Steelers' Mike Tomlin Quickly Takes Credit For Alex Highsmith's Game-Winning Play

The Pittsburgh Steelers, with their backs against the wall, went into M&T Bank Stadium to face off against the Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh was able to escape with a hard-fought 27-22 victory, a massive win at a crucial moment in the season. With the fanbase growing restless and the noise around Head Coach Mike Tomlin getting louder, this matchup carried real weight. The win not only quieted some of that criticism but also injected life into a team fighting to stay relevant as the 2025 season winds down.

This victory gives the Steelers valuable momentum as they continue their playoff push and proves they can rise to the moment when everything is on the line. The defense delivered when it mattered most, and no play was bigger than the final snap of the game. With the Ravens threatening, Steelers pass rusher Alex Highsmith broke free and sacked Lamar Jackson to seal the win. It was the kind of clutch moment that can shape the direction of a season and reset the confidence inside a locker room.

When Tomlin spoke with the media after the win, he shared a surprising detail about the final sequence. According to the head coach, Highsmith actually made a mistake in the moments before the play by drifting toward the sideline instead of getting lined up. 

Tomlin immediately corrected him and told him to get back on the field, a quick decision that proved to be essential. Seconds later, Highsmith delivered the game-clinching sack. Tomlin even joked that he might deserve some credit for making sure his star pass rusher was exactly where he needed to be.

"Man, I thought as the game got thick, you really felt his presence," Tomlin said while speaking to the media following the win. "We were actually coming out of that very last timeout and he turned around and started walking back to the bench with me. I was like, 'Alex, what are you doing man? Get back in there.' I am thankful that I did because obviously, man, he made the play of the day."

For many Steelers fans, optimism about the team had been lacking. In typical Tomlin fashion, however, he pulled the fanbase back in right when it seemed like hope was fading. 

The hope, of course, is that the 2025 season can end on a high note, especially with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers leading the offense. The Steelers defense played a solid game against the Ravens. They bent at times but never fully broke, and that resilience was ultimately enough to help secure the win.

Steelers Hopeful To Have Highsmith Healthy Through The Finish

When he has been healthy, Highsmith has consistently been a star on this defense and incredibly reliable. The only issue has been his struggle to stay fully healthy throughout the season. In 2025, Highsmith has already racked up five and a half sacks and a forced fumble, showing he is playing at a high level. 

He is having a standout season, and if he can stay on the field for the remainder of the year, he is set to be a key factor in the Steelers’ push for the playoffs. Highsmith’s presence not only strengthens the pass rush but also energizes the entire defense, giving the team confidence in critical moments. With him performing at this level, Pittsburgh’s defense has a real chance to make impactful plays down the stretch and support a late-season surge that could define their 2025 campaign.

How impressed are you with Tomlin's ability to bounce back in Week 14 on the road against the Ravens? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

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