Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren | Lauren Leigh Bacho/GettyImages
After an embarrassing loss to the Cleveland Browns last Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers bounced back in a big way with a 34-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Pittsburgh's offense delivered its best performance of the season, putting up 34 points while finding success in both the running and passing games.
It wasn't perfect, but key plays from both sides of the ball was enough to earn the Steelers their first double-digit win of the year.
It was a much-needed response from an offense that had struggled to find consistency and a step in the right direction moving forward. With the Steelers getting back in the win column at home, here are three players who stood out in the Week 5 victory over the Colts.
3 biggest standouts for the Pittsburgh Steelers from their Week 5 victory
Jaylen Warren breaks out in Steelers bounce-back win
With Rico Dowdle sidelined once again, Jaylen Warren took on the bulk of the workload at running back, and his latest performance could help solidify his role in the Steelers' backfield moving forward. Warren made an immediate impact, turning a checkdown into an 80-yard touchdown on the first play of Pittsburgh's second offensive drive in the first quarter.
He wasn't done there, breaking free for a 50-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter. Warren finished the day with 188 yards from scrimmage, recording 101 rushing yards and 87 receiving yards in a breakout performance that gave the Steelers' offense a much-needed spark.
Rookie Germie Bernard steps up amid Steelers injury-depleted receiving corps
Heading into Sunday's game, Michael Pittman Jr. was already sidelined with aggravated plantar fasciitis, creating an opportunity for Germie Bernard to step up in the Steelers' receiving corps. At halftime, Pittsburgh learned that Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek would be out for the remainder of the game with injuries, making Bernard's role even more important.
The rookie delivered when the Steelers needed him most, making several key plays, including a crucial third-down reception in the fourth quarter that extended a drive and helped Pittsburgh score a touchdown to put the game away. Bernard finished the afternoon with six receptions for 80 yards, proving he can be a reliable option moving forward.
Pat Freiermuth emerges as a red-zone weapon with two-touchdown performance
Red-zone efficiency proved to be a major factor in Sunday's matchup, with the Steelers converting two of their four red-zone opportunities while the Colts went just 1-for-3. Pat Freiermuth played a key role in that difference, finding the end zone twice on touchdown receptions.
His second score came on a beautifully designed play in the fourth quarter that left him wide open for a touchdown, extending Pittsburgh's lead to nine points and helping put the game out of reach. Freiermuth finished the afternoon with five receptions for 44 yards and two touchdowns, giving the Steelers another reliable red-zone threat.
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