Steelers Hit of the Week: Highsmith, Sawyer get best of Shedeur Sanders

by Christina "Tina" Rivers (3Rivers_Writer) on December 30, 2025

Steel City Underground hand selects the Steelers Hit(s) of the Week, a big-time play that shook the opponents, following every game of the 2025 NFL regular season for fans to relive.

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense was focused on pressuring Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders while limiting the run game in Week 17. Despite the 13-6 loss, the Steelers defense held up without T.J. Watt and other injured players. Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith created the most pressure, and earned the Hit of the Week honor for a play that caused the football to end up in the hands of rookie outside linebacker Jack Sawyer of Pittsburgh for an interception.

Ahead 10-3 in the second quarter of the game, the Browns offense took the field and started their fourth offensive series at their own 16 yard line. D. Sampson carried the ball twice for short gains. Following a 16-yard pass completion, a short run by Sanders, and a 12-yard reception by Jerry Jeudy, the Browns lined up at the PIT 46 with a fresh set of downs.

Sanders took the snap from shotgun and Highsmith simply pushed the Browns left tackle back and out of his way. That gave him a clean shot at Sanders in the pocket. As he made the big hit, the ball flew from Sanders’ hand, hit Logan Lee‘s helmet and bounced up in the air. Sawyer was able to grab the ball, ruled an interception, and return it for a 27 yard gain.

.@jacksawyer33 with the INT 🙌

📺: #PITvsCLE on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/vJBrOM80tw

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 28, 2025

The interception was the second of Sawyer’s NFL career.

Let’s gooo rook 💪#ForTheCelly | @Budlight pic.twitter.com/ks0SLi93OS

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 28, 2025

That wasn’t the only hit that Highsmith made in this game; he added another sack on Sanders, becoming the only Steelers defender to log a sack despite the pressure Pittsburgh continued to send.