The Commanders were in a dog fight, Sunday, and could not win though they led by ten points in the third quarter, falling 28-27 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Here are some of the quick facts from the third loss of the Commanders’ season:
- Perhaps the stat of the day was Jayden Daniels’s only rushing for five yards. The Steelers simply eliminated Daniels from running and dared others to beat them on the ground.
- When receiver/returner Olamide Zaccheaus muffed his first two punts today, the first fumble was not lost. But the second was, and it was, the Commanders’ first lost fumble of the 2024 season.
- TE Zach Ertz passed Greg Olsen for No. 6 all-time in NFL history for receptions by a tight end. Ertz, at the time, had caught No. 743, and Olsen finished his career with 742.
- WR Terry McLaurin (422) passed Jerry Smith (421) for sixth all-time in Washington franchise history in receptions.
- The defenses dominated the first quarter. Both teams were 0-3 on third downs, and Washington was limited to 19 yards in the quarter.
- Sunday was the first time this season that the Commanders’ first two offensive possessions were three-and-out (three plays and a punt).
- Sunday’s 28-27 loss was Washington’s third of the season and its first home loss at Northwest Stadium this year.
- Losing Sunday to the Steelers at home means the last time Washington defeated Pittsburgh in a Washington home game was with Doug Williams as the Redskins starting quarterback in 1988.
- The failed 4th down attempt on Washington’s last possession was the first fourth down Washington failed to pick up the first down this season. The Commanders were 11 for 11 on their previous fourth downs in 2024.
- The Steelers’ first touchdown resulted from a Benjamin St-Just pass interference penalty and a Jeremy Chinn roughing the passer penalty (both on this scoring drive).
- Jeremy Chinn’s interception was his first of 2024 and third in his career (2020-24).
- The Steelers’ first-quarter fake punt was wide open and completely fooled the Commanders. But DB James Pierre dropped the pass. Some Commanders fans will recall Pierre being with the Commanders in training camp before he was released.
- The Steelers shut down the Commanders’ rushing game, limiting Washington to a mere 60 yards. This was the second-lowest rushing total of the season after they only generated 52 against the Ravens.
- Jayden Daniels is not going to enjoy watching the film. He was off target more than a few times today, including missing a wide-open Luke McCaffrey that would have been a substantial gain.
- WR Terry McLaurin (422) has passed Jerry Smith (421) for sixth all-time in franchise history in receptions.
- Austin Ekeler scored two touchdowns. He achieved the feat for the first time since Weeks 9 and 10 in 2023.
- RB Jeremy McNichols scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the season.
- The loss to the Steelers was the Commanders’ first home loss of 2024.
- Dante Fowler had another multiple-sack game, giving him 8.5 sacks in 2024 and 53.5 for his career.
- Terry McLaurin was over 100 receiving yards for the ninth time in his career and fourth time this season.
- Ryan Kerrigan had multiple sack games back-to-back in the 2017 season. No Washington player had matched this until today when Dante Fowler Jr recorded his two sacks.