The Steelers didn’t just beat the Bengals on Sunday — they may have uncovered two more game changers on defense. Nick Herbig and James Pierre stepped into bigger roles out of necessity, and their impact changed the entire feel of a game that looked nothing like the first meeting between these teams back in October.
The spark came early from Herbig. With Alex Highsmith sidelined, the second-year outside linebacker tied for the team lead in pressures, finishing with four pressures and a red-zone sack on Joe Flacco that killed a Cincinnati scoring chance. His burst and relentless motor weren’t just “good for a fill-in.” They looked like starter-level traits that the Steelers can lean on every week.
Then came the exclamation point — and it belonged to Pierre.
Forced into heavier action, Pierre put together one of the best defensive outings of his career. He totaled 3 tackles, 3 assisted tackles, a pass breakup on a deep shot to Ja’Marr Chase, and the turning-point moment: a 33-yard fumble recovery touchdown that put a stamp on a defensive effort that was the complete opposite of the October matchup. In the first meeting, the defense struggled to generate stops. This time, Pierre’s scoop-and-score was the signature moment of a dominant response.
Together, Herbig and Pierre brought energy, physicality, and big-play ability to a unit that has needed exactly that. Herbig kept Flacco under steady pressure despite increased attention, while Pierre’s confidence and playmaking helped settle the back end. Neither looked like a temporary fix. Both looked like long-term solutions.
If the Steelers want to ride what’s working, the message is simple: keep these two on the field. Herbig has earned a major role — potentially a starting one — with his ability to consistently affect the quarterback. Pierre has shown he can cover, tackle, and flip a game with a single play.
On Sunday, the Steelers found two defenders who didn’t just step up — they changed the game. Making Herbig and Pierre permanent starters may be exactly what this defense needs to keep climbing.