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Pittsburgh got 299 yards and three touchdowns from Aaron Rodgers and still spent too much of the night fighting Cleveland's pass rush. The Browns sacked Rodgers five times, the Steelers produced only three points across seven middle drives and the final interception ended the comeback. The offense has enough veteran skill talent to score, but the line cannot keep turning every game into Rodgers trying to solve pressure after the snap.
Pittsburgh moved lower after a 27-24 Week 4 loss, as declines in Recent Performance and Defense Strength outweighed a gain in Offense Strength.
Pittsburgh is trying to pair pressure defense with efficient veteran quarterback play instead of asking either side to carry the entire game. Scoring 30 in the win over Cincinnati was the best sign yet that the offense can hold up its half of that formula.
Aaron Rodgers gives Pittsburgh an answer before the snap. The pressure point comes after the first read disappears, because the offense has little margin for Rodgers to hold the ball or throw at high volume.
Pick the winner.
Pittsburgh has one of the league’s more favorable remaining roads at No. 26, with opponents averaging 77.9. Denver Broncos, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars still give the schedule a real test, but 2 games against current top-10 teams keep the full road from looking as heavy as most.
Toughest remaining opponent: 
Jacksonville Jaguars at 83.6 PFM.
Jamel Dean aggravated his ankle and was ruled out in the same game Pittsburgh played without Joey Porter Jr. for the first time after trading him to Dallas.
Jalen Ramsey played through a broken wrist, while the Steelers now have a secondary that has lost much of the depth it carried into camp. This materially changes yesterday's Porter trade evaluation: the remaining outside-corner margin is now thinner, making Defense and Roster Strength an immediate review rather than a wait-and-see depth question.
Shared profile: Roster Strength and Defense.
Pittsburgh builds its defense around front-four pressure, while Minnesota gets to a similar place through disguised pressure and changing fronts. That means Pittsburgh can rush four and still force the quarterback off schedule, while Minnesota can change the protection picture without sending extra rushers every snap. Pittsburgh separates on offense, where a steadier answer comes through the run game and play action after the first approach is taken away.
Baltimore and Cincinnati own younger, more established quarterbacks. Pittsburgh can stay in the AFC North race through pressure defense and efficient Rodgers possessions, but any shootout tilts the division toward Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow.
See the current Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart across offense, defense and special teams.
Pittsburgh's quarterback situation remains the biggest offensive question, with no established long-term franchise answer reflected in the current roster context. The Steelers need a passer who can match the quality of their defense.
Pittsburgh lists only four tackles in the live roster, leaving little margin for injury or poor play at either edge of the line. Adding a tackle would improve both competition and protection depth.
The Steelers' safety group is thinner than their corner room, with young options carrying major roles. Another safety with range and coverage ability would strengthen the back end behind an excellent front.
5,950 F-S value
R1 No. 13 · R2 No. 44 · R3 No. 75 · R3 No. 82 · R5 No. 153 · …
Pittsburgh is 6–2 in the Super Bowl and last won in Super Bowl XLIII in 2009.
