Nick Herbig Leads Steelers to Statement Win Over Browns: "We Didn’t Just Win — We Dominated"
Pittsburgh, PA – October 12, 2025
In one of the most dominant defensive performances of the season, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig set the tone for his team in a resounding 23-9 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. While the Steelers’ offense did just enough to seal the win, it was Herbig and the defense that truly stole the show, with relentless pressure and unmatched intensity throughout the game.
Herbig, who has emerged as one of the brightest stars on the Steelers’ defense this season, recorded two sacks, including a game-changing 11-yard loss in the red zone, as the Steelers’ defense put on an absolute clinic. With four and a half sacks on the season, Herbig now leads the team in that category and has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the defensive front.
After the game, Herbig made a statement that echoed through the locker room, setting the stage for the remainder of the season: “We didn’t just win today — we DOMINATED. Every sack, every pressure, every hit — we set the tone. The Browns learned today that when we bring the heat, there’s no escaping. We’re not just playing for wins, we’re playing to BREAK teams. This is only the beginning. Keep watching, we’re just getting started.”
Herbig’s words were a testament to the Steelers' mentality heading into the back half of the season. The defense has been the backbone of this team, and with performances like Sunday’s, it’s clear that they are not just content with victories — they want to strike fear into the hearts of every opponent they face.
The Steelers’ defense as a whole was suffocating. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey also had a stellar performance, contributing two sacks of his own and further making life miserable for Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The Steelers’ pass rush never gave Gabriel a moment of peace, and by the time the final whistle blew, Gabriel had been sacked six times and limited to just 210 yards through the air.
Offensively, quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t have to do much to get the win, but he did enough when needed. Rodgers connected with wide receiver DK Metcalf for a 25-yard touchdown, and running back Jaylen Warren capped off a solid performance with a 3-yard rushing touchdown. The offense did just enough to maintain control, and when the defense is playing as it did on Sunday, that’s all that’s needed.
The Browns, on the other hand, were left to lament missed opportunities. Despite some solid play from Gabriel in the second half, they were unable to get anything going consistently on offense, especially with the relentless pressure from Herbig and company. The Browns’ offense could not capitalize on key moments, including a failed fourth-and-12 attempt late in the game that allowed the Steelers to put the finishing touches on their victory.
With the win, the Steelers moved to 4-1, maintaining their hold on the top spot in the AFC North. The defense is clicking on all cylinders, and if they can keep up this level of intensity, there’s no telling how far this team can go. As for Herbig, his leadership is only growing stronger with each passing game. His statement after the game wasn’t just a declaration of dominance; it was a warning to the rest of the league that the Steelers’ defense is back and hungrier than ever.
"We’re not just playing for wins," Herbig said, “we’re playing to break teams.” If the Steelers continue to play with this kind of aggression, there will be no doubt that they are a team to be reckoned with in the AFC.
MLB Analyst Says Yankees' Aaron Judge is Better All-Time Than Angels' Mike Trout
Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout and fellow superstar Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees have given fans some of the best baseball the public has seen in this century, from Trout making a name for himself in 2012, Judge's electric rookie campaign in 2017, and what they still do in the present day.
Due to Trout being just eight months older than Judge, having one more MVP and four more All-Star selections than him, and other stats close enough to compare, the crew at MLB Now discussed who is the better all-time player right now.
Co-host Steve Phillips asserted that Judge has had the better career than the Halos' three-time MVP.
"I would go with Aaron Judge," said Phillips. "I think he is gonna make a case to be the best right-handed hitter ever, in the history of baseball. He's that good an offensive player, and he's a solid defender in the outfield and he can run better than you'd think for a guy that size, and I also think doing it in New York. I think to be able to deal with the production and expectation and to produce on a regular basis, I get it."
Phillips also went on to compare the two's postseason careers, noting the organizational differences that have led to Trout's three total playoff games to Judge's 65.
"Judge has taken a New York team, put them on his shoulders, and taken them to the postseason, he has not been great in the postseason, but he's gotten there. I think that when I look at the entire picture and look at pure hitting, I think Judge is the better overall player," concluded Phillips.
Trout has more career home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, and a higher career bWAR, but also has more seasons than Judge.
Both batters have an identical .294 batting average through their careers, but Judge has a slightly higher on-base percentage, a slugging percentage .45 points higher, and an OPS .52 points higher. In terms of career-OPS+, Judge also ranks 10 points higher.
Judge just completed his 10th year in MLB and appears to have so much more to prove at 33 years old. Trout turned 34 years old in August and has proven he is far from done writing his MLB story.
Only time will tell who will go down as the greater all-around player, but the remarkable moments they consistently provide fans is a marvel in and of itself.
