By Mark Kaboly

Published: Saturday, October 27, 2012, 10:20 p.m.
Updated: Saturday, October 27, 2012

STEELERS LB LAWRENCE TIMMONS vs. REDSKINS QB ROBERT GRIFFIN III

Matchup: Griffin III can turn a small gain into a game-changing play in a heartbeat with his legs. He's done so already this year, most notable against the Vikings when he ran 76 yards for a touchdown 53 seconds after Minnesota cut it to a one-possession game. Timmons (above) will be made responsible for not letting that happen.

Timmons: He is in the midst of one of the best seasons of his career. He has played in all but one of the defensive snaps this season and is among the team leaders in tackles (43), pressures (six), INTs (one) and forced fumbles (one). Timmons must be able to read the Redskins' option plays and not be out of position. Timmons won't spy on Griffin, but his speed will be needed to chase down the rookie quarterback from sideline to sideline.

Griffin III: Griffin already has the top four rushing games by a Redskins QB — 138, 89, 82, 74 — in his first seven games, as he has rushed for 468 yards and six scores. Griffin is able to make big plays happen, whether by himself or by RB Alfred Morris, thanks to the option. Washington has 39 runs of 10 yards or more — second most in the NFL behind San Francisco. Combined with Morris, the Redskins' rookies have more rushing yards than 30 of the other 31 teams in the league.

1. Steelers hope new blocking scheme kick-starts running game
2. Steelers notebook: Gilbert hopes to stay on left side of O-line
3. Steelers notebook: Slimmed-down Redman optimistic for 2013
4. Steelers veteran outside linebacker Woodley: ‘I’m good to go’
5. Steelers’ Polamalu trim, fit as he arrives for OTAs
6. Steelers’ Miller watches, waits while teammates practice
7. Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger likes the revamped offense
8. Coach Tomlin, Steelers facing plenty of questions as OTAs start
9. Ex-Steelers QB Batch learns new form of 2-minute drill
10. Steelers notebook: Less talk, more work is Tomlin’s theme
11. Steelers might be looking at a youth movement in 2013

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