Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) embraces cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers defense had one of their best performances of the season in the win over the Indianapolis Colts last week with six sacks and five takeaways, and one of the key components was linebacker Alex Highsmith.

That is why Highsmith was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 9.

Highsmith was responsible for two sacks of Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, one of them a strip sack that rookie Derrick Harmon recovered. He finished the game with four tackles, three of them solo stops, two sacks for a loss of 17 yards, three tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a pass defensed.

This is the third time Highsmith has won the award. He also won it in Week 2 of the 2023 season in a win over the Browns when he had a pick six and a strip sack. He won it again Week 11 of the 2022 season against the New Orleans Saints.

Denver hosts Vegas

Coming off an overtime loss that ended when they failed on a 2-point conversion, the Raiders have to bounce back in a short week tonight.

The Broncos (–9) have won six in a row, including four games in which they trailed in the fourth quarter. With Bo Nix, they’re 13-1 as favorites and 10-4 against the spread. AP’s pick: Broncos, 27-13