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1st Quarter
Coin toss:
Morgan Moses is the coin toss winner. Washington defers, Pittsburgh ball.
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) December 7, 2020
Ben Roethlisberger vs Ronald Darby:
Roethlisberger tried to throw downfield on the first play. Darby had it covered.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 7, 2020
Steelers going after Darby straight away. Most teams have tried him lately. Worth keeping an eye on
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 7, 2020
3 and out:
Nice tackle on the play by rookie Kam Curl to prevent Eric Ebron from getting the first down. Holds Pittsburgh, and it punts on 4th and 1. We'll see how the offense does against this defense.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) December 7, 2020
That was big tackle by Kam Curl on 3rd down to set the tone for Washington’s defense.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) December 7, 2020
Terry McLaurin is very good at football:
Terry McLaurin off and running @TheTerry_25 @WashingtonNFL
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 7, 2020
#WASvsPIT on FOX pic.twitter.com/ach8OhiziC
First play --> 12-yard catch for Terry McLaurin
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 7, 2020
Missed opportunity:
Oh man, Alex Smith missed Terry McLaurin who was starting to come open working towards the right sideline. Threw in the dirt to Isaiah Wright
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) December 7, 2020
Opening drive futility continues:
#WashingtonFootball failed to score on their opening drive for a 13th straight game. Washington is the only NFL team this season that has yet to score on their opening drive. @wusa9 @WUSA9sports pic.twitter.com/BdMu7dxfop
— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) December 7, 2020
False start:
Flag thrown. Official: "False start. Everybody but the center."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 7, 2020
Screen fail:
Bubble/tunnel screens aren't the way to go against this Washington defense. RB screens off PA fakes work, but not bubble/tunnel screens. Washington's DBs FLY to the ball on those.
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 7, 2020
3 and out:
Pittsburgh's offense opens with back-to-back three-and-outs, the second of which included two penalties.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 7, 2020
Big Antonio Gibson run:
Great vision from Antonio Gibson, who picks up 13 yards.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 7, 2020
Gibson limps off:
Scary seeing Gibson limp off there
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 7, 2020
Antonio Gibson came off the field hobbling after his run. Getting looked at by the team doc on the medical table now.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 7, 2020
Logan Thomas one-handed catch:
Logan Thomas needed only one hand ✋ @LoganThomasSr_6 @WashingtonNFL
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 7, 2020
#WASvsPIT on FOX pic.twitter.com/qeTqwAlh9B
Logan Thomas blocking:
On that last 3rd down, watch TE Logan Thomas. Stays in to chip and help protection. He made sure he got his chip block off pic.twitter.com/0o8ae60a5D
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 7, 2020
Morgan Moses back at RT:
This was a pretty nice blitz pick up on 2nd down by Washington. Washington's OL has been much improved in recent weeks. Moses back at RT will strength it further. Will need this to continue as the Steelers love to send extra rushers pic.twitter.com/kUxGMvc42V
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 7, 2020
Don't touch the MVP:
DON'T YOU DARE ROUGH TRESS WAY https://t.co/UfjHuuFdJq
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 7, 2020
Washington forces another punt:
Washington’s defense again holds and forces Pittsburgh to punt. 2:49 left in the first qtr in scoreless game.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) December 7, 2020
Antonio Gibson doubtful with a toe injury:
Antonio Gibson is doubtful to return after suffering a toe injury on this play
— PFF (@PFF) December 7, 2020
pic.twitter.com/xyKfxLQAzP
Antonio Gibson is doubtful with a toe injury.
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) December 7, 2020
Temarrick Hemingway is out with a wrist injury.
Dropsies:
Steven Sims can't afford drops like these. Wide open, easy first down conversion if he catches it. pic.twitter.com/BBMXyluHwV
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 7, 2020
Back-to-back dropped passes that should have been caught. A sloppy drive there.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 7, 2020
So close:
Not sure how Jeremy Sprinkle didn't recover this fumble pic.twitter.com/032GrwHBcO
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 7, 2020
So the irony of that fumble on the punt: Sean Davis who signed with Washington this offseason, and got cut by the team at the end of training camp, just recovered the fumble for the Steelers
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) December 7, 2020
Wait, why isn't it Washington's ball after the muffed punt?
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 7, 2020
Moose Johnston: "Because Jeremy Sprinkle does not know how to recover a fumble."
