Washington Football Team: Key numbers from shocking victory over PIT

1 of 2

PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 08: Steven Sims #15 of the Washington Football Team in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 8, 2020 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

“That’s the worst division in the NFL. They don’t deserve to have a playoff spot.”

These are things we’ve been hearing throughout the season, not only about the Washington Football Team, but the whole NFC East.

Fast forward to Week 13, and the New York Giants upset the Seattle Seahawks, with big performances by two former Washington Football Team players in Alfred Morris and Colt McCoy.

To keep pace in the division, Washington would have to do the improbable, going into Pittsburgh to face the undefeated Steelers, and coming out victorious.

Nobody gave them a chance, and rightfully so. Ben Roethlisberger was coming into the game with a 4-0 record against Washington, and Washington hadn’t beaten the Steelers since November 17, 1991. For fans of the franchise, you’ll remember that was the same year Washington went 14-2 and won Super Bowl XXVI. So yes, it had been a very long time.

But here we are four quarters later, with Washington pulling off the upset to ruin the Steelers’ perfect season and remain in a first-place tie with the Giants in the NFC East.

The one trait that has plagued Washington all season has been slow starts, and that was again the case against Pittsburgh. The offense was sleepwalking on the field and had no momentum early on.

After Antonio Gibson left the game early with a toe injury and Terry McLaurin kept being held in check, Washington fell behind 14-0 and the game looked as if it would be over early.

But then, enter “The Other Guys”. Just like in the movie, the unheralded and oft-unrecognized players stepped up to get this W for Washington.

Just look at this win probability chart. If that doesn’t convince you that the culture is changing in the organization, I don’t know what will. Teams of years past would roll over and die when they were down by 14, but this team continued to fight. Moments like today are proof that the trajectory of this franchise is beginning to change. For those who said Ron Rivera was not the right person for the job, please quiet down.

As the season continues to unfold, you are looking at a team that has candidates for Comeback Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Let’s get to some of the key numbers from Monday evening’s game.

Home/Commanders News