Steelers Scouting Report: What to expect from the Washington Football Team
In what has been a crazy past couple weeks for the Pittsburgh Steelers, they have another game to prepare for on Monday night. The undefeated Steelers will have another team trying to hand them their first loss as they host the Washington Football Team.
While Washington is currently sitting at a 4-7 record, the NFC East has been terrible this year and they are still sitting at a tie for first place in the division with the New York Giants. This will serve as a game with huge playoff implications for both teams as the Steelers will clinch a playoff spot with a win or tie.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at this week’s opponent, the Washington Football Team.
Injury Report
Washington has a few injuries to keep in mind on both sides of the ball for this matchup. On offense, they will already be without offensive tackles Geron Christian (Knee) and Saahdiq Charles (Kneecap), guard Michael Liedtke (Undisclosed), quarterback Kyle Allen (Ankle), tight end Thaddeus Moss (Undisclosed), receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden (Hamstring), and running back Bryce Love (Knee) who are all on the IR. Star wide receiver Terry McLaurin is listed as questionable with an ankle injury and was limited in Friday’s practice.
Defensively, they will be without strong safety Landon Collins (Achilles), outside linebacker Reuben Foster (Knee), cornerback Greg Stroman (Foot), and defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis (Biceps) who were all placed on the Injured Reserve.
Alex Smith has turned into a feel-good story
A lot of football fans across the country, myself included, were surprised to see quarterback Alex Smith return to football activities after his gruesome leg injury last season. While it was good seeing him back, I truly didn’t see him being able to actually play this season. However, after failed attempts with Dwayne Haskins Jr. and Kyle Allen, Smith has returned to his spot as their starting quarterback.
In five games this season, Smith has thrown for 1,067 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions.
Regardless of who is under center, the top target for the Football Team this season has been breakout star Terry McLaurin who has recorded 69 receptions for 963 yards and three touchdowns. He will be joined in the passing attack by receivers Steven Sims Jr., Dontrelle Inman and Isaiah Wright, along with tight end Logan Thomas.
Smith will be up against his toughest task so far this season as he will be facing a very dangerous Steelers secondary. The Steelers are first in the league in passing defense, allowing 193.2 yards per game and 16 total passing touchdowns while coming away with a league leading 16 interceptions.
To make matters even more difficult, their pass rush leads the league with 41 total sacks, led by two-time AFC Defensive Player of the Month TJ Watt who leads the league with 11 sacks.
While their passing game has managed to play well at times, the strength of this Washington offense is their ground game. Rookie running back Antonio Gibson has had an outstanding first year so far as he leads the team with 139 carries for 645 yards and 11 touchdowns. J.D. McKissic will see some action out of the backfield as well as he has been the more productive back in the passing game with 46 receptions for 338 yards.
They will be facing a Pittsburgh front seven that has been solid against the run for the most part this season. The Steelers are currently eighth in the league in rushing defense, allowing 105.7 rushing yards per game and only sice total rushing touchdowns.
Washington has leaned on their defense this season
While they have been just about average on the offensive side of the ball, Washington has had a very strong year from their defense this season. They currently rank fourth in the league in total defense, giving up 309.5 total yards per game and 22.1 points per game.
The strength of their defense has been against the pass as they are currently second in the league in passing defense, allowing 194.6 passing yards per game and 16 total passing touchdowns while coming away with ten interceptions.
Their secondary has been led this season by cornerback Kendall Fuller who has four interceptions on the season. He will be joined in the starting secondary by Ronald Darby at the other corner with Kamren Curl at strong safety and Deshazor Everett at free safety. Jimmy Moreland and Fabian Moreau will also be in the rotation at corner.
This secondary will be facing one of their toughest tasks yet as they are facing a very pass-heavy Steelers offense. MVP candidate Ben Roethlisberger will be looking to bounce back from a rough performance against the Ravens. Hopefully he will get some help from star receivers Diontae Johnson, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Chase Claypool as there was some inconsistency on Tuesday night.
Against the run, Washington has been near the middle of the pack as they are currently 15th in the league in rushing defense, allowing 114.9 rushing yards per game and nine total rushing touchdowns.
Their front seven is led by former Steeler linebacker Jon Bostic who leads the team with 42 total tackles.
Bostic will be joined in the linebacker core by Kevin Pierre-Louis and Cole Holcomb on the outside. Thomas Davis Sr. will also be in the linebacker rotation. In front of them, their defensive line is led by promising rookie defensive end Chase Young. He is joined on the line by some nice young talent in Montez Sweat at the other end with Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen at the tackles. Ryan Kerrigan and Ryan Anderson will also rotate in at the defensive end spots.
Washington will be facing a Steelers rushing attack that has struggled lately this season. With James Conner being out due to COVID-19, Benny Snell Jr. is now the lead back for Pittsburgh. Snell had some strong runs against the Ravens but will be looking to improve this week.
Final Thoughts
This game is looked at as a “trap game” for the Steelers as I have seen many analysts actually picking the Football Team to pull of the upset. Make no mistake about it, things will be tough for the Steelers as this will be their second of three games in a 12 day span and Washington does have some talent on their roster.
However, they don’t have enough talent to match the Steelers. Offensively, I see Ben being able to get back on the same page with his receivers and Snell also showing more of what he can do in a lead back role.
On defense, Bud Dupree will be missed but Watt and company will still be too much for the Washington offensive line and will make things difficult for Smith.
This will be a back and forth game through about three quarters but I have the Steelers pulling away with a 27-17 victory to remain undefeated.
