Hogs Haven
A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders
The Washington Commanders had a 10-point lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the mistakes piled up in what became a 28-27 loss.
The Commanders fell to the Steelers on Sunday, 28-27, in a back-and-forth battle decided by penalties and miscues. The defeat snapped Washington’s home winning streak at four and dropped its record to 7-3, while the Steelers improved to 7-2.
Multiple passes were thrown behind receivers, multiple receivers dropped catchable passes, and big plays on defense were followed by more consequential mistakes.
Take a three-play sequence late in the third quarter: Edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. sacked Wilson on second and nine, safety Jeremy Chinn picked him off on third and 14, and then Daniels went deep for Terry McLaurin, who dived for a 28-yard grab along the Commanders’ sideline.
In any other game, perhaps the moment, fueled by chants of “TER-RY! TER-RY!” from the crowd, would have carried Washington to the final whistle. But the Steelers and their thousands of towel-waving fans wouldn’t go away.
That drive, for example, sputtered when Daniels was sacked on second down and wide receiver Dyami Brown was tackled for a loss of 11 yards on third down.
But there was no muffling Steelers fans, who dominated the towel competition, while Pittsburgh’s defense provided Daniels and Co. with their toughest challenge of the season.
Sam Cosmi doesn’t do public speaking. These Washington Commanders propelled the offensive lineman to express himself.
Minutes after a gut-punching, 28-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, it might seem odd to pipe up inside a somber home locker room for the first time this season.
“It was the little things for sure,” Cosmi told reporters postgame. “I mean, for a one-point game, the little things really matter.”
Cosmi arrived as a second-round pick in 2021, meaning he lived through the organization’s chaos and missteps over his three seasons. That atmosphere didn’t get the “not vocal guy” who avoids talking before large groups due primarily to growing up with a stutter.
“There’s something about this year,” Cosmi told a small group of reporters. “I have so much faith in this team to be vocal, have my voice out there and hopefully make a difference.”
The lineman sees a tough group from one to 53 that steps up “when their name is called.” There are players ready for game day “no matter where they are on the depth chart.” Knowing teammates will fight for each other “makes you play so much harder. It means so much more,” Cosmi said.
He wanted to leave players and coaches with that feeling as they headed home. Such displays weren’t in his bag before. Washington’s new “standard”...
