Misery, instead of a miracle.
On Sunday there was no dramatic comeback at Northwest Stadium for Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. Instead of a 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown on the game's final play, they came up just inches short of a first down that would've kept alive a potential game-winning drive.
Zach Ertz came up just short of a key first down, and then defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton jumped offside on fourth down to prevent the Commanders from getting a final possession in a heartbreaking 28-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Commanders, who fall to 7-3, wasted a 10-point second-half lead in an entertaining game between between division leaders.
Needing only a field goal for another improbable win, the Commanders drove to midfield in the last two minutes. On 4th-and-9, Ertz caught a pass over the middle right at the first-down marker, but was stopped in his tracks by Steelers' safety Minkah Fitzpatrick just inches short of the first down with 1:18 remaining.
Washington was poised to get the ball back, but Pittsburgh lined up to go for 4th-and-1. Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson went with a hard count, and Newton jumped into the neutral zone for an automatic first down that ended the game.
In 2020 the Washington Football Team upset the Steelers to end their undefeated season at 11-0. In 2024 the Steelers gained some revenge by temporary derailing the Commanders' magical run.
The Steelers were one yard from taking the lead midway through the fourth quarter when the defense made a game-changing play near the goal line. With Washington leading 27-21, Pittsburgh running back Jaylen Warren was churning inside the 1-yard line when Quan Martin stripped the ball out and Jeremy Chinn recovered the fumble.
Unable to make a first down, Washington was forced to punt and this time the Steelers found the end zone. On the first pass thrown his way as a Steeler, newly acquired receiver Mike Williams beat Commanders' cornerback Benjamin St-Juste for a 32-yard touchdown and a 28-27 Steelers lead with 2:22 remaining.
