The Pittsburgh Steelers put together one of their better all-around performances of the season in a 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Week 16. And it was a combination of new additions and young and old talent who led the way for Pittsburgh. Per Pro Football Focus, RB Kenneth Gainwell was the Steelers’ best player on offense, which is no surprise after his 45-yard touchdown catch, while DL Yahya Black led the way defensively. All around, it was a strong day for the Steelers as they continue to build momentum ahead of the postseason.

PFF OFFENSIVE GRADES VS. LIONS

1. RB Kenneth Gainwell (86.9)
2. QB Aaron Rodgers (81.0)
3. WR Adam Thielen (74.0)
4. OT Troy Fautanu (73.9)
5. WR Scotty Miller (73.1)

PFF DEFENSIVE GRADES VS. LIONS

1. DL Yahya Black (82.6)
2. DL Cameron Heyward (82.3)
3. CB Brandin Echols (81.5)
4. CB Joey Porter Jr. (74.6)
5. OLB Alex Highsmith (74.5)

Echols played just 15 snaps before exiting due to a groin injury. DB Jalen Ramsey finished with a 69.3 overall grade, sixth on the defense, while DL Keeanu Benton, who had an early sack to help set the tone, finished seventh with a 65.3 grade.

Offensively, RB Jaylen Warren had two 45-yard touchdown runs but finished sixth on the offense with a 72.4 overall grade, which was his fourth-highest mark of the season. Rodgers’ 81.0 is his third-highest grade of the season and continues an impressive stretch for him. It marked his third-straight game with a grade of 73.0 or higher.

For Thielen, he made a legitimate impact as a receiver after excelling as a blocker and doing the little things in Week 15. Thielen finished with four receptions for 49 yards and a few key catches that helped the Steelers move the chains. It was his best performance as a Steeler and his highest PFF grade when playing more than 15 snaps.

It’s not a surprise to see him as one of the offense’s top players. Nor is it a surprise to see Porter, who was lockdown all day in coverage, and Alex Highsmith among the highest-graded defenders. Without T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig, Highsmith and OLB Jack Sawyer (54.4 overall grade) were able to create pressure and limit Detroit’s run game.

That’s also why Black and Heyward are at the top of the list. They created havoc in the middle and didn’t allow Detroit to get going on the ground.

In his second career start, OT Dylan Cook saw a lot of Aidan Hutchinson but largely held his own, and PFF gave him a 62.9 overall grade. It was another encouraging performance as Cook looks to cement himself as the team’s starting left tackle for the rest of the season.

Beating Detroit on the road is not an easy to thing to do, but the Steelers are playing some really good football and getting contributions from all sorts of different players. The winning streak is a culmination of multiple players, including new additions and rookies, stepping up, and the Steelers are in a position to have the AFC North locked up by the end of the week.