Game picks for Week 10
The Pittsburgh Steelers have an opportunity to get to 7-2 this Sunday when they travel to Landover, Maryland to face the Washington Commanders. Will they come out victorious? Here is what our staff has to say.
“If you had Washington and Pittsburgh both as first place teams in November, take a bow. Pittsburgh are betting underdogs, but looking at these rosters, I’m not so sure they should be. Washington is one of the worst teams in the league against the run and its secondary is not particularly strong either. New addition Marshon Lattimore is not healthy enough to suit up Sunday, but the Steelers Mike Williams will be. He and George Pickens should feast on Washington’s corners, especially on play action. On offense, Jayden Daniels has been impressive both as a runner and a passer, but the Steelers have a long track record of success against rookie quarterbacks under Mike Tomlin. At times, Washington has relied on Daniels making something out of nothing, which leaves little room for error against a defense as stout as the Steelers. Washington’s offense is streakier than their season averages might indicate. The Commanders have not faced a challenging slate of defenses and are the only other team this season besides Pittsburgh to win a game in which they didn’t score a touchdown. If the Steelers can limit the explosive read option runs and scrambles from Daniels, they should have more than a puncher’s chance at winning this one. Steelers win 27-23.”- Ryan Parish
“The first time this season I’m not predicting a low-scoring game. Washington will be a challenge, but they’re also banged up. The Steelers are playing their best football of the year and rested coming off a bye. Ultimately, I think both offenses perform well, but the Steelers defense should give Pittsburgh a slim advantage. 26-24, Steelers.”- Ryland Bickley
“After a couple weeks of Russell Mania, it’s time for the Steelers defense to return to the throne. Washington injuries will allow the pass rush to tee off. A tipped ball will fall into Minkah’s hands. Karl Dunbar will patch up the leaky run defense. Steelers 20, Washington 16.”- Kyle Chrise
“The Washington Commanders record and the stat sheet of rookie QB Jayden Daniels have been built on playing a slate of poor defenses. Of their eight opponents (Giants twice), only the Bears rank higher than No.15 in yards per game or points per game. It’s amazing to think you could play nine NFL games and only face one good defense. Not having leading rusher Brian Robinson will make things even harder for Daniels. The Steeler defense has been very good this year statistically, but they are best at something specific that wins games. They take away the opponents top passing weapon. In the past four games Malik Nabers, Garret Wilson, Brock Bowers, and CeeDee Lamb have averaged 6,5 catches for 65 yards with ZERO touchdowns. Expect Terry McLaurin to be neutralized and the Commanders will be forced to try and win with their non-stars. On the other side of things, the Commanders have faced only four offenses that rank above No. 15 in yards or points. Three of those teams scored 30 or more against Washington. The Steelers offense will have plenty of success in a 34-20 victory.”- Tom Fox
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter this game at a perfect moment where Mike Tomlin will most certainly need to take a matchup against the Washington commanders, extremely seriously. This would have typically been a spot on the schedule where Tomlin and his unit would have wet off the gas after a strong couple of performances. Given the fact that they are coming off a bye and they are going against a rookie quarterback — a circumstance in which Mike Tomlin has been extremely successful — this does feel like a spot where Pittsburgh might have an edge. they have some potency on, and their defense is vastly superior. Steelers 27-Commanders 24.”- Kate Magdziuk
The Steelers get a bit of a break with the Commanders not having the services of running back Brian Robinson or newly-acquired cornerback Marson Lattimore. Washington has also struggled to stop the run this season, ranking 30th in EPA per rush defensively. The Steelers’ formula should be similar to what it has been over the last two games – run the ball to set up play action deep balls from Russell Wilson to George Pickens, and now Mike Williams. As long as their defense keeps a lid on the Commanders, Pittsburgh should come away with a win. Steelers 24, Commanders 20.”- Jarrett Bailey