Steelers' Dylan Cook Emphasizes Bully Mentality Versus Lions

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 29-24 victory in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions was one of their most impressive wins of the season to date. It was a game in which the Steelers were a touchdown underdog on the road. The Steelers enjoyed a big game from running back Jaylen Warren, who went for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns on 14 carries in the win at Ford Field. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was also 27-for-41 for 266 yards and a touchdown. On Monday, Pittsburgh's left tackle Dylan Cook touched on what the emphasis was for the Steelers, which contributed to their victory.

Cook discussed a bully mentality that was preached to them last week leading up to the game by Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Cook also provided some insight as to what the players were told about the Lions' style of play on defense. The Steelers took this advice and flipped the script to make sure they were the aggressors.

"We preached finish all week, just finishing and playing on their side of the line of scrimmage, and meeting their linebackers and all that," Cook said. "So... Coach Tomlin called them a bully group, so we kind of took it upon ourselves to make sure we were the bullies and we just had that mentality going into the game." 

The Steelers went into the half tied with Detroit, following an incredible catch by Kenneth Gainwell for a touchdown. Gainwell made a heads up play to get up off the field and run into the end zone for a score as he was not touched by a Lions defender. 

The Steelers entered the fourth quarter leading 12-10 and then went on to put up 17 points on Detroit.

Steelers' Concerning Offensive Line Now Coming Together

The Steelers' offensive line appears to be coming together, despite a couple of big injuries to that unit earlier on in the season. Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones sustained a season-ending neck injury against the Chicago Bears in Week 12, and that was before Calvin Anderson was placed on IR with a knee injury. However, the emergence of Cook after stepping in and stepping up has helped contribute to several Steelers victories. Pittsburgh has now won three games in a row and, in that span, have averaged 28 points per game. The Steelers have also done a great job keeping Rodgers upright of late, to allow them to become a more potent offense during their streak.

The Lions entered Sunday with the NFL's number one overall offense in scoring. One big factor that in helping their defense to contain that offense was by the Steelers' offense itself staying on the field and sustaining drives. The Steelers beat out the Lions in time of possession on Sunday as well, tallying 34:06 compared to the Lions at 25:54. 

The Steelers will need this strong offensive line play to continue as they enter Week 17. Pittsburgh can clinch an AFC North division title even before they take the field Sunday against the Cleveland Browns if the Baltimore Ravens tie or lose to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday evening. Even if the Steelers were to clinch before their Week 17 matchup, they surely will want the offensive line to continue to play well, as they would then be looking ahead to the playoffs in which the line play will be crucial to their continued success. 

The Steelers entered Week 14 against the Ravens having played some inconsistent football since their 4-1 start. However, the Steelers have put together three solid games in which they have gotten hot. Finding a rhythm and getting hot in December can be a recipe for playoff success as NFL teams gear up for the postseason. 

Do you think the Steelers can continue to benefit from being the aggressors? Let us know in the comments below!

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