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Washington Post (paywall)
A jumpy performance leaves Commanders with painful loss to Steelers
The Washington Commanders had a 10-point lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the mistakes piled up in what became a 28-27 loss.
The Commanders fell to the Steelers on Sunday, 28-27, in a back-and-forth battle decided by penalties and miscues. The defeat snapped Washington’s home winning streak at four and dropped its record to 7-3, while the Steelers improved to 7-2.
Multiple passes were thrown behind receivers, multiple receivers dropped catchable passes, and big plays on defense were followed by more consequential mistakes.
Take a three-play sequence late in the third quarter: Edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. sacked Wilson on second and nine, safety Jeremy Chinn picked him off on third and 14, and then Daniels went deep for Terry McLaurin, who dived for a 28-yard grab along the Commanders’ sideline.
In any other game, perhaps the moment, fueled by chants of “TER-RY! TER-RY!” from the crowd, would have carried Washington to the final whistle. But the Steelers and their thousands of towel-waving fans wouldn’t go away.
That drive, for example, sputtered when Daniels was sacked on second down and wide receiver Dyami Brown was tackled for a loss of 11 yards on third down.
But there was no muffling Steelers fans, who dominated the towel competition, while Pittsburgh’s defense provided Daniels and Co. with their toughest challenge of the season.
The Athletic (paywall)
In loss to Steelers, Commanders reminded that the ‘little things always add up’
Sam Cosmi doesn’t do public speaking. These Washington Commanders propelled the offensive lineman to express himself.
Minutes after a gut-punching, 28-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, it might seem odd to pipe up inside a somber home locker room for the first time this season.
“It was the little things for sure,” Cosmi told reporters postgame. “I mean, for a one-point game, the little things really matter.”
Cosmi arrived as a second-round pick in 2021, meaning he lived through the organization’s chaos and missteps over his three seasons. That atmosphere didn’t get the “not vocal guy” who avoids talking before large groups due primarily to growing up with a stutter.
“There’s something about this year,” Cosmi told a small group of reporters. “I have so much faith in this team to be vocal, have my voice out there and hopefully make a difference.”
The lineman sees a tough group from one to 53 that steps up “when their name is called.” There are players ready for game day “no matter where they are on the depth chart.” Knowing teammates will fight for each other “makes you play so much harder. It means so much more,” Cosmi said.
He wanted to leave players and coaches with that feeling as they headed home. Such displays weren’t in his bag before. Washington’s new “standard” set over months together is why Cosmi needed to speak.
Commanders.com
Instant analysis | Mistakes add up in 28-27 loss to Steelers
Olamide Zaccheaus muffed his second punt of the afternoon, which was recovered by the Steelers, after a Steelers three-and-out. Pittsburgh scored five plays later with Wilson tossing his second touchdown of the day, this time to tight end Pat Freiermuth.
Despite all that, it seemed like Washington had found its rhythm in the second quarter. [T]he offense marched 94 yards downfield and went up 17-14 at halftime thanks to Ekeler’s second rushing score.
And it seemed Washington would continue to roll in the third quarter. Terry McLaurin opened things up with a 54-yard catch-and-run and then had a 16-yard grab on third-and-10. Jeremy McNichols ran it in from the one-yard line to put Washington up 24-14 and cap off the 71-yard drive.
Daniels and the offense didn’t do much after that, though, amassing just 56 yards on their final five drives.
NFL.com
NFL Week 10: What We Learned from each Sunday game
Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Washington Commanders 27
Daniels, Commanders come up short. Jayden Daniels put up his worst numbers in a full game since Week 1. The rookie QB completed a season-low 50% of his passes (17 of 34) for 202 yards with zero touchdowns and took three sacks. Still, Daniels managed the game with aplomb against a good Steelers defense. He got the ball out quickly, completing 12 of 16 quick passes (under 2.5 seconds) for 153 yards, and the ground game scored three short touchdowns. Pittsburgh held the Commanders to a season low in total yards (242) and a season-high six punts. A slow start (three first-quarter three-and-outs) got the Commanders behind the eight-ball. Washington took advantage of a Steelers botched fake punt and the halftime turn, scoring touchdowns on the final drive of the second quarter and marching 71 yards on five plays to open the third quarter. Yet, the offense couldn’t stretch its lead late, generating just two fourth-quarter first downs, giving the Steelers oxygen. On a fourth-and-9 on the final drive, tight end Zach Ertz was deemed down just short of the sticks, scuttling a potential go-ahead possession. The positive was that even in his worst game against a good opponent, Daniels still gave his chance to win. Despite the loss, Washington showed it’s in it for the long haul.
Next Gen Stats Insight for Steelers-Commanders (via NFL Pro): Terry McLaurin faced Joey Porter Jr. on 22 of his 34 routes in Week 10 (64.7%), catching all four targets for 97 yards against Porter as the nearest defender. Porter pressed McLaurin on 14 of the 22 routes while forcing a tight window on 3 of 4 targets.
Upcoming opponent
Bleeding Green Nation
NFL Week 11 odds: Eagles favored in crucial game against Commanders
Philadelphia and Washington will face off in a key NFC East battle on Thursday night.
The Philadelphia Eagles opened as 3.5-point home favorites in a big Week 11 game against the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football, according to FanDuel.
The Commanders are not to be taken lightly. They have the NFL’s third-best point differential at +73, one spot ahead of the Eagles at +72. They entered Week 10 ranked seventh in DVOA. Jayden Daniels isn’t just the Offensive Rookie of the Year; he’s a legitimate MVP candidate with only four players having shorter odds for that award. Washington generally has some good vibes going under new head coach Dan Quinn. Dan Snyder’s stench no longer seems to be lingering over this team.
This should be a really competitive and entertaining game that has big implications for the NFC playoff picture. With a win, the Eagles can create some cushion atop the division with a 1.5 game lead entering Week 12.
I could see this one coming down to a game-winning field goal, so I’m tempted to take the points.
Podcasts & videos
On the Commanders loss where the “little things” added up to a home loss. Jayden Daniels’s rare off game. Moments that mattered. Marshon Lattimore’s appearance can’t come soon enough. There are so many injuries. On to Philadelphia.https://t.co/wMfQlFvaMg
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 11, 2024
On video wrapping up a rough loss. Steelers are good but so are the Commanders. Some missed opportunities and botched plays made the difference. @ESPNRichmond https://t.co/NrQQwJx5Y7
— John Keim (@john_keim) November 11, 2024
Watch me and @Mitch_Tischler podcast in the rain after a tough loss https://t.co/jSVn22INMh
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 11, 2024
Photos
Commanders.com
PHOTOS | Commanders vs. Steelers, Week 10
Check out the top photos of the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium during their Week 10 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, #ShotonSony(Photos by Emilee Fails and Kourtney Carroll/Washington Commanders)
