While headlining plays like Derrick Harmon's late strip-sack and Jaylen Warren's explosive rushing outing often steal the spotlight, the Pittsburgh Steelers' thrilling 30-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals hinged equally on the gritty contributions of their special teams.
Highlighting the unit on his podcast’s "Unsung Heroes" segment on “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward,” defensive veteran Cameron Heyward and co-host Hayden Walsh handed out well-deserved praise to punter Cameron Johnston and versatile wideout Ben Skowronek.
Heyward kicked off the praise by singling out Johnston, pointing to the veteran punter’s willingness to absorb heavy contact while pinning Cincinnati deep.
"I'mma go with Cam Johnston," Heyward said. "Not just because
of the punt, but also before taking the blunt of the force and, you know, getting hit in the leg. I know it's an exposing play, but man, talk about critical moments. He came through with his leg both in the ground and out of the ground, too."
Meanwhile, Walsh highlighted Skowronek, whose impact was felt across multiple phases. Skowronek pounced on a muffed punt in the fourth quarter to set up a crucial field goal before later catching a 23-yard touchdown pass off a slick route fake.
"I'm going to go Ben Skowronek," Walsh said. "Huge play on special teams to get the ball, and then also the touchdown, man. He sold like he was going to block and just took off and scored. You know, it was wide open. So happy for our friend of the show, Ben Skowronek, to catch a touchdown pass, too, wearing a lot of different hats on this team."
Games in the AFC North are won along the margins. By sacrificing their bodies and executing in high-leverage moments, Johnston and Skowronek proved that special teams discipline remains Pittsburgh’s ultimate secret weapon.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Cam Heyward praises Steelers special teams unsung heroes
