Week 10… Didn’t this season literally just kick off??? Either way, here we are! This week the Pittsburgh Steelers head to the nation’s capitol for a big-time contest against the Washington Commanders. Here’s everything you need to know about the game!
What: Pittsburgh Steelers 6-2 at Washington Commanders 7-2
Where: Northwest Stadium Washington, D.C.
When: Sunday November 10th 2024 1pmET
Weather: 57 degrees under cloudy skies at kickoff. Rain possible by the second half.
Surface: Natural grass
Wagering Information: Commanders -3 O/U 45
Last Week: The Commanders went into New York and held an early lead before finally winning 27-22 over the Giants. The Steelers enjoyed their BYE week.
TV: CBS Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analysis), Evan Washburn (field reporter)
TV Coverage in Your Area (courtesy 506sports.com): Pretty much everyone East of the Mississippi will get this one! Steelers-Commanders in RED.
Radio: Steelers Nation Radio/WDVE Rob King (play-by-play), Craig Wolfley (analysis)
Max Starks (field reporter)
ESPN Radio: Steve Levy (play-by-play), Sal Paolantonio (analysis)
Head Official: Brad Rogers. He’s a College Professor from Lubbock Christian. His crew has five new members on it this year. They all came over from different crews. This is Rogers’ sixth season as a head official. He last oversaw a Steelers’ game in week one of this year. A Steelers’ win in Atlanta. There were 14 accepted penalties in that game.
Key Injuries/Game Status (courtesy steelers.com) PIT: ** No. 15 WR Ben Skowronek (Shoulder) – Questionable, No. 38 S Terrell Edmunds (Illness) – Out, ** No. 44 LB Tyler Matakevich (Hamstring) – Questionable, No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) – Out WAS: No. — CB Marshon Lattimore (Hamstring) – Out, No. 78 T Cornelius Lucas (Ankle) – Out, No. 8 RB Brian Robinson Jr. (Hamstring) – Out, No. 41 TE Colson Yankoff (Hamstring) – Out, No. 3 K Austin Seibert (Right Hip) – Questionable, No. 71 G/T Andrew Wylie (Shoulder) – Questionable
**In the 21-day window to return.
Injury Notes: With no Brian Robinson, look for a lot Austin Ekeler at RB… Herbig’s injury has clearly been worse than most thought. He was a limited participant this week but is still not getting a helmet.
2024 NFL Ranks:
Total Offense: PIT 19th WAS 2nd Passing Offense: PIT 29th WAS 7th Rushing Offense: PIT 11th WAS 2nd
Total Defense: PIT 2nd WAS 13th Passing Defense: PIT 15th WAS 8th Rushing Defense: PIT 4th WAS 30th
AFC North Standings: Pittsburgh 6-2, Baltimore 7-3, Cincinnati 4-6, Cleveland 2-7
This Week in the AFC North: Baltimore 35 Cincinnati 34 (THU), Cleveland BYE
What You Need to Know: Pittsburgh is 23-12 all-time following their BYE week… They are 12-9 when that occurs on the road… They’ve won seven straight games after the BYE… The Steelers are 5-1 on natural grass this season… Pittsburgh is 6-0 when allowing 19 points or less… Since 1990, teams starting 6-2 have made the Super Bowl 9.7% of the time… The Steelers are +68 in point differential which is good for fourth this season.
Tomlin Time: Coach Tomlin is 3-1 all-time versus the Washington franchise… He is 13-4 all-time following a BYW week and is 7-3 on the road… Tomlin needs four victories to tie Tom Landry(183) for 8th most wins by a head coach since 1970… The Steelers are 25-6 under Mike Tomlin in games versus a rookie quarterback.
Washington Commanders Names to Know: QB Jayden Daniels, WR Terry McLaurin, RB Brian Robinson, LB Bobby Wagner, WR Noah Brown, TE Zach Ertz, K Austin Seibert, DT Jer’Zhan Newton, CB Marshon Lattimore, RB Austin Ekeler
What’s at Stake: The Commanders and Eagles are the top dogs in the NFC East and need to win to keep pace with each other. The Steelers are literally in the same situation with Baltimore who won Thursday night.
All-Time Series: Commanders lead 44-34-4
Last Meeting: December 2020 in Pittsburgh. Commanders 23 Steelers 17
Postseason History: N/A
Steelers Game Highs vs WAS: PASSING: 311 yards Terry Bradshaw 11/04/1979 RUSHING: 143 yards DeAngelo Williams 09/12/2016 RECEIVING: 187 yards Buddy Dial 10/23/1960 SACKS: 2.0 Clark Haggans 11/28/2004 Joey Porter 11/28/2004 LaMarr Woodley 11/03/2008 INTERCEPTIONS:2 Five times Last: John Campbell 12/10/1967
Check out the latest Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast for more on the Steelers.
Three Things We Need to See for a Steelers’ Victory:
1. Run the Damn Ball. I love those new hats I see people wearing at football games that say this. And this week, it’s appropriate. The Commanders are 30th in the NFL in stopping the run. This is not where you get ‘cute’ if you’re Arthur Smith. Don’t try to be Matt Canada or Todd Haley and “overthink it.” The O-line is improving and gets Zach Frazier back. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are healthy. Establish the run and then use play-action. It’s football. It still comes down to basics!
2. Jayden Meet Lamar. Oddly enough, the Steelers will play Lamar Jackson and the Ravens next week. Playing Jayden Daniels THIS week should be a good training ground for the defense. Because the Steelers have had some decent success with Jackson, one would think similar measures would be deployed against the rookie Daniels. Making sure he’s contained will be paramount. Teryl Austin’s team will see plenty of read option which is something they haven’t seen much of this season. I expect some big plays early but they need to settle in quickly.
3. Powers Collide. The Steelers and Commanders both have excellent Special Teams’ units. Danny Smith has not had this much success in years with the blocked kicks and big returns. Now a challenge comes his way. The weather should be decent with rain a possibility in the second half. Ball security, tackling well and not committing dumb penalties will be crucial especially in regards to field position. Winning the ‘third phase’ will go a long way towards winning the game period.
The ‘X’ Factor: Each week I will select a player from each team who I believe will need to play above and beyond in order for his team to win.
X-Factor Steelers: Minkah Fitzpatrick. The low-hanging fruit here is that he’s BEYOND due for a splash play but what I’m referring to is his tackling. I can see plenty of times, especially early in the game, where he’s going to have to make plays on ball carriers who get through the first two levels. If he isn’t playing well, then the D is in for a long day.
X-Factor Commanders: Noah Brown. The guy who caught the Hail Mary two weeks ago against the Bears may need to take center stage again. With the Steelers focused on Terry McLaurin and containing Jayden Daniels, Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury will need Brown to make some plays.
Prediction: Traditionally, the Steelers have been good after the BYE, but they’ve also been slow to get going in these games. When I combine that with a short road trip and having to play a dynamic talent at QB, I can see the Steelers falling behind early. Once things settle down and the rust is knocked off, I think they’ll adjust to the Commanders’ offense and start to make some progress offensively. It won’t be pretty but I think they get it done.
Steelers 23 Commanders 20
Season Prediction Record: 5-3
