Category: Pittsburgh Steelers

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Steelers vs. Commanders: Recap and highlights of the 28-27 Steelers win

The 6-2 Pittsburgh Steelers entered Week 10 coming off their bye week, and their matchup Sunday pitted them vs. the 7-2 Washington Commanders in Landover, MD. It was a matchup between two division leaders, but also two of the top teams in their own regard. The high-flying Washington offense led by Jayden Daniels vs. T.J. Watt and the stout Steelers defense. Can Russell Wilson keep up his winning ways since taking over as the starting quarterback, or will the Commanders defense continue to rise up to the challenge.

Those are just some of the storylines heading into the game, but let’s recap the contest between these two top ranked teams…

1st Quarter

The Steelers won the opening coin toss, and elected to take the football to start the game. What ensued were both teams having a 3-and-out to start the game.

It was the Steelers who would strike first on their second drive. The Steelers were aided by a defensive pass interference and roughing the passer calls, neither which occurred on third down, and it was George Pickens catching one of those patented Russell Wilson “Moon Balls” in the red-zone.

Chris Boswell’s extra point was good, making the score 7-0 with 8:33 remaining in the first quarter.

The Commanders weren’t able to match the points by the Steelers on their second drive. After a 9-yard gain on first down, the Washington offense moved backwards. A tackle for loss by Patrick Queen moved them back to a 3rd and 3, and Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton converged on Jayden Daniels for the sack on 3rd down to force another 3-and-out.

Washington’s defense stood tall and forced a 3-and-out of their own, and when it looked like the Steelers would punt they ran a fake. The pass from Miles Killebrew to James Pierre would have been a huge gain, but Pierre dropped the ball.

The Commanders took over in the red-zone, and three players later Austin Eckler rolled into the end-zone.

The point-after made the score 7-7 with 3:44 remaining in the first quarter.

Both offenses continued to struggle, exchanging three-and-outs, and it was Pittsburgh nearing midfield at the end of the 1st quarter.

Score after the 1st Quarter: Steelers 7, Commanders 7

2nd Quarter

It looked as if the Steelers were going to have to settle for a field-flipping drive to start the 2nd quarter, but a muffed punt, which was recovered by the Steelers, gave the offense new life.

Starting in the red-zone the Steelers utilized Pat Freiermuth for a new set of downs, and then facing a 3rd and goal, Wilson hit Freiermuth for the touchdown.

Boswell’s point-after was good, making the score 14-7 with 10:28 left in the quarter.

Washington started to get their offense going, and they were aided by a Joey Porter Jr. defensive pass interference call which moved the ball to midfield. However, when they neared the red-zone the team went the wrong way. The end result was a Zane Gonzalez 48-yard field goal to make the score 14-10 with 8:11 left in the half.

A field-flipping drive was all the Steelers could muster on their next drive, and the Waitman punt pinned the Commanders at their own 5-yard line with 5:39 left in the half.

The 15-play drive started and concluded due to key plays by Daniels and the receivers against the soft Steelers pass defense. Like this to rookie Luke McCaffrey.

After several penalties, two on Joey Porter Jr., it set up a 1st and goal situation with ended with another Austin Eckler touchdown.

The 17-14 score would hold into halftime.

Score at Halftime: Commanders 17, Steelers 14

3rd Quarter

The Commanders started with the football in the second half, and it didn’t take them long to pick up right where they left off. A huge pass from Daniels to McLaurin moved the Washington offense into Pittsburgh territory in no time.

The Daniels to McLaurin show continued, and eventually set up the Commanders at the one-yard line. From there it was Jeremy McNichols who plunged into the end-zone for the touchdown.

The extra point made the score 24-14 in the early minutes of the 3rd quarter.

In need of an answer, the Steelers did just that with their next possession. Starting at their own 25, the Steelers converted on several key 3rd down plays, none larger than a big catch-and-run to George Pickens to move the ball into the red-zone. From there it was Najee Harris who took the team on his back and put another touchdown on the board.

The extra point by Boswell was good, making the score 24-21 Commanders with 8:06 left in the quarter.

After Austin Eckler took the kickoff to the 45 yard line, the Commanders drive didn’t move further than that and resulted in a punt.

Pittsburgh’s 3-and-out gave the Commanders the ball at their own 45-yard line, and Daniels and company put up a field goal to make the score 27-21 with 2:54 left in the third frame of the contest.

That score would hold heading into the 4th quarter.

Score after the 3rd Quarter: Commanders 27, Steelers 21

4th Quarter

The Commanders had the football near midfield and facing a 3rd and long to start the 4th quarter, but would be forced to punt the ball back to Pittsburgh.

The Steelers offense moved the ball near midfield, but Najee Harris was stopped short on a 3rd and 1, and the Steelers chose to go for it. They would get the conversion, and it would set up a beautiful pass from Wilson to Pickens down the sideline to get the offense into scoring territory.

Jaylen Warren took over for an injured Najee Harris, and when it looked like he got the offense to the 1-yard line, he fumbled and it was clearly recovered by the Commanders. A costly turnover.

A three-and-out gave the ball right back to the Steelers with 5:46 left in regulation. Starting at their own 46, Wilson hit Freiermuth with a first down to get within field goal range. But the Steelers needed a touchdown to take the lead they faced a key 3rd and 9 Wilson hit newly acquired Mike Williams for the go-ahead touchdown.

The Boswell extra point gave the Steelers a 28-27 lead with 2:22 left in the game.

Washington, needing just a field goal with all three timeouts remaining, moved the ball close to field goal range but a 4th and 9 pass to Zach Ertz came up just short.

The Steelers needed just one first down to win the game, and they got it from a defensive offsides on 4th and 3 to give them the win.

FINAL SCORE: Steelers 28, Commanders 27

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11.

Jeff Hartman

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