Washington Hands Steelers First Loss, NFC East Race Looms

It was a tale of two halves in Pittsburgh. The Steelers jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, and Washington got gifted three points at the end of the second quarter. In the second half, Washington put the clamps on Pittsburgh.

The pivotal sequence in the fourth quarter came with the game tied at 17 apiece. The Steelers went for it on fourth and one from the Washington 28 with just under five minutes remaining and didn't get it. Alex Smith then drove Washington down field for a field goal. On the ensuing Steelers' possession, Washington defensive lineman Montez Sweat tipped a Ben Roethlisberger pass that Jon Bostic then intercepted, and Washington tacked on another field goal for a final score of 23-17.

Washington and the Giants are now tied atop the NFC East at 5-7. However, the two teams already played twice and the Giants won both times, so Washington does not control its own destiny in the division.