The Pittsburgh Steelers faltered against the Chicago Bears, a three-point defeat that eliminates their sole lead of the AFC North.
In this article, I will provide data from Pro Football Focus (PFF) and takeaways.
Offense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
Four players. The best grade on offense was G Mason McCormick (89.9 grade, 72 snaps). The unit did some nice things on the day, including McCormick tying for the team lead with an 87.3 pass block, along with an 84.8 run block (both season highs). Zero pressures allowed, and a nice game against the run overall, featuring a bit more gap scheme.
Fellow G Isaac Seumalo was not far behind (88.8, 72), tying McCormick with an 87.3 pass block (season high), and an 83.2 run block. Also, did not allow a pressure all game, and the loss definitely wasn’t on the offensive line overall.
TE Darnell Washington (81.3, 49) was a menace as a run blocker. In the red zone on the second drive, resulting in a touchdown, and a couple I noted second quarter highlighted by the huge 55-yard gain on a fake tush push on 4th and 1. Season best 88.7 run block. Caught both targets for 22 yards, 14 in YAC that mostly came on a second-quarter catch. 69.6 receiving, 54.9 pass block (two pressures, QB hit, huge sack fumble turnover).
WR Ben Skowronek (80.0, 26) was also credited with plus run blocking (90.1), apparent in some quality moments for Pittsburgh’s rushing attack, accounting for most of his snaps (20). 67.6 receiving, catching his lone target for an explosive 21 yards in the first quarter, primarily in air yards, which was rare in the contest for Pittsburgh.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Two here. C Zach Frazier (72.2, 72) was another interior lineman who was above the line. Better blocking grade was a 72.6 run block, and was given a 65.4 pass blocking. Allowed a pressure (QB hit), but nice to see the middle of the line keep the QB clean overall, along with trending positively in the run game.
RB Jaylen Warren (70.6, 36) had 18 rushes for 68 yards and a touchdown, punching the short run in for six following the long gain fake tush push in the second quarter. 71.8 rush grade. Wasn’t targeted in the pass game, though, which is criminal. Running mate Kenneth Gainwell swallowed those opportunities, catching all six targets, out-snapping Warren by one, and had more rushing success: 10 attempts, 92 yards, 9.2 average. Nice RB results.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
The worst grade on offense was WR Scotty Miller (44.2, 5). He was dinged for run blocking (30.8, team worst) in just one opportunity, which was apparently terrible. 55.4 receiving, and wasn’t targeted in minimal playing time.
Defense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
The best grade on defense and overall was DL Yahya Black (91.7, 13). Though he didn’t play a lot, he provided quality. Had a forced fumble and fumble recovery turnover in the second quarter, along with a run stop on his lone assisted tackle. Excellent 91.5 run defense grade. 67.3 tackling, 55.9 pass rush (no pressures).
Great (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Two players. CB Brandin Echols (73.1, 35) graded best as a tackler (80.7), making three total with one stop. 3-for-3 receiving allowed per PFF, for 20 yards and a long of nine. The latter was an in-breaker in the third quarter, as the defense was getting shredded over the middle. 72.7 coverage, 65.1 run defense.
CB Darius Slay (71.2, 20) was replaced in the starting lineup by James Pierre. Slay graded better across the board: 72.5 tackling, 71.9 run defense, 66.2 coverage. One total tackle, an assisted run stop. No targets or catches allowed in PFF’s charting. It will be interesting to see how the starting lineup shakes out moving forward.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Three here. LB Patrick Queen (48.0, 65) graded worst in pass rushing (39.7), a team low, and his worst mark of 2025. He did provide a pressure (hurry), but his three pass rush snaps were largely unimpactful. 47.2 coverage was also uninspiring, allowing 2-for-2 receiving for 33 yards (37 in YAC), and a long of 19. Five total tackles, but only one stop. 65.4 run defense, 59.7 tackling, including a miss (which has been a big issue).
CB James Pierre (46.1, 64) got the start over Slay, as I mentioned earlier. All individual grades were poor, namely a team-low 27.3 tackling, which included two misses (team worst). Did have an impressive pass breakup in the third quarter and allowed just 2-for receiving. But 45 yards, which mainly came on air yardage, including an explosive 25-yard TD when Chicago regained the lead in the third quarter. 47.2 coverage, 46.8 run defense (team worst).
The worst grade on defense was LB Payton Wilson (40.5, 40). His individual grades topped his overall, due to a defensive pass interference in the first quarter. Strong 78.5 tackling, with four combined, and two stops. One was an assist on a 3rd-and-13 stop with 5:30 left, a three-and-out drive that the offense couldn’t capitalize on down three. 52.3 pass rush (no pressure, four snaps). 51.9 run defense. 43.3 coverage (2-for-3 receiving, 15 yards).
Special Teams:
NOTE – Some names don’t appear (less snaps, average grade)
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
The best grade on special teams was Brandin Echols (84.6, 3), who was also the second-best on defense. Had an excellent punt return tackle, in a great position to lay the big hit for no gain in the third quarter. A debatable holding call on gunner Ben Skowronek forced a re-kick, though, a poor punt from Corliss Waitman that was a 30-yard swing in Chicago’s favor.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Just one, Carson Bruener (73.4, 16). The core teamer is back on the strong side of the grading, as he’s primarily been his rookie year, after a couple of low marks in recent weeks. Had a 31-yard kickoff tackle before halftime, when the Bears were able to drain the clock for a field goal on the ensuing drive, and also scored a TD on their first third-quarter drive.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Three men. Ben Skowronek (48.5, 15), Ke’Shawn Williams (41.4, 5), and the lowest grade on special teams and overall was Malik Harrison (39.3, 17). Skowronek, namely, for the aforementioned and questionable holding penalty (huge). Williams played solely as a kick returner, but had a fumble in the third quarter that thankfully wasn’t worse (went out of bounds). Harrison missed two special teams tackles, the only ones for the unit per PFF.
Steelers Week 12/Regular Season Snaps:
Week 12 Snap Leaders/Season Total Snaps Leader:
OFF – Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Mason Rudolph, Isaac Seumalo
DEF – Kyle Dugger, Patrick Queen, Jalen Ramsey
ST – Payton Wilson
SEA TOT – Patrick Queen
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