By Mike DeFabo, Brooks Kubena and Chris Licata
The Philadelphia Eagles improved to 12-2 on Sunday with a commanding 27-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the battle of Pennsylvania.
On a day MVP candidate Saquon Barkley logged his second-lowest rushing output of the season (65 yards), the Eagles relied heavily on Jalen Hurts’ three touchdowns, its star wide receivers and stifling defense, outgaining Mike Tomlin’s club 401 total yards to 163 while nearly doubling up Pittsburgh in time of possession.
The win — Philadelphia’s 10th in a row — paired with the Detroit Lions’ loss moves the Eagles into a tie atop the NFC standings with three games to play before the postseason.
Despite the loss, the Steelers (10-4) clinched a playoff berth following losses by the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Russell Wilson and company can also win the AFC North division next week with a win over the Baltimore Ravens (9-5). The Steelers won the rivals’ first meeting 18-16 back in Week 11.
Brown, Smith carried Eagles’ passing game
A.J. Brown appropriately called out the passing game last week. On Sunday, it wasn’t a problem for the Eagles. Hurts had his best out of the season, beginning the game 12-of-13 for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Brown had eight catches for 110 yards and a touchdown and DeVonta Smith had 11 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.
It’s Smitty’s turn 🕺@DeVontaSmith_6 | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/AhyiOWtCHA
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 15, 2024
One of the major problems with the passing game had been that it ended drives too quickly. In the fourth quarter, Hurts completed two third-down throws on a pivotal touchdown drive. Instead of punting the ball back to the Steelers in a one-score game, they went up 27-13. This is what a Super Bowl team looks like.
Barkley, on the other hand, got off to a slow start with 31 yards on seven carries in the first half. The Eagles are going to face other formidable defenses during their upcoming playoff run. They’ll need the passing game to be at its peak. — Brooks Kubena, Eagles beat writer
Steelers offense fails its biggest test
After years of offensive ineptitude, the Steelers took a noticeable leap forward this season thanks to upgrades at quarterback and offensive coordinator. The new-look Arthur Smith/Wilson offense has raised Pittsburgh’s ceiling and given the Steelers more than just one winning formula. But Sunday in Philadelphia, the Steelers faced a different kind of test. The Eagles entered the game first in yardage allowed (284.2 yards per game) and tied for second in scoring (18.0 points per game).
Especially early, the Steelers’ improved offense flunked the test. A number of first-down runs were stuffed in the backfield. The passing game looked disjointed without star receiver George Pickens to provide a deep threat. And penalties (while controversial in some instances) proved costly. Pittsburgh’s first five drives, they went three-and-out four times. The lone exception was a four-play field goal drive. But even that drive was a disappointment, as the Steelers failed to capitalize on a muffed punt that handed them the ball in the red zone.
The Steelers finally picked up a first down for the first time in the game with less than nine minutes in the second quarter. On that same drive, the Steelers converted their first third down after starting the game 0-for-5 in that statistical category. Just when the Steelers offense looked like it was going to find a way back into the game, running back Najee Harris fumbled a toss in the third quarter. As a result, the Eagles possessed the ball for 12:58 of the 15 minutes in the third to take a commanding lead.
When the Steelers get Pickens back from injury, they should be better equipped to handle this caliber of opponent. Still, there are plenty of warts to address. — Mike DeFabo, Steelers beat writer
T.J. Watt adds injury to insult
As if the lopsided game wasn’t tough enough for the Steelers, they also may have to weather an injury to star outside linebacker T.J. Watt.
Late in the fourth quarter, Watt came up limping in the middle of a pass rush. He grabbed his left foot/ankle area. The outside linebacker was able to walk off the field under his own power. After he was briefly examined in the medical tent, Watt walked to the locker room with a member of the medical staff. After the game, Tomlin confirmed Watt suffered a low-ankle sprain.
Even though the loss exposed many of the Steelers’ shortcomings, all of their goals are still in front of them. However, if Watt misses time, a team that leans heavily upon its defense will be missing one of its most important pieces. That loss may be even more significant than the one on the scoreboard. — DeFabo
TJ Watt being checked out on the sideline. pic.twitter.com/tlC3iNvQG8
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 16, 2024
Philly put the clamps on the Steelers’ offense
The Eagles defense continued its tour of dominance. They outgained the Steelers in total yardage 148-2 in the first quarter. Pittsburgh didn’t gain a first down until its sixth drive.
The Steelers resorted to a flea-flicker in the third quarter that gained 31 yards — 28 percent of their total yardage to that point. Harris muffed a toss later that drive to hand the ball back to the Eagles. Opponents are averaging 15.1 points against defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s unit during the team’s 10-game win streak. — Kubena
Eagles’ defense covered up multiple miscues
The Eagles are 12-2. They’ve won 10-straight games and are closing in on their second NFC East title in three years. But this wasn’t a completely clean win for them. Their defense kept their gaffes from ruining their night.
Hurts lost a fumble while scrambling in the first quarter. The Eagles defense immediately forced a punt that Cooper DeJean muffed at the Philadelphia 11. Still, the Steelers only managed to kick a field goal. Backup left guard Tyler Steen committed two holding penalties on a drive in which Jake Elliott kicked a 41-yard field goal. Jalen Carter was flagged for unnecessary roughness on a fourth-quarter punt that was fortuitously enforced after the punt occurred.
The Eagles, then leading 27-13, received the ball with 10:40 left in the game and subsequently drained it on a game-sealing drive. — Kubena
Required reading
- NFL Week 15 live updates: Playoff picture, standings, scores, predictions, odds, injuries
- A former NFL player found purpose in … woodworking? Millions of viewers are following along
- ‘He’s a rock of this foundation’: Jordan Mailata using his voice and his guitar to lead Eagles
- How close are the Steelers to becoming the bully? The Eagles will be a measuring stick
(Photo: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)
