The Pittsburgh Steelers won their third straight game en route to a 9-6 record. They held on for a 29-24 victory against the Detroit Lions.
In this article, I will provide data from Pro Football Focus (PFF) and takeaways.
Offense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
Two players.
The best grade on offense was RB Kenneth Gainwell (86.9 grade, 40 snaps). He is stacking team MVP-caliber performances. Gainwell had 78 receiving and 50 rushing yards. He earned a 90.4 receiving grade, featuring an outstanding TD catch, a circus grab on the ground, and the wherewithal to get up untouched for the important 45-yard score before halftime. He was 5-of-6 receiving. His solid 78.4 pass block led the team (three snaps), and he also recorded a 70.8 rush grade.
QB Aaron Rodgers (81.0, 74) is also trending positively at the right time of the season—27-of-41 passing, for 266 yards, and the touchdown to Gainwell. He threw no picks, with two big-time throws and no turnover-worthy plays. Rodgers’ game was tied for his most first-down passes of 2025 with 14, a situational issue for Pittsburgh overall this year. He earned an 81.9 passing grade. He had two scrambles (season high) for 14 yards. That was his highest amount of rushing attempts in a game, and was tied for his most rushing yards in a game this season.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Four here.
WR Adam Thielen (74.0, 32) was targeted the most he has been as a Steeler (substantially). He caught all four passes and made the most of them. Three went for first downs. They were all on third-and-longs, including two just before halftime on the Gainwell TD drive. He had 49 receiving yards, with a long of 17, and was 1-for-1 on contested catches. He earned a 73.3 receiving grade and a 56.0 run-blocking grade (12 snaps).
T Troy Fautanu (73.9, 74) received good blocking grades. His 74.1 run blocking led the team. He had a 70.2 pass-blocking grade, allowing just one pressure, but it resulted in a sack. It was a tough assignment against Lions EDGE Aiden Hutchinson for most of the game. It certainly wasn’t pretty overall, but I was personally thinking he would have a weaker pass-blocking grade. So the all-22 will be interesting to dive into.
WR Scotty Miller (73.1, 15) was also big situationally. On a season high three targets, he caught them all, providing two first downs. One was on a 4th-and-2 conversion in the third quarter, and another conversion was on third down in the same frame. Miller recorded 19 receiving yards. He was 1-for-1 on contested catches as well. He earned a 76.6 receiving grade, but a 30.9 run-blocking grade (on only one opportunity).
RB Jaylen Warren (72.4, 36) was also fantastic. Pittsburgh’s two-headed monster in the backfield has been quite the problem for defenses recently. On 14 rushes, he posted a season high 143 rush yards and two rushing scores. He had two double-explosive 45-yard rushing TDs, tied for his longest runs of 2025. Four ten-plus rushes also tied a season best. 74.2 run grade. Nice 78.1 pass block. 54.0 receiving (2-for-2, eight yards).
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Three men landed here.
TE Darnell Washington (48.2, 50) had some negative plays in the third quarter. On a six-yard red zone catch, he fumbled the ball for a turnover (thankfully uncostly), and had an offensive pass interference that negated a red zone TD. His best 69.2 grade was pass-blocking, but he had only one snap opportunity. He was 3-of-4 receiving for 36 yards, earning a 55.4 grade, and continued his bulldozing ways. He had a 51.9 run-blocking grade (23 snaps), though I noted an enjoyable block on Warren’s first TD.
Spencer Anderson (45.4, 63) played 44 snaps at left guard due to injury, along with continuing his tackle eligible role, and a few at fullback. He earned a 56.0 run-blocking grade (24 snaps) and 41.9 pass-blocking grade (38 snaps). He allowed one pressure (a hurry) and had an offside penalty late in the third quarter.
The worst grade on offense was WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (39.4, 31). His worst grade was a 28.4 run block (four snaps). He went 1-of-3 receiving, with two missed connections deep, including a drop. His lone catch went for six yards. He has the downfield speed, but can hopefully show better hands to close the season.
Defense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
Three players.
