The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off their most dominant performance of the season in a 27-6 clobbering of the Cleveland Browns. The win puts Pittsburgh at 6-2 going into the bye and just a half game back of the top seed in the AFC.
As we do every week, Joey Bray and I are here to give you our grades from the Steelers’ biggest win of the year.
QB Aaron Rodgers
Jarrett Bailey: Rodgers didn’t light up the stat sheet, but he didn’t have to when the Steelers ran for 200 yards. He did, however, lead a 44 second touchdown
drive at the end of the first half that served as the dagger into the Browns’ chances of winning, and he hit Darnell Washington on multiple chunk passes downfield. If DK Metcalf holds onto a ball that hits him in the chest, Rodgers’ stat line looks better and doesn’t have an interception. Grade: B-
Joey Bray: Aaron Rodgers was just along for the ride in this one, and that’s not a bad thing at all. His 13-25, 172 yards, and an interception stat line is easily one of the worst we will see this season from Rodgers. However, you never watched this game and thought Rodgers was playing poorly. With the Steelers up multiple possessions for most of the game, and running the ball as well as they were, it was a low stress game for the veteran quarterback. He stayed clean and moved well, taking only one sack, which matters as the Steelers will undoubtedly have to rely on Rodgers more and more down the stretch. Grade: C
RBs Jaylen Warren & Rico Dowdle
Jarrett Bailey: The Steelers’ running back duo had their best game as a tandem, racking up a combined 199 yards and two touchdowns. Jaylen Warren tied his career high of 143 rushing yards, while Rico Dowdle had his best game as a Steeler with 56 yards and the game’s first score. This is the Steelers’ offensive identity – pound the rock with these two backs and dare you to stop them. Grade: A+
Joey Bray: The Steelers have an identity offensively, and it’s running the damn football. Jaylen Warren has the second most scrimmage yards in the NFL through eight weeks, and is the most efficient running back in the NFL on a per-touch basis. Warren’s breakout season coupled with Rico Dowdle’s emergence over the last few weeks has given the Steelers a true two-headed monster in their backfield. Both backs got in the end zone and controlled the pace of the game as the Steelers cruised to an easy victory. Grade: A+
WR DK Metcalf
Jarrett Bailey: This is just unfortunately who Metcalf is. He isn’t a No. 1 receiver. One catch for four yards is beyond unacceptable for the money he is making. Grade: F
Joey Bray: It’s simply impossible for anyone to defend Metcalf anymore. It’s not just that the receiver isn’t making an impact, but he’s actively costing the team. Rodgers hit Metcalf right in the chest as the receiver bobbled the ball, which eventually led to an interception. With the Steelers up multiple possessions, it didn’t end up mattering much in terms of the outcome of the game. However, drops and frustrating plays have been the theme of the Steelers’ most expensive offensive player. The team almost certainly needs to add a weapon at the deadline so they don’t have to rely on Metcalf down the stretch. Grade: F
Offensive line
Jarrett Bailey: The Steelers led the NFL in EPA per rush in Week 8. They’ve led the NFL in that stat since Week 3. Aaron Rodgers also faced the third-lowest pressure percentage in Week 8. The offensive line has become one of the game’s best. Can’t say enough about how tremendous this group is. Grade: A+
Joey Bray: Tell a friend to tell a friend the Steelers have an elite offensive line. It is something to behold seeing just how far this offensive line has come along since they slid rookie Max Iheanachor and veteran Brock Hoffman into starting spots. Pittsburgh ran for 200 yards and only allowed one sack. The offensive line has suddenly become one of the strongest units on the Steelers roster. Grade: A
Red zone offense
Jarrett Bailey: If I see another fade to DK Metcalf after Aaron Rodgers clearly checked out of a called run, I’m going to launch a brick through my TV. Run. The. Ball. Pittsburgh still scored three red zone touchdowns, but this should have been a 38-6 win. Grade: C-
Joey Bray: Stop throwing the goal line fades to Metcalf. It was especially curious to me that for as well as the Steelers were running the ball, they refused to run in goal to go situations. Whether it’s McCarthys playcalling, or Rodgers choice to throw the fades, they need to have a better collective plan moving forward. It’s hard to complain about much considering they won by multiple scores. But they will have to turn those field goals into touchdowns if they want to establish themselves as a serious contender in the AFC. Grade: D
EDGE T.J. Watt
Jarrett Bailey: Watt has officially returned to elite form. He had two sacks against the Browns, giving him 7.5 on the season – he had seven all of last season. He leads the NFL in sacks, and his pressure to sack percentage is fourth in the league (min. 100 pass rush snaps). Grade: A+
Joey Bray: At the midway point of the Steelers season, TJ Watt is on pace for 15 sacks. Watt added two to his total on Sunday as the Pittsburgh pass rush feasted on the Browns’ offensive line. The veteran edge rusher is defying all odds by having a career rejuvenation in 2026. Watt has once again become a player who can change the game in an instant. Grade: A+
Pass rush
Jarrett Bailey: Eight sacks is an absurd number. It was great to see Alex Highsmith register five pressures. Highsmith, T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Patrick Queen, Kevin Jobity, and Keeanu Benton all registered at least half a sack, and the Steelers had a combined 31 pressures. Just tremendous work. Grade: A+
Joey Bray: Whenever you can sack the opposing quarterback eight times, you have a good chance of winning the game. The Browns were not able to handle the Steelers’ pass rush whatsoever on Sunday. The blitzing even got creative, as linebacker Patrick Queen recorded a sack and a half in the contest. This was a display of just how lethal the Steelers’ pass rush can be down the stretch for Pittsburgh. Grade: A+
Defense
Jarrett Bailey: The Steelers were fifth in the NFL in EPA per play in Week 8, and they didn’t allow the Browns to reach the end zone. Overall, they’ve allowed just one second half touchdown this season, which is an insane stat. This unit has turned into one of the NFL’s best. Grade: A+
Joey Bray: You cannot ask for much more than holding your opponent to season lows in points and rushing yards, and that is exactly what the Steelers did on Sunday to Cleveland. The pass rush and linebacker play were immaculate and a large part of why the Steelers dominated this game from start to finish. Patrick Graham deserves all of the credit for the way he has this defensive playing with a secondary that still has some question marks. Grade: A+
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
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