Alex Highsmith says his individual award was a result of his team's success.

The Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award for his play in a 27-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday. He had two sacks, three tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, and a pass defended. Highsmith also helped the Steelers limit Jonathan Taylor, the NFL's leading rusher, to 45 yards on 14 carries.

It was the best performance of the season for Highsmith, who sustained a sprained ankle in Week 2 in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks and missed two games. Highsmith reinjured the ankle against the Colts but practiced on Thursday.

The Steelers also had six takeaways and five sacks against the Colts, holding the team with the league's best offense to just two touchdowns. Highsmith, though, credited his personal success more to defensive coordinator Teryl Austin's game plan and the play of his teammates.

The Steelers had given up over 400 total yards in each of their previous two games, losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers. The Steelers decided to play more basic football against the Colts and will likely keep that approach again when they visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.

"We simplified the menu this week," Highsmith said. "But also, we executed really well. I think that's why we did well. Wherever we can execute what's called that's great for us. So, we've just got to continue to play fast and play physical. When we get the ball, when we get turnovers, that's what it's about. So that culture has got to continue this week. We know our last prime time game against the Packers, we played terrible. This is a get-back game for us on prime time this week."

The Steelers are ranked last in the NFL in total defense. Highsmith, though, believes last Sunday's showing is what the Steelers defense can do consistently.

"First and foremost, we can have whatever scheme the coaches call, at the end of the day, we're the ones who play and we're the ones who have to go in there and execute the calls," Highsmith said. "We're the ones who have to go out and be physical, get off blocks. We've got to break on the ball and stuff like that. So, it's little things like that, little details in every single call. I think we did a much better job this week, so we've just got to continue to build on that."