jamison Hensley) "It's what they've always done. It starts with the front guys – the pass rush – stopping the run, and then they play downhill from there, but you have to handle those guys trying to make the play get over with quick. They're a quick-outcome type of a defense; that's what they strive for, and their guys understand it, and they do a good job."
There was a lot of questions obviously outside of their building when they decided to change from QB Justin Fields to QB Russell Wilson despite the record they had. They haven't lost with Russell Wilson. Why do you think this team has been able to make such a huge change at that point of the season and not miss a stride? (Cordell Woodland) "We're getting ready for these guys; they're a very good offense right now. They've done some good things. 'Russ' [Russell Wilson] brings a lot to the table, [and he's] kind of playing the way he plays, and they have weapons around him [and a] good offensive line, so we're just getting ready to try to play our best defensive game [on] Sunday."
Is there anything you guys do differently in practice, just in terms of a few years ago, you practiced more with pads or stuff like that. I realize now is a different time, but do you guys do anything different in terms of the preparation, given the intensity, physicality and nature of these games? (Brian Wacker) "We always try to practice to the highest level. We really work hard to practice at the highest level – whatever it might be. We try to have the best practice we can have; we try to focus on our fundamentals. We try to practice in a such a way that we're going to play in the game, because we think we're practicing for the game, not for practice's sake. So, we try to simulate the game as much as we can within the boundaries of the physicality of it and trying to get the guys' bodies ready to go."
You talked about how divisional games are just a different feel and different energy. You guys have played three division games, and the Steelers have not played a divisional opponent yet this year. Do you view that as an advantage? Or is there a seasoning aspect that you feel like you guys have? (Kyle Goon) "I know that we're playing the Steelers this week. They're the guys on the schedule this week, and we try to do the best that we can do to be 1-0 each week and stack up as many wins as we can, but we're focused on the challenge this week against this team that we're playing."
You guys are facing a couple of familiar faces on the Steelers' defense in ILB Patrick Queen and S DeShon Elliott. What have you seen on tape from those two? (Tim Barbalace) "I just think they're defense is playing really well. They have roles for their guys [and] every piece fits in a way that they want it to fit. Those two guys, specifically, are playing at a high level [and] doing the roles that they've always been good at. You see 'Pat' [Patrick Queen] play, and you see DeShon [Elliott] play – that's the type of stuff that they've always done well. They did it well here as well, so they're playing well."
When you're going up against guys that are familiar or have been a part of this team, especially somebody like ILB Patrick Queen who was just here, who was a big part of the communication part. Do you have to worry about changing things, in terms of looks you guys normally do? Or the wordplay? Do you worry at all about them knowing the secrets of the plays? (Cordell Woodland) "No. We don't worry about that at all."
We saw S Kyle Hamilton run a little bit out here. Do you have an update on him? Do you think there's still a possibility for him Sunday? (Bo Smolka) "It's the same as what we talked about."
AFC North football is always won in the trenches; they have a great front seven. The offensive line for you guys has been playing really well the last couple of weeks. I'm just curious as to how you guys match up against them? (Alex Woodward) "We hope to be able to block them – that's how we match up against them. We're getting ready for a tough game against a really good front seven, as you said, and we're going to try do our best."
QB Lamar has been doing so many things in so many aspects of the game well. Do you guys do your own self-study to maybe put yourself in the shoes of opponents? Because of how good he's been at everything this year, does it make it tough for you to put yourselves in opponents' shoes? Like imagining what they'll do because he doesn't have a whole lot of losses this season? (Jonas Shaffer) "I think that we just try to prepare for the defense that we're playing. The Steelers are a good defense. I'm sure they're going to play their defense [and] their calls the way they play them against the plays that they perceive [and] the players that we have."
TE MARK ANDREWS
On what stands out about the Ravens and Steelers when they face each other: "It's a game of a lot of tradition – a lot of great games, a lot of close games and two teams that fight against each other. It's an exciting one. It's one of the best rivalries around."
On if it feels right to have a high-stakes game against the Steelers in mid-November: "It's exciting. It's exciting, but like we always say, it's one week at a time. The Steelers are up next, and we're excited about that challenge. It's a really good team we're going against."
On if there's a reason why the Steelers have had success against QB Lamar Jackson when other teams haven't: "I'm not sure. I think that every week is different, every week is tough, and obviously, being in this division, we all know each other pretty well, but for us, it's just about doing our job – which we will – and hopefully have a great game."
On if it's weird that QB Lamar Jackson hasn't played in many recent Steelers games for a variety of reasons: "Yes, like you said, certain years, there are different things going on, and sometimes we've been in a good position, but we're glad to have him this week. It will be fun."
On what it's going to be like seeing former Ravens ILB Patrick Queen and DeShon Elliott on the other sideline: "[They are] two guys that I have nothing but great things to say about. [They] were incredible teammates [and] guys that you can go to. They're both playing really good ball, and it will be a fun matchup against both those guys."
