EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Jalen Ramsey , like all others in his gridiron profession, doesn't carry a typed-out and printed overview of his occupational aptitude. The Pittsburgh Steelers ' defensive back has made a living off of adding to a reel of virtuoso coverage and physicality.
With 25 seconds remaining in Sunday's matchup with the New York Jets and his defense clinging to a 2-point advantage, Ramsey added another clip to his highlights, making sure Garrett Wilson didn't squeeze Justin Fields ' do-or-die pass to secure a 34-32 road win .
"That's expected from him, that's what he do," said Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith , who arrived in Pittsburgh with Ramsey, by way of the trade that sent Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami . "That's his résumé. It speaks for itself. We needed that. We needed that."
On a 4th-and-3 from the Jets' 37-yard line, Ramsey crouched over with his heels touching six yards off the line of scrimmage. He ventured to his right then backpeddled after Fields took the snap out of the shotgun, staying near tailback Breece Hall , who ran a wheel route down the sideline.
Fields ran through a tunnel of his blockers and walled-off Steelers, but seeing Patrick Queen , Alex Highsmith and Keeanu Benton waiting on him, he threw it to Ramsey's side of the field.
Wilson, who'd caught seven balls for 95 yards and a score already, caught it with his body and got his head around to Ramsey's waiting embrace. The stick popped the ball out, putting the nail in New York's coffin.
"They dropped eight, dropped some D-linemen. I probably could have gotten the first down, but … I threw it to Garrett," Fields said afterward. "Really not much to explain at the end of the day. He was open. I don't know what to tell you."
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey made his mark during Sunday's 34-32 win over the New York Jets. Ed Thompson/Steelers Now
"It was a visual play call, so I was able to get visual on Justin and saw him kinda moving in the pocket, but saw Garrett coming across the field in my peripheral," Ramsey said. "(I) just do what I do."
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin isn't unfamiliar with Ramsey's game. He was thrilled that the defensive back's ability benefited his side.
"I'm glad he's on my team. I've seen it in stadiums before," Tomlin said. "I've certainly been an appreciator of his skills and talents. Can't say enough about him, man. He played nickel, he played free safety, he played outside corner. He is a top-notch football player and I'm glad he's on our team."
It was the first time in Ramsey's pro career that he had played each position in the secondary during one game. He didn't expect such a workload but was "glad I was able to lock in and step up to the challenge of all those different roles," he said.
However, there would've been a better way to cap the victory off. Two plays before forcing the turnover on downs, Ramsey jumped in front of a comeback meant for Josh Reynolds .
"Yeah, I should've caught the pick a couple plays earlier, but it's all good," Ramsey said.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Jalen Ramsey Shows Exactly Why Steelers Needed Him
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