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Rookie who stood out: RB Jaylen Warren

Even though the Steelers have rookies on the roster who figure to be major players this season, there weren't many opportunities for the young guys to flash on Sunday. Warren, an undrafted rookie, ended up with the most playing time among the rookies (23 offensive snaps). He stepped into a big role when Najee Harris went down at the end of regulation, and though he had only three carries for 7 yards, he figures to have an even bigger role against the Patriots if Harris misses time. Honorable mention standout rookie: third-round pick defensive end DeMarvin Leal, who played 17 snaps.

Let's start with the positives: The Steelers forced Joe Burrow into five turnovers, the front seven piled up six sacks and Chris Boswell's long field goal secured an overtime win over the defending AFC champion Bengals in one of the craziest season openers in recent history. The negatives are ominous, however: The offense was largely stagnant under Mitch Trubisky, Najee Harris exited the game with a foot injury and reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt appears likely to miss at least several weeks after suffering a pectoral injury in the final seconds of regulation. Sometimes even the most dramatic of wins can feel like a loss.

UPDATE: Harris said on Tuesday that he will play in Week 2.

The defense came up big in the overtime victory over the Bengals. The loss of T.J. Watt is a damning blow to the defense, which will put more pressure on the offense.

We'd like to rank them higher after their upset of Cincinnati, and it appears Pittsburgh has avoided devastating news as it pertains to the injuries to OLB T.J. Watt and RB Najee Harris. But losing the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year for a chunk of the season, from an otherwise thin unit, is still a significant blow.

T.J. Watt's injury changed the outlook after a surprise, feel-good win in Cincinnati. Though Malik Reed is in place to soak up some of Watt's snaps, perhaps the absence of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year will shine a brighter national light on Minkah Fitzpatrick, who had an interception return for a touchdown, 14 tackles and a game-saving blocked extra point. And save some attention for Alex Highsmith, who had three sacks in the opener. Even without Watt, this could be a defense good enough to carry a scared offense.

Mike Tomlin rightfully celebrated an improbable overtime win in Cincinnati, but the Steelers' long-term prospects remain bleak. Star pass rusher T.J. Watt suffered a pectoral muscle injury and will miss, at minimum, six weeks, and starting running back Najee Harris and cornerback Levi Wallace each left Sunday's game with injuries. The Steelers offense averaged just 4.4 yards per play in Mitchell Trubisky's Steelers debut, tied for the fourth-lowest average in Week 1. Tomlin isn't going down without a fight, but optimism is hard to come by in Pittsburgh even after the upset win.

T.J. Watt's injury is a bad one for the Steelers, though there's hope he returns about midseason. It's not quite losing a quarterback for half a season or more, but it's close. Watt dominated Sunday's game and the Steelers can't replace that. It's especially troubling since the offense didn't look great. The Steelers needed almost a full overtime to win a game in which they were plus-five in turnover differential.

They've got a chance to take a 4-0 record to Buffalo in Week Five.