The Pittsburgh Steelers came up with a huge 27-22 divisional win against the Baltimore Ravens. After losing it for a week, they reclaimed their lead in the AFC North.

In this article, I will provide data from Pro Football Focus (PFF) and takeaways.

Offense:

Excellent (90-Plus Grades):

NONE.

Great (80-Plus Grades):

Three players.

The best grade on offense was QB Aaron Rodgers (88.0 grade, 52 snaps). This was his best mark of the year. After a few dud performances, he is looking healthier. Included in this stronger performance was some success in the deep passing game, thankfully. PFF also charted him for five big-time throws (most of 2025), with no turnover-worthy plays. 23-of-34 passing for 284 yards (season-high) and a TD. He waltzed in for a first-quarter rushing TD, too. Nice day.

G Mason McCormick (84.7, 52) graded very well. His 83.6 run block led the team substantially. He earned a 77.6 pass-blocking grade and was charted for two pressures (both hurries) and no sacks allowed. The Steelers’ offensive line is trending in the right direction, and McCormick is certainly a big part of that.

WR DK Metcalf (83.8, 43) accounted for most of the deep receiving, with three catches of 20-plus yards. His monster day included a refreshing 52-yard go-ball connection on the first offensive play. Metcalf had a season-high 12 targets, seven catches, and 148 yards. It was great to see Rodgers on a mission to get him involved, with great success. His 82.3 receiving grade led the team. He also had a 59.5 run-block grade.

Good (70-Plus Grades):

Four here.

WR Ben Skowronek (78.7, 9) caught his lone target for 13 yards, doing a great job to get free on the scramble drill. Good to see after the issues from receivers in that regard this season. He earned a 71.3 receiving grade, and his 74.0 run-block grade was second-best on the entire team. He continues to do the grimy, less glamorous work for this team, an ultimate team player.

T Troy Fautanu (75.6, 52) also looked solid overall. His 76.4 pass-block grade ranked third on the team, allowing only one pressure (a hurry). He earned a 73.0 run-block grade. Fautanu is another young offensive lineman stepping up with more experience, and hopefully, the unit continues its upward trajectory.

RB Kenneth Gainwell (73.5, 25) had just four rushing attempts for 15 yards (3.8 average). That doesn’t sound like much, but Gainwell got into the end zone from six yards out on a second-quarter toss, with a great cut to slither in. This was big, increasing Pittsburgh’s lead to 17-3 at the time. He also caught all six targets for 27 yards. He had a 73.1 pass-block grade, too, as well as a 71.1 rush grade and a 69.4 receiving grade.

TE Darnell Washington (71.8, 15) was dinged in the second quarter and later ruled out. This happened to several players, and it will be important to monitor their status through the week. Still, no loss was bigger than Washington, considering everything that he brings to this offense. His best grade was a 70.2 run block. He also earned a 65.7 receiving grade, catching his lone target for 12 yards.

Bad (Below 50 Grades):

Two men.

Spencer Anderson (42.3, 15) continues his tackle-eligible role, along with some fullback and splitting out as well. He was given his second-worst run-block grade of the season, 39.9. He earned a much better 71.4 pass-block grade with no pressures or sacks allowed. But it came on only three snap opportunities.

The worst grade on offense was T Andrus Peat (40.7, 39), filling in for the injured starter Broderick Jones. A huge reason Peat lands here is two penalties, a false start and a hold. He was another player forced to exit with injury, with Dylan Cook replacing him (and seemingly faring well). Pittsburgh is getting very thin at LT, which will be huge to monitor this week. Peat’s grades: 54.5 run block, 34.9 pass block. He allowed two pressures (one hurry, one hit).

Defense:

Excellent (90-Plus Grades):

The best defensive grade, as well as the best overall grade, was CB James Pierre (90.4, 69). He was fantastic in coverage (90.6 grade), his best grade this season. His 89.8 season grade ranks second among all CBs. His ascension is great, seeing as the offseason plan is for the secondary to change drastically. Pierre’s main highlight was a one-handed interception off of his cousin, Lamar Jackson. PFF credited him with two PBUs. He had five total tackles (two stops), and allowed just one catch (nine yards) per PFF.  Solid 78.9 tackle and 70.1 run defense too.

Great (80-Plus Grades):

NONE.

Good (70-Plus Grades):

Four players.

EDGE Nick Herbig (74.5, 27) didn’t fill the stat sheet. He recorded one assisted tackle against the run. Herbig notched only one pressure, but it was quality, resulting in a quarterback hit. His grades (70.5 tackling, 68.6 pass rush, 68.1 run defense, and 61.0 coverage, 2 snaps) were all below his overall grade.

