Former Wisconsin star linebacker Nick Herbig continued his strong 2024 campaign in the Steelers’ 44-38 win over the Bengals on Sunday.
Herbig, one of 18 Badgers eligible for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, built off his dominant output in the Steelers’ 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 21. His five-tackle, one-sack performance in that game landed him a spot on ProFootballFocus’ Week 12 ‘NFL Team of the Week.’
This week, Herbig finished with two tackles, one sack and a forced fumble against the Bengals’ dynamic offense. The Hawaii native’s strip-sack on Joe Burrow early in the fourth quarter led to a 21-yard fumble recovery from fellow linebacker Payton Wilson.
The sequence turned the Steelers’ 34-24 edge into a 41-24 advantage with just over 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Herbig’s strip sack and the accompanying return proved to be the game-winning score.
Gotta watch out for @nickherbig_!
He forces the turnover and Pittsburgh extends their lead. 😤#NFLBadgers x #HereWeGo
(🎥 via Pittsburgh Steelers) pic.twitter.com/pWkI27aa03
— NFL Badgers (@NFLBadgers) December 1, 2024
Herbig is now responsible for 17 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and four forced fumbles through eight games in 2024. He is emerging as one of the rising stars on a team built on a defensive identity.
The UW alumnus wasn’t the only Badger who recorded a strip-sack on Sunday. All-world outside linebacker T.J. Watt tallied two sacks and one forced fumble on the day to help guide Pittsburgh to its ninth win of the 2024 slate.
If Herbig continues to play at this caliber, he could earn himself a permanent starting spot in a loaded defensive unit.