The Steelers left Week 5 with a 34-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts and, just as importantly, another sign that their offense may be settling in. Pittsburgh has now topped 30 points twice in five games, and Aaron Rodgers has thrown at least three touchdown passes in three straight contests.
Even with uneven play at wide receiver, the offense has found ways to move. Rodgers and Jaylen Warren have helped carry that load, but Pat Freiermuth is the name that keeps demanding attention.
The tight end delivered in a big way against Indianapolis, finishing with five catches for 44 yards and two touchdowns. In a game where the Steelers needed answers amid a wave of injuries, Freiermuth gave them exactly that.
He’s long been one of the more gifted athletes at his position, but the offense hasn’t always treated him like a centerpiece. That has changed this season. Through five games, Freiermuth has drawn at least four targets every week, and against the Colts he was targeted seven times.
That usage says plenty. The Steelers are making him a priority, Rodgers trusts him, and when the pressure rises, the ball keeps finding him.
The most telling moment came in the red zone. Both touchdowns came inside the 20-yard line, but the second-quarter score on the 1-yard line showed just how much the Steelers are willing to lean into Freiermuth’s matchup value.
Rather than bringing out jumbo personnel and trying to bulldoze the ball in, Pittsburgh spread the field with an empty set and five receivers split wide. That left Freiermuth isolated one-on-one with a Colts linebacker right at the line of scrimmage.
He won the rep cleanly. A quick stutter step created the separation Rodgers needed, and the touchdown stretched Pittsburgh’s lead to 14-6.
Aaron Rodgers finds Pat Freiermuth for another Steelers TD!#NFL pic.twitter.com/hU254xEhwW
The Steelers are still dealing with more setbacks. Roman Wilson could miss time after dislocating a finger in Week 5, and Michael Pittman Jr. was placed on Injured Reserve, which will keep him out for at least three more weeks.
But even as the hits keep piling up, Pittsburgh can point to Freiermuth as a reason for optimism.
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