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Washington Football Team: Five players to watch vs. Steelers

By Jacob Camenker

Sep 20, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Football Team defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Football Team defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Robert Griffin III #3 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a fourth quarter interception while being hit by defensive tackle Daron Payne #94 of the Washington Football Team at FedExField on October 04, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Robert Griffin III #3 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a fourth quarter interception while being hit by defensive tackle Daron Payne #94 of the Washington Football Team at FedExField on October 04, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2. DT Daron Payne

Daron Payne may be one of the most underrated players on the Washington defense. While Chase Young and Montez Sweat are getting a lot of attention for their efforts on the line, Payne is in the midst of an excellent season and has done a lot to clog running lanes and generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

And on Monday, Washington will need Payne to continue to do that.

Because of the nature of the Steelers’ offense, it’s hard to get a lot of pressure on Ben Roethlisberger. He used to hold onto the ball for quite a long time, but he has completely reversed that. He now gets the ball out very quickly and gets it into the hands of his playmakers. That’s how the Steelers have run an efficient offense this season and it’s why Roethlisberger is on pace to be sacked a career-low 15 times on the year.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

Sacking Roethlisberger is difficult, but Washington can still get pressure on him. They’ll have to look for a weakness on their offensive line, and there could be one at the center spot with Maurkice Pouncey on the COVID list and his status for the game uncertain.

If Pouncey can’t go, J.C. Hassenauer will make the second start of his career. Hassenauer had played in just 26 offensive snaps before his start last week, and while he was decent against the Ravens, that was against a depleted opponent. Washington has a borderline elite defensive line, so if Hassenauer is forced to block against Payne, he could have some serious trouble.

Should Payne be able to beat Hassenauer, he will make life difficult for Roethlisberger. He should be able to get some shots in on the QB and if he can get his hands up when Roethlisberger is throwing, that could create some deflected passes and interception opportunities.

Pressuring Roethlsiberger will be critical for Washington in their quest to slow down the Steelers. Payne seems to be their best chance at getting a lot of heat on the quarterback from the interior, so he needs to be a big-time playmaker for Washington to keep this close and potentially win.

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