The Pittsburgh Steelers were back on the field Sunday for the ninth time of the 2024 regular season when they traveled to play the Washington Commanders in Week 10 of regular season action. The Steelers were winners in the contest, but that doesn’t mean every player had a good or bad performance.

Players who play well can be considered ‘Winners’, while those who left a lot to be desired can be called ‘Losers’. It may sound harsh, but it is the crux of this exercise.

Let’s check in to see who fell on which side of the ledger after the latest game…

Winners

Patrick Queen
Stat Line: 7 tackles, 6 solo, 2 TFL, 1 Pass Defense

This is the Patrick Queen everyone was expecting to see when he was signed as a free agent this offseason. But for those who were disappointed in his early season production, remember the changes he is undergoing. Queen never wore the green dot in Baltimore, and if he did it was temporarily, but having that responsibility can be a burden for players. You have to get everyone lined up, relay the play, and make adjustments before the ball is snapped. All of this can make a player slow down, and you saw that early this season. But what you’ve seen throughout the season is Queen starting to get comfortable, and you see it with him playing faster. Now, you’re starting to see the aggression he brings to the team when he is settling in, and that’s a tremendous thing for the Steelers moving forward.

Cam Heyward
Stat Line: 2 tackles, 2 solo, 2 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 PD, 2 QB Hits

When the opposition is putting 2-3 players in charge of T.J. Watt, you need someone else to step up and make a play. That player was Cam Heyward at key moments vs. the Commanders. Not enough has been made of his play, especially his sack at the tail end of the 3rd quarter which moved Washington out of field goal range. Their offense never got back into field goal range for the rest of the game. Heyward stepped up big in multiple ways, and you can’t overlook his ability to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage as a key component of his game. Huge game for Cam.

George Pickens
Stat Line: 5 catches, 91 yards, 18.2 ave., 1 TD, 34 long, 7 targets

We are starting to see what Pickens can do when he has consistent quarterback play. Pickens hasn’t been one to hide his displeasure and frustration when things don’t go his way, but he’s been pretty happy since Russell Wilson took over at quarterback. Wilson is able to get Pickens the ball when he is open, and doing so in a fashion which will help Pickens maximize his potential. We are still seeing what Pickens can do, and while it can be odd at times, it is effective. Pickens is a unique beast, and he’s just getting warmed up.

Mike Williams
Stat Line: 1 catch, 32 yards, 1 TD, 1 target

If I’m being honest, I was frustrated when the Steelers didn’t use Mike Williams more in this game. Even if he was doing nothing but “go” routes, getting him on the field would be a boost for the offense. It took Calvin Austin III being pulled from the field for a medical check to get Williams on the field, but he didn’t waste the opportunity. Washington brought pressure and Russell Wilson’s pass was perfect. A tremendous job by Williams to catch the ball while staying in bounds. If this was the only play Williams makes in black-and-gold, what a moment it was. Welcome to the Steelers Mike Williams!

Russell Wilson
Stat Line: 14/28, 195 yards, 7.0 ave., 3 TDs, 1 INT, 3 sacks for 23 yds, 93.6 Rating

There might be some out there who don’t think Wilson would be on the winners list after his numbers vs. the Commanders, but the one thing I can’t get over is the stat line for touchdowns. Wilson’s three touchdowns were the most by a Steelers QB since Ben Roethlisberger in 2021. It’s been over 1,000 days since the Steelers had a QB throw three touchdowns. On top of that, Wilson and the Steelers improved their red-zone offense to the tune of 3-for-4 on the day, and that’s huge. It wasn’t always pretty, but Wilson made the big play when it mattered most.

Preston Smith
Stat Line: 3 tackles, 3 solo, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 1 QB Hit

The acquisition of Preston Smith surprised many this past week, but that surprise sure did pay dividends in Week 10. Smith, who most assumed would just be a depth piece in his first game, was called into more action than expected when Alex Highsmith left the game with an ankle injury. Nonetheless, Smith played above the line by all metrics in his time on the field. I still feel bad for the guy as he won’t get a week off this season, with the Packers being on a bye this week. Welcome to the Steelers Preston Smith!

