Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington only caught two balls for 34 yards during his team's 26-16 win over the New York Giants on Monday night, but each reception was impressive and impactful.

First, Washington hauled in a 21-yard pass from QB Ben Roethlisberger during the two-minute drill before halftime. He then punctuated that drive with a tough 13-yard touchdown reception. The score gave Pittsburgh a 16-10 lead over New York at the break.

After reeling in Roethlisberger's throw and immediately getting upended by two Giants defenders around the 3-yard line, the 5'11, 213-pound Washington was somehow able to stay on his feet and power into the end zone. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin lauded the 24-year old's ability to reach pay dirt in his postgame remarks.

“That’s a guy that’s got a nose for the end zone, and hopefully that can be reflective of all our guys”, Tomlin said. “But just in that moment, that’s a guy rising up and making a necessary play and doing that he has to do to deliver for his teammates. The strength of us is displayed in individual efforts like that one”.

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Washington played 14 games as a rookie in 2018 and caught 44 passes for 735 yards in 2019, but he has limited reps with Roethlisberger, who injured his elbow in Week 2 of 2019 and missed the rest of the season. Washington's receptions last season came on 80 targets, so the Steelers are hoping improved QB play in 2020 will lead to increased production for the third-year wideout. Roethlisberger played well on Monday, throwing for 229 yards on 21-for-32 passing and three TDs.

Between Washington, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, promising rookie Chase Claypool, tight ends Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald, and the team's stable of running backs, Roethlisberger should have no shortage of targets in 2020.