On if last year's Steelers game with all the uncharacteristic drops was one the team was more mad about than an average loss: "Yes, any loss is a tough one, especially when you kind of beat yourself. [We'll] kind of look at that, but we're not thinking about any of that. We're worried about our job, doing our job this week, being efficient and helping this team win games on the offensive side of the ball, and as a team, doing our job."
On what are the obvious challenges that you see from the Steelers defense: "They play incredibly hard, they're well coached, and they have a lot of great players. There are a lot of great matchups all throughout the game, really."
On the Ravens-Steelers matchups being known for defense and if he looks forward to changing that narrative: "I don't know about changing the narrative. I think that, again, we're not going to look too far into it. I can't have a crystal ball and predict what's going to happen, but as an offense, we're looking to grow and improve every week, and this is the next step."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On if he has any anticipation for his first time in the Ravens-Steelers rivalry: "No, I'm going to treat it like another game. It's my first game, so I'll treat it like I've been in this rivalry for a long time. [I'll] treat it like another game, prepare the same way and get ready for a dog fight."
On if he's heard 'You're not a Raven until you beat the Steelers" in the locker room and what he thinks of that: "Yes, I've heard it. It's something that they've had going here for a while, and I guess I'm not going to be a Raven until we get the W."
On if he feels like this is the kind of rivalry that he can play like he's been in it before: "I pride myself in being physical. They're a physical team [and] have a physical defense – a very good defense [and] a Top 10 defense – so you have to embrace the physicality throughout your preparation, through the week and then let it go and pay off on Sunday."
On what he remembers about watching Ravens-Steelers game even when he was at home on his couch and if there was anything that stood out to him: "[They are] two physical teams, two playoff teams, two really good defenses that will knock your head off on any given play, and this is a physical game. I feel like since I was a kid watching them, every game against them is just physical. That's all I can say about it."
On if he's noticed a difference this week in practice or in the locker room: "Yes, we don't try to get overwhelmed or overhype the next opponent. We just try to prepare the same way. They're a great team – we absolutely know that – in all three phases. We just have to trust in our preparation and continue to prepare and continue to practice execution and do all that throughout the week just so it happens on Sunday, but they're a great team. There's no doubt about it."
On if he has any memories going against ILB Patrick Queen previously in his career: "I've faced [Patrick Queen] when I was with the Titans, and he was here. [It was] just a game going against each other, him playing defense [and] me playing offense. It was nothing more or nothing less. He's a great player. He's been playing great football for them."
On having RB Keaton Mitchell back and head coach John Harbaugh calling the running backs a "three-headed monster": "Keaton [Mitchell] is a great player. Everybody saw the dynamic and the big-play ability that he had last year. He's worked hard to get back, so [we're] excited to have him back. Him getting there and making big plays is another asset for us on offense. Me and Justice [Hill] are helping him any way we can."
On if he believes in rivalries in the NFL and if there's an equivalent to Alabama-Auburn in his mind: "I really don't know. I feel like every sport has a rival, and [every] NFL team has a rival. Before I got to the NFL, there were rivals, so that's just been going on since sports were created."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On what stands out to him about the Steelers and their relative success against him: "I don't know what it is, man. It's just that ... I believe, that rival atmosphere ... I believe, last year, we [were] supposed to [beat] them, but things just didn't go our way; the football gods weren't on our side. But it's a whole other year, it's a new year, [and] I'm looking forward to the game."
On missing games against the Steelers, and if that's stuck with him: "Yes. Yes, definitely. But I get a chance to go up against them this year, so I'm good, right now. Hopefully, [the] second time coming around ... I don't know what to say about that. But right now, I'm looking forward to that."
On winning another AFC Offensive Player of the Week award, and if this is the best stretch of football he's played during his career: "I can't call it. I'm just focused, right now. I'm locked in. I'm having fun. That's all. That's all [there is] to it, right now."
On Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin calling him "Mr. Jackson," and if he appreciates the respect from the Steelers: "I appreciate that, coming from a coach [with] all the success he's had. But when we're on that field, it's a different ballgame; that's with any opponent, though, not just the Steelers. My mindset is totally different when I'm out there, regardless; I'm trying to win. But I appreciate it, though. I appreciate it."
On his growing chemistry with WR Diontae Johnson: "I feel like it's good, actually. We were throwing passes out here today – seven-on[-seven, team [drills]. We were looking pretty good, looking pretty solid."
On the Steelers defense: "Those guys are flying around. They're getting after it, creating turnovers [and making] explosive plays for the defense. Their front seven is amazing. [They're] just an all-around great defense, from what I see on film."
On going up against former Raven LB Patrick Queen: "It will be different. It's not practice anymore, with 'PQ' [Patrick Queen]. But it will be different. It will be different, because it's actual ... It's game action, not just practice, now, so it will be different."
