I hope you all enjoyed a nice, relaxing Sunday of football, free from stress that only the Steelers can provide.

That feels like a sentence I should only be able to write after the bye week, the only Sunday of the season where the full slate of football provides nothing but care-free entertainment. Instead, that’s the vibe Pittsburgh had this past Sunday as the Steelers got revenge over the Cleveland Browns and dismantled them handedly for a 27-6 win.

Here’s the stock report from the game:

Stock Up: Heart Health

Now look I’m no doctor, but I am a firm believer that Steelers games are not good for the heart. How many times over the last several years have the Steelers been involved in a nail-biter, a one-score game at the end, or a rock fight that resulted in someone on the defense having to play hero once more?

Well, we didn’t get any of that this week. All things considered, this was probably the most comfortable game Steelers fans will watch all season long. Pittsburgh got out to an early 10-0 lead and really never looked back, even if those early scores were not indicative of a huge offensive explosion.

I think the more important tone-setter was the defense, who had Deshaun Watson rattled early and often, sacking him eight times in total. It was just complete bully ball from the boys up front, and the Browns never had the opportunity to get set up.

Stock Up: The Running Game

I mentioned last week that Jaylen Warren is the “free space” for a player whose stock went up. He did it again, with 17 runs for 143 yards and a touchdown in a season that should have Team MVP already locked up before the bye week.

However, Rico Dowdle also had another strong day as the short yardage, change of pace back. Dowdle picked up 56 yards on 15 carries and ran for a touchdown as well.

So, I’m pairing them together in this one. Make no mistake, Warren is the lead back and should dominate the carry distribution, but together these two are a lethal combo. Opposing defenses aren’t often getting a break just because Warren is out of the game. It’s an amazing one-two punch that has powered Pittsburgh to first place in the AFC North.

Stock Down: DK Metcalf

Metcalf has had a real up-and-down season with the Steelers in 2026. One of his highlights, though, was a season-high 115 yard performance against the Browns when the Steelers visited them in Cleveland a month ago.

Unfortunately, Metcalf could not replicate that when the Browns traveled to Pittsburgh. The wide receiver was targeted six times, but only had one catch for four yards. His most impactful play was a pass he couldn’t corral and bobbled directly into the hands of Denzel Ward.

His rollercoaster season would suggest another good game in the near future, but the Steelers need far more consistency from the man they are paying to be a WR1.

Stock Down: Aaron Rodgers

I debated whether to put Rodgers in the “stock down” category, because I didn’t think Rodgers was necessarily bad. That aforementioned interception was not his fault, and I did think Rodgers did enough to win the game. But, by the standards of play we saw from Rodgers earlier this year, he was subpar.

Rodgers was 13-of-25 for 172 yards, but was still nimble enough to only be sacked once. He spread the ball out between Pittsburgh’s tight ends and his unlikely connection with rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard. But, in my opinionl, the odds of this type of performance at quarterback winning games decreases with every passing week.

Here’s what is not up for debate, though: it didn’t matter. The running game more than made up for Rodgers’ inefficiencies, and the defense helped secure this game in the opening minutes. Rodgers, based on his play earlier this season, has also absolutely earned more weeks before we start to actually worry.

Stock Up: The Secondary

The Joey Porter Jr. saga is filled with irony. The only cornerback the Steelers had successfully drafted and developed in years was the same one they couldn’t come to terms on an extension with. So, he sits out, develops a back injury, and eventually is traded. You know the story.

I think the most optimistic fan would have hoped that the Steelers could just mask Porter’s absence. I don’t think anyone expected this kind of excellence in spite of Porter’s departure. The Steelers lead the NFL with 51 passes defended through Week 8, a testament to the secondary (and linemen) who have stepped up all year.

Porter might still win his money in the long term, I have no idea what happens down in Dallas. But the Steelers have shown week after week it’s possible, probable even, to win without him.