Game Preview, Week 10: Pittsburgh Steelers at Washington
November 9, 2024
by Steve Thomas
Unbelievably, Washington is actually now 7 – 2, and in first place in the NFC East, with the Philadelphia Eagles just a half game behind. Very few people would have predicted such a thing before the season started. Last week’s game against the Giants wasn’t necessarily their best effort of the year, but the fact that they got through it with a victory anyway is a testament to the general quality of this team, particularly the offense. However, week 10 brings an entirely different level of competition, as the first place Pittsburgh Steelers come to town. Pittsburgh, of course, is used to important games between good teams, whereas Washington is new to the experience. This week’s contest will be a pretty big measuring stick as to just how good the 2024 Washington Redskins Washington Football Team Washington Commanders team really is. Our game preview begins below.
Game time & location: Sunday, November 10, 2024, 1:00 p.m. ET, Northwest Stadium, Raljon, Maryland; Gates open 11:00 a.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 8:00 a.m.; all other parking lots 9:00 a.m.
Television: CBS
Television announcers: Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn
TV broadcast map: Click here
DC-area radio: BIG-100 (WBIG FM)
Washington radio network: Click here
Steelers radio network: Click here
Satellite radio: Sirius: 83 (Wash. broad.); SiriusXM: 227 (Wash. broad.); internet: 831
Washington roster: Click here
Washington depth chart: Click here
Steelers roster: Click here
Steelers depth chart: Click here
All-time head-to-head record vs Steelers: 43 – 33 – 3 (last 10: 4 – 6)
Last meeting: W, December 7, 2023, 23 – 17
Steelers record: 6 – 2 / 3 – 1 away / 2 – 1 vs NFC / 1st place
Early odds: Washington, -3
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Mistake-free play
Washington can’t afford to commit a bunch of drive-killing penalties and blown coverages. Missed tackles and blown coverages need to be kept to a minimum. The Steelers are probably the best or second-best team Washington has faced this year, so they’ll need to be on top of their game. Washington needs to play a solid, productive, mistake-free game if they’re is going to win. If they don’t play cleanly, odds are that the Steelers walk away with the victory.
Focus on coverage schemes
The 2024 Steelers are not a great offensive team overall; that having been said, quarterback Russell Wilson has been good since taking over for Justin Fields. Washington can’t afford to let the former All Pro pick apart Washington’s secondary via a series of blown coverages. It will be interesting to see whether Washington’s coaching staff allows newcomer Marshon Lattimore to play isolated press-man on Georg Pickens, or whether they instead simply plug him into the existing defensive scheme. Regardless, a key to this game is to key Wilson from having the time and space to cause the passing attack to move the Steelers down the field on a regular basis.
Establish a short-passing game
The Steelers have one of the best run defenses in the league this year, with opponents averaging just 4.0 yards per carry, which is tied for 5th. As a result, I don’t think Washington will be able to establish an efficient ground attack in this game. Of course, their pass defense is also very highly ranked, with opponents averaging a 79.4 quarterback rating, which is also fifth. I therefore think Washington’s best chance comes with a short passing attack, so look for Washington to call a series of screens and short outs, mixed in with lots of movement from a healthier Jayden Daniels. Keep an eye out on the type of routes Washington’s receivers are running.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Wylie is a guy who’s taken a significant amount of criticism for his performance at right tackle ,justifiably so. This week presents him what is probably his biggest challenge of the year, in the form of the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 6x Pro Bowler, and 4x All Pro, T.J. Watt. This has the potential to go horribly wrong if Wylie isn’t at the absolute top of his game. Watt already has 6.5 sacks this year, and could possibly add a few more this week if Wylie doesn’t look good. Keep an eye out on how well Wylie is doing in this matchup. If you see Watt repeatedly invading the backfield, you’ll have your answer.
Benjamin St-Juste vs George Pickens
This matchup would have been alot more interesting if Lattimore had been healthy enough to play in his first week in DC, but he has been ruled out this week as a result of his hamstring injury. That leaves St-Juste on tap to continue to serve as Washington’s #1 corner for at least one more week. Pickens is Pittsburgh’s most popular receiving target, with 58 so far this year, including 35 receptions for 548 yards, 15.7 yards per reception, and 1 touchdown. Pickens is a bigger receiver, at 6’3” and 200 pounds, so – at least from a body type perspective – St-Juste may be a decent matchup. We’ll see. Watch out for how often Pickens is open deep in the backfield.
Harris is an outstanding running back and is a cornerstone of the Steelers’ offense. This season, he has 136 carries for 592 yards, which is 4.4 yards per carry, and 2 touchdowns. His 4.4 yards per carry isn’t necessarily great, but Washington is one of the worst teams in the NFL against the run. Wagner, as the middle linebacker, will play a major role in keeping Harris in check and not allowing him to make it to the second level. Washington can’t afford to let Harris have a huge game this week, and in my view, Wagner will be the key to their success.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful
| Washington | Steelers |
| DE C. Ferrell, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP | S T. Edmunds, illness; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| CB M. Lattimore, hamstring; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | DT C. Heyward, NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: DNP |
| T C. Lucas, ankle; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | TE M. Pruitt, knee; Wed: NL; Thurs; DNP; Fri: FP |
| DE D. Armstrong, shoulder; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP | LB N. Herbig, hamstring; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| OLB D. Fowler Jr., groin; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | QB J. Fields, hamstring; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| RB B. Robinson Jr., hamstring; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: DNP; game: O | C Z. Frazier, ankle; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| K A. Seibert, right hip; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q | LB T. Matakevich, hamstring; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; game: Q |
| T A. Wylie, shoulder; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q | RB/KR C. Patterson, ankle; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| TE C. Yankoff, hamstring; Wed: NL, Thurs: LP; Fri: DNP; game: O | WR B. Skowronek, shoulder; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; game: Q |
| C T. Biadaz, thumb; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | |
| CB N. Igbinoghene, thumb; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
Steve’s Prediction
Washington is going to fight hard, but the Steelers are a bit too much. Washington can’t win them all. Steelers get a road victory by a score of 27 – 24.