Oct 27, 2012 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – It might be appropriate that the Steelers wear throwback uniforms from the 1934 season for their game today at Heinz Field against the Washington Redskins. After all, the Redskins will be running some throwback offensive sets. With multitalented rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III running the show, Washington head coach Mike Shanahan dipped back into his past to come up with an offensive game plan for the Redskins. “I ran it in college when I was at Oklahoma with the wishbone and a couple other places with the veer,” said Shanahan, who has an extensive background in college and NFL coaching. “So many colleges are running it and the NFL with the wildcat, people have used bits and pieces over the last number of years. You do obviously study up on it all the time because you have to defend it. It’s kind of been a little bit more fun with Robert, because you can run it sometimes or you don’t have to run it, and those guys still have to prepare for it.” That was the task for the Steelers (3-3) as they prepared to face the Redskins (3-4) this week. Then again, the Redskins have been forced to prepare for the Steelers’ offense as well. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for 1,765 yards and 11 touchdown passes, spreading the ball to wide receivers Antonio Brown (36 receptions), Mike Wallace (29) and Emmanuel Sanders (19) to go along with tight end Heath Miller (31). They will face a Washington defense that has given up 16 touchdown passes while allowing 328.4 yards per game. “We’ve got a bunch of guys that can run with it after the catch at all positions,” said Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley. “The quarterback has to make the decisions each and every play and he’s done a terrific job of that.” Shanahan and the Redskins could say the same about Griffin, who has thrown for 1,601 yards and rushed for 468 while accounting for 13 touchdowns. Washington also boasts the NFL’s second-leading rusher in rookie Alfred Morris, who has run for 658 yards, one fewer than Houston’s Arian Foster. “They’ve got a two-headed snake over there,” said Steelers linebacker James Harrison of the Redskins, who lead the NFL in rushing. “They’re running the ball well. … The play actions are really complimenting the run game and the run game is complimenting the play actions.” The Steelers finally found their running game last week in a 24-17 win at Cincinnati. After averaging just 3.0 yards per carry in their first five games, breaking 100 yards once, the Steelers rushed for a season-high 167 yards against the Bengals behind a career-high 122 yards from Jonathan Dwyer. Dwyer, who was making his first career start last week, will again get the start today against the Redskins with Rashard Mendenhall sitting out his second consecutive game with a sore Achilles’ tendon. Isaac Redman, who also missed last week’s game with a sprained ankle, is expected to be available. The Steelers will also get Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey back after sitting out last week against the Bengals with a sprained knee. For the Steelers, the key could be continuing their trend of playing keep away from opposing offenses to limit the damage Griffin and company can do. The Steelers rank second in the NFL in time of possession at 34:49 per game, something a solid running game can only help. “You’ve always got to stop the run and put them in a one-dimensional game,” said Shanahan. “With a guy like Ben, it makes it tougher because he makes plays on his own. With the speed that Pittsburgh has at the wide receiver position and the tight end making plays, you’ve got to really play hard as a unit and come up with a couple turnovers.” Odds and end zones Roethlisberger owns a 14-1 record at home in games vs. NFC teams, while the Steelers have won eight straight games at home against NFC teams. … Miller needs one touchdown catch to match Elbie Nickel with 37, the most by a tight end in Steelers history. … Rookie Mike Adams will make his second consecutive start at right tackle in place of injured Marcus Gilbert for the Steelers. … Since the start of the 2010 season, Pittsburgh has give up 104 points in 10 games at Heinz Field. … The Steelers released offensive lineman John Malecki and activated safety Damon Cromartie-Smith from their practice squad.