On how knowing LB Patrick Queen could help him: "I can't call it, because I feel like, you don't really get to know a player [by] just going against them in practice. It will be different once we're out there, though."
On if the Steelers' recent success against the Ravens bothers him: "It ... I don't know. It's a different team, right now. [There were] different guys last year, [and] it's a different unit this year, but it's always the same goal; we want to win. We want to be the ones that come out victorious, and that's going to be the goal going into this game."
On the storied rivalry between the Ravens and Steelers: "I remember watching it." (laughter)
On if the storied rivalry between the Ravens and Steelers has lessened in recent history: "I believe [that] social media [has] got everyone [as] rivals right now. [With] every team we go against, no matter who we're playing, [in] some kind of way, [there's] some history. So, I feel like social media has just changed the difference between how intense the rivalry was back then versus now."
On what he remembers most about the storied Ravens-Steelers rivalry: "To me, [they weren't] really an offensive battle. It was really, like, defensive battles back then – Ed Reed and Ray Lewis and [Terrell] Suggs, those guys, going against [Troy] Polamalu and the defense, even though they're not on the field at the same time. But mostly, explosive plays came from those guys, from what I watched when I was a kid."
On if he enjoyed the old Ravens-Steelers defensive battles: "I mean, I played safety when I was a kid, so I was with it. Like, I was intrigued with the game." (laughter)
On if there was a rivalry team that frustrated him during his youth football or middle school or high school days: "That would beat us [when] I was going against them?" (Reporter: "Yes, yes.") "[In] youth football, [the] Lauderdale Lakes Vikings; I hated them." (laughter) "I hated them. I still hate them, because [when] I keep thinking about the games we lost against them, I'm like, 'Bro, how did we lose?'" (laughter) "Yes, man. Yes, I hated them." (laughter) "I still hate them, right now." (laughter) "The kids [are] cool, now. I love the kids, now, but I wouldn't want my child to play for Lauderdale Lakes." (laughter)
On if he feels strongly about the Steelers, the same way he did about Lauderdale Lakes during his childhood: "I hate everybody in the league – well, every team in the league – when I'm going against them. I don't have [any] heart for a team when I'm going against them – I'm trying to win – because they don't have a heart for me, when they're going against me. Probably, after the game, it's all love, but on that field, no."
On if there were any future NFL players on that Lauderdale Lakes team: "Pros? You know, actually, Zay [Flowers]. Zay is younger, though. Zay was on the younger [team], but he actually played for those guys – that team. I hate that team." (laughter) "I hate that team. I don't hate [anything], but I hate that team." (laughter) "They always ..."
On if he played against WR Zay Flowers' brothers: "No, his brothers [are] older. His brothers are a little older, so I didn't get to play ... I just watched his brother. His brother was 'Joystick' first. Like, I remember watching him, and 'Little [Zay]' used to make noise on the younger [team], and he's doing the same thing [now]. It was always the same thing. Actually, I think Eddie [Jackson] ... Eddie was on the older [team], though. He played for Lauderdale Lakes. Yes, Eddie Jackson. Yes."
On if he was ever able to beat Lauderdale Lakes: "Oh, I beat them. I beat them when it counted, but they beat me ..." (laughter) "They beat me [in the] regular season all the time. I used to get ticked off; like, 'Bro.' I used to be crying – boogers [in my] nose, snot – like a kid, like [I was] hurt. But I beat them when it counted. We won the Super Bowl."
On if S DeShon Elliott and ILB Patrick Queen would talk about what would happen if they were on different teams when they were in Baltimore: "I played against DeShon [Elliott] last year. Me and DeShon, we came in the league together. That's my brother right there, but no, not really. We don't really talk like that among each other. [We] probably [do] on the practice field, but not in the locker room – not that I can remember. We're trying to win though, that's all."
On if the thinks the offense has a different feel than what Pittsburgh has seen in the past: "I can't call it. It's a different team. We have different guys who bring different things to the table for us to help us out on the offensive side of the ball, but I can't call it, because different guys do different things better than other guys, so I can't call it."
On having a basketball-type follow through on some of his touchdown throws: "I think that's just from practice, me just trying to make something happen. I don't know, the wrist. [I'm] just putting the ball in a great place for the receiver to catch the ball. That's all."
On if there's a fine line of trying to get WR Diontae Johnson involved while also not disrupting the rhythm of the rest of the offense: "Yes. I feel like that's part of it. You don't want to rush things. 'If ain't broke, don't fix it.' That's probably how the coaches are feeling, but we definitely want to get [Diontae Johnson] involved because he's a great talent. He's a great addition to our offense, [he's] explosive [and] a great receiver from what I've seen. We played against him plenty of times, and I've seen it on the practice field. I definitely want to get him involved."
