Pittsburgh Steelers vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats (Nov 10, 2024)

The Pittsburgh Steelers vs Washington Commanders NFL Week 10 battle on November 10, 2024, ended with a nail-biting 28-27 Steelers victory. This marked Pittsburgh’s fourth straight win while dropping Washington to their second consecutive loss despite a valiant effort.

From the press box at FedEx Field, I watched a game where stats only told half the story. The real drama unfolded in those critical moments that won’t show up in box scores but decided this one-point contest.

Game Summary: Time of Possession Proves Critical

The Steelers controlled the game’s pace in classic Pittsburgh fashion:

• Final score: Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Washington Commanders 27
• Time of possession: Steelers 36:11, Commanders 23:49
• Total plays: Steelers 75, Commanders 59
• Total yards: Steelers 312 (4.2 per play), Commanders 242 (4.1 per play)

Pittsburgh held the ball for over 12 minutes longer than Washington, a significant advantage that kept the Commanders’ offense on the sideline for extended stretches. Running 16 more offensive plays allowed the Steelers to wear down Washington’s defense, particularly in the fourth quarter when it mattered most.

The Steelers have mastered this ball-control approach throughout the season, grinding out wins without necessarily posting gaudy yardage totals.

Quarterback Battle: Wilson’s Experience Pays Off

Both quarterbacks had similar completion percentages but very different impacts:

Russell Wilson (Steelers):

• 14/28 for 195 yards
• 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
• 93.6 passer rating
• Game-winning TD pass with 2:22 left

Jayden Daniels (Commanders):

• 17/34 for 202 yards
• 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
• 68.5 passer rating
• Season-low 5 rushing yards

Wilson struggled with accuracy early but delivered when it counted. His touch pass to Williams for the game-winner showed why Pittsburgh brought him in, as did his veteran savvy to draw an offsides penalty that clinched the win.

Daniels, who had been averaging 46.3 rushing yards per game, found himself bottled up by Pittsburgh’s disciplined front seven. The Steelers turned him into a pocket passer, limiting a crucial dimension of his game.

Ground Attack: Steelers Pound the Rock

The run game statistics reveal a significant disparity:

Steelers Rushing:

• 140 yards on 43 attempts (3.3 avg)
• Jaylen Warren: 66 yards on 14 carries (4.7 avg)
• Najee Harris: 53 yards on 21 carries (2.5 avg), 1 TD

Commanders Rushing:

• 60 yards on 22 attempts (2.7 avg)
• Austin Ekeler: 44 yards on 13 carries (3.4 avg), 2 TDs

Warren provided the spark for Pittsburgh, averaging 4.7 yards per carry against the NFL season average of 4.2. His ability to break tackles gave the Steelers offense an explosive element to complement Harris’s power running.

Washington struggled between the 20s but converted impressively in the red zone, with Ekeler punching in two scores despite limited overall production.

Receiving Corps: Big Play Threats

Several receivers made their mark in key situations:

Steelers Receivers:

• George Pickens: 5 catches for 91 yards and 1 TD (7 targets)
• Mike Williams: 1 catch for 32 yards and 1 TD (1 target) – game-winner
• Pat Freiermuth: 3 catches for 17 yards and 1 TD (3 targets)

Commanders Receivers:

• Terry McLaurin: 5 catches for 113 yards (6 targets)
• Zach Ertz: 4 catches for 31 yards (8 targets)

McLaurin was outstanding all afternoon, including a beautiful 54-yard reception on a post route that split Pittsburgh’s secondary. His route-running and hands kept Washington in the game.

For Pittsburgh, Williams made his only catch count. Two weeks after being traded to the Steelers, he hauled in the game-winning 32-yard touchdown that silenced the Washington crowd.

Game Plans: Contrasting Approaches

Both coaching staffs brought distinct strategies to this contest:

Steelers Approach:

• Run heavy offense (43 rushing attempts) to control clock
• Take calculated shots off play-action
• Pin Washington deep with directional punting
• Make Daniels throw from the pocket

Commanders Approach:

• Create explosive plays to McLaurin (54-yard connection)
• Convert red zone opportunities (3-for-3 on red zone TDs)
• Stay aggressive on fourth downs
• Use Daniels as dual-threat weapon

The Steelers defensive plan to contain Daniels mirrors what they did against mobile quarterbacks earlier this season in their matchup with Cleveland. Pittsburgh has built a reputation for neutralizing running quarterbacks by maintaining disciplined rush lanes.

