Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt celebrates after sacking Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during the second half of an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt celebrates after sacking Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during the second half of an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers needed to make the most of this four-game stretch against beatable opponents.
They did.
After falling to 2-2 on a Thursday night in Cleveland, Mike McCarthy’s team has caught fire, winning four straight heading into the bye. Plenty can be highlighted throughout the win streak, but the overarching theme is simple.
The Steelers have run the ball well and they’ve played good defense.
[Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig sacks Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during the first half of an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig sacks Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during the first half of an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in Pittsburgh.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/11/01/steelers-browns-jaylen-warren/stories/202611010113)
The second part of that equation seems to be getting better by the week, evidenced by a stellar performance in Sunday’s 27-6 win against the Browns.
“I think we’re just growing each week,” Cam Heyward said. “Every week it’s something different. We’re building on what we’ve done the previous week. ... It’s not just one person. It’s a group of individuals doing the job for the team.”
Patrick Graham’s defense has allowed one touchdown or fewer in four games in a row.
It seems to start up front.
The Steelers’ run defense has been dominant, holding its past four opponents to an average of 2.7 yards per carry. That figure is impressive, especially so when considering they faced Jonathan Taylor, Bucky Irving and Alvin Kamara.
“We don’t really look into the statistics very much,” Payton Wilson said. “When we turn on the tape, we just want to see what the play style looks like and if we’re continuing to get better. It’s gotta be a credit to our coaches, honestly.”
The secondary is coming along, as well. Joey Porter Jr.’s absence hasn’t been felt in weeks, thanks to a mixture of coverage schemes that have been good enough to allow the pass rush to get home.
[Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt celebrates with safety Jaquan Brisker after sacking Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during the first half of an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt celebrates with safety Jaquan Brisker after sacking Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during the first half of an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in Pittsburgh.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/11/01/jaquan-brisker-jared-verse-comments/stories/202611010115)
Veterans such as Jamel Dean and Jalen Ramsey have stepped up their play.
The same could be said for rookies Daylen Everette and Robert Spears-Jennings, who both have logged far more snaps on D than anyone anticipated.
Communication has improved, allowing the secondary to get the job done. We’re seeing fewer and fewer splash plays allowed due to broken coverages.
How has it happened? According to a few players, it starts and ends with trust.
“The way that we’re really starting to trust each other on every level of the ball has been really good to be a part of,” Wilson said. “ … I feel like we had some growing pains at first, but I feel like we’re really jelling right now, from the coaches to the players, from player to player. I think that’s the product you’re seeing.”
Added Spears-Jennings: “Everybody has done their job and not worried about the next guy. They believe the next guy will do his job. Everybody believes we will do our jobs, one through 11. You can see it on the tape.”
There’s still plenty of season left. The back half of the Steelers’ schedule should be far more challenging. But right now, things look good.
Four down territory
First down: Is Washington TE1?
No disrespect to Pat Freiermuth, who is also having a solid season, but Washington is the second biggest difference-maker on offense, behind only Jaylen Warren.
It feels like he’s made a massive play in just about every game. Sunday was no different.
He led the Steelers with 94 receiving yards on just three catches. His 51-yard catch and run in the third quarter set up the Steelers’ third touchdown, one that ultimately put the victory on ice.
I didn’t think it was a bad idea when the Steelers extended Washington last summer, but I did wonder how much more he had to offer them beyond his blocking-oriented role. We’re seeing it now.
He’s a legitimate impact player.
Second down: Red-zone woes
I think Mike McCarthy has done an overall great job throughout his first eight games. His one clear weakness is play-calling inside the red zone.
The Steelers are leaving too many points on the board, and it’s happening largely due to their desire to throw the ball in situations where it’s unwarranted.
It almost cost them a win at Tampa Bay, and it cost them a few points Sunday against the Browns.
“We definitely feel like we should have scored more points today,” McCarthy said after Sunday’s win.
The most frustrating thing is that the Steelers have the tools to be an elite red-zone offense. Their running backs are on fire and their two tight ends can create mismatches.
When they’re involved, touchdowns are scored. When Aaron Rodgers forces the ball to DK Metcalf, field goals follow.
Third down: Gutsy call pays off
The biggest play of the game came on the final snap of the first half. Germie Bernard came close to reaching the end zone inside the final 30 seconds but was stopped one yard shy. Rodgers clocked the ball with five seconds left.
Despite having no timeouts, the Steelers rolled the dice and went for the end zone. The gamble worked, as Freiermuth scored on a sneak from under center.
Rodgers revealed the decision to go for it there was his call, not McCarthy’s.
“I wasn’t coming off the field,” Rodgers said. “We were going to go for that.”
Added McCarthy: “A great call there by Aaron. … He did a great job orchestrating that, getting the clock, giving us time to get that play off.”
Fourth down: A laughable timeout
The Browns were pathetic in many ways Sunday, but none more so than when Todd Monken called a timeout with 22 seconds remaining in the game, despite his team trailing by 21 points.
It’s a move you’d see in high school football, perhaps by a team that hadn’t scored all year that was desperate to finally reach the end zone.
But in the NFL? In a game that was well out of hand?
Come on, man.
Good on the Steelers for holding strong. This game didn’t deserve to look any closer than what it was. It was a butt-kicking from start to finish.
Most valuable player(s)
The offensive line. Jared Verse said he wasn’t worried about the Steelers’ line. He should have been. Pittsburgh imposed its will up front all game long, resulting in 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Least valuable player
DK Metcalf. The only Steeler who had a bad game. He failed to win another 50-50 ball in the first half. He had a horrible drop in the second half that turned into an interception. He finished with just one catch for four yards.
Quote of the week
“I’m not worried about their O-line. I’m not worried about nobody they got on their team. We out there to go dominate. About to make Pittsburgh ours on Sunday.”
That’s what Jared Verse told reporters Thursday in Cleveland.
He followed that up by logging one tackle in a 27-6 loss. Yikes!
One question
Could things be any better at the bye?
I really don’t think so. 6-2, first place in the AFC North and a relatively healthy roster. The offense has its identity and the defense is getting better week after week.
Remember when the sky was falling after that loss in New England? Man, how times have changed.
One prediction
Sleepy upon return
The Steelers return to action Nov. 15 against the Bengals in Cincinnati, a game I’m predicting them to lose. I think the Steelers might be the better team overall, but that matchup coming out of a bye week will be too much to handle.
First Published: November 2, 2026, 1:00 a.m.