The Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business, evening the division series with a commanding 34-12 win against Cincinnati to stay atop the AFC North.
In this article, I will provide data from Pro Football Focus (PFF) and takeaways.
Offense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
The best grade on offense and overall was RB Jaylen Warren (91.2 grade, 18 snaps). Finished with ten carries, 62 yards (6.2 average). The main highlight was a refreshing 35-yard toss to the red zone, an explosive play that has been missing overall this season. 90.7 run grade. Also caught both targets for five yards, with one losing a yard. 64.2 receiving. Exited after his leg got twisted up on a tackle, seemingly okay moving forward, thankfully.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
TE Darnell Washington (87.5, 46) was a one-man wrecking crew. Caught 4-of-5 targets for 67 yards (season-high). YAC galore (58 yards), including stiff-arms, running people over, looking like a man among children often. 14.5 YAC per catch (best of 2025), on a season low 2.6 pass depth. 3-of-4 catches were 15 or more yards, with a long of 31 to the red zone and a 3rd and 17 conversion. Led the team with an 81.9 run block, too, and plus pass blocks on a fourth-quarter 3rd and 11 conversion. 78.3 receiving, 51.2 pass block (three snaps).
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Three players. TE Connor Heyward (76.2, 5) converted on two tush pushes needing one yard, on third and fourth downs in the first quarter. Important context to his stats on paper: two carries, three yards. 70.6 run grade. 60.0 pass and run blocking grades (two run, one pass).
RB Kenneth Gainwell (72.5, 41) had a great game. He outsnapped Warren, with 16 total touches for 105 yards and two TDs. Most of that came from receiving (81 yards), with a season-best 89.9 grade. Caught 7-of-8 targets, 11.6 yards per catch, and both scores, one expanding their fourth quarter lead. 6-of-7 catches were first downs, and two explosives. Three total third-down conversions, too, which have been a struggle of late. 60.2 run.
G Mason McCormick (70.9, 65) was one of several linemen who popped, even on the TV tape—particularly enjoyed his blocking downfield on an explosive gain. 69.7 run block exceeded his 64.7 pass block grade, where PFF charted four pressures, three hurries, and a sack allowed. Clearly, there’s room to improve, and hopefully the O-line continues to trend positively overall.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Four here. Spencer Anderson (44.2, 14) mainly played tackle eligible with G Isaac Seumalo back in the fold. Noted a couple of occasions where he was pushed back easily, ugly reps no doubt. 50.2 run block, 31.8 pass block (team worst among o-linemen) that included two pressures and two hurries.
QB Aaron Rodgers (42.9, 37) wasn’t sharp for the second straight game and exited at halftime (wrist injury). Seems like it’s not long-term. Rodgers went 9/15 for 116 yards and a touchdown—longest time to throw of 2025 by far (3.69), yet only one sack. Led a great opening scoring drive, but the half was mostly stale in comparison. 40.3 passing. 63.3 rush, turning back the clock on a nice eight-yard scramble, a 3rd and 4 conversion.
RB Kaleb Johnson (40.9, 8) had five rushes for 15 yards and no targets. A 13-yard run was brought back by penalty in the fourth quarter, and had a long of seven. 52.3 run grade, and must have had an extremely poor pass block on his only opportunity (26.9 grade, team-worst).
The lowest grade on offense was TE Jonnu Smith (38.3, 35). He’s been in this tier three of the last four games, reiterating a tough stretch for him overall. Had no catches on two targets, unable to come down with one in a contested situation, and yet another miscue with Rodgers. Also had a facemask penalty in the second quarter. 48.7 receiving, 42.6 run block.
Defense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
Three players. The best grade on defense was CB Brandin Echols (87.8, 49). Huge FF turnover (3:22 left), recovered for a TD to go up 34-12, one of two scores for the defense. Second on the team with seven total tackles. Four stops: three runs in the first half, and a 3rd and 10 stop in the third quarter, holding CIN to a FG. Missed two tackles, though, including a 3rd and 10 conversion. 88.5 coverage, 74.6 run defense, 54,4 pass rush (no pressure), 40.9 tackling.
CB James Pierre (80.9, 65) stepped up big. Recovered the Echols FF for a 34-yard score. Two pass breakups, one on 3rd and 6 in the second quarter, and the other 4th and 1 with ten seconds left, officially putting the blowout in the books. Six total tackles (two stops), both short catches, including an assist for no gain. Most targeted defender (nine), allowing five catches (37 yards)—solid 80.4 tackling, 79.6 coverage, 74.3 run defense.