Defense: Game-Changing Performances

Several defensive players left their mark on this tight contest:

Steelers Defensive Standouts:

• Cameron Heyward: 2 sacks, 2 solo tackles
• Patrick Queen: 7 total tackles (6 solo)
• Season-defining 4th down stop with 1:28 left

Commanders Defensive Standouts:

• Jeremy Chinn: 13 total tackles, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery
• Dante Fowler Jr.: 2 sacks, 5 total tackles

Chinn was sensational for Washington. He picked off Wilson to end a streak of 179 passes without an interception. Later, he stripped Warren right at the goal line, saving a certain touchdown in a remarkable hustle play.

For Pittsburgh, the game turned on their defensive stand with 1:28 remaining. On 4th-and-9, Daniels hit Ertz on a quick out, but Fitzpatrick and Kazee converged to stop him just short of the marker. The subsequent measurement confirmed what the Pittsburgh sideline already knew: game-saving stop.

Special Teams: Hidden Yardage Battle

Special teams plays dramatically impacted the outcome:

Critical Special Teams Moments:

• Steelers’ Failed Fake Punt (Q1): Killebrew’s pass fell incomplete, giving Washington possession at Pittsburgh’s 15
• Commanders’ Muffed Punt (Q2): Zaccheaus mishandled the catch, with Pittsburgh recovering at Washington’s 14

Both miscues led directly to touchdowns for the opposing team. The Washington sideline visibly deflated after Zaccheaus muffed the punt, with players hanging their heads as Pittsburgh took over in prime field position.

Way impressed with booming punts for Washington (55.0-yard average), while Waitman gave Pittsburgh precision (three punts inside the 20). Two different styles, both effective in their own right.

The Game-Winner: Wilson to Williams

With just 2:22 left on the clock, Wilson connected with Williams on a perfectly placed 32-yard touchdown that put Pittsburgh ahead 28-27.

Williams ran a beautiful corner route, selling the inside break before cutting outside. Wilson placed the ball where only his receiver could catch it, just over the defender’s outstretched hand.

After the defense made their stand, Wilson sealed the win with veteran poise, using a perfectly timed cadence that drew Newton offside on fourth-and-1. That heads-up play allowed Pittsburgh to run out the clock.

Playoff Picture: Stakes Rising

This victory boosted the Steelers to 7-2, keeping them firmly in the AFC North race. The loss dropped Washington to 6-4, though they remain viable in the NFC East hunt.

Pittsburgh continues building momentum that started with their statement win over Baltimore earlier this season. Four straight wins have positioned them as serious contenders.

For Washington, consecutive losses sting after their promising 6-2 start with rookie Daniels at quarterback.

League Context: How They Stack Up

Comparing these performances to NFL averages through Week 10:

NFL Averages vs Game Performance:

• League scoring: 23.1 points/game (Both teams scored more)
• League yards/play: 5.3 (Both teams below: PIT 4.2, WAS 4.1)
• League passer rating: 89.6 (Wilson better at 93.6, Daniels lower at 68.5)
• League completion %: 65.7% (Both QBs struggled at 50%)
• League 3rd down %: 39.8% (Steelers better at 43.8%, Commanders worse at 35.7%)

Neither offense posted impressive yardage, but Pittsburgh’s third-down advantage (43.8% vs 35.7%) proved crucial. Those conversions extended drives, helping secure the time of possession edge that shaped this narrow victory.

FAQs About Pittsburgh Steelers vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats

Final Thoughts

This Pittsburgh Steelers vs Washington Commanders contest showed why the NFL remains the premier sports league in America. One point separated these teams after 60 minutes of hard-fought football.

The Steelers continue finding ways to win under Tomlin. Not always pretty, rarely dominant, but consistently making crucial plays when the scoreboard demands it. These close victories define playoff-caliber teams.

Looking at the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Washington Commanders match player stats, what stands out isn’t total yardage or completion percentages, but rather execution in those handful of plays that decide games: fourth-down stops, two-minute drives, and game-winning throws. That’s where Pittsburgh proved just slightly better on this November Sunday.