The Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Commanders both find themselves atop their respective divisions heading into Week 10 of the NFL season, and when they meet on Sunday, either team could grab a statement win as the season passes its midway point. The Steelers' defense has been tremendous all season, but with Najee Harris — who has three straight 100-yard rushing games — and Russell Wilson opening up the passing attack, the Pittsburgh offense has found another gear. Meanwhile, Washington has the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year in Jayden Daniels leading the club on a three-game win streak.
[The Commanders are hosting the Steelers for Week 10 and at halftime are leading by a score of 17-14.](https://www.si.com/nfl/commanders/news/washington-commanders-pittsburgh-steelers-17-14-halftime-week-10-austin-ekeler)
Steelers Start Strong
It was the Steelers who won the coin toss and elected to receive to start the game, sending the Commanders' defense onto the field first. Both teams traded first-drive three-and-outs before Pittsburgh got the scoring against Washington on its second possession of the game.
The 16-yard touchdown pass from Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson to receiver George Pickens came against Commanders cornerback Noah Igbinoghene but was ultimately set up by a pair of bad defensive penalties.
Commanders Respond Quickly
Fortunately for Washington, despite starting the game with back-to-back three-and-out drives tides turned quickly when Pittsburgh tried unsuccessfully to complete a pass from safety Miles Killebrew to cornerback James Pierre on a fake punt. The fourth down pass was dropped by the corner and gave the ball back to Daniels' unit at the enemy 15-yard line. Three plays later Commanders running back Austin Ekeler ran it in from the one-yard line and the game was tied at seven.
A Series of Muffs
That score held firm through to the end of the first quarter with the two sides each completing four possessions resulting in six three-and-outs and two touchdowns. Starting the second quarter with the ball the Steelers were forced to punt on 4th and 1 on their own side of the field but got the ball back quickly after receiver Olamide Zaccheaus muffed the punt. Pittsburgh fell on the ball and instead of turning it over, the away team got the ball and a new set of downs at the Washington 14-yard line. It was Zaccheaus' second muffed punt of the day and the first recovered by his opponent.
Steelers Take Back the Lead
Five plays later Wilson found tight end Pat Freiermuth for the Steelers' second touchdown of the game, giving their team a 14-7 lead.
Washington Fights Back
The Commanders were able to come back and get some of those points back on the first extended scoring drive of the game for Daniels and the offense. Aided by a 23-yard pass interference flag against Pittsburgh cornerback Joey Porter Jr. the 48-yard field goal by kicker Zane Gonzalez trimmed the lead to 14-10 with plenty of time left in the second half.
Commanders Take Control Before Halftime
Getting the ball back with just over five-and-a-half minutes left in the half, Daniels and his offense needed to find an extended point-producing drive that would either give Washington the lead heading into halftime or be in a position to do so when it receives the ball to start the next half. Hitting the two-minute warning with all three timeouts and a 1st-and-10 at the Pittsburgh 44-yard line head coach Dan Quinn's offense was in prime position to not only put more points on the board but ensure Wilson didn't have time to do the same at the end of the half.
On the other side of the two-minute warning the Commanders faced a crucial third down play and the Steelers called timeout to setup properly for it, but also to save themselves some time at the end of the half. Daniels connected with receiver Luke McCaffrey on a 23-yard pass to convert the first down. The completion took the ball down to the PIttsburgh 15-yard line and put the team in position for a critical late-half score. It didn't come without some drama (a defensive pass interference following a dropped touchdown by receiver Dyami Brown), but eventually Washington did find the end zone on a one yard run by Ekeler - his second scoring rush of the day and second from that distance as well.
The extra point made it 17-14 in favor of the Commanders, and that's the score at halftime. Washington will get the ball to start the second half.
What's Next
The second half promises to be an exciting one, as both teams are eager to secure a win and maintain their momentum. Will the Commanders be able to hold onto their lead, or will the Steelers rally back to steal the victory? Stay tuned to find out.
