The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to face off against the Washington Commanders this Sunday in a compelling inter-conference matchup. The Steelers, currently holding a 6-2 record, are vying for the top position in the AFC North alongside the Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, the Commanders are in a fierce battle with the Philadelphia Eagles for supremacy in the NFC East, buoyed by the impressive play of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 pm EST.
Read on for insights and predictions regarding the Steelers vs. Commanders game.
Steelers Seek Road Victory
The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a 26-18 victory against the New York Giants two weeks ago, enhancing their season record to 6-2. The Steelers’ triumph was highlighted by a remarkable 72-yard punt return for a touchdown by Calvin Austin, marking their 22nd consecutive home win on Monday nights. As they return from their bye week, they are in a tight race with the Ravens for the AFC North lead.
“It wasn’t as fluid as we’d like, but that’s football,” commented Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “We’ve got to guard against caring about style points.”
Quarterback Russell Wilson put forth another commendable performance, completing 20 of 28 passes for 279 yards in what was his second start of the season. Running back Najee Harris also shined, rushing for 114 yards and marking his third game of the season with over 100 yards. Wilson connected with eight different receivers, including Austin, who caught three passes for 54 yards. The Steelers amassed a total of 426 yards in offense, while their defense held the Giants to just 5-of-15 on third downs. Notably, T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith each recorded two sacks in the game.
To bolster their playoff ambitions, the Steelers made strategic moves at the trade deadline, acquiring deep-threat receiver Mike Williams from the New York Jets and defensive end Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers. Currently, the Steelers rank 13th in scoring offense but struggle in several areas, including being 30th in red zone touchdown conversions. On defense, they excel, ranking second in scoring defense and fourth against the run.
Injury Report: Wide Receiver Roman Wilson is out. Running Back Cordarrelle Patterson, Linebacker Nick Herbig, Center Zach Frazier, and Quarterback Justin Fields are all listed as questionable.
Commanders on the Rise
The Washington Commanders have emerged as one of the NFL’s surprise teams this season, boasting a 7-2 record under the leadership of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and new head coach Dan Quinn. Last week, the Commanders wrapped up a season sweep of the New York Giants with a close 27-22 win. This victory followed a thrilling Hail Mary pass from Daniels that clinched a win against the Bears.
“It felt like a historic win for us last week, especially given the way it unfolded,” said head coach Dan Quinn. “Recognizing that win while keeping our focus on the next challenge shows the maturity of this team.”
Daniels once again showcased his talent, throwing for 209 yards and two touchdowns, both to receiver Terry McLaurin, while adding 35 rushing yards. Despite missing starting running back Brian Robinson, the Commanders managed 149 rushing yards, with Austin Ekeler contributing a touchdown. The offense recorded 358 total yards and 21 first downs, while the defense allowed the Giants to gain 326 total yards, including two sacks and a significant fumble recovery.
Like their opponents, the Commanders also made key acquisitions at the trade deadline, bringing in cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints to strengthen their secondary. The Commanders are currently third in the NFL in both scoring and total offense, but they face challenges converting red zone opportunities, ranking 26th in that category.
Injury Report: Running Back Brian Robinson Jr., Cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and Offensive Tackle Cornelius Lucas are all questionable for Sunday’s game.
Prepare for the action this Sunday!
Best Bets for Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Washington Commanders
