Next opponent: Commanders appear strong, can be exploited

LANDOVER, Md. -- The Steelers are 6-2 and coming off their bye week, which typically bodes well for Mike Tomlin's teams. He's won six straight games and is 12-4 overall in games following the bye. However, a road matchup against the 7-2 Commanders is a much more difficult game than anyone anticipated prior to the season.

Here's a snapshot of what Washington brings into Week 10:

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Record: 7-2
Standing: First, NFC East
Last result: Won over Giants, 27-22

THE TREND

Prior to the season, it was difficult to imagine the Commanders being a great team. Sure, they had the second overall pick in the draft and got a franchise quarterback out of it. But, the entire franchise was going through a transition, from ownership down.

And, their season didn't get off to the most promising starts. The lost to the Buccaneers in the season opener, 37-20, and then beat the Giants narrowly, 21-18, in a game in which the Giants lost their kicker on the opening kickoff, scored three touchdowns but weren't able to add any points on PATs.

However, the Commanders have jumped out to a remarkable 7-2 record through their first nine games. A Week 3 road victory over the Bengals opened some eyes, they hung around with the Ravens and only lost by seven, and now they've won three straight games heading into Sunday's matchup with the Steelers.

There is some speculation over the validity of the Commanders' 7-2 record. In their seven wins, their opponents have a combined record of 21-42. One of their wins came on a Hail Mary against the Bears. But, there's plenty of reason to believe this is a good football team, and it begins with their impressive rookie quarterback.

THE QUARTERBACK

Jayden Daniels has been sensational, and that's been a big part of their success. So far, he's completed 71.5% of his passes for 1,945 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He's also averaging an impressive 8.5 yards per attempt. And, he's also added a ton on the ground, rushing for 459 yards and four touchdowns on 82 carries.

Daniels also has the best EPA (expected points added) per play and third-best completion percentage above expected (CPOE), all while averaging 7.2 air yards. He's not throwing just beyond the line of scrimmage. He's airing it out and the offense is humming.

While all successful Hail Mary throws are more luck than anything else, Daniels heaving this pass while dealing with busted ribs is big-boy stuff:

Perhaps the greatest and most appreciated part of Daniels' game is his calm presence in the pocket, something rarely seen in rookie quarterbacks, especially those who have a great ability to gain yardage on the ground. However, he has a high level of playing within the structure of the offense, which makes him very difficult to defend. Once things break down, he also has that ability to improvise and create for himself out of structure, whether that be by throwing on the run or decimating defenses with his legs.

Daniels can, however, take one too many hits. He's only been sacked 17 times this season, which isn't alarming. But, he takes far too many hits after the throw. That can wear down on a quarterback, whether it be over the course of a game or over a season.

THE OFFENSE

Daniels is the centerpiece of a Commanders offense that ranks among the very best in the NFL. And, new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury deserves plenty of credit, too. This is a formidable unit.

Washington currently boasts the No. 3 offense in scoring and total yards, and they also rank third in the NFL in rushing. While the Steelers' overall numbers against the run have been solid, they are coming off a game in which they were gashed by the Giants on the ground. They have their work cut out for them.

Through the air, Terry McLaurin is Daniels' primary target. He leads the team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. And, man, he's still one of the most under-appreciated receivers in the league. He does so many things at a very high level:

But, the Commanders do a lot with their guys behind the line of scrimmage. Daniels is a huge contributor in the run game. And, Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler are a formidable duo. Robinson leads the way as the primary rusher, but Ekeler is a pure dual threat guy. Both backs have eclipsed 500 total yards from scrimmage this season.

One weakness of this offense is failure in the red zone. They've only converted 51.2% of their red zone trips into touchdowns, which ranks 26th in the league. The Steelers boast the NFL's best red zone defense, keeping teams out of the end zone 62.5% of the time after the opponent gets inside the 20-yard line. This may be the key to the game for Pittsburgh -- forcing Washington to settle for field goals instead of scoring touchdowns.

THE DEFENSE

While the Commanders have one of the league's best offenses, their defense is significantly far behind. Don't let having the 11th-ranked scoring defense fool you. There are weaknesses to be exploited here.

