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Steel City Underground offers post-game takeaways for every 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL regular season game, focusing on the black and gold, just for members of Steelers Nation.
On Sunday afternoon, the Washington Commanders hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers for an NFL Week 10 contest that demonstrated why both teams are legitimate contenders in 2024, and why the NFL truly is a “game of inches.” In a game fraught with anxiety-inducing penalties and calls by officials, the Steelers eked out the narrowest win for their squad this season, 28-27, against a Commanders team that is arguably the most-complete team they’ve faced this season.
No guts, no glory
Love him or hate him, head coach Mike Tomlin refused to allow his players or staff live in the past, or their fears, after an early punt fake was poorly executed; Miles Killebrew‘s pass to James Pierre fell incomplete. The Steelers quickly found themselves tied with the Commanders, 7-7, in a toe-to-toe battle through the remainder of the first quarter.
In the second half, Pittsburgh was down by as much as 10 points and had given away two turnovers (a Russell Wilson interception and a Jaylen Warren fumble) and could have fizzled-out with injuries to Donte Jackson, Calvin Austin, and Alex Highsmith. Instead, with 2:22 left in the game, Wilson took the snap and was under near-immediate pressure before launching a pass in the direction of recently-added receiver Mike Williams for a beautiful touchdown reception on 3rd & 9 from the Washington 32.
Ahead by just one point, the Steelers defense took the field and stopped tight end Zach Ertz from converting a Commanders first down by what may have been less than five inches, as confirmed by booth review. The turnover on downs was something that Washington had been able to avoid against other opponents, but Pittsburgh didn’t have quit in their vocabulary.
With 1:08 left in the game, a Steelers offensive series looked stalled on 3rd & 8 at the Pittsburgh 44. The Commanders called a timeout, and it appeared that Corliss Waitman might be called-upon to punt the ball deep and for Tomlin to ask the defense to stand tall just one more series. Instead, Tomlin talked to his guys and sent the offense back out onto the field on 4th & 1 at the Washington 49.
The line was cast… and the Commanders bit. And that bite, it was an instantaneous “W.”
The @Steelers got them to jump! pic.twitter.com/glO8f8gYpo
— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024
Victory formation wrapped things up after that, and the celebrations ensued.
Experience mattered
This is a Steelers team that has asked its younger players to learn on the go and lean on the veterans amongst them for guidance. On Sunday, the team excelled because of those experiences.
Cameron Heyward, team captain and anchor of the defensive line, led the defense with 2.0 sacks. Veteran edge Preston Smith, added to the team ahead of the game, earned the third Steelers sack of Jayden Daniels in the game. Smith, who was expected to be eased into the roster – as was Williams – was utilized more due to Highsmith’s injury.
Wilson’s experience shone on offense as he remained calm despite heavy pressure and found ways to get the ball to six different receivers, including tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. Four receivers – George Pickens, Williams, Austin, and running back Warren – finished with at least a 10-yard average per reception.
The play by veterans, across the board, bolstered their younger counterparts’ play in spite of mistakes and calls that drew criticism that could have created a distraction. Instead, experience kept the Steelers in the fight for the full 60 minutes.
The Steelers will need that cohesion as they begin divisional play in Week 11 when they host the 7-3 Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium.
Takeaways: Steelers eke out win over Commanders appeared first on Steel City Underground.