Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh’s Defense Called Game Against Baltimore. There’s Still One Problem.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense rose up and called game on Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson to close out Sunday’s game. The biggest win of the season. A great final play of Alex Highsmith racing around the edge to sack Jackson, something the Steelers’ front seven hadn’t been able to do all day (cornerback Brandin Echols had the only other sack of the day).
As the team has done so many times before in these contests, Pittsburgh made plays when it meant the most. But I can’t help but have one gripe over how the final drive went. An issue not aimed at the players but the coaches. Yet again, Nick Herbig was left off the field for nearly the entire drive.
In most obvious passing situations, Pittsburgh uses its 3-EDGE package with just one down lineman or, less often, just one inside linebacker. A way to get T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Herbig on the field all at once to maximize the Steelers’ rush.
Despite Baltimore being in the most obvious passing situation of the season, down five on its own 26 with less than two minutes to go and just one timeout, Pittsburgh didn’t use that grouping. Instead, the Steelers went the entire nine-play drive in its traditional 2-4-5 nickel: Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt at outside linebacker with Cam Heyward and Esezi Otomewo along the d-line.

Baltimore’s no-huddle for much of the drive prevented any substitution. Whatever package Pittsburgh came out with would be one they’d be committing to. And the Steelers chose to sideline Herbig. He played three snaps, replacing Highsmith at ROLB. One of them was a spike.
Pittsburgh chose to play Otomewo and Yahya Black along the d-line instead. And credit to Otomewo. His stunt on Highsmith’s sack played a key role, freeing up Cam Heyward to get interior pressure on Jackson that helped flush him wide for Highsmith to round the corner and take him down. Black played a solid game overall.
But the principle must be the same. Get the best players on the field, especially in the biggest moments. The game, the division, and really the season were on the line. And Herbig was largely glued to the sideline. That’s a problem.
Now, the Steelers can say it worked. All’s well that ends well. But I look at process as much as results, and the process missed the mark. It’s hardly a one-off. Failure to get Herbig playing time when Highsmith is healthy has been a recurring issue. That’s no slight on Highsmith. He should’ve been out there, too, just as he was. I’ve been on the other side of the “trade Highsmith” camp that’s swirled throughout the year, and Highsmith was excellent against Baltimore.
But it should’ve been Herbig subbing in for Otomewo and Black. That’s the best 11. Pittsburgh also still refuses to use dime packages, but that’s a separate issue, and the Steelers can at least point to the many DB injuries and changes.
In losses, there’s always reason to look at what went well. And in wins, there’s always reason to examine where further improvement could occur. Herbig again being left off the field in such a significant moment, for seemingly zero explanation or justification, can’t happen again. The next time Pittsburgh gets the chance, Herbig must be given the opportunity to help close the door.
Pittsburg, PA
Blanche says DOJ
Pittsburg, PA
Luke Bryan concert expected to bring thousands of fans to Pittsburgh-area farm
On Sept. 17, multi-platinum country music star Luke Bryan will bring his Farm Tour to 1846 Farms near Latrobe.
Westmoreland County is no stranger to large outdoor concerts. Some may remember the Rolling Rock Town Fair in the early 2000s, while others may recall Luke Bryan’s stop at a farm in South Huntingdon Township just two years ago. Now the country music superstar is returning to the area.
The Unity Township farm’s general manager, Aleisha Stas, gave KDKA a tour of the family farm, which dates back to before the Civil War. She says Bryan’s team first reached out after finding the farm on social media, but she says at first, she and her family thought it was too good to be true.
“This was around April Fools, so we thought it was an April Fools prank,” Stas said. “My whole family, we were like, there’s no way this is about to happen. But this has been incredible.”
Stas says Bryan’s team is handling everything logistically from parking and bathrooms to deciding exactly where the concert will be staged.
“If we have it on this side of the property, we can hold 12,000 people,” Stas said. “And if we have it on (the other side) of the property, it can be up to 20,000. But we have not determined that yet.”
Many of those decisions will be made as September gets closer. In the meantime, however, the farm is holding off on planting in certain fields until the final concert location is selected.
And while hosting thousands of people may sound a little intimidating, Stas says her family is excited to welcome fans to the farm for what they hope will be a memorable night.
“Obviously, we’ve never had this many people here before, so it will be a new thing for all of us, but we are not worried,” said Stas. “Luke Bryan’s team are experts with this, and I think it will go great.”
Tickets for this concert are currently on sale, and they will run you about $77 per person, plus tax for general admission.
Pittsburg, PA
2025 Steelers Offseason Recall: Garrett shutdown as Pittsburgh bullied Browns in Week 6 | Steel City Underground
Steel City Underground presents post-game takeaways in our Steelers Offseason Recall series, revisiting key moments from the 2025 season and how they shaped the year that followed.
AFC North football rarely looks pretty, and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 6 matchup against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium followed that familiar formula. What started as a defensive slugfest on a torn-up field eventually turned into another frustrating afternoon for Cleveland as Pittsburgh pulled away for a 23-9 victory.
The win improved the Steelers to 4-1 and extended their remarkable regular season home winning streak against the Browns to 22 games. More importantly, it reinforced an early-season identity centered around disruptive defense, efficient quarterback play, and winning the battle in the trenches.
Looking back, these were the biggest surprises from Pittsburgh’s victory.
Embed from Getty Images
Jalen Ramsey stole the show from Watt and Garrett
Nobody expected Jalen Ramsey to leave Week 6 with more sacks than T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett combined, but that’s exactly what happened.
