Pittsburgh Steelers star defensive tackle, Cam Heyward recently sat down with NFL executive, David Meltzer on The Playbook and answered a ton of questions about his foundation, his time at Ohio State, and a bunch of other topics.
He also touched on the end-of-season Las Vegas Raiders - Los Angeles Chargers game that had a direct impact on the Steelers playoff hopes, and had some very interesting things to say about how he was feeling and what he was thinking:
"That Raider-Charger game, it's gonna come down to some overtime decision and I just have this feeling and I called it completely, but the one thing I couldn't imagine is what it was like to be sitting there watching the game, because in your wildest dreams as a football player and as a football executive, I'm thinking, 'nobody even thinks of these types of scenarios,'" Meltzer admitted."You're not prepared for it. It's like you're either rooting for him to win or lose, but not for a tie, not at all! That's ridiculous! How are you feeling and what was going through your head when that was going [on]?" Meltzer asked Heyward.
"So first quarter, I'm on my couch. Second quarter, I'm like, 'okay, I'm still on the couch.' Third quarter, I'm starting to inch up. Fourth quarter, I'm on the floor right next to the TV," Heyward exclaimed.
"Overtime, I'm standing up in a tizzy trying to figure out how this game is going to end! Last play, when they call timeout, I was like, 'yes,'" Heyward said.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 9: The sleek, silver and black steel and glass Allegiant Stadium plays host to Sunday Night Football between the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers on January 9, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Located on 62 acres adjacent to Interstate 15 and west of the Mandalay Bay and Luxor Hotel & Casinos, the recently completed $1.9 billion domed stadium (actually located in Paradise, Nevada) has become a hit with Raiders fans. It is not only the home of the National Football League Las Vegas Raiders, but also the UNLV Rebels football team of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and will be home to Super Bowl LVIII (2024). (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
The Josh Jacobs 12-yard run sealed the deal for Heyward
Heyward admitted the play he realized the Steelers would be okay was the 12-yard run by Raiders running back, Josh Jacobs that gained a first down to get them in field-goal range.
"The biggest play in that game was the Josh Jacobs run, it changed everything. If he got stopped, I think the game was over. He got so many yards, so I'm sure they were like, 'we have to at least go for this or we're just gonna look like idiots.' If I see Josh Jacobs around, I'm gonna say thank you," Heyward said.
Meltzer also admitted that, even as a partial Chargers fan because of his loyalties to San Diego and Justin Herbert, it was one of the craziest games he's ever witnessed. He also touched on Herbert more and his incredibly bright future in the league.
"For me, I have some partiality to Justin Herbert and what he did in the fourth quarter and the overtime to me showed me we have a big future," Meltzer said.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 09: Daniel Carlson #2 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Los Angeles Chargers during overtime at Allegiant Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
As we know, the Steelers would have been knocked out of the playoff picture if the Raiders and Chargers tied, which is why all of Steeler Nation and the entire NFL world was on the edge of their seats for the regular season finale.
The Raiders won on a game-winning field goal as time expired in overtime, sending the Raiders and Steelers to the playoffs. It was personally an all-time great game for me and something I would never think be topped until the Buffalo Bills - Kansas City Chiefs Divisional game a few weeks later after the Chiefs stomped the Steelers 42-21 in the Wild Card round.
What do you think, #SteelerNation? What were you doing when this game was happening last season? What were you thinking? Did you think the Steelers would even be in danger of missing the playoffs going into the game? Was this one of the craziest football games you've ever watched? Let me know in the comments or @anthonyravasio on Twitter.
