Football
The Steelers bounced back after a two-game losing streak, namely with a much better defensive performance, handing the Colts their second loss of the season.
In this article, I will provide data from Pro Football Focus (PFF) and takeaways.
Offense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Three players here.
The best grade on offense was TE Darnell Washington (75.1 grade, 41 snaps). Good individual grades: 75.4 pass block, 71.1 run block, and 70.0 receiving. Had a season-high in targets (six), catching four of them for 43 yards, with a long of 13. The latter was a nice utilization on a red zone slant and had another chunk catch in traffic, making an impressive snag. Both came in the third quarter, nice to see after early miscues, including a drop.
RB Kenneth Gainwell (74.2, 23) graded best as a receiver (76.0), catching 4-of-5 targets for 35 yards. Yardage could have been a season best if not for an ugly nine-yard loss, instead tying for most in 2025, and included two of ten-plus yards. Admirable 75.0 pass block grade, too. Generous 68.8 run grade, with three attempts for averaging lost yardage (-1).
Thanks to the defense, QB Aaron Rodgers (70.2, 62) didn’t have to do too much. 70.9 passing grade, going 25-of-35 (71.4-percent) for 203 yards and a 12-yard touchdown to TE Pat Freiermuth to go up 14-7 in the second quarter. This was after a defensive takeaway, and capitalizing on them was a successful recipe for the win. Rodgers had no turnover-worthy plays, big-time throws, and zero explosive plays for the entire offense—way to go D.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Also, three men. WR DK Metcalf (45.7, 51) was given his worst grade of 2025. He was quiet, with season lows in targets (four), catches (two), and just six yards. It will be interesting to watch the all-22 to see how Indianapolis was able to limit him so well. The miscues came in the second quarter and included a drop (46.3 receiving). He had a 55.5 run block grade on 16 snaps.
WR Roman Wilson (39.3, 29). Though Pittsburgh led by 17 in the fourth quarter, Wilson made a costly decision to hurdle unnecessarily for more yards, resulting in a fumble turnover with under four minutes left. Hopefully, a learning lesson we don’t see again from the youngin’. Certainly dinged his 37.3 receiving grade, catching 1-of-2 targets (four yards). Surprisingly high 83.9 run block, best team grade by far. Worth another watch of the tape.
The worst offensive and overall grade was G Spencer Anderson (36.4, 21). Continued tackle eligible work, but required to step in at LG for Isaac Seumalo, who left the game. Important context for his landing in the bad grades for the second time in 2025. Much better 68.4 pass block than a poor 30.5 run block grade. Did allow one pressure (hurry) on 11 passing snaps. Needs to step up with Seumalo likely not 100-percent in the short term.
Defense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
The best defensive grade was EDGE Alex Highsmith (90.6, 48). Led the team with an 84.4 pass rush, four total pressures, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. He also had four total tackles (three stops), a quarterback hit, a pass breakup in coverage, and a forced fumble turnover on one of his sacks in the fourth quarter. Great game, no doubt, earning his best grade of 2025. 84.9 coverage (three snaps), 76.0 tackle, and 64.5 run defense that included a TFL early.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
Two players. EDGE T.J. Watt (85.3, 61) made noise on the other side. Atop the list was his strip sack, also recovering the fumble to boot. This ended a long Colts drive and turned the tide for Pittsburgh in a dominant second quarter (17-0 points scored). Three total tackles (two stops), two pressures, a TFL, and a QB hit. Nearly had a diving interception, too. 78.4 pass rush, 74.0 tackling, 71.0 run defense (led team).
CB James Pierre (82.3, 16) mainly played on coverage snaps (ten), providing a timely fourth-quarter pass breakup on the only target towards him. 83.5 coverage grade was second on the team, and given a 60.0 run defense grade (seven snaps).
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Two more, both defensive linemen. Cameron Heyward (77.6, 51) was wreaking havoc with two bats early on as many drives. Four total tackles and two pressures (QB hit, hurry) as well. One pass rush led to a third-down incompletion in the fourth quarter, leading to an Indianapolis FG and a larger 14-point lead. 77.6 pass rush, 68.4 tackling, 60.5 run defense.
Keeanu Benton (74.7, 48) had a nice game on the interior, adding splash with a sack and two QB hits (led team). Two total pressures per PFF, so a quality over quantity day that is important for the position. Six total tackles (three stops), including a tackle for loss. 73.1 pass rush, 64.2 run defense, but a team-worst 27.5 tackling grade. The defense tackled better overall, but Benton missed two of them, matching his prior season total.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Two again.
LB Patrick Queen (49.9, 78) also missed two tackles, a primary reason he made this list (27.7 tackling). Had five total tackles, but only one stop, a third-down run in the third quarter. But Indianapolis easily converted on fourth down, as they did throughout the game. Glaring flaw for the defense. Added to the unit’s splash with a FF and pass breakup. 75.0 pass rush with two pressures (hurries), 54.0 coverage, and 41.4 run defense.
The worst defensive grade was rookie DL Yahya Black (39.7, 17). Zero-burger in tackles, and provided only one pressure (hurry) on 13 snaps. Four run defense snaps, but a poor 44.8 grade. Hasn’t graded well all year, given a 56.3 overall in his best outing and 35.8, the lowest mark of 2025. Looking and hoping for him to come on in the second half of 2025.
Special Teams:
NOTE – Some names don’t appear (less snaps, average grade).
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
The best special teams grade and overall grade was Nick Herbig (90.9, 8). Played on punt coverage and kick return units, posting his second excellent special teams grade of 2025.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
Two players. Payton Wilson (86.6, 17) is the new special teams captain after losing Miles Killebrew. It’s great to see such a strong grade, his best of 2025, and the core teamer adding a solo tackle to his resume on a second-quarter kick return.
CB Brandin Echols (80.3, 10) played on three units (kick coverage, punt return, punt coverage). Made an early impact recovering a muffed punt return for a turnover, along with a solo tackle on an 11-yard punt return, earning his best grade on the year as well.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Two again. Carson Bruener (45.7, 18) had been impressively solid throughout his rookie season on special teams thus far, earning a core role. This was his first game with zero ST tackles, and hopefully an exception to the norm.
The worst special teams grade was Jack Sawyer (37.3, 21). Another rookie who has played a lot and well for the most part, a penalty and two missed tackles on special teams was his worst outing of the season.
Steelers Week Nine/Regular Season Snaps:
Week Nine Snap Leaders/Season Total Snaps Leader:
OFF – Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Broderick Jones, Mason McCormick, Aaron Rodgers.
DEF – Joey Porter Jr., Patrick Queen, Jalen Ramsey.
ST – Ben Skowronek.
SEA TOT – Patrick Queen.
Read More Clayton Eckert