Commanders coach is well aware one of their biggest tests against the Steelers got a lot harder after underrated trade
The Washington Commanders (7-2) are one of the NFL's best stories of the 2024 season and they have a great opportunity to make even more noise with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) in Week 10.It won't be easy, by any means. The Steelers look really good thanks to consistently sound play on defense […]
The Washington Commanders (7-2) are one of the NFL's best stories of the 2024 season and they have a great opportunity to make even more noise with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) in Week 10.
It won't be easy, by any means. The Steelers look really good thanks to consistently sound play on defense and turnover-free ball, for the most part, on the offensive side of things. Russell Wilson seems to have found a not-as-quite-but-still-good version of his old self over the last two games, as well.
"Pittsburgh's got a really strong crew in all three phases, so it'll take the whole week, but we're ready to get rolling," Dan Quinn told reporters Wednesday when asked about preparing for the week ahead.
One of the biggest challenges facing the Commanders is containing the Steelers pass rush, primarily on the edges with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Watt is tied for the ninth-most sacks (6.5) on the year and Highsmith has 3.0. The latter dealt with a groin injury that cost him three games earlier in the year, but looks to be rounding into form after a two-sack performance against the New York Giants in Week 8. He also received a week of rest thanks to the Steelers' Week 9 bye, which only helps.
Highsmith wasn't the only one that received a boost during the bye week, however. The Steelers pass rush, as a whole, got a nice bump after general manager Omar Khan traded for Preston Smith, an outside linebacker who has 68.5 sacks over the course of 10 seasons in the league.
What was already a hard enough test just became a lot harder because now, the Steelers have a legit three-man rotation on the outside and that doesn't include the potential return of Nick Herbig this week. Smith also gives the Steelers pass rush a potential mismatch on the inside, where he could really do some damage.
The Steelers rarely take their star duo of Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt off the field, as both have a motor that matches their skillset. But injuries have hit the EDGE position hard outside of T.J. Watt.
With Highsmith making his return in Week 7 and second-year standout Nick Herbig expected back this week, Preston Smith helps form what may be the best four man pass rush in the league.
But they didn’t acquire Smith just to spell T.J. Watt. Early signs indicate that Pittsburgh could kick Smith inside on obvious passing downs, creating a lighter personnel grouping along the front with the intent of quickly getting to the QB – Rob Gregson, A to Z Pittsburgh
"It's not like they needed any help with that position, but they got it so that'll just add to a very tough defense," Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury told reporters on Thursday. "The way those guys are [a] relentless pass rush, the way they get after the passer… they'll beat you clean and then fall into stuff because of the effort and because the quarterbacks that are able to move, they'll keep chasing them.
"The pursuit is really impressive to watch, it's a credit to those coaches and the players and the culture they've created."
And, another layer is added when considering the current injuries to both sides of the Commanders offensive line: Left tackle Cornelius Lucas, who has been rotating with rookie Brandon Coleman, has missed the last two practices after missing last week's game against the Giants with an ankle injury. Starting right tackle Andrew Wylie is dealing with a shoulder injury that labeled him as a limited participant in the last two practice sessions.
The Commanders can bring in help via tight end blocks/chips and running back chips, but those only do so much against guys that are this good. It also slows down the timing of certain plays and limits what the offense can do through the air, to an extent.
"There's a reason they're going to be Hall of Fame players," Kingsbury said when asked about blocking up guys like Watt. "I mean, they they've played a long time. They know how to kind of navigate the chips and the edges and still find a way to get get it done."
On the year, Commanders tackles have been about average when it comes to allowing pressure on Jayden Daniels. The left tackle position has been responsible for 25% of allowed pressure, while the right side has allowed 20% of the pressure Daniels has faced. The former percentage is the 13th-highest rate out of 32 qualifying quarterbacks and the latter is 15th-lowest, or right around mid-pack.
It's also crucial to take Daniels' legs and his ability to avoid sacks into account: His 16.5% pressure-to-sack rate is the 11th-lowest out of 32 qualifying QBs with at least 152 dropbacks on the year. We've seen him escape what looks like sure-sacks on numerous occasions this year and he'll need to do it more against the Steelers.
Both Kingsbury and Daniels have worked wonders within the offense this year and they'll have to keep the ball rolling in Week 10 or else the Commanders could easily wind up with their first loss in nearly a month. On the flip side, they could also come away with their biggest win of the year if they are in fact able to contain Watt and co. on Sunday.
