Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Passionately Defends Kenny Pickett

The Pittsburgh Steelers head coach isn't worried about the first three quarters of football.

PITTSBURGH -- 'Fourth Quarter Kenny' has become a trend for the Pittsburgh Steelers as their second-year quarterback continues to impress in the final minutes of a ball game. But during the first three quarters, Kenny Pickett has struggled. Something his head coach is NOT worried about. 

During his weekly press conference, Mike Tomlin was asked about Pickett's struggles for the opening three quarters. Heading into Week 10, the QB has a passer rating of 75.3 from Q1-Q3 but a 108.2 passer rating in the final 15 minutes. 

Tomlin wasn't amused and instead chose to defend Pickett's excellence during the final quarter. 

"What is his rating in the fourth quarter?" Tomlin asked. "Well, just ask it from that perspective. He’s awesome in the fourth quarter. Man, he rises up in those moments. He wants to be the reason why we’re successful. He prepares his tail off. In some instances, when people run from challenges, he runs to challenges. So, that’s why his performance is so good in the fourth. Those other quarters we’ll work on."

The Steelers have found themselves with opportunities to win in those crucial moments five times this season, but they've also learned that if they cannot keep a team controlled for the first three quarters, their offense isn't going to keep them in ball games. 

The situation likely becomes more pressing when the Steelers face more challenging teams in the postseason, but by then, who knows - maybe Tomlin works on it enough that Pickett can improve. 

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