Red-Zone Offense
Stat Line: 3-for-4

The last time we saw the Steelers on the field in Week 8, they went 0-for-4 in red-zone offense. This week they went 3-for-4, and the one lack of conversion was Jaylen Warren’s fumble at the 1-yard line. The difference in this game was the Steelers’ success in the red-zone, and if this is the future of what’s to come this team is going to be tough to beat down the stretch.

3rd Down Defense
Stat Line: WAS – 5-for-14

The Steelers defense stood tall when it mattered most, and their success vs. the Commanders on 3rd down was a huge part of the victory for the black-and-gold.

Time of Possession
Stat Line: PIT: 36:11 / WAS: 23:49

One thing which is often forgotten when talking about teams with prolific offenses is how they can’t score with any consistency if they aren’t on the field. What you’re seeing is a Steelers offense which is starting to dominate running the football, and their ability to control the time of possession. This game was a prime example of this, with the Steelers controlling the clock more than 10 minutes longer than the Commanders. It’s a great recipe for success.

Clutch Plays at Clutch Moments
Stat Line: Both sides of the ball

What makes a true contending team? If you ask me, it’s the ability to make clutch plays at clutch moments. Don’t look now, but the Steeles are starting to have that in their DNA in 2024. Does that make them a true contender? That might be a bit premature, but you saw big plays being made on both sides of the football in the win on Sunday, and against a team like Washington it was a great sign. A huge step in the right direction.

Losers

Joey Porter Jr.
Stat Line: Penalties and miscues

Joey Porter Jr.’s style of play is one which can have its ups and downs. Sunday was one with more downs than ups. Huge penalties and blown coverages were the theme of the game for Porter, but I don’t want to make it seem as if this is some glaring declaration for the future of his play. Just like the rush defense after the Giants game, some saw that being the “new norm”. It wasn’t. Let’s hope this game was just a blip on the radar for the second year defensive back.

Broderick Jones
Stat Line: Clearly the weak link on the line

Let me get this out of the way quickly…not all of Broderick Jones’ play is bad. But his consistency is becoming a serious issue. While Dan Moore has been lock down on the left side, Jones has these brain far moments where his mental and physical lapses are not just noticeable, but unbelievably detrimental to the offense’s success. If he can find a level of consistency, this line will really start to gel.

Turnovers
Stat Line: 2 turnovers (1 INT, 1 Fumble) / 1 turnover on downs

Sunday was a rare sight for the Steelers in the fact they were on the wrong side of the turnover battle, and still won. The Steelers were -1 in that category after their interception and fumble, and only a fumble recovery on their side of the docket. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh found a way to overcome those turnovers, even though the interception was a glorified punt. I also threw in the failed fake punt, more on that later, which was a turnover on downs and spotted the Commanders in the red-zone immediately. Can’t win games like this repeatedly.

James Pierre
Stat Line: Dropped fake punt, coverage issues

As my brother always said when Ike Taylor would drop an interception, “That’s why they play defense.” Pierre could have been a hero in this game, but eventually saw the ire of the fan base turn his way. The Steelers put Pierre on the field when Donte Jackson left with a hamstring injury, and his coverage in the game left a lot to be desired as well. Not a great night for Pierre.

Injuries
Stat Line: Keep piling up

The Steelers were pretty healthy coming out of the bye, but that didn’t last long. Here are the players who left with injury, and weren’t able to return.

• Alex Highsmith (ankle)
• Donte Jackson (hamstring)

There were a number of players who left with injury, but were able to return. Either way, the injuries are piling up, and if Highsmith is out for any extended period of time the health of Nick Herbig now becomes huge for the pass rush for the foreseeable future.

Fake Punt Execution
Stat Line: It didn’t work

Yes, the play should have worked. Yes, the Commanders gave the Steelers the look they wanted. Yes, it was a big-risk call to green light that play. But that doesn’t mean it was a good play. Why? Because it wasn’t executed. This would be like a run play on a 4th and 2 which was stopped and someone saying, “But if those guys block better that’s a first down!” But it wasn’t, it failed. Same if the Steelers throw a pass short of the sticks and the runner is tackled short. “But if he breaks that tackle, that’s a first down!” But it wasn’t, it failed. This play falls into that category, it failed, and that’s why it’s on the loser list.

If you want a more detailed look at the above list, check out my “Let’s Ride” podcast in the player below where I outline each Winner and Loser, and MORE!