Steel City Underground presents our 2025 Plays of the Year series: a weekly rewind through the biggest moments, breakout performances, and unforgettable highlights from last season’s Pittsburgh Steelers campaign.
There was a stretch during the Steelers Week 11 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals where both defenses battled to keep the opposing offenses from gaining momentum. That back-and-forth struggle carried through the first half and into portions of the second.
Eventually, the Steelers applied enough pressure on Joe Flacco to force his worst performance since joining the Bengals in October. The veteran completed 23 of 40 passes for 199 yards with a touchdown.
The Steelers’ lone sack in the game came from Nick Herbig, who started opposite T.J. Watt due to an injury to Alex Highsmith.
After helping generate pressure that led to Kyle Dugger’s interception return for a touchdown, Herbig delivered again. On 2nd and 10 at the Pittsburgh 18, he blew past the left tackle and wrapped up Flacco for a seven-yard loss, pushing his season total to 6.5 sacks, the highest among Steelers defenders at the time.
.@steelers @Bengals @nickherbig_ its at the point where you cant take Herbig off of the field….Bending the corner at 7 yards…Are you serious? #OnWisconsin #herewego #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/IzSEAM5ngv
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 17, 2025
Baldinger’s assessment that Herbig should be retained resonated across the Steelers fanbase.
Herbig held a narrow edge in sack totals, sitting just 0.5 ahead of Watt and one full sack ahead of Highsmith. Rather than debating roles or matchups, Steelers fans could take comfort in the team’s depth at outside linebacker. Even rookie Jack Sawyer contributed with a sack.
There was also a strong runner-up for Hit of the Week from the offense. Tight end Darnell Washington ran with power and punished the Bengals defense on a physical play that earned recognition.
OMGGG 3 bodies for the morgue 💀💀 pic.twitter.com/mOpz13tFmg
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 16, 2025
Check back each week as we continue spotlighting the plays that defined the Steelers’ 2025 season — one moment at a time.