DL Keeanu Benton (80.1, 39) is on a nice stretch. Three total tackles (all run stops), one a 3rd and 1 for no gain in the fourth quarter, overshadowed by the Ja’Marr Chase/Jalen Ramsey tussle that gave CIN a first down. Four pressures, three hurries, and QB hit. Didn’t get home, but made an impact for teammates to do so. 78.4 pass rush, 70.7 tackling, 66.1 run defense.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Four men.
EDGE Nick Herbig (77.6, 62) was one example, getting the fourth-quarter sack (the lone one for the team) as the former Badgers were both there. Herbig played a ton with starter Alex Highsmith out. Huge hustle block to free Kyle Dugger for a pick-six in the third quarter. Led the team with five pressures and four hurries, too, and both tackles were stops. Did have an early offside, but it was a great day. 78.9 pass rush, 72.8 tackling, 69.6 run defense.
LB Patrick Queen (77.0, 66). Best overall grade of 2025. Led the team with an 84.5 tackling grade and ten total tackles. Only two stops, though. Had great run defense on a failed two-point attempt (run stop). Noted four tackles late game, important context, but missed no tackles, which has been an issue. 4-of-5 receiving for 26 yards. Good 71.3 pass rush (no pressure), 70.6 coverage, 70.3 run defense.
S Kyle Dugger (76.1, 66). The aforementioned 73-yard pick six; a rare triple explosive score on defense. Capitalized on this catch thrown right to him in zone, after dropping a (more difficult) interception earlier in the game. Three total tackles, but no stops and a miss. One pressure(hurry) on his only pass rush. 3-of-4 receiving for 38 yards (only two in YAC), long of 22 in the fourth quarter. 73.5 coverage, 66.0 pass rush, 60.3 tackling, 56.2 run defense.
CB Joey Porter Jr. (74.2, 66) was a big part of Pittsburgh’s strong secondary performance. 0-of-3 when targeted per PFF, quite the achievement against those receivers. Included an early PBU on Chase, and other plus-man coverage reps on him. Three total tackles, but no stops and one miss. 77.4 coverage, 55.1 run defense, 37.4 tackling.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Three here. LB Malik Harrison (49.9, 22) was dinged in tackling (26.7) with two misses, one in run defense (38.2). Had two total tackles, both stops on a two-yard catch and a no-gain run tackle. The two-yarder was his only target (68.2 coverage grade).
EDGE T.J. Watt (49.8, 56). Bad call on a roughing the passer penalty; instead, a 3rd and 8 conversion in the second quarter. Poor tackling (two misses), for a team worst 25.3 grade, making only one. The latter was the first defensive play of the game, a catch and TFL. Lived up to his “Watt Swat” nickname with two, both in the second half, and a big one right before Dugger’s INT. Three pressures, two hurries, QB hit. 64.3 pass rush, 48.5 run defense.
The lowest grade on defense was EDGE Jack Sawyer (43.1, 19). Two total tackles, with one run stop in the second quarter. One pressure (hurry). One catch allowed, Cincinnati’s lone TD, where the coverage call put him in a tough matchup against Tee Higgins, unable to keep up on the 28-yard score. Confusing 60.0 coverage grade. 72.0 tackling, 63.1 run defense, 58.9 pass rush.
Special Teams:
NOTE – Some names don’t appear (less snaps, average grade)
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Four players: Jabrill Peppers (78.5, 10), Jack Sawyer (74.9, 20), Nick Herbig (74.1, 7), Ben Skowronek (70.9, 17). Peppers had three solo tackles on kick coverage, all in a nice second-half stretch. Skowronek had two total ST tackles.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Two here. Carson Bruener (42.5, 17) and the lowest grade on special teams and overall was Yahya Black (30.0, 9). Bruener lands here for the second time this season, and Black had an unnecessary roughness penalty on a made FG.
Steelers Week 11/Regular Season Snaps:
Week 11 Snap Leaders/Season Total Snaps Leader:
OFF – Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Broderick Jones, Mason McCormick
DEF – Kyle Dugger, Joey Porter Jr., Patrick Queen
ST – Jack Sawyer
SEA TOT – Patrick Queen
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