DB’s Steelers Dudes & Duds: Porter, Pierre Shine; Rodgers, Receivers Can’t Connect

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DB’s Steelers Dudes & Duds: Porter, Pierre Shine; Rodgers, Receivers Can’t Connect

Derrick Bell · Steelers Now

Mon, Nov 17, 2025 ·

5 min read

Dude(s): CBs Joey Porter Jr. and James Pierre

Whenever the Bengals come to town, the number one thing on the scouting report is: how do we slow down Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins ? Arguably the top duo in the league combined for just 93 yards on a whopping 17 targets, and the lone touchdown came when the Bengals caught Jack Sawyer in pass coverage. Porter was fantastic, forcing multiple tight window throws, and perhaps most importantly, didn't register a penalty. Pierre, in just his ninth career start, was mostly nails in this one whenever he was tested down the field. Regardless of the health of Darius Slay , who is still working his way through concussion protocol, these two guys should remain the starters moving forward.

Dud: QB Aaron Rodgers

You never like seeing guys get hurt out there, and we'll see what the initial prognosis is here soon. However, the future first-ballot Hall of Famer just isn't playing very good ball right now. Over the last three weeks, the Steelers rank 31st in dropback EPA/play and 29th in passing success rate. The numbers weren't quite that bad in the first half, but Pittsburgh was really mostly moving the ball when Cincinnati was committing penalties. Despite having mostly clean initial pockets, he looked frantic, and the accuracy down the field on the few times where he's actually willing to trigger on those throws remains a significant concern. This was a Bengals defense that has been historically bad and should have been a get-right game for their aerial attack.

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebackers Nick Herbig and T.J. Watt in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 16, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Dude: EDGE Nick Herbig

The former Wisconsin Badger got the nod today with Alex Highsmith dealing with a pec injury, and he took full advantage of the additional playing time. Herbig tied for the team lead in pressures with 4, including one on a stunt that helped force Kyle Dugger 's pick six. Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. really stood no chance and looked completely overwhelmed with his speed, and it was only a matter of time before he got home. His sack in the fourth quarter down near the red zone helped get Flacco and company behind the chains to a point where they had to settle for a field goal instead. The Steelers have an embarrassment of riches off the edge right now, and if the coverage is merely solid, you should see even more box score production down the stretch.

Dud(s): Complimentary Receiving Threats

Even acknowledging the poor quarterback play recently, it's concerning that we are midway through November and none of the auxiliary pass catchers have ascended into players you can count on. Pat Freiermuth has no obvious connection with the quarterback and, by all intents and purposes, is being phased out of the offense because of that. Jonnu Smith was held without a catch today, committed a facemask penalty, and has statistically been one of the least productive tight ends in the league on a per-route basis. Even Calvin Austin , the de facto number two wideout coming into the year, has seen his role diminished and is now losing snaps to Roman Wilson . No one is expecting gaudy fantasy production, but this team needs more consistency from the non-DK Metcalf playmakers.

Dude: TE Darnell Washington

Even though the Steelers clearly aren't getting enough return on their investment in the tight room this year, Washington has been the one guy offensively that has taken a noticeable leap in 2025. Whenever #80 gets the rock in his hands, it's a nightmare situation for a defense. Pittsburgh's longest pass play of the day came on a 31-yard scamper in which he bulldozed through a trio of Cincy defenders. The big fella also helped them convert a 3rd and 17, taking a checkdown to the flat past the sticks. That's before getting into all of the dirty work that he continues to do as a blocker. His development has been a bright spot for this franchise.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 16, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Dude: RB Kenneth Gainwell

Arthur Smith's group didn't do a ton of things very well in this contest, but they were able to exploit the second-level defenders that have struggled immensely in space. Out of their 211 receiving yards, 184 of those came after the catch, with Gainwell being a big part of their success in the flats. Up to this weekend, those plays haven't yielded very good results, but after having success early, it was a good decision to continue attacking that area of the field. Jaylen Warren was banged up in the second half, leading to even more work for the 26-year-old scat back.

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