It’s the fall.
It’s not the tumultuous summer heading for the 2020 season, it’s not three-quarters of another start, it’s not cancer. It’s not 17 leg surgeries. He doesn’t stay at half-time.
For the Washington football team, he’s getting up and coming back.
Washington beat the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers, 23-17, monday night, giving the Steelers their first loss of the season. It was a football team’s first victory over the Steelers since November 17, 1991 and the first time they beat Pittsburgh. at Heinz Field in franchise history.
“Your reputation, ” said coach Ron Rivera after the game. “Your record. When you enter the field, those things don’t matter. What matters is who plays best. “
On a night when Washington broke perfection, he discovered a way to win imperfectly: offensive rookie Antonio Gibson injured a toe in his first chase in the game, ground play was limited to just forty-five yards, and the team committed nine penalties. Terry McLaurin was limited to just two receptions for 14 yards and the defensive line did not record a single catch.
The Washington football team won the historic victory by relying on the game creators who highlighted the team’s intensity. Washington showed resistance as three of his five victories came here while the team lags behind at half-time. A win over the Steelers puts the football team 5-7 to have the chance to fight for the NFC East name with 4 games to play.
For veteran quarterback Alex Smith, who finished game 31 of 46 for 296 yards and a touchdown, the comeback is just one more step in an inspiring season. Smith now has a 9-4 record in games that began and ended for Washington football. Team.
“Every week I make the most of it and live [every day] as the last and appreciate that mindset,” Smith said. “I don’t look beyond that next beginning. I try to enjoy it with everything I have and enjoy it. »
At the most of his game this season, Washington struggled to place his offensive balance in the first half and the defense allowed too many explosive plays and conversions in the third. Pittsburgh changed six third-part attempts from the entire game and four of them played. On his first attempt, the Steelers’ moment scored a 50-yard landing run between Ben Roethlisberger and James Washington.
The momentum of the game began to replace late in the first half when Washington established his first purpose of the game. Smith connected with wide receiver Cam Sims for 30 yards and offensive end JDMcKissic for another 11 to establish a 49 -yarder through Dustin Hopkins.
“It’s what we needed to get going and fix the problems before half-time and gain confidence knowing that the ball arrived at the time of half-time,” Quarterback Alex Smith said after the game.
Washington maintained the same speed on its initial ownership of the part of the moment when a 31-yard pass to the Sims at 3 and 14 kept the drive alive, allowing Smith to walk the area and deliver the ball to partback Peyton Barber for a one-yard landing at a full practice of 14 games and 82 yards.
“We’re talking about fighting, ” said Rivera. ” There’s no explanation why to avoid playing. It doesn’t matter what the score is. I just think that’s what they are. We grow and learn. “
Just as the offensive began to show symptoms of life, the defensive has become more consistent. Steelers’ longest pass game of the moment was 22 yards and came here in the best play of the game. Washington allowed only 21 total yards on the floor the fight.
Smith’s patience in his pocket allowed Washington to embrace new game creators. The closed wing Logan Thomas hit all nine passes and finished the game with 98 yards and a touchdown. Thomas’ all-time highs were seven receptions and 66 yards receiving. 92 yards and McKissic a better 10 in 10 receptions and finished the game with 70 yards in the air.
“When you start spreading the ball and don’t push it, I think it opens up more things,” Rivera said. “When you do that, you give yourself the chance to win because they can’t only in one or two guys.
“I think because we have more than one playmakerArray . . . shows that we have the kind of players you want to be given the chance to win. “
After the defensive finish, Montez Sweat tilted the ball to establish a sealing interception through Jon Bostic with 2:04 for playing, but before the locker room burst with euphoria, Rivera moved to the finish area to congratulate his players.
“I usually come to sort out my thoughts, but I sought to greet everyone as they entered,” Rivera said. “They deserved it. “
Washington would probably have started the season slowly, but it’s been a second-half team.
“I [victory] tell the other teams, “Hey, we’re pretty good, ” said Rivera. “We have guys who can play. “
I’ve been covering the NFC East since I was a student at the College of the Holy Cross, where I focused on the New York Giants. I graduated from Northwestern’s Medill
I’ve been covering the NFC East since I was a student at the College of the Holy Cross, where I focused on the New York Giants. I graduated from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, where I majored in sports media.