The best grade on defense was DL Yahya Black (82.6, 22). He was part of a stout run defense against a strong rushing team. Black and Pittsburgh limited Detroit to only 15 rush yards. Yet, he only had a 69.5 run defense grade. He had three total tackles (71.3 grade), with a no-gain run stop, and a pass defensed (near interception) in the fourth quarter. He earned a 63.2 pass-rushing grade (no pressures). His overall grade was far better than his individual grades, curiously.
DL Cameron Heyward (82.3, 45) was a menace, leading the team in the following: seven pressures, five hurries, and two QB hits. He added a second-quarter sack to boot. He stepped up in the absence of key pass rushers. Heyward earned a team-leading 83.2 pass-rushing grade. He had four total tackles (one stop), but missed a tackle (32.9 grade). His 58.9 run defense also seemed low.
CB Brandin Echols (81.5, 15) exited due to injury, leaving the CB room bare. He was highly productive on limited snaps, with four total tackles and three stops. Two of those were great third-down stops, with quality tackles, and included a three-and-out. Did have a missed tackle, though (48.2 grade seemed low). His 81.9 coverage grade led the team, allowing 4-of-4 receiving, but only for 13 yards. Hopefully, he can return soon.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Two here.
CB Joey Porter Jr. (74.6, 73) was sticky in coverage overall. He had two pass breakups and provided two situational stops: a fourth-down in the first quarter and a second-quarter third down. Porter made six total tackles (three stops) for his best 79.6 grade. He had a solid 74.7 coverage, too. Porter allowed 6-for-11 receiving for 68 yards, with a long of 21. His run defense grade was a 61.7.
EDGE Alex Highsmith (74.5, 67) also played well at a thin position group. He flexed his muscles in run defense, which PFF recognized, giving him a team-leading 82.2 grade. Highsmith made six total tackles (three stops), a team-leading two TFLs, and a strong 77.9 tackle grade. He recorded six pressures, four hurries, and tied for a team best two QB hits. He did well in coverage, too: 2-for-3 receiving for six yards. Highsmith earned a 69.4 pass-rushing and 63.1 coverage grade. He was penalized for tripping with 1:24 left, negating a sack.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Two men.
LB Patrick Queen (44.1, 74) had seven total tackles, tying for a team high. None were stops, though, so it was a clear lack of quality over quantity in terms of yardage. He had a team-best 79.9 tackling grade, though. Queen’s run defense was graded at 78.4. On six pass rushes, he forced one pressure (hurry), for a 59.9 grade. He had a whopping 56 coverage snaps, for his worst 36.9 grade. His 12 targets, eight catches, 109 yards, and 49 in YAC were all team worsts.
The worst grade on defense was EDGE Jeremiah Moon (30.1, 15). He returned to Pittsburgh for his first 2025 action. He had no tackles and missed one in the fourth quarter, failing to wrap up. 1-for-1 receiving allowed (four yards). Moon was dinged heavily in tackling (21.7) and coverage (29.1), each being team lows. His other grades were a 59.5 run defense and 53.0 pass-rushing (no pressures).
Special Teams:
NOTE – Some names don’t appear (fewer snaps, average grade).
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
The best special teams and overall grade was Carson Bruener (90.2, 18). Thankfully, I get to beat the drum of his great rookie season. He posted another three special teams tackles, all solo, leading the unit. He had 11-of-15 games with a 70-plus grade. Keep it up, rook.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Two players.
Malik Harrison (79.4, 18) played on four units and seemingly played well, despite no tackles. LS Christian Kuntz (73.8, 9) provided a 13-yard punt return tackle, but had a critically low snap, impacting a rare missed field goal from Chris Boswell. That definitely elevated Steelers fans’ heart rate with just over two minutes left and a five-point lead.
Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Only one.
The worst special teams grade, and overall, was Asante Samuel Jr. (29.5, 3). All three snaps came on the punt return unit, where he was penalized in the second quarter for holding. No tackles.
Steelers Week 16/Regular Season Snaps:
Week 16 Snap Leaders/Season Total Snaps Leader:
OFF – Dylan Cook, Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Aaron Rodgers
DEF – Kyle Dugger, Patrick Queen, Jalen Ramsey
ST – Jabrill Peppers, Payton Wilson
SEA TOT – Jalen Ramsey
