DEANGELO WILLIAMS
Running Back
The game was the occasion for Le'Veon Bell to go over 10,000 yards from scrimmage in his NFL career, and he did it in a game in which he contributed as both a runner and a receiver. Williams finished the game, mostly played under a steady rain, with 32 carries for 94 yards rushing, and he also caught four passes for 38 more yards and the fourth-quarter touchdown that turned out to be the difference in the outcome. It was a workmanlike performance by Williams on a day when the conditions were less than ideal, on a day when the Steelers passing attack wasn't what it usually is, but the team still found enough to earn a 24-16 win over the defending division champion Bengals at Heinz Field.
Williams is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week.
Also considered were Ryan Shazier, who led the team with 11 tackles, including one for a loss on a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line that began a third quarter goal-line stand in which the Bengals ended up settling for a field goal; Robert Golden, who had eight tackles, broke up a pass on second down during that same goal-line stand, and recovered the fumble forced by William Gay to ice the outcome; Stephon Tuitt, who followed A.J. Green all over the field and finished with two passes defensed on a day when the Bengals big-play receiver finished with two catches for 38 yards; Xavier Grimble, who caught two passes for 26 yards – one for a touchdown and the other to convert a third down; and Jesse James, who caught three passes for 29 yards and a touchdown.
