By Teresa Varley/Steelers.com
The Steelers hit the road this week, taking on a strong Washington Commanders team at Northwest Stadium.
Both teams lead their divisions, the Steelers with a 6-2 record, and the Commanders weighing in at 7-2.
“Pittsburgh’s got a really strong crew in all three phases,” said Commanders Coach Dan Quinn.
The Commanders weighed in on what they have seen from the Steelers, linebacker T.J. Watt, quarterback Russell Wilson and more.
Head Coach Dan Quinn on what he respects about the Steelers:
“It really starts with Mike (Tomlin). He’s somebody I’ve known more than half my life. My first year of coaching was Mike’s senior year of playing. We’ve remained good friends ever since that time. We actually coached together for a year after that, his first year coaching, and my second. But he’s somebody I admire a lot.
“You’ve heard me talk a lot about identity and what that looks like. Mike stands for that. His team stands for that. Not many people I regard higher as a coach and a man than Mike.
“I feel the toughness of him through their team and it’s a good group. All three phases. We talk about ball, and they’re plus 10. We talk about special teams. These are going to be two excellent special teams units absolutely battling for it between Danny’s (Smith) group and Larry’s (Izzo) group here. There’s going to be kicks covering, big tackles, punts and kicks. It’s going to be all hands on deck. All the stories within the game, it’s going to be special teams specifically that is going to have a big narrative into it. We’ve got some good special teams players as well.”
Quarterback Jayden Daniels on the Steelers:
“Ever since Mike Tomlin has been there, he’s a (heck) of a coach. He doesn’t have a losing record for a reason. He’s going to have his guys ready to play.
“They play hard. They know their scheme. They have some really good players. Obviously, they have T.J. Watt, Patrick Queen. Guys like that. Minkah Fitzpatrick.
“Overall, the whole defense, they play together. They have good continuity. It’s going to be a good challenge for us.”
Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. on center Zach Frazier returning:
“I think it’s going to help. I was looking at some of their interviews, and him being healthy. They do a nice job of knocking people off the ball. They do so much 13 personnel, I think more 13 personnel than anybody in the league. Our big people are going to have to play big and physical. It’s going to be fun. They are going to try and knock us off the ball and we’re going to attempt to do the same thing.”
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury on new Steelers linebacker Preston Smith:
“I’ve played against him before. Very good, powerful, talented rusher. It’s not like they need any help at that position, but they got it. That will just add to a very tough defense. The way those guys are relentless in the pass rush, the way they get after the passer, they fall into sacks. The quarterbacks that are able to move, they’ll keep chasing them and the pursuit is really impressive to watch. It’s a credit to the coaches, players and culture they have created.”
Quinn on how he analyzes the Steelers with the moves they made just before the trade deadline:
“We start first with the roster that they’ve had and how they featured the players into those spots. (Tuesday night), they are adding individual player clips. That’s usually where it goes, where you study a certain style of a player from their other team because you haven’t seen them in your scheme. It’s much easier to see Preston (Smith) pass rushing or individual routes that would be thrown to Mike (Williams). It’s more practical for a player to study that than a coach. The coach has to stay on a scheme.”
Quinn on quarterback Russell Wilson:
“When I think about Russ, the first thing that pops into my mind is this is a remarkable deep ball thrower. It’s what he has absolutely earned and is known for inside and outside the pocket. He’s got the ability to be able to throw on the run, 50 to 60 yards down the field, to a spot that only his receiver can get to.
“That to me is what sets him apart. He’s got a strong arm, big hands. He can absolutely rip it. It’s the down field big shot plays. When those explosive plays happen, those are game changers.
“That’s what I think Russell’s superpower is. Deep ball accuracy. Not everybody has that.”
Daniels on if he has watched Wilson play a lot:
“I watch football in general, so I have been seeing Russ pretty much his whole career. A lot of respect to him.
“His playmaking, he throws a really good deep ball. Very accurate. Overall, his leadership and how he treats his people on and off the field is something that stands out.”
Whitt on the Steelers offensive strengths with quarterback Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both as weapons:
“Russell, for a long time, he’s a guy that plays on time. He can get outside the pocket. He doesn’t run as much as he used to. He still can create and get the ball where he wants to. He is very accurate outside the numbers. He is a smart quarterback.
“Justin, he is smart as well, very athletic. It’s really a whole offense that Arthur (Smith) wants to run. They are a run first, play action, shoot the ball up the field and control it.”
Safety Jeremy Chinn on how they get ready for Wilson without a lot of Steelers film on him:
“We have a great game plan. We just have to execute it like we have been the past few weeks. Really coming in, ready to work, and execute the game plan they have in place for us. Get to it. Simple as that.”
“Taking the ball away and creating negative plays. Coverage wise, very sticky in man coverage when they decide to do that. The pass rush, it doesn’t leave you much room for error. You have to be very precise, stay on schedule.”
Chinn on the Steelers offense and the challenge they present:
“They have a good offense. Good run game, good pass game. It’s going to come down to us playing our fundamentals, making our hits and doing what we are supposed to do.”
Kingsbury on the challenge T.J. Watt presents and how much he thinks about blocking him:
“When I’m watching tape, when I’m sleeping, all of the above. He’s a game wrecker. He’s on that level of certain guys around the league. Like an Aaron Donald type, I know he’s retired, but going into that week we have to know where he is on every play. If we leave one play where he’s not accounted for and given extra attention, then that’s the play that can change the game. He is that dominant of a player and plays with that kind of effort. Definitely one that keeps you up at night.”
Whitt on newly acquired receiver Mike Williams:
“Them coming off a bye, there are going to be some un-scouted looks
He gives them somebody opposite of No. 14 (George Pickens) that can go vertically up the field. Now there are shots on both sides for Russell (Wilson). And what does Russell do best? He throws the deep ball really, really well. He’s done that for a long time.”