Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Alex Highsmith secures career-first pick-six

Originally posted on Steel City Underground | Last updated 9/20/23

Steel City Underground will pick an exceptional play of the game as a highlight each week of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 NFL regular season. Stay tuned as we hand-select the very best from the Black and Gold!

Monday Night Football is one of the biggest stages NFL teams can play and in Week 2 the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Cleveland Browns in a primetime battle. The biggest storyline for the Steelers was in how their defense played. It’s not a stretch to say that it was the Pittsburgh “D” that earned the win.

Although T.J. Watt remained a key player in determining the outcome of the game, it was Alex Highsmith that stepped up to grab the spotlight, especially with the big play to open the game.

After receiving the kickoff, Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland offense lined up for their opening series. On first down at their own 25-yard line, Watson uncorked a pass that was tipped by Minkah Fitpatrick. With great awareness, Highsmith was able grab the deflection and take the ball into the end zone for his first NFL career pick-6.

.@STEELERS PICK-6 ON THE FIRST PLAY

: #CLEvsPIT on ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/zWM8hlwLFw pic.twitter.com/qrdHkRoZHK

— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2023

Chris Boswell successfully converted the PAT and the Steelers were on top, 7-0, in the opening minutes of the game.

Highsmith had quite a night, recording 7 tackles (5 solo), one sack, one tackle for a loss, one pass defense, two quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. The forced fumble came on a strip-sack of Watson that Watt scooped up for the game-winning touchdown.