T.J. Watt: Mike Tomlin’s impact on Steelers is most pronounced in the film room.

Mike Tomlin, the coach of the Steelers, has a talent for drawing out more from his players than their respective skill sets would indicate. We asked linebacker T.J. Watt to explain how Tomlin pulls it off earlier this week on PFT Live.

“I think it’s a holding everybody accountable-type thing as far as in the film room,” Watt stated. You never know what he will show you when we enter the team meeting room. Everyone is feeling a little anxious. Everybody is staring at one another, wondering, “What play?” Before he even presses “play,” you can tell when that play appears because you’re thinking, “Ahn, it’s my play.”

“You might be casually chatting with him outside the meeting room, asking him how his family is doing. How are things doing overall? Very pleasant, and then all of a sudden you enter, and the play begins, with the theme, “We were just chilling outside, and now you’re going to bash me in front of the entire team?” It’s the accountability part when the offense briefly goes over their game plan in team meetings, so the defense is aware of what the offensive expects from them and vice versa. On the football field, it kind of helps us hold each other accountable.”

The team’s tradition of playing Renegade late in the game, at a crucial juncture, motivates the players to exert themselves on the football field. Watt clarified how it gives the players a lift.

“It’s tangible, you feel the energy in the place, and it makes you want to give these people exactly what they’re looking for, anytime you get over 75,000 people standing there waving Terrible Towels, the camera goes out, the screen goes black, and they start showing highlights.” Additionally, that is a turnover, a huge splash play, and it always occurs [during] the game’s most crucial series.”

The Steelers are winning at whatever they’re doing. Despite not having the best team on either side of the ball, Tomlin and their Pittsburgh home-field advantage allow them to compete against anyone and everyone.