CB Brandin Echols (74.2, 33) continues to make big plays in the secondary, too. In the first quarter, Echols made a third-down PBU in the red zone that held Baltimore to a field goal. He also had a sack on a three-and-out drive and had good coverage on another third-down stop. He recorded two total tackles (both stops) and allowed one catch for nine yards. His other grades: 77.5 tackling, 73.4 coverage, 66.4 pass rush, 60.0 run defense.

LB Malik Harrison (73.3, 15) had three solo tackles (one run stop). He tackled well and earned his best grade, 76.9. PFF graded Harrison with a 67.8 run-defense grade and 66.1 coverage grade, on six snaps. Harrison marks another position where depth players are making plays, refreshingly.

DL Cameron Heyward (71.0, 63) led the team with six pressures (all hurries), in a very nice outing as a pass rusher. His 64.8 pass-rush grade felt too low. For example, he had a nice rep on Alex Highsmith’s game-sealing sack that deserves props. Heyward had five total tackles, but only one stop. His other grades included a 72.7 for his tackling and a 67.7 for his run defense.

Bad (Below 50 Grades):

Unfortunately, six players landed here.

S Chuck Clark (49.8, 46) had a rough day in coverage. The Steelers leaned more on him with Kyle Dugger not playing. He allowed 2-of-4 receptions for 64 yards (worst on the team) on two explosive plays, including one he was badly burnt on for 31 yards early. He had two combined tackles (no stops). His 78.2 tackling grade, though, and strong 70.6 run-defense grade impressed. But his 45.3 coverage grade was beyond poor. He was also penalized for defensive holding on Lamar Jackson’s 6-yard rush TD before halftime. The Ravens obviously declined that penalty.

DL Logan Lee (49.5, 14) hadn’t played since Week Three, but got opportunities with a thin defensive line room. He recorded a pressure on only six pass rushes, a quarterback hit. He also earned a 65.2 pass-rush grade. His run defense was the issue, with PFF grading him at 46.6. Lee made one solo tackle (no stops).

S Jalen Ramsey (48.5, 80) had three solo tackles and a team-leading 81.9 tackle grade. He was also given a decent 62.7 run-defense grade. But his coverage was less than desirable, allowing 3-of-3 receiving for 29 yards. He allowed a four-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter, cutting Pittsburgh’s lead to only four points. Thankfully, the Steelers squandered the Ravens’ comeback attempt.

S Jabrill Peppers (42.6, 34) hadn’t played on defense since Week Eight, also gaining opportunity with Dugger’s absence. His best grade (by far) was a 79.4 tackling, with three assisted tackles (two coverage stops). He allowed 1-of-2 receptions, but was charged with allowing Baltimore’s longest pass play of the game (35 yards).

LB Payton Wilson (41.5, 32) had five total tackles, with three stops, but also two misses in pass defense. On three pass rushes, he provided a pressure (hurry). Allowed 2-of-3 receiving for 14 yards, with most of that being YAC. His other grades: 65.1 pass rush, 55.2 run defense, 41.2 coverage, and 27.7 tackling.

The worst grade on defense was rookie DL Yahya Black (32.8, 64). He was also thrust into a much larger role, garnering his most snaps in a game (substantially). Overall, the quality didn’t match the quantity, though. He had a nice run tackle on the first play of the second half. Black had three total tackles (one stop), one pressure (hurry), and two missed tackles. His other grades included a 51.6 pass rush, 36.7 run defense (worst on the team), and 26.7 tackling.

Special Teams:

NOTE – Some names don’t appear (fewer snaps, average grade).

Excellent (90-Plus Grades):

NONE.

Great (80-Plus Grades):

NONE.

Good (70-Plus Grades):

Three players.

The best special teams grade was rookie Carson Bruener (74.6, 16). He continues to make noise, including three kick coverage tackles in this one. His 90.5 season grade ranks third in the NFL (min. 200 special teams snaps).

Payton Wilson (72.4, 23) and Jack Sawyer (71.6, 21) round out this tier. Good play from two more core teamers, including a great four-yard punt return tackle from Sawyer.

Bad (Below 50 Grades):

Two here, Malik Harrison (47.1, 7), and LS Christian Kuntz (29.7, 10). Kuntz had the worst grade on special teams and overall. PFF noted a snap late in the game, but he ran down to cover the punt well.

Steelers Week 14/Regular Season Snaps:

Week 14 Snap Leaders/Season Total Snaps Leader:

OFF – Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Aaron Rodgers, Isaac Seumalo

DEF – Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey

ST – Payton Wilson

SEA TOT – Jalen Ramsey