JJ McCarthy Emotional After Big Win, Says Victory Still Not Enough for Satisfaction
JJ McCarthy couldn’t hide his emotions after leading his team to a resounding victory, but the star quarterback made it clear that he’s still not satisfied. While he was proud of the team’s performance, McCarthy emphasized that the win was just another step in their journey, and there’s still work to be done before he feels fully content.
“Obviously, it feels great to get the win, but I’m not happy with where we are yet,” McCarthy said after the game, his voice filled with both pride and determination. “We did what we had to do to win today, but I know we can do better. This isn’t the end goal for us — we’re aiming for much bigger things.”
The win, which was a blowout against a tough opponent, saw McCarthy put up impressive numbers and demonstrate the leadership that has made him one of the top quarterbacks in the league. However, despite the impressive stats and the scoreboard, McCarthy’s drive for perfection was evident in his comments.
“There’s always room to improve,” McCarthy continued. “I didn’t play my best today. There were moments I could have been better, and we have to clean up some things before we get to where we want to be. The wins are great, but I’m not going to settle for just being good. I want to be great.”
McCarthy’s focus on improvement highlights his mindset as he continues to lead his team. While others may have been content with the dominant win, McCarthy’s unwavering commitment to self-improvement and his desire to push for excellence set him apart as a true leader.
“You can never be satisfied with where you are in this game,” he said. “If you get complacent, that’s when you stop growing. We’ve got a lot of football left to play, and I’m going to keep pushing this team to be the best we can be.”
As the season progresses, McCarthy’s refusal to rest on his laurels will undoubtedly keep the team sharp and focused on their ultimate goal — a championship. While the victory was a significant one, for McCarthy, it’s just another stepping stone toward reaching even greater heights.
Aaron Rodgers Sends Direct Message To Steelers' Offense: 'Play Better'
The Pittsburgh Steelers got a much-needed win in Week 9 at Acrisure Stadium against the Indianapolis Colts. This victory was massive, as the Colts were arguably the best team in the NFL at the time, with an offense that was red hot coming into the matchup. The Steelers’ defense made a statement on Sunday, forcing six turnovers and helping secure a 27-20 victory. Their aggressive play and opportunistic mindset were key in slowing down a high-powered Colts offense and shifting momentum in Pittsburgh’s favor.
Aaron Rodgers led the Steelers’ offense with 203 passing yards and one touchdown, completing his throws without throwing an interception. The team’s offense totaled 225 yards, showing flashes of efficiency despite facing a solid Colts defense. While the numbers may not jump off the page, the offense did enough to complement the defense’s dominant performance and secure the win. Though not enough in the mind of the leader of the offense.
After the game, Rodgers addressed the media, making it clear that the Steelers’ play-calling was not to blame for any offensive struggles. Instead, he held his unit accountable, including himself, for execution errors. This accountability from a veteran quarterback is encouraging, especially after such a big upset victory. It reflects leadership and sets a positive tone for the rest of the season, showing that Rodgers is committed to improving and pushing his team to perform consistently at a high level.
"Oh, I loved the play-calling," Rodgers said to the Pittsburgh media after the 27-20 win over the Colts on Sunday. "I thought the execution was pretty bad. We gotta look in the mirror and play better on offense because that is not good enough."
Rodgers made sure to highlight that Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith called a fine game. According to Rodgers, Smith was not the issue; instead, he placed the responsibility on himself.
Rodgers also expressed frustration that the offense only managed to put up 27 points, emphasizing that there is still room for improvement, despite the victory. Rodgers continued to explain what made him not happy with the execution on offense.
"Me, the run game, catching the football," Rodgers said. "Defense played incredible, but in a game like that, we got to put 35 or 42 on the board and close the game out. That's good tape for the coaching staff when you win the game and you got a lot to work on."
Rodgers makes a great point, and many Steelers fans are likely to echo the sentiment. Anytime the defense forces six turnovers but the offense only puts up 27 points, it’s natural to have some concern. Of course, as both Tomlin and Rodgers often say, it’s better to learn in a win than in a loss. The Steelers came away with a victory over the Colts, improving to 5-3 and extending their lead in the AFC North.
Steelers' Defense Forces 6 Turnovers In Upset Victory Over Colts On Sunday
While the talk will focus on the Steelers' defense forcing three fumbles and three interceptions, the unit still gave up several big plays. However, they were able to contain the Colts’ high-powered running attack led by Jonathan Taylor.
The Steelers' defense allowed 368 total yards, but forcing six turnovers was a huge win for the unit, giving them much-needed momentum. The Steelers will now get ready for a Week 10 contest on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers, who are coming off a big win against the Tennessee Titans.
