5 winners (and 2 losers) from Steelers' stout Week 14 win vs. Browns

The Steelers got a token of revenge this week as they got their win back against the Browns following their loss in Week 12. It wasn’t the prettiest of games, and the offense once again looked sluggish, but they did enough to win this game. It propels them to double-digit wins and keeps them in the driver's seat in the AFC North.

At the end of the day, a win is a win though, and even if it wasn’t always pretty, they did enough. They were without George Pickens this week due to a sudden hamstring injury, and that limited their passing game. Enough was done to win though, and here are the winners and losers from this battle.

Steelers winners:

Alex Highsmith, EDGE

My biggest winner, Alex Highsmith picked up where he left off when healthy this year. He was a menace off the edge and was constantly in the Browns backfield. Fans seem to have dismissed him, but he is such a steady and constant threat off the right edge and he makes this defense better. It was a strong showing that was needed in his return.

Cameron Heyward, DL

Another strong day from old man Cameron Heyward. Two more sacks and another day of stout run defense. He is playing at an elite level this season despite his age. It isn’t absurd to list him among the top interior linemen this year. He has really turned it on as of late.

Jaylen Warren, RB

Give me Jaylen Warren every day of the week. He runs so hard and provides a great burst whenever he touches the ball. He averaged a healthy 5.2 yards per carry and chipped in a pair of receptions for another 25 yards. He deserves every snap he gets and should be getting looks as the primary back next season.

Keeanu Benton, DL

It hasn’t been the breakout season that the Steelers hoped for from Keeanu Benton, but he has still been stout against the run. This week was a similar story, but he also grabbed an early interception on top of this. It was a big game from a silent force along the defensive line.

READ MORE: Steelers overcame a legitimate disadvantage vs. Browns

Pat Freiermuth, TE

The Steelers were without Pickens this week, and it was up to everyone else to make up the difference. Unfortunately, no one stepped up, but Freiermuth did end up having a strong game. He logged nearly 50 yards receiving and added a late touchdown on top of things.

Steelers losers:

The rest of the wide receivers

You hoped that a receiver would have stepped up this week without Pickens against the Browns, but that didn’t happen. The best of the bunch was Scotty Miller, but there wasn’t a performance worth noting. Nobody stepped up this week. Props to Russell Wilson for making the most out of nothing.

Cordarrelle Patterson, RB

Cordarrelle Patterson was coming off his best game in a Steelers uniform, but he followed it up with a bad one this week. He was lackluster on the ground and wasn’t much of a receiving threat. Add in the late fumble and it was an ugly showing from the depth running back.