3 problems the Commanders must fix before Week 10 game vs. Steelers

What NFL team has defied expectations by soaring to the top of its division at the midpoint of the 2024 season? It’s not the Washington Commanders.

The Pittsburgh Steelers.

They were supposed to struggle to keep up in the highly competitive AFC North this year. In 2023, every team in the division finished with a winning record. All of the other franchises looked more exciting on paper. Even so, head coach Mike Tomlin is just doing what he always does.

He is finding ways for his team to win more than they lose. The Steelers are currently 6-2, a half-game clear of the Baltimore Ravens in the division. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

There are still plenty of doubters who believe that the Steelers' strong start has been achieved with smoke and mirrors. They point out that Tomlin’s crew has only taken the field once against a team that had a winning record when they played. Or that the combined record of their opponents this year currently sits at 30-40.

Pittsburgh’s best wins - over the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers, came in the first three weeks. Since that game in Week 3 versus Jim Harbaugh's squad, the Steelers have not faced an opponent with a winning record. That changes when they travel to Northwest Stadium on Sunday.

Tomlin always has his team ready. If the Commanders hope to improve to 8-2, they will have to play a very solid game.

With that being said, here are three problems the Commanders must resolve beforehand.

Problems the Commanders must fix before Week 10 vs. Steelers

Commanders OL must counteract exceptional pass-rush

The Commanders are coming off a tough game against a talented New York Giants defensive front. It gets even tougher this weekend.

Cameron Heyward doesn’t seem to be slowing down at 35 years old. He remains one of the dominant interior defensive linemen in the league. Edge rusher T.J. Watt is once again among the NFL's sack leaders and tackles-for-loss. Those stars are ably supported by emerging players like Nate Herbig, Elandon Roberts, and Alex Highsmith.

The Steelers can pressure opposing quarterbacks without becoming overly reliant on the blitz. Their blitz percentage is among the NFL's lowest, yet they harass opposing quarterbacks as well as any defense.

That has also resulted in interceptions. By generating pressure with just four rushers and keeping seven defenders in coverage, Pittsburgh has picked off opposing quarterbacks 10 times through eight games, third best in the league.

It will be more difficult to give help to individual linemen against Pittsburgh because the Steelers have so many talented players across their front seven. Washington’s offensive line has been a bright spot so far this season and will need one of its best games if the offense is going to put up points.