NFL Game of the Week: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Washington Commanders

Both teams are unexpectedly leading their divisions and looking for their first division title since 2020. For the Commanders, it’s the first of back-to-back games against a team from Pennsylvania. For the Steelers, it’s the start of a brutal second half of their schedule.

Due to that schedule, this seems like a game that the Steelers need more than the Commanders. After this, they have all six division games plus the Eagles and the Chiefs.

For Washington, they’ve only played two games against teams that currently have winning records. They lost to Baltimore and blew out Arizona.

The quarterbacks will be the main focus of the game. Jayden Daniels is in the middle of a great year which has him as the current favorite for Rookie of the Year.

On the other side, Russell Wilson is only making his third start of the year, but he’s been solid so far, combining for 542 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in two wins.

Both teams will also likely try to control the game on the ground. Pittsburgh will have to stop Daniels on the ground in addition to in the passing game. Brian Robinson Jr. and Daniels have combined for 920 rushing yards so far. Add in Austin Ekeler who hasn’t seen as much field time but is averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

Running the ball is the MO of the Steelers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. They struggled to get their running backs going early in the year, but Najee Harris has rushed for over 100 yards in the last three games.

Defensively, the advantage goes to Pittsburgh. They have the second-ranked scoring defense in the league as well as being third in the turnover margin.

The obvious focal point for Washington will be slowing down TJ Watt who is currently the favorite to win his second Defensive Player of the Year award.

On the other side, the Steelers will constantly have to be aware of Bobby Wagner. He has shown no signs of slowing down in his first season on the East Coast, totaling 76 tackles so far this year. He is at the center of this defense and will be the anchor if they are to win this weekend.

The biggest question is who can make enough plays on the outside to win this game. Both teams have highly talented top options at wide receiver in George Pickens for Pittsburgh and Terry McLaurin for Washington.

Which secondary will be better at taking away that top option?

Pittsburgh acquired wide receiver Mike Williams at the trade deadline, and Washington got cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Can he slow down Pickens? If so, can Williams be the second option Pittsburgh has been looking for?

Who will be the next man up for Washington if McLaurin is shut down? The second leading receiver on both teams is the tight end: Pat Friermuth for the Steelers and Zach Ertz for Washington. Can Noah Brown or Olamide Zaccheaus fill the void the Steelers are hoping Williams will?

Both teams are good defensively and will want to run the ball. That might make these weapons the key to the game. Whoever makes one or two more big plays on the perimeter might just be the difference.

Jacob Rudy is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jar7371@psu.edu.