Scoreless 1st quarter:
Washington vs. Steelers 1Q:
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 7, 2020
6 total first downs
6 punts
5 penalties for 50 yards
1-8 on third downs pic.twitter.com/AAtIguhHS3
2nd Quarter
Daron Payne batted pass:
Daron Payne with the bat down. It's an underrated skill that he has developed over the years.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 7, 2020
Good thing Daron Payne got his hand up to bat that pass down, cause Chase Claypool was wide open
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) December 7, 2020
TD called back:
Steelers get into the end zone, but it gets called back on an illegal man downfield. Another break for @WashingtonNFL
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 7, 2020
Diontae Johnson still gets his TD:
Nice route and excellent ball placement on Steelers opening TD. Fuller looked back for the ball at the last second when he hadn't secured the route. pic.twitter.com/4D1xsuDVYo
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 7, 2020
After being helped out by an illegal man down field, Washington defense concedes a 3rd and 7 conversion, and the following play gives up the three-yard touchdown pass from Ben Rothlisberger to Diontae Johnson. The WFT trails, 7-0, with 10:33 left in the half.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) December 7, 2020
Pittsburgh's 14-play, 77-yard, 6:16 touchdown drive ended with 11 straight passes, including the play negated by a penalty. Those screens are basically their run game, which is averaging 1.6 yards per carry on eight rushes. Expect more of that from the Steelers.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) December 7, 2020
Too many penalties for Washington:
Back to back offensive penalties. Procedural too. ANd there's no crowd noise. Not good
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 7, 2020
False start and delay of game leaves Washington starting its drive with a 1st-and-20 on the 15
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 7, 2020
Rivera challenges:
Excellent effort from Logan Thomas after the catch to get this close. Looked to me like he extended the ball out right at the end for a first down. Washington has challenged pic.twitter.com/jrT4QzV8x9
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 7, 2020
Ron Rivera is challenging the spot on the 3rd and 13 call.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) December 7, 2020
And loses:
The refs rule that the call stands, so Washington has a 4th and 1. Offense remains on the field
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) December 7, 2020
I never get how, when there is an OBVIOUS angle to overturn something, that something isn't overturned. How does that happen?
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 7, 2020
Trick plays not fooling the Steelers:
As they pointed out on the broadcast, Inman has to make his block here. pic.twitter.com/3UkWJSelai
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 7, 2020
Just as Moose was gonna advocate for Logan Thomas reaching for the 1st, the refs say nada.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 7, 2020
4th and 1. Scott Turner goes for trickery with Thomas under center and a handoff to McKissic.
Steelers read it. Stopped.
Washington goes for it on 4th down from its own 34-yard line, and J.D. McKissic gets stuffed on a jet sweep. Dontrelle Inman just missed the block. Steelers take over.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 7, 2020
More penalties:
Anddd Tim Settle gets hit with the personal foul after he took a swipe at a Steelers offensive linemen. The two were going at it during the play
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) December 7, 2020
Goal line stand:
Kam Curl made stops on 1st and 2nd down and then Chase Young blew it up on 4th down...HUGE STOP for #WashingtonFootball
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) December 7, 2020
Pittsburgh - who cant run the ball - lined up jumbo 4 straight times. Made no sense and played into WFT strengths
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 7, 2020
What a stand! Chase Young saved that touchdown with an amazing effort. For anyone who doubts his production because he doesn't have great sack numbers (yet!) point them to plays like that.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) December 7, 2020
CHASE YOUNG IS A MONSTER
— PFF (@PFF) December 7, 2020
pic.twitter.com/lHQIB593Jb
Eric Ebron was not expecting Chase Young to get off the ball that quickly. Completely whiffed trying to block him. https://t.co/v9ujGm28BH
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 7, 2020
Sloppy special teams:
Great job by Tress Way. Another bad job by those around him on ST. Sloppy tonight
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 7, 2020
Steelers score again...quickly:
Terrible look for Washington's DBs here. Fuller misses the tackle initially, then Everett hardly gets a hand on the receiver, who bursts down the sideline for a TD. pic.twitter.com/cQqn9dbLjz
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 7, 2020
James Washington* https://t.co/IvHvkpoXsK
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) December 7, 2020
Kendall Fuller and Deshazor Everett both whiffed on tackles.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 7, 2020
Washington entered this game with the second-highest missed tackle rate (12.2%) in the league, behind only the Raiders (13.3%).
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 7, 2020
Missed opportunities:
Nearly a huge play by McLaurin. Slot fade concept from empty, aggressive call on 3rd down. Solid effort from both Smith and McLaurin, just missed. pic.twitter.com/yiQq7g9c1Y
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 7, 2020
Alex Smith's bloody leg:
Alex Smith’s NON SURGICALLY REPAIRED leg is quite bloody right now pic.twitter.com/xuwD8QZBfq
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 7, 2020
Cam Sims sighting!:
Hell of an effort from Cam Sims after the catch. Showed off strength, speed and elusiveness. pic.twitter.com/yMZHRWD7sW
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 7, 2020
Drive stopped:
Felt Washington actually picked up this blitz pretty well. Think Smith could have come back underneath to the shallow cross as a checkdown but took too long to do so pic.twitter.com/1PMUYsPXTP
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) December 7, 2020
Tuitt now with the sack....Just a disaster. https://t.co/ne4ve4fJAQ
— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) December 7, 2020
Field goal to end the half:
Dustin Hopkins just drilled a 49-yarder at Heinz Field, into the end of the field kickers don't want to kick into. That was big time.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) December 7, 2020
The administrative issues that stopped the clock before half⬇️
— PFF (@PFF) December 7, 2020
pic.twitter.com/yDj55W8nQw
Literally thought the same thing. Would not put it past him. https://t.co/n8VaSsX4Dh
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) December 7, 2020