### Commanders Set to Face Steelers in Week 10 Showdown

As Week 10 of the NFL season approaches, the Washington Commanders, with a 7-2 record, prepare to take on the 6-2 Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at 1:00 pm EST in Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD. The Steelers, who have tasted defeat only against the Colts and Cowboys, are coming off a bye week and will have had ample time to recover and strategize.

The Steelers' offense, under the new direction of Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, has seen notable changes this season. Initially, the team depended on Justin Fields' athleticism and improvisational skills at quarterback. However, the return of Russell Wilson from a calf injury marked a turning point, significantly boosting their downfield passing game. Since Wilson took over, Pittsburgh has managed to consistently score over 26 points per game, a notable improvement from their earlier struggles.

Adding to their offensive arsenal, the Steelers recently acquired wide receiver Mike Williams from the Jets. Williams' ability to make contested catches aligns perfectly with Wilson's deep-passing strength. Nevertheless, the Steelers' offensive line has been heavily impacted by injuries, losing starting right tackle Troy Fautanu and right guard James Daniels for the season. The return of rookie center Zach Frazier from injury provides some relief in this department.

Defensively, the Steelers are guided by Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin. Known for his defensive acumen, Tomlin has consistently fielded top-10 defenses in 11 of his 17 seasons as head coach. The Steelers' defense is aggressive, often rushing five and utilizing a mix of cover 3 and cover 1 schemes. Stars like OLB TJ Watt, DT Cam Heyward, and S Minkah Fitzpatrick spearhead the unit, making it one of the fiercest Washington will face this season.

Steelers analyst Ryan Parish from Behind the Steel Curtain shared his insights on several facets of the team. Parish discussed the quarterback switch from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson, noting that while both have their strengths, Wilson's ability to stretch the field has been pivotal. He also praised Arthur Smith's role in structuring a pragmatic offense, especially given the injuries and initial thinness at wide receiver.

Highlighting some under-the-radar talents, Parish pointed to wide receiver Calvin Austin, whose speed and emerging role could pose a threat. Defensively, safety DeShon Elliott and rising stars like rookie Beanie Bishop and second-year lineman Keanu Benton are making significant impacts.

Parish also outlined what Washington needs to prepare for—a slugfest with the Steelers relying heavily on their run game and vertical passing threats. Defensively, Pittsburgh is expected to apply pressure on Jayden Daniels, aiming to curtail deep passes to Terry McLaurin and force the Commanders’ offense into shorter, less explosive plays.

With Washington poised as slight favorites by Vegas, this matchup promises to be a hard-fought contest. Fans should brace themselves for a physical game where both teams will be looking to assert their dominance.