A pair of Washington Commanders are facing the music after some plays didn’t go their way in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Kenny Pickett closes out a win for the Eagles. Things aren’t too great in Dallas with the way the Cowboys are playing lately.

Meanwhile, Dallas’ hockey team is in Pittsburgh to battle the Penguins.

All that and more in Monday’s “First Call.”

Newton knows

The play that decided the Steelers’ 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday was when defensive lineman Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton jumped offside on a fourth down to extend the Steelers’ drive with a little more than a minute left.

CHEF RUSS GETS THE COMMANDERS TO JUMP OFFSIDES!!! STEELERS WIN! pic.twitter.com/2FGAQMhG8o

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) November 10, 2024

After the game, the rookie out of Illinois was downcast.

Tough thing here for the rookie Johnny Newton.

Learning moment…teammates consoling him going into the locker room pic.twitter.com/XQzX0bES5M

— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) November 10, 2024

Newton owned his mistake and answered questions from the media, claiming that the locker room supported him.

“My teammates have been great,” Newton said. “It’s a big brotherhood in here. All the coaching staff came up to me and supported me and had my back.” 

I talked with Commanders rookie DT Johnny Newton after the game about that final play where he jumped offsides.

He said his teammates have been very supportive. pic.twitter.com/5ASKV3tV82

— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) November 10, 2024

Quarterback Jayden Daniels was one of those teammates.

“It’s not all on him, and we’re all together. No matter what people outside the building are saying,” Daniels said via USA Today. “What matters is what’s in the building and how we love each other — how we support each other. We have each other’s backs.”

The Steelers improved to 7-2 with the result. They host the Baltimore Ravens next week. The Commanders are now 7-3 and visit Philadelphia on Thursday night.

How they saw it

In Pittsburgh, we all viewed the go-ahead touchdown connection between Russell Wilson and Mike Williams as a beautiful throw and catch.

FIRST TD AS A STEELER!!!!!!!!

???? Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/qaxvtHNvcM

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 10, 2024

The Washington defensive back who was beaten on the play, Benjamin St-Juste, just saw one big mistake.

“Sometimes I get caught up in trying to make the play so much that I try to guard everything. In these situations, you’ve got to pick and choose, and you’ve got to pick the right option,” St-Juste said. “I’ve got to play the fade. That’s what (Williams) is good at. That’s what Russ likes to do.”

CB Benjamin St-Juste on the TD to Steelers WR Mike Williams:

"Sometimes I get caught up in trying to make the play so much that I try to guard everything. In those situations, you've got to pick and choose and you've got to pick the right option." pic.twitter.com/NEBPUnmhwN

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) November 10, 2024

That was Williams’ first catch and first target as a Steeler. He was just acquired via trade from the New York Jets on Tuesday.

Back in the saddle

Very little went right for the Dallas Cowboys (3-6) on Sunday. They lost 34-6 to the Philadelphia Eagles.

One positive was that former Penn State star Micah Parsons returned to action for the first time since Sept. 26. He had two sacks and forced a fumble along the way.

Micah Parsons is back to wrecking plays ????@DallasCowboys ball!

????: #PHIvsDAL on CBS/Paramount+????: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/gFDkvd3TO4

— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

He also offered this blunt assessment of the future of head coach Mike McCarthy.

Micah Parsons said coaches aren't his top worry as Cowboys season spirals.

"Mike can leave and go wherever he wants. Guys I kind of feel bad for (are) guys like Zack Martin & guys who might be on their last year or on their way out. Because that's who I wanted to hold the trophy…

— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) November 11, 2024

Parsons added whether McCarthy (a Pittsburgh native who was born in Greenfield) will coach the Cowboys next year is “above my paygrade.”

In that blowout, former Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett got into the game. The Philadelphia backup mopped up for Jalen Hurts and completed his first pass as an Eagle. It went for 5 yards to Ainias Smith. He also picked up a rushing yard on a trademarked Philly “Tush Push” conversion.

Kenny Pickett all smiles after realizing that the Tush Push works for him too ???? pic.twitter.com/ZEuZ6LcXM1

— NFL on CBS ???? (@NFLonCBS) November 11, 2024

Pickett also briefly played in a game on Oct. 20 against the New York Giants.

More sports

• Madden Monday: Debating Zach Ertz's catch, Steelers' fake punt, T.J. Watt's holding calls, Jaylen Warren's fumble • Feats of Strength: George Pickens, Russell Wilson, new additions come up huge as Steelers edge Commanders • Zach Frazier sold QB sneak, Russell Wilson barks hard count — Steelers seal win on Washington offsides

Star light, star bright

The Penguins are back home Monday night after a three-game road trip through the Metropolitan Division. They beat the Washington Capitals, 4-2, lost 5-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes and fell in a shootout (4-3) to the New York Islanders.

Now they return to PPG Paints Arena to face a team currently in playoff position from the Central Division. The Dallas Stars are in town. They have 16 points. That’s good for third place in the Central.

Dallas has struggled a bit of late, dropping three of four games. To kick off the month, Peter DeBoer’s team was in Finland for two games against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. They lost both of them by scores of 6-4 and 4-2.

After returning home to beat the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-1, Dallas dropped a 4-1 decision in Winnipeg on Saturday. Dallas and the Vancouver Canucks have played the fewest games in the NHL, with 13 apiece.

The Penguins, at 6-8-2, have played 16 games. The New Jersey Devils (18) are the only club to have played more so far. With 14 points, the Pens are in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division. The Stars have only two wins in six true road games this season.

At 2.46 goals against per game, they have the third-best defense in hockey. Their power play isn’t great, though. At 16.3%, it’s 23rd in the NHL.

During Dallas’ last game, former Pens goalie Casey DeSmith replaced Jake Oettinger.

ROBBERY WITH THE PADDLE from Casey DeSmith ???????? pic.twitter.com/BqptUecyjJ

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) November 9, 2024

So far this year, DeSmith is 2-2 in five games (four starts) with a goals-against average of just 1.79 (second-best in the NHL).

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