5 things we learned in Steelers’ win over Commanders: Jayden Daniels isn't Lamar Jackson
LANDOVER, Md.
Five things we learned from Steelers 28, Commanders 27.
1. Daniels isn’t Jackson
The Steelers improved to 26-6 against rookie quarterbacks under coach Mike Tomlin, who showed respect for Commanders dual-threat phenom Jayden Daniels with an aggressive game plan.
Daniels completed a season-worst 50% of his passes (17 of 34) for 202 yards without a touchdown or an interception and was held to single digits in rushing (5 yards on three carries) for the first time this season.
So Tomlin was quick to downplay comparisons to Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP who is the frontrunner to win another. Jackson is completing 69.1% of his passes for 2,669 yards with 24 touchdowns and two interceptions and averaging 5.9 yards per carry in rushing for 538 yards and two touchdowns this season.
“Man, be real slow comparing people to Lamar Jackson,” Tomlin said. “That’s a multi-time MVP. That’s Mr. Jackson. We’ll see Mr. Jackson in a few days.”
The Steelers (7-2) host the Ravens (7-3) in their AFC North opener at 1 p.m. Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. Tomlin made it clear that while playing Jackson in the past helped prepare them for Daniels, it doesn’t work quite the same in reverse.
“It’s a template for us,” Tomlin said. “You know, we have a mode of operation when we face extreme quarterback mobility, and that’s what he has. He also can throw it really well. But being in the (AFC) North facing guys like Mr. Jackson is somewhat familiar to us.”
2. Immediate impact
The Steelers spent some draft capital to acquire wide receiver Mike Williams from the New York Jets and edge rusher Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers last week at the trade deadline, and both made impactful plays in their debut in black and gold.
Williams, obviously, overshadowed Smith, catching a 32-yard pass from Russell Wilson on third-and-9 for the go-ahead touchdown. Smith saw more action on defense, finishing with three tackles, including a 1-yard sack of Daniels in the third quarter.
Williams and Smith could take advantage of late-game injuries to see more playing time, as Williams replaced Calvin Austin III late, and Smith could slide in at outside linebacker for Alex Highsmith (ankle).
“I’m just here to do my job, nothing extra,” Smith said. “Whatever they ask me to do is what I’m going to do. I can’t control what happens, how many plays I get, how they use me. I’m just here to do my job at a high level and do my best to help bring this team wins.”
3. Rough day for JPJ
Not only did Joey Porter Jr. allow Commanders star receiver Terry McLaurin to catch five passes for 113 yards, but the Steelers’ top cover cornerback was flagged for three key penalties.
Porter drew a 23-yard pass interference penalty in the second quarter that gave Washington the ball at the Steelers’ 36, setting up a Zane Gonzalez 48-yard field goal to cut the score to 14-10.
After giving up a 6-yard pass to McLaurin for a first down, Porter was called for a 15-yard facemask penalty that negated Highsmith’s 10-yard sack of Daniels. Instead of Washington having a second-and-20 at its own 6, the Commanders had a first-and-10 at the 31.
They marched 94 yards on 15 plays, scoring on Austin Ekeler’s 1-yard run after Porter was whistled for pass interference at the 3. Porter finished with five tackles, including one where he chased down McLaurin after a 54-yard pass, but accounted for 50 yards in penalties.
4. WR switch pays off
Ben Skowronek had been out since Week 2 with a shoulder injury but was added to the active roster Saturday, along with inside linebacker Tyler Matakevich, in what proved to be perfect timing.
The Steelers made Scotty Miller a healthy scratch for the first time, and Skowronek got early playing time at wide receiver ahead of Williams. It paid off on special teams, where Skowronek made an early mark.
Skowronek was in coverage when Commanders receiver Olamide Zaccheaus muffed a punt on the opening series. Zaccheaus recovered it at Washington’s 15 that time. His next attempt wasn’t as fortunate.
When Zaccheaus muffed another punt early in the second quarter, Skowronek pounced on it for a recovery at the Washington 14. Five plays later, the Steelers scored when Wilson threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth for a 14-7 lead.
5. Coming out on TOP
Although the game was close in some statistical areas — the Steelers had a 21-19 edge in first downs, while the Commanders had more passing yards (182-172) — there were two decisive differences.
And the first helped the second.
The Steelers outgained Washington on the ground 140-60, which gave them control of the clock as they won the time of possession battle by 12 minutes, 22 seconds. In the fourth quarter alone, the Steelers had the ball for 11:43, an advantage of more than eight minutes.
“It’s a good team win,” Tomlin said. “When you’re coming into an environment like this and you find a way to get it done, not only is it a well-earned victory but there’s some real growth associated with it. Knowledge itself, individually and collectively, is a component of this thing as we push through this journey, man. And we learned a little bit about ourselves, hopefully, in a positive way.”
Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at kgorman@triblive.com.
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