Game Thread: WEEK 10... @WAS

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Post-game thoughts...

From NFL "What We Learned" article:

1. Wilson-Williams connection completes Steelers' comeback. The trade deadline acquisition paid off immediately for Pittsburgh. Mike Williams caught a Russell Wilson sideline 32-yard shot with 2:27 remaining to help the Steelers overcome a 10-point second-half deficit. It's the type of play Pittsburgh envisioned when they moved to acquire Williams. The Wilson-led offense was up and down much of the day, but the splash plays remain with the veteran in the lineup. Wilson hit George Pickens on a spectacular diving touchdown in the opening quarter and put the ball on the money to Williams late. In the middle, there were some muddling drives, including five in which they didn't earn a first down. Williams made the big play despite taking just nine snaps in the game. The hope is the more Williams gets involved, the fewer deep targets Wilson will be taking to Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson. It's not always pretty, but the Steelers offense remained more effective with Wilson under center. On the final drive, sitting at a fourth-and-1 near midfield, Wilson got Washington rookie Jer'Zhan Newton to jump offsides to end the game.
2. Daniels, Commanders come up short. Jayden Daniels put up his worst numbers in a full game since Week 1. The rookie QB completed a season-low 50% of his passes (17 of 34) for 202 yards with zero touchdowns and took three sacks. Still, Daniels managed the game with aplomb against a good Steelers defense. He got the ball out quickly, completing 12 of 16 quick passes (under 2.5 seconds) for 153 yards, and the ground game scored three short touchdowns. Pittsburgh held the Commanders to a season low in total yards (242) and a season-high six punts. A slow start (three first-quarter three-and-outs) got the Commanders behind the eight ball. Washington took advantage of a Steelers botched fake punt and the halftime turn, scoring touchdowns on the final drive of the second quarter and marching 71 yards on five plays to open the third quarter. Yet, the offense couldn't stretch its lead late, generating just two fourth-quarter first downs, giving the Steelers oxygen. On a fourth-and-9 on the final drive, tight end Zach Ertz was deemed down just short of the sticks, scuttling a potential go-ahead possession. The positive was that even in his worst game against a good opponent, Daniels still gave his chance to win. Despite the loss, Washington showed it's in it for the long haul.
3. Steelers trade moves pay off. Washington didn't have its splash addition, Marshon Lattimore, on the field. Pittsburgh did have Williams and its other deadline acquisition, Preston Smith. The differences were notable. Washington could have used Lattimore on the game-winning touchdown as Benjamin St-Juste got beat over the top. In addition to Williams' late heroics, Smith was credited with a sack when he tripped up Daniels for a loss. The pass rusher also generated three tackles, two for loss, and a QB pressure in just 22 snaps. The Smith acquisition could become even bigger after Alex Highsmith suffered an injury late in the contest.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Steelers-Commanders (via NFL Pro): Terry McLaurin faced Joey Porter Jr. on 22 of his 34 routes in Week 10 (64.7%), catching all four targets for 97 yards against Porter as the nearest defender. Porter pressed McLaurin on 14 of the 22 routes while forcing a tight window on three of four targets.

NFL Research: Mike Tomlin is now 26-6 versus rookie starting QBs, and Russell Wilson is 12-2 vs. rookie starting QBs since 2013.

From NFL power rankings article:

Somehow, the Steelers gained 97 first-half yards, gave it up on downs at their own 16-yard line, coughed the ball up on the Washington 1-yard line and still won. They were shaky throughout, suffering some crushing defensive penalties and allowing long TD drives immediately before and after halftime. And Alex Highsmith, Najee Harris and Donte Jackson all suffered injuries. But Mike Tomlin is a future Hall of Fame coach because he prepares for his teams to thrive in these types of tense, wild games. It didn’t work out in the loss to the Cowboys back in early October, but more often than not, the Steelers have taken care of business in money situations, even showing Sunday they could do so when they move up a weight class, on the road against a quality Commanders team. Finishing the game off with a hard count to draw Washington offsides was the perfect ending to this wacky test. The stage is now set for a beauty Sunday in Pittsburgh against the Ravens, with AFC North supremacy on the line.

 

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Moving your post in here

Great win, big plays when needed, but the fake punt and the fumble at the goal line made things much more difficult……huge catch by Williams and a big road win with a lot of Steeler fans in attendance.

 

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Tomlin reported Highsmith's ankle as a sprain... He's OUT next week, and could be 1-2 weeks out

 

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LMAO... these AI videos are so out of pocket

 

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Glad to see Broderick have a good game against a good DL... Need to see some consistency tho

 

[Pure Steel]

Tomlin reported Highsmith's ankle as a sprain... He's OUT next week, and could be 1-2 weeks out

That’s not bad considering how bad it looked, Herbig coming back at the right time…..

 

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That’s not bad considering how bad it looked, Herbig coming back at the right time…..

And the trade of Preston Smith looks even more important