Commanders Run Game Presents Massive Challenge for Steelers
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers unexpectedly got gashed on the ground in their last outing against the New York Giants, surrendering 157 yards and a 6.3 average. It’s something that the defense felt embarrassed about, despite pulling out a 26-18 win.
“There was a lot of things that we could’ve been better at,” said Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, who registered four tackles and two sacks in the victory. “I think that 390-something yards of offense is unacceptable. We’ve just got to clean those things up.”
Giants running back Tyrone Tracy rushed for 145 yards on 20 carries, including a 45-yarder in the fourth quarter. The Steelers will have their toughest test yet this season on Sunday when they take on the red-hot 7-2 Washington Commanders. New offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s unit is hitting on all cylinders.
In points per drive, the Commanders rank first in the NFL. Washington is also third in the NFL in scoring (29.5 points per game), third in total offense (396 yards per game) and third in rushing (166 yards).
“The people that we play week in and week out are very good at what they do,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said during his weekly Tuesday press conference. “They spend a lot of time preparing. And as I watched football from afar last weekend, sitting on a bye, it didn’t miss me that the Giants had an effective run game in the subsequent game (164 yards against Washington), and so I tip my cap to them.”
Tomlin admitted they can get better in terms of the fundamental, things like whipping blocks and making tackles. He also said the coaches have to better prepare the team.
The Steelers will have to account for quarterback Jayden Daniels in the run game on Sunday, as he’s racked up 459 yards and four touchdowns this season.
“Lightning in a bottle. He will make you pay,” Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward said of Daniels.
“That offense is pretty special. They don’t turn the ball over a lot. I think they have like what, three or four turnovers? Having Brian Robinson, having Austin Ekeler, Jeremy [McNichols] and then having a big receiver in Terry McLaurin, that alleviates a lot of stress. But you can’t take anything away from what Jayden Daniels is doing right now. Successful in college, came in doing the same thing. It’s with throwing, running, he knows how to make it happen. And I think the thing that really sticks out is just his poise.”
Tomlin also raved about Daniels’ mobility.
“It doesn’t matter what tape you put on. His mobility is a major factor … it is something to be reckoned with,” he said.
The Commanders ruled out starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) for Sunday’s game. Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols will carry the load for the Commanders. It will be Robinson’s second straight game out. In last week’s win over the Giants, Rodriguez led the Commanders with 52 yards rushing on 11 carries (4.7 average), while Ekler rushed for 42 yards on 11 carries (3.8 average).
On Tuesday, the Steelers sent one of their three 2025 seventh-round draft picks to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for outside linebacker Preston Smith. Pittsburgh hopes Smith can help the defense not only as a pass rusher, but in run defense as well.
“I’ve seen him inside some in Green Bay in pass-rushing circumstances,” Tomlin said. “We don’t have guardrails on it. It’s about getting to know him and seeing where that leads us.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
