The Washington Commanders suffered their first defeat at Northwest Stadium, falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers 18-27 in a gritty, hard-fought game. The loss ends a solid home streak for Washington, whose defense has been a highlight of the season. However, the Steelers’ physicality on both sides of the ball proved to be too much, especially with a powerful running game led by Najee Harris, who dominated the Commanders’ front seven with over 100 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Despite the setback, the Commanders put up a fight. Quarterback Sam Howell connected for two touchdowns and 246 passing yards, but Pittsburgh’s defense kept Washington from establishing a balanced attack. Key turnovers also plagued the Commanders, with Howell throwing an interception at a crucial juncture in the fourth quarter. The Steelers’ defensive line, spearheaded by T.J. Watt, applied relentless pressure, sacking Howell three times and forcing hurried through Washington’s special teams unit kept them competitive, with kicker Joey Slye nailing two long field goals. However, the Steelers’ secondary clamped down in the final minutes, denying Washington a chance for a comeback.
The loss drops Washington’s record to 5-4, and they’ll look to bounce back next week as they continue their playoff push.