Category: Pittsburgh Steelers

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Steelers vs. Eagles Recap: Steelers completely outclassed in 27-13 loss to Eagles

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles went head-to-head in Week 15 in the city of brotherly love, a venue the Steelers haven’t won in since 1965. Nonetheless, this matchup between AFC and NFC pitted two of the league’s hottest teams head-to-head. The Eagles had won 9 in a row heading into the game, and the Steelers had won 7 of their last 8 contests.

Plenty of narratives surrounding these two teams, but let’s get to the game recap…

1st Quarter

The Eagles won the opening coin toss, and elected to defer their possession to the start of the third quarter. That meant it was Russell Wilson and company taking the field first in this Week 15 showdown. Wilson’s first possession was brief, lasting just three plays before giving the ball to the Eagles.

A poor punt put the ball at the Philadelphia 30, and it didn’t take Jalen Hurts and company to move the ball into Pittsburgh territory. However, as the field shortened, the Steelers defense stood tall and forced a Jake Elliott chip shot field goal. The kick was good, making the score 3-0 with 9:56 left in the first quarter.

Another three-and-out gave the ball right back to the Eagles, and it was the Steelers defense who made the next big play. On a 3rd down play, Hurts scrambled and T.J. Watt punched the ball out for the first takeaway of the game.

Another three-and-out saw Corliss Waitman continue to be called into action, but rookie Cooper DeJean fumbled after being hit by Mark Robinson, setting up the Steelers offense in the red-zone.

The offensive struggles continued, but within field goal range Chris Boswell was called into action for the first time, making his first attempt to make the score 3-3 with 3:42 left in the first quarter.

Philadelphia’s next possession was exactly what had happened every time they had the ball when they didn’t turn it over. Hurts got A.J. Brown in the act early and often, and the Eagles started to pick away at the Steelers defense. The end result of the drive was a Hurts to Brown pass for the first touchdown of the game.

The extra point was good, making the score 10-3 with 1:16 left in the opening quarter.

The Steelers had the football, while moving the wrong way due to penalties, to end the quarter.

Score after 1st Quarter: Eagles 10, Steelers