The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) visit the Washington Commanders (7-2) in a battle between two first-place teams. It is the surprising marquee matchup for NFL Week 10. Our Steelers vs Commanders prediction is that the teams will score less than 45.5 points and that Washington will win the game outright.
It has been many years since Pittsburgh and Washington were simultaneously in the league’s upper echelon. The Steelers’ success is a testament to stability. The Commanders were sold and are now functioning in an organized way.
Head-to-head, Washington leads with a record of 43-33-3.
Offshore Odds: Washington Favored by Less Than a Field Goal
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers | +2.5 (+100) | +126 | O 45.5 (-105) |
| Commanders | -2.5 (-120) | -146 | U 45.5 (-115) |
Pittsburgh Tries to Extend Its Winning Streak
The Steelers have won three straight and enter the game one game ahead of Baltimore in the AFC Central. They have played two fewer games than the Ravens.
The two-week-old quarterback switch from young Justin Fields to veteran Russell Wilson has led to a more balanced attack. Head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith trust Wilson more than Fields to put the ball in the air.
With that in mind, it is wise to ignore the season-long stats that have the Steelers near the bottom of the league in passing yards per game. Wilson has thrown for 274 and 268 yards in his two starts. Fields only surpassed 245 yards passing twice in his six starts.
Pittsburgh heads to the Beltway reasonably healthy. Expect them to pound the running game with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, then for Wilson to take deep shots down the field to George Pickens and Calvin Austin III.
Washington Is Back in the Big-Time
The Washington franchise has a new owner, a new football brain trust, a new head coach in the respected Dan Quinn, and a dynamic rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. They are 7-2 and heading for the playoffs.
They are racking up the points under Daniels and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, ranked third in the NFL in points per game. Quinn’s defensive schemes have been effective and opportunistic. At the trade deadline, they acquired cornerback Marshon Lattimore from New Orleans. He is nursing a hamstring and will not play against Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh is vulnerable to the pass, ranked 21st. They are adept at stopping the run meaning Daniels will rely on dump-offs to Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, and Zach Ertz. The Steelers’ acquisition of Preston Smith from Green Bay adds to their aggressive rush led by star T.J. Watt.
Steelers vs Commanders Prediction: A Tightly-Contested Affair
Pittsburgh and Washington are evenly matched. Both are heading for postseason berths. Expect a well-played, low-scoring game with the Commanders proving themselves legitimate contenders. The teams will score less than 45.5 points and Washington wins the game.
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