Steelers tight end Darnell Washington carries during the first half of an NFL football game against the Bengals at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
Steelers tight end Darnell Washington carries during the first half of an NFL football game against the Bengals at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
Each week, Christopher Carter gives his grades after watching the All-22 film of the Steelers’ most recent game. While all players are considered, players not named had neutral grades because they didn’t impact the result or their combination of successes and mistakes evened each other out.
The Steelers’ 30-27 win against the Cincinnati Bengals featured a rebound performance from the offense with plenty of explosive plays.
For all the focus on the playmakers, the Steelers’ offensive line also played its best game of the season, while the defense hung on to make a big play in the end that sealed the win.
Here are this week’s Stars and Skulls:
[Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek celebrates with quarterback Aaron Rodgers after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Bengals at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek celebrates with quarterback Aaron Rodgers after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Bengals at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Pittsburgh.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/09/27/steelers-bengals-rodgers-burrow-harmon-mccarthy/stories/202609270103)
⭐⭐⭐ (Elite performance)
RB Jaylen Warren
Not only did Warren set a career high with 176 yards from scrimmage, he also forced seven missed tackles. He proved he could be a bellcow back against a defensive front that had been one of the NFL’s best against the run.
His contributions also opened up the rest of the offense. Once Warren hit multiple explosive plays early, it set up play action and other opportunities for Aaron Rodgers and the passing attack.
OL Brock Hoffman
In his first start, he was the only Steelers lineman to not allow a single pressure against one of the NFL’s better defensive tackle duos in Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen. Hoffman also played an important role in helping rookie Max Iheanachor have a strong first NFL start.
TE Darnell Washington
Led the Steelers with 67 yards on three receptions. He was also a significant contributor as a blocker in both the Steelers’ rushing attack and their passing game. His blocks often led the way for Warren or set the tone at the point of attack.
[Steelers running back Jaylen Warren carries during the first half of an NFL football game against the Bengals at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
Steelers running back Jaylen Warren carries during the first half of an NFL football game against the Bengals at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Pittsburgh.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/09/28/jaylen-warren-mike-mccarthy-bengals/stories/202609270106)
⭐⭐ (Exceptionally good game — or multiple vital plays)
QB Aaron Rodgers
Sunday provided a reminder of Rodgers’ standout decision-making. After the Steelers’ receivers struggled to get open against the New England Patriots in Week 2, Mike McCarthy’s game plan created more open receivers. Add in a better pocket, and Rodgers’ arm talent could impact the game more than the previous two games.
All three of the Steelers’ touchdowns came through the air, and Rodgers’ only interception bounced off the hands of Roman Wilson. Rodgers would have had a three-star grade were it not for a few missed throws.
WR Ben Skowronek
One star for the touchdown reception and another for his hustle to recover the Bengals’ muffed punt. Another solid day for the Steelers’ fifth option at receiver and special teams ace.
TE Pat Freiermuth
Though Freiermuth had two only receptions for 30 yards, he had one of his best games as a blocker both in the run and the pass. On Warren’s 30-yard reception on the first play, Freiermuth turned into a lead blocker and pancaked a defender. He had several other key blocks that showed how much he’s grown in that area.
OL Max Iheanachor, Zach Frazier
Iheanachor’s first start couldn’t have gone much better. He allowed only two pressures and Warren averaged 4.2 yards per rush when he ran right. There weren’t many moments when the rookie looked confused or out of sorts.
Frazier allowed one pressure and there were moments when he was driven back by Lawrence. But he mostly kept the middle of the pocket intact. If he hadn’t, Rodgers would not have been able to work from the pocket as much as he did.
LB Patrick Queen
Led the team with 13 tackles and did not miss a tackle. Queen helped to prevent Bengals running back Chase Brown from exploding for huge gains and he broke up a Joe Burrow pass over the middle.
K Chris Boswell
Made all three of his field goals and three extra points in a tight game.
⭐ (Solid — or made a big play without a costly one)
OL Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick
Fautanu allowed three pressures and McCormick allowed four, but both were big assets in the run game. They often teamed up well on their combo blocks to help the Steelers look strong in their duo run concepts. Warren averaged 9 yards per rush when he ran to the left side of the offensive line.
WR Germie Bernard
The rookie receiver’s lone reception came in a big moment. But he also helped out with multiple blocks downfield, springing Washington down the sideline on his 47-yard catch and helping Warren break one of his explosive runs.
DL Derrick Harmon
Harmon’s sack and forced fumble sealed the game for the Steelers late. It was a huge moment and he deserves a star just for that. That said, Harmon was absent against the run, the sack was his only tackle and he got moved off the line of scrimmage more times than he should have.
LBs Nick Herbig, Payton Wilson
Herbig had one of the few good run stuffs from the outside linebackers, while Wilson made all six of his tackles against the run and broke up a pass to Ja’Marr Chase.
S Jaquan Brisker
One of the few players in the secondary who didn’t get picked on. He also had two run stuffs at the line of scrimmage.
P Cameron Johnston
His lone punt of the day went 51 yards, landed inside the 20 and had enough hang time that when it bounced off the returner’s helmet, Skowronek could jump on it.
🤷🏽 Notable neutrals (Player had a mix of good and bad)
WRs DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson
Both caught touchdowns but also cost the Steelers big plays. Metcalf got called for holding twice on plays that were explosive gains for the Steelers. Wilson dropped a pass that turned into a costly interception for the Steelers.
DL Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton
Both registered pressures and weren’t major problems for the Steelers, but they also didn’t make much of a positive impact either.
CBs Daylen Everette, Jalen Ramsey
Everette, a rookie, looked confident facing off against Chase and Tee Higgins. But he also bumped Jalen Ramsey off his coverage on the Mike Gesicki touchdown. Ramsey made two run stuffs but could’ve been better in coverage.
💀 (Mildly poor game — or made a critical mistake)
WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Pittman didn’t get open often enough. And when he did, he didn’t make plays. Pittman helped them in the Week 1 win against the Atlanta Falcons, but the Steelers are still waiting for Pittman to emerge opposite of Metcalf.
LB T.J. Watt
Completely shut out by Bengals tackle Amarius Mims, stopping his sack streak and limiting the ways he could impact the game.
💀💀 (Bad overall game — or multiple critical mistakes)
CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Got bullied on the touchdown catches by Chase and Higgins. Overall, he gave up four catches on five targets for 61 yards. Burrow’s passer rating was 157.1 when targeting Samuel. Samuel got benched for Everette but avoids three skulls for not letting up more yards, particularly after the catch.
💀💀💀 (Terrible performance, major hindrance to the team)
None
First Published: September 29, 2026, 5:08 a.m.