The Steelers defense had one of their best performances of the season in the win over the Indianapolis Colts with six sacks and five takeaways, and one of the key components was linebacker Alex Highsmith.
That is why Highsmith was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 9.
Highsmith was responsible for two sacks of Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, one of them a strip sack that rookie Derrick Harmon recovered. He finished the game with four tackles, three of them solo stops, two sacks for a loss of 17 yards, three tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a pass defensed.
The defense also held the NFL's best running back, Jonathan Taylor, to just 45 yards on 14 carries.
"We came out and we did what we know we can do this week," said linebacker Alex Highsmith. "We came out and we obviously stopped the run. That's where it starts.
"And then our culture came alive. We had five turnovers. When we do that, we're an amazing defense.
"We've got to put more performances like that together. I'm confident we'll continue to stack this and play like this every week from here on out. We've got to continue to play like that."
In addition to the sacks, the defense was also able to bat down a few of Jones' passes, including one by Highsmith, one of the things they said they needed to focus on in the week leading up to the game.
"We knew if we stopped their run in second and long, they would try to get back on schedule with rhythm passing, quick game," said Highsmith. "I think we did a good job getting the hands up. One of them led to a pick.
"I think we did a good job of just recognizing when they were in those quick game formations and then executing, getting tipped balls, relating to guys in those zones.
"So, I think we executed that plan."
This is the third time Highsmith has won AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He also won the award in Week 2 of the 2023 season in a win over the Cleveland Browns when he had a pick six and a strip sack. Highsmith also won the award in Week 11 of the 2022 season against the New Orleans Saints.
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