That doesn't mean there aren't good players here. Dante Fowler and Dorance Armstrong Jr. are a solid duo on the edge, especially when getting after the quarterback. Jeremy Chinn is a very good safety that's solid in both run defense and pass coverage. And, Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu are two very good off-ball linebackers. Luvu can do a number of different things and plays like his hair is on fire:

But, the main issue with this defense begins with how terrible they are against the run. Not only are they surrendering 143.0 rushing yards per game, the fourth-worst mark in the league, they rank 30th in rush EPA and 28th in rush success rate. The metrics aren't great, either. This is a team that can be gashed on the ground. They've given up 160 rushing yards or more in four games this year. And, it's been bad all season.

In addition, the Commanders rank 26th in yards per play allowed off play-action. That bodes very well for a Steelers team that wants to run the ball and stretch the defense utilizing play-action. We've seen that take off in recent weeks after Russell Wilson took over under center.

The Commanders aren't exactly glowing on third down or in the red zone, either. They rank 22nd in third-down efficiency and rank 28th in red zone defense.

THE SPECIAL TEAMS

Austin Seibert has been extremely reliable for the Commanders this season as their placekicker. He's made 25 of 27 field goal attempts. However, both misses have come beyond 50 yards. Also, he's dealing with a hip injury and may miss the game, so the Commanders signed Zane Gonzalez this week in case he's not available. Two-time Pro Bowler Tress Way handles punting duties. He's only put one of 19 punts in the end zone for a touchback. Ekeler handles the majority of the kick return duties. He's rattled off a 62-yard return this season.

THE INJURY REPORT

• Marshon Lattimore, CB (hamstring) -- Lattimore was the Commanders' prize of the trade deadline, but they'll have to wait at least another week to have him make his Washington debut. He's still dealing with a hamstring injury, and has been ruled out for Sunday's game.

• Cornelius Lucas, OT (ankle) -- Lucas didn't practice all week and has been ruled out of Sunday's game. He's started five games at left tackle, but was inactive last week. Without him in the lineup, Brandon Coleman will start at left tackle.

• Brian Robinson Jr., RB (hamstring) -- Robinson tried to be available this week. He was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but didn't practice Friday. He was subsequently ruled out of Sunday's game. Without Robinson, Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols are in line to earn more carries. 

• Colson Yankoff, TE (hamstring) -- Yankoff popped up on Thursday's injury report as a limited participant, and then didn't practice Friday. He's officially ruled out for Sunday. Yankoff is listed as the Commanders' fourth tight end on the depth chart.

• Austin Seibert, K (right hip) -- Seibert's availability is up in the air. He didn't practice Wednesday, and was then listed as limited on Thursday and Friday. The Commanders signed Gonzalez as insurance for this week, as Seibert is listed as questionable.

• Andrew Wylie, OT (shoulder) -- Wylie was limited in practice all week and carries a questionable designation into Sunday. Should he not play, it'd be a big loss on the offensive line as he's the starting right tackle. Should he not be able to go, former Steeler Trent Scott is next in line.

Players on injured reserve:

• Jonathan Allen, DT (pectoral)
• Jamison Crowder, WR (calf)
• Javontae Jean-Baptiste, DE (ankle)
• Norell Pollard, DT (undisclosed)

QUOTABLE

"Ever since Mike Tomlin has been there, he's a (heck) of a coach. He doesn't have a losing record for a reason. He's going to have his guys ready to play. They play hard. They know their scheme. They have some really good players. Obviously, they have T.J. Watt, Patrick Queen. Guys like that. Minkah Fitzpatrick. Overall, the whole defense, they play together. They have good continuity. It's going to be a good challenge for us." -- Jayden Daniels on the Steelers

"When I think about Russ, the first thing that pops into my mind is this is a remarkable deep ball thrower. It's what he has absolutely earned and is known for inside and outside the pocket. He's got the ability to be able to throw on the run, 50 to 60 yards down the field, to a spot that only his receiver can get to. That to me is what sets him apart. He's got a strong arm, big hands. He can absolutely rip it. It's the down field big shot plays. When those explosive plays happen, those are game changers. That's what I think Russell's superpower is. Deep ball accuracy. Not everybody has that." -- Commanders head coach Dan Quinn on Russell Wilson

"When I'm watching tape, when I'm sleeping, all of the above. He's a game wrecker. He's on that level of certain guys around the league. Like an Aaron Donald type, I know he's retired, but going into that week we have to know where he is on every play. If we leave one play where he's not accounted for and given extra attention, then that's the play that can change the game. He is that dominant of a player and plays with that kind of effort. Definitely one that keeps you up at night." -- Kingsbury on facing Watt