The Steelers, with their proud winning tradition, have been more accustomed to strong starts to the season than the Commanders have in recent years.
Sunday, the teams clash in a fascinating interconference matchup in Landover, Md., with the Steelers leading the AFC North at 6-2 and the Commanders leading the NFC East at 7-2.
Both teams bolstered their respective rosters this week at the trade deadline. Washington landed cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and Pittsburgh acquired receiver Mike Williams and edge rusher Preston Smith.
The Commanders are led by their star rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who’s helped them to their best start since 1996.
Daniels has completed 163 of 228 passes (71.5 percent) with nine touchdowns and two interceptions, and he’s run for four more touchdowns.
“You guys [have] got to stop calling him a rookie quarterback,” Commanders veteran tight end Zach Ertz told reporters this week. “He may be a rookie quarterback in terms of years in this league, but his maturity, his poise is that of a 10-year vet.”
Only Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Detroit’s Jared Goff have shorter MVP odds according to the BetMGM Sportsbook, which has Daniels at 10-1.
“Washington is in good hands with him,” Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith told the AP. “He’s the truth.”
Interestingly, with all deserved attention Daniels has gotten, the Commanders are one of just five NFL teams with more runs than passes this season. They lead the league with 15 rushing TDs and rank second with 1,475 rushing yards. Daniels’ ability to run, of course, enhances that weapon. His 459 rushing yards trail only Jackson among quarterbacks.
“Defending us is really all 11 [players], as the quarterback has a factor in this, too, on plays that could be designed option plays,” Washington head coach Dan Quinn told reporters. “You have to be able to defend the quarterback runs.”
Washington’s defense, too, has been a huge factor in its success. The Commanders are ranked 14th on defense, up from 29th out of 32 teams three weeks into the season. The addition of Lattimore should make the unit even better.
“We’re really, really excited to get one of the best corners in the entire league,” general manager Adam Peters told reporters this week
“He’s shown over the course of his career the ability to play inside and outside and staying connected to receivers,’’ Quinn said. “He’s able to play it tight, [and] he’s a good tackler, so we’re pumped we got him.”
The Steelers, who’ve been seeking a receiver since the offseason to pair up as another deep threat opposite George Pickens, are pumped to get Williams, who has had an accomplished career but was used sparingly in the Jets offense this season with the addition of Davante Adams.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” Williams said this week. “I’m a playmaker. I make plays.”
Williams quickly began working with the Steelers first unit, and he surely will be used against the Commanders.
“I’m excited to join these guys and be a positive [influence] on everything,” Williams said.
With the way Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson both likes to throw the deep ball and often throws his receivers some jump balls, Williams, who’s prone to make some acrobatic catches, should be a good fit. He should complement not only Pickens, but Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III.
“I just feel like we have a group that’s hardworking and capable and can’t wait to show the football world those capabilities,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of his receiving corps. “And every time we step into a stadium, they get an opportunity to do so. You [have] seen some examples of it already.”
The Steelers offense is ranked 13th in scoring after finishing 28th last season.
As usual, the Steelers defense is among the league’s best — ranked second in points allowed and ninth in yards allowed. But their pass rush, even with the likes of edge rusher T.J. Watt, has lacked a bit. Watt has 6.5 of Pittsburgh’s modest number of 19 sacks.
The Steelers hope Smith can help in that area, though his playing time decreased in Green Bay. Smith had 2.5 sacks for the Packers this season. But he has been a productive player in his career with the Commanders and the Packers, with 68.5 sacks in 155 career games.
