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Steelers Hit(s) of the Week: Defense vs Carson Wentz

Originally posted on Steel City Underground | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 10:16 AM ET

Steel City Underground hand selects the ‘Steelers Hit of the Week’, a bigtime play that shook the opponents, following every game of the 2025 NFL regular season for fans to relive.

In the first two weeks of the 2025 NFL regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers logged just 3 sacks, something that came as a bit of a surprise considering the way the team had been built during the offseason. Things ticked up in Week 3, but in Week 4 – against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin – the Steelers defense took a big jump in the league standings when they sacked Carson Wentz six times. Due to the Steelers defense’s efforts, we look at hits of the week rather than one individual’s efforts.

Keeanu Benton

Although we suspected the Steelers might get Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black more involved against the Vikings, the play of Benton throughout the game made their use limited. Pittsburgh still focused on stopping the run, but utilized Benton and Cameron Heyward with a mix of outside help from T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, Patrick Queen, and Payton Wilson more often than a big D-line set.

Benton, who recorded 1.5 sacks in the game, also logged 4 tackles (1 solo), a tackle for a loss, and 3 QB hits in the international game. He was highly active, and effective, helping limit the ability of Wentz to effectively push the ball downfield for much of the game.

Nick Herbig

Herbig started once again at right outside linebacker in place of injured Alex Highsmith. Herbig was able to get off blocks quickly and pressure, including utilizing a stunt here and there – effectively confusing the Vikings offensive line.

In the game, Herbig pushed the pace to the tune of 1.5 sacks, 5 tackles (3 solo), a tackle for a loss, and 3 QB hits. Through four weeks of play, Herbig leads the league in pass rush win rate at 35%.

Hard to not get excited by what Steelers OLB Nick Herbig has contributed in the last 3 games: 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass defensed, 2.5 sacks, 8 QB hits, 4 tackles for a loss. pic.twitter.com/jnWtFhtUVt

— Christina Rivers (@3Rivers_Writer) October 1, 2025

Watt, Queen and Elliott

Against Minnesota, the Steelers also got one sack apiece from veterans Watt, Queen, and DeShon Elliott. The six sacks by the Steelers defense in Sunday’s game moved the Steelers into a tie with the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams for second place in the league with 14.0 total sacks; just one sack behind the league-leading Denver Broncos (15.0).

Both Watt and Elliott picked off Wentz passes at Croke Park. Those two interceptions helped push the Steelers to 2nd in the league in turnovers (7) behind the Jacksonville Jaguars (9).

Come for DeShon Elliott’s INT. Stay for the Irish step dancing pic.twitter.com/JbcyFklXJ3

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 28, 2025

Surprisingly, Elliott was asked to blitz 20 times against the Vikings, accounting for just over 25 percent of his defensive snaps in the game.

The Steelers defense showed up big in the game against the Vikings, helping give the offense opportunities to get into the end zone for the 24-21 victory in Ireland.

This article first appeared on Steel City Underground and was syndicated with permission.

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