Ramsey entered the game after missing practice time earlier in the week and proceeded to deliver one of the more unexpected stat lines of the season. The veteran defensive back recorded two sacks and six combined tackles while frequently helping confuse Cleveland’s protection schemes.
Meanwhile, Watt recorded half a sack while Garrett failed to register one entirely.
Ramsey even admitted afterward that the performance surprised him. His production highlighted an emerging trend within Pittsburgh’s defense: pressure was coming from everywhere.
Embed from Getty Images
The Steelers defense overwhelmed Cleveland’s offense
While Ramsey grabbed headlines, the collective defensive effort suffocated Cleveland for most of the afternoon.
The Steelers finished with six sacks as Nick Herbig led the team with two sacks while Ramsey added two of his own. Derrick Harmon, Watt, and Alex Highsmith also got involved as Pittsburgh repeatedly collapsed the pocket around rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Gabriel never looked comfortable. The rookie completed 29 of 59 passes for 221 yards and struggled once Cleveland became one-dimensional after falling behind. He finished with a passer rating of 66.3 while absorbing constant punishment.
Pittsburgh didn’t rely solely on edge pressure either. Defensive backs blitzed, interior rushers collapsed protection, and disguised looks forced Cleveland into mistakes.
Perhaps equally impressive was how the Steelers handled Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins. Entering the matchup, Judkins had averaged 4.6 yards per carry and looked like one of Cleveland’s few consistent offensive weapons. Pittsburgh erased that advantage, holding him to a season-low 36 rushing yards on 12 carries while limiting him to 3.0 yards per attempt.
Through five games played after their bye week, the Steelers had already amassed 20 sacks and were rapidly becoming one of football’s most disruptive defenses.
Embed from Getty Images
Myles Garrett disappeared
The Browns needed a game-changing performance from Myles Garrett. Instead, Pittsburgh’s offensive line turned in one of its best performances of the season.
Garrett moved around the formation throughout the game, but he spent much of the afternoon lined up across from Broderick Jones. With occasional help early and more one-on-one opportunities later, Jones and company neutralized Cleveland’s biggest defensive weapon.
Garrett finished with only two combined tackles. He failed to record a solo tackle, sack, forced fumble, quarterback hit, or pass defended.
Keeping Garrett quiet fundamentally changed how Cleveland could attack Rodgers and allowed Pittsburgh’s offense to remain balanced throughout the afternoon.
Embed from Getty Images
Rodgers stayed efficient and upright
Aaron Rodgers didn’t deliver a vintage statistical masterpiece: he simply controlled the game.
The veteran quarterback completed 21 of 30 passes for 235 yards while distributing the football efficiently and trusting Arthur Smith‘s offensive approach. Rodgers leaned heavily on his tight ends early before taking advantage of favorable matchups later in the game.
His biggest moments arrived in the second half. Rodgers connected with Connor Heyward for a touchdown strike before finding D.K. Metcalf for another score that helped create separation on the scoreboard.
Equally important, Rodgers stayed upright. For only the second time that season, Pittsburgh allowed zero sacks. Cleveland hit Rodgers only three times despite him attempting 30 passes.
Compare that with Dillon Gabriel, who absorbed six sacks and 16 total quarterback hits.
The offensive line, aided by extra blocking looks featuring Spencer Anderson, kept Cleveland’s front from controlling the game and allowed Rodgers to operate comfortably. Metcalf benefited from the protection, turning four receptions into 95 yards while the Steelers spread touches across Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth, Roman Wilson, Darnell Washington, and Heyward.
Meanwhile, Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, and Kaleb Johnson combined for 89 rushing yards to maintain offensive balance. Pittsburgh averaged 5.8 yards per play and controlled possession despite both teams having the same number of drives.
Embed from Getty Images
The officiating nearly stole the spotlight
Not everything about the victory came without frustration. Ron Torbert’s officiating crew inserted itself into the game repeatedly as Pittsburgh absorbed ten accepted penalties during an afternoon filled with questionable decisions.
Several pass interference rulings frustrated players and fans alike.
Jerry Jeudy appeared to drag Brandin Echols down by both shoulder pads on one play, yet the result went against Pittsburgh. Later, Browns cornerback Denzel Ward appeared to pin D.K. Metcalf’s arm without drawing a flag.
Even Watt found himself repeatedly flagged for alignment penalties despite checking positioning with officials beforehand, leading to visible frustration from Mike Tomlin on the sideline.
The most controversial moment arrived on special teams. Ke’Shawn Williams appeared to spark the crowd with a 47-yard punt return before an illegal blindside block penalty on Jabrill Peppers erased the play. The penalty not only wiped away field position but also backed Pittsburgh up an additional ten yards.
Despite the officiating frustrations, the Steelers remained composed, and by the end of the afternoon, that discipline, paired with suffocating defense and efficient offense, delivered another divisional win and continued building momentum heading into a critical AFC North stretch.
-
Fitness3 minutes agoFitness coach debunks 8 ‘crazy’ exercise myths women still believe: From periods and workouts to weightlifting
-
Movie Reviews11 minutes agoMovie Review: ‘Sacred Heart: His Reign Has No End’ – Catholic Review
-
World21 minutes agoVideo: A Death at the Epicenter of Ebola
-
News26 minutes agoMap: 5.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes off the Coast of California
-
Politics33 minutes agoVideo: Steve Hilton Holds Slim Early Lead in California Governor’s Race
-
Lifestyle1 hour agoWe’re having a main character summer. Are you? : It’s Been a Minute
-
Technology1 hour agoMicrosoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman says there are three labs that matter — and he wants Microsoft to be the fourth.
-
World1 hour agoUS ally Kuwait condemns ‘brutal and ongoing Iranian attacks’ after airport was hit