The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) will face off against the Washington Commanders (7-2) this Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, airing on CBS. BetMGM has set the odds with the Commanders favored by three points. Historically, Washington holds a slight advantage in the series, leading 43-33-3. This matchup has Steelers at 6-2 against the spread while the Commanders are slightly better at 7-2. Their most recent clash resulted in a Washington victory on December 7, 2020, where they defeated the Steelers 23-17 at Pittsburgh.
Both teams had different recent outcomes leading up to this game; the Steelers enjoyed a bye week after their win over the Giants on October 28, ending with a score of 26-18. Conversely, the Commanders emerged victorious against the Giants last week with a score of 27-22. Taking a closer look at the teams, the Steelers rank 19th overall offensively, with a commendable 8th in rushing but struggling at 26th in passing and 13th in scoring. Their defense, however, is impressive, ranking 9th overall, 4th in rushing defense, and 2nd in scoring defense. The Commanders boast a robust offense, ranked 3rd overall, with 3rd in rushing and 11th in passing, rounding off with a strong scoring position at 3rd. On defense, they sit at 14th overall but have issues defending the rush, ranking 29th, while their pass defense is significantly stronger at 6th, contributing to a top-five scoring defense.
This week, eyes will be on standout players. For the Steelers, linebacker T.J. Watt, a three-time NFL sack champion, has witnessed a slower pace with only 6.5 sacks this season so far. However, with other key defensive players, such as Alex Highsmith returning from injury, Watt might find himself in more advantageous pass-rushing situations. Meanwhile, for the Commanders, wide receiver Terry McLaurin continues his ring as a pivotal player. The connection with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has shown promise, evidenced by their two touchdown receptions during their last game against New York, showcasing McLaurin as a clutch target when the stakes rise.
In the injury department, the Steelers expect the return of rookie center Zach Frazier after an ankle injury sidelined him for two games, along with running back and kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson, who has missed since September. Meanwhile, Justin Fields is likely to serve as the backup quarterback. Contrastingly, the Commanders are dealing with uncertainty as running back Brian Robinson Jr. is questionable due to a hamstring injury that resulted in him missing last week’s game. Newly acquired cornerback Marshon Lattimore is also battling a hamstring issue, while kicker Austin Seibert and left tackle Cornelius Lucas are also anticipated to miss this game.
Historically, this marks Pittsburgh’s first trip to Washington since 2016, and they have claimed victory in their last six encounters with fans present. This meeting marks the 80th time the teams have faced off, a rivalry that dates back to 1933. Both teams currently favor the run over the pass more than other teams in the league this season, with notable trends standing out: Pittsburgh has had remarkable success against rookie quarterbacks, and their record following abye week has been particularly strong, with a recent successful streak of seven consecutive victories. The Steelers also boast a league-leading special teams unit, highlighted by blocked kicks and standout performances from kicker Chris Boswell.
Washington, on the other hand, is celebrating their best start in several years. The team is aiming for its first 8-2 record since 1986 and is off to a perfect start at home. Daniels has been particularly effective, completing over 70% of his passes, which places him among the top rookie quarterbacks in the league. Fantasy players should closely watch Robinson, who has had inconsistent availability recently and may or may not be cleared to play against Pittsburgh.