Let's get to it:
FRED DANIELS FROM ATLANTA, GA: During the Washington game, it seemed like the stadium loudspeakers were playing "It's third down" loudly and long as the play clock wound down, making it difficult for the offense to hear Russell Wilson call the plays. Is there a rule on what the home team can do regarding use of the stadium loudspeakers?
ANSWER: According to NFL rules, all in-stadium audio must be turned off with 20 seconds remaining on the play clock or whenever the center touches the football in preparation of snapping it, whichever comes first. The reason for 20 seconds on the play clock is because all in-helmet communications from the sideline to the player wearing the green dot are turned off with 15 seconds remaining on the play clock.
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ELIJAH JAMES FROM GREENBELT, MD: I often wonder why T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith don't switch sides during the game, and then to my surprise it actually happened during a game. I think it gives them a competitive advantage by creating a lot of confusion for the opponent's offense. Do you know if that's a defensive coordinator call or player call?
ANSWER: Anything like that has to be something that comes from the coaches and likely would have to be something practiced during the week, because a defense must operate as an 11-man unit in order to function properly. Players cannot be winging it, because having the outside linebackers switch sides could impact things like the secondary's coverage.
MIKE FOSTER FROM EWA BEACH, HI: Why not move the NFL hashmarks to the same width as the college hashmarks? Do you think this would add difficulty to field goal attempts?
ANSWER: I can assure you the NFL has no interest in making field goals more difficult, or doing anything that might negatively impact scoring. If anything the league wants more scoring, not less.
THOMAS WARD FROM LADSON, SC: A win is a win, but can someone please form a defensive game plan that includes covering the middle of the field? That pass to Zach Ertz almost cost them the game. I won't even mention the number of slant routes that were completed.
ANSWER: It "almost" cost them the game? Almost? Do you know what "almost losing" is called? It's called winning. Beyond that ridiculousness, here are some statistics you should consider before jumping to conclusions:
Washington entered Sunday's game ranked in the NFL's top three in total offense (392.0), rushing offense (163.9), yards per play (6.2), lowest three-and-out percentage (20.2 percent) and fewest punts/game (2.1). The Steelers defense that you paint as awful allowed the Commanders 242 yards of total offense, 60 yards rushing, 4.1 yards/play, 5 of their 12 possessions (41.7 percent) were three-and-out, and Washington punted 6 times.
JIM WINIARSKI FROM NOTTINGHAM, NH: To everyone who doubted Russell Wilson, I have one stat for you: 4 touchdowns and 0 field goals. When is the last time the Steelers didn't attempt a field goal?
ANSWER: I like these statistics from the game against the Commanders: The Steelers were 3-of-4 (75 percent) in red zone touchdown efficiency, and 2-for-2 in goal-to-go touchdown efficiency.
MIKE CLAPPER FROM BEDFORD, PA: I love Joey Porter Jr., and I hope he becomes one of the Steelers greats someday. He does however tend to get quite a few pass interference penalties. I know it's only his second season, but do you think it's a real issue for him or is it just bad luck?
ANSWER: Joey Porter Jr. is 24, last Sunday was the 20th start of his NFL career, and he regularly is lined up against the opponent's top receiver. There is no question that he's not a finished product, that he needs to continue to work on his technique to avoid getting flagged for holding or pass interference. But the cornerback position at the NFL level might be the second-most difficult job in the sport behind quarterback. I will leave you with this – so far in his career, Porter has more interceptions (2) than touchdowns allowed (1). I suggest some patience, because I also am old enough to remember Steelers fans complaining about Rod Woodson and Mel Blount at different times in their careers, too.
H.C. PETLEY FROM CORTEZ, CO: Early on I discounted Russell Wilson as a retread grifter, gimping along on his huge payout from Denver. I did not think he would play in earnest for the Steelers. Wow, was I wrong, and not the first time as you may have noticed. His heads-up, down to the wire game against Washington showed true grit, true smarts, the will to win. True black-and-gold.
ANSWER: Thank you for your honesty. Based on my inbox, there are many, many more Steelers fans equally as wrong as you were about Russell Wilson but lacking the fortitude to admit it.
CHRIS SADLER FROM ALBUQUERQUE, NM: A lot of players have a towel tucked into their waistband, but George Pickens' towel looks more like a long skinny flag that one would wear playing flag football. What is he wearing and what purpose does it serve?
ANSWER: My guess would be that its purpose is that he thinks it looks good. And what I can tell you if that if what he's wearing is a violation of the NFL's uniform code, he would get fined for it.
DAVID CROUCH FROM MECHANICSBURG, PA: Against the Giants, the Steelers employed the "hurry up " offense. They seemed to do it really well and disciplined. And I think it hurt the Giants who did not adjust or adapt well. Can we look forward to seeing it more?
ANSWER: Using pace on offense is a game-by-game proposition based on the particular opponent. Just because it works one week doesn't mean it's the best strategy the next week.
