Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton celebrates with linebacker Alex Highsmith after recovering a fumble by Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during the first half of an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton celebrates with linebacker Alex Highsmith after recovering a fumble by Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during the first half of an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 1, 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.
⭐⭐⭐ (Elite performance)
RB Jaylen Warren
What more needs to be said about the team’s undisputed MVP halfway through the season?
Warren gained 143 yards on the ground, and 118 of those came after contact. He now leads the NFL with 5.9 yards per rush, and his 6.9 yards per touch also lead all running backs while being seventh best among qualified offensive players. He’s more than deserving of Offensive Player of the Year considerations.
[Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) gets past Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) with the Steelers' Brock Hoffman (67) trailing the play during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) gets past Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) with the Steelers' Brock Hoffman (67) trailing the play during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/11/02/steelers-browns-offensive-line-mike-mccarthy/stories/202611010114)
TE Darnell Washington
It’s normal for Washington to be a dominant force as a run blocker. What was not normal Sunday was his production. He had a career-high 94 receiving yards, as the Cleveland Browns kept biting on fake pop passes and screens so he could sneak behind them on wheel routes for explosive plays. He’s become a problem for every level of the defense.
OLs Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Brock Hoffman
The Steelers’ interior offensive line might be the best in the NFL, especially when it comes to run blocking.
Their usage of trap run concepts helped Warren and Rico Dowdle combine for 123 rushing yards on 10 carries through both A-gaps.
McCormick took the spotlight when he dumped Jared Verse on a field goal attempt. But McCormick, Frazier and Hoffman all dominated at the point of attack in the run game and collectively allowed only a single pressure among them.
When you consider how much of the Browns’ defensive talent runs through their tackles, Mason Graham and Maliek Collins, that’s not only vital — it’s extremely impressive.
[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.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/11/02/steelers-defense-versus-browns-tj-watt/stories/202611010117)
DLs Keeanu Benton, Cam Heyward
Even while Derrick Harmon has been out, the Steelers have gotten elite play on the defensive line. Benton has matured into a dominant presence against the run and the pass. Benton tallied a half-sack along with three pressures while also breaking up a pass and regularly taking on double teams against the run.
Meanwhile, Heyward is still an elite player. His six pressures and 1.5 sacks both led the team and he also remains a dominant force against the run. It appears the Steelers have finally developed their replacement for Stephon Tuitt.
LBs Patrick Queen, T.J. Watt
Queen has been on a tear in recent weeks. On Sunday, he led the team with 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He also had a pass breakup and a forced fumble. That’s the level of play the Steelers need from their top inside linebacker to turn from a good defense into an elite one.
Like Heyward, Watt continues to be the game-wrecker he’s been for years. His two sacks now have him at 7.5 on the season, which leads the NFL.
⭐⭐ (Exceptionally good game — or multiple vital plays)
RB Rico Dowdle
Though he finished with 3.7 yards per carry, Dowdle was a factor for most of the game. He broke eight tackles while running the ball, a season high for the Steelers.
TE Pat Freiermuth
Freiermuth’s 28-yard reception set up their score just before halftime. His run blocking was also valuable. He threw several key blocks at the point of attack, including one on Warren’s touchdown run, when he bullied a defender into the end zone. He also continues to convert the Steelers’ version of the tush push.
OL Troy Fautanu
The Steelers didn’t gain much Sunday when running behind Fautanu, but he dominated Verse 1 on 1 all game and didn’t allow a single pressure. That’s the kind of pass protection the Steelers need from their young left tackle.
DL Yahya Black
Black didn’t get a sack or a run stuff, but he was a big factor — literally and figuratively — in the success of other defenders, as he consistently stymied double teams and created 1-on-1 opportunities for others.
LB Payton Wilson
While Wilson didn’t have the splash plays Queen did, he led the team with two run stuffs and covered a lot of ground with his coverage to limit the Browns’ quick passing attack.
CB Daylen Everette
He played just nine snaps, but Everette made them count. The one time he was targeted, he forced and recovered a fumble that helped the Steelers quickly establish control of the game.
P Cameron Johnston
Johnston hit four punts, with two landing inside the Browns’ 20 and a booming one of 54 yards. He has continued to be an asset when the Steelers offense stalls.
⭐ (Solid — or made a big play without a costly play)
WR Germie Bernard
Bernard caught all five of his targets for 30 yards, the best of which was a 15-yard reception that set up Freiermuth’s touchdown plunge.
OLs Spencer Anderson, Max Iheanachor
Anderson wasn’t a good starter for the Steelers, but he’s thriving in his role as the sixth offensive lineman who can be used in various ways to help the run game. Iheanachor wasn’t as dominant in the run game but allowed only two pressures.
DL Kevin Jobity Jr.
The undrafted rookie got his first career sack and was decent against the run.
LBs Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
The Steelers’ edge rushers outside of Watt didn’t have an explosive day, but all played their parts in shutting down the Browns offense. Both Herbig and Highsmith had five pressures, and all three had a run stuff.
CBs Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey
Dean wasn’t a shutdown cornerback, but he only allowed four receptions for 31 yards on seven targets and helped seal the edge against the run. Ramsey bounced back from a rough game against the New Orleans Saints with two key tackles that shut down short passes, and his pressure from blitzes helped to disrupt Deshaun Watson.
S Robert Spears-Jennings
The rookie safety filled in for 29 snaps and kept the Browns’ explosive plays in check while also tallying seven tackles. He continues to be a late-round gem from this year’s draft class.
🤷🏽 Notable neutrals (Player had a mix of good and bad)
QB Aaron Rodgers
A 57.4 passer rating is bad, but Rodgers’ targets also had three drops. If DK Metcalf holds on to the wide-open deep ball, this game could’ve been even more of a blowout than it was.
CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Samuel gave up a 24-yard reception that was one of the longest of the game, but he also had a breakup.
K Chris Boswell
He drilled two makeable field goals but also missed a 57-yard kick he has been known to make in his better seasons.
💀 (Mildly poor game — or made a critical mistake)
DL Gabriel Rubio
The sixth-round rookie didn’t have as good of a game as his colleagues, but he wasn’t a significant liability, either. Where Rubio had been dominant against the run, he lost at the point of attack in some spots Sunday.
S Jaquan Brisker
Brisker’s 49 receiving yards allowed were the most from the secondary, as he gave up multiple explosive plays in the few moments the Browns offense found life.
💀💀 (Bad overall game — or multiple critical mistakes)
None.
💀💀💀 (Terrible performance, major hindrance to the team)
WR DK Metcalf
Not only did Metcalf drop a wide-open pass that turned into an interception, but he reeled in only one of six targets for four yards — and that one catch came behind the line of scrimmage. Metcalf isn’t getting enough separation as the team’s leading receiver, nor is he winning enough contested catches to make up for it.
First Published: November 4, 2026, 1:00 a.m.