Mic'd Up: Steelers' Mike Tomlin Tells George Pickens To Make A Big Play To Win The Game "Get Us Out Of Here...Talk To 2"

The Pittsburgh Steelers earned themselves a much needed victory in Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks. The win keeps their playoff hopes alive as they begin to prepare for their Week 18 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers and Seahawks each have playoff aspirations, and the Week 17 contest was a must-win for both sides. The Steelers came in more motivated and more prepared, thanks to Head Coach Mike Tomlin who happened to be mic'd up during the game. 

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Was Mic'd Up During Game Against The Seahawks

The Steelers win over the Seahawks was a hard fought one, but it didn't necessarily come down to the last minute. The Steelers were up 10 with just over two minutes left. Seattle decided to kick a field goal as the two-minute warning occurred which trimmed the Steelers lead down to just seven. The Steelers would then got the ball back following the two-minute warning, with the opportunity to gain some good yardage and run the clock out. Tomlin was mic'd up and he was overheard coaching up his offense during the two-minute warning before they went out on the field. 

"Hey Sully [Mike Sullivan], I don't want to get conservative, man. They've been pounding that run. Rhythm pass. Play to win."

Tomlin was communicating to his offensive play-caller, Mike Sullivan, what he wanted to see from the offense as they tried to seal the victory. Most teams would probably just try to run the ball in order to keep the clock moving and hope to pick up a first down, and the Steelers had been running the ball successfully the entire game. Seattle would be expecting it, so Tomlin communicated that he wanted to see the offense throw the ball to move the chains.

When the Steelers offense came back on the field, they knew they needed to move the ball some in order to force Seattle to use their final two timeouts and to ice the game. Tomlin already said he wanted to throw the ball, so the obvious target would be second-year wide receiver George Pickens who already had six receptions for 106 yards on the day. Tomlin was heard talking to Pickens, and to his quarterback Mason Rudolph before they headed out onto the field.

"Ah, d*** it, GP [Pickens], just get ready to make another play. Get us out of here. Talk to two [No. 2, Mason Rudolph]. We ain't gonna get conservative and scared. Rhythm pass. Play to win."

Pickens and Rudolph did exactly as Tomlin said, they made a play. Rudolph found Pickens on a simple hitch route that picked up a first down, and Pickens was able to run some after the catch as the play went for 24 yards. Following that play, Najee Harris had a few carries that picked up another first down which allowed the Steelers to enter the victory formation and return to Pittsburgh with a win.

The Steelers' final drive went exactly the way they needed it to. Pickens finished with 130 receiving yards and Harris had 122 yards on the ground thanks to their final contributions on the last drive. When Pickens walked off the field following his reception, Tomlin shook his hand and had some final words for him.

"Freaky sh*t, routinely."

Pickens is an athletic specimen who has made some impressive catches in his career. He is coming off of his best two-game stretch ever. He had two touchdowns and 195 yards in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, and he added 130 yards to that in Seattle. He has flourished with Rudolph as the Steelers' starting quarterback, and the team will need to see that continue in Week 18 against Baltimore.

What do you think about hearing Tomlin mic'd up? Let us know in the comments below!

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