Steelers 2020 Breakdown: Week 13, Redskins

HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- The Steelers complete their tour of the NFC East with a game vs. the Redskins in Week 13. Will the game be more continued dominance against Washington, or will the young, upstart Redskins prove to be a formidable foe? Time to break it down.

MATCHUP

Opponent: Redskins
2019 Record: 3-13
Overall History (W/L):  42-33-3 for Redskins
Last 4 Games: 4-0, for Steelers
Opening Line: Steelers (-10)
Date: Sunday, Dec. 6
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Pittsburgh

OUTGOING PLAYERS/ FREE-AGENT LOSSES

G Ereck Flowers
QB Case Keenum
CB Josh Norman
QB Colt McCoy
RB Chris Thompson
CB Breon Borders

RETIREMENTS

N/A

FREE-AGENT ADDITIONS

CB Kendall Fuller (Chiefs)
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (Bears)
S Sean Davis (Steelers)
OG Wes Schweitzer (Falcons)
RB J.D. McKissic (Lions)
OT Cornelius Lucas (Bears
TE Logan Thomas (Lions)
RB Peyton Barber (Buccaneers)
TE Richard Rodgers (Eagles)
CB Ronald Darby (Eagles)
WR Cody Latimer (Giants)

PLAYERS VIA TRADE

2020 NFL DRAFT CLASS

Round 1: DE Chase Young (Ohio State)
Round 2: None
Round 3: RB/WR Antonio Gibson (Memphis)
Round 4: OT Saahdiq Charles (LSU), WR Antonio Gandy-Golden (Liberty)
Round 5: C Keith Ismael (San Diego State), LB Khaleke Hudson (Michigan)
Round 6: None
Round 7: S Kamren Curl (Arkansas), EDGE James Smith-Williams (NC State)

OVERVIEW

Throughout this 2020 regular season breakdown I have noted how the NFC East lost its moniker of Beast of the East in 2019. Why? Because it was the most average division in the entire league. The Redskins represented the bottom of the barrel, and for good reason. The team had instability at the quarterback position, and will focus on second year quarterback Dwayne Haskins to help them improve in 2020.

Haskins will have his work cut out for him as he captains an offense which averaged just 16.6 points per game last year, last in the league. Opposite the offense is a defense who gave up over 27 points per game, putting them 26th in the league.

The ultimate dagger for Washington was their inability to protect the football last year. The Redskins gave the ball away 21 times in 2019, a statistic which will need to change if they want to be competitive this season.

However, the Redskins now have a new head coach in Ron Rivera, and will likely be improved after the addition of several key pieces in free agency and the NFL Draft. Will it be enough to improve on their 3-13 season? I think so, but to see this team sniff .500 is too far for me at this point.

PREDICTION

This game being at Heinz Field is a no-brainer, in my opinion. The Steelers are double-digit favorites for a reason, and the question isn't so much will the Steelers win, but will they cover? I think the Steelers do cover the spread in this game and add another 'W' to their win column.

Steelers, 34-17

Be sure to check out the other 2020 regular season breakdowns:

Week 1 - at the Giants

Week 2 - vs. the Broncos

Week 3 - vs. the Texans

Week 4 - at the Titans

Week 5 - vs. the Eagles

Week 6/17 - the Browns

Weeks 7/12 - the Ravens

Week 9 - at the Cowboys

Weeks 10/15 - the Bengals

Week 11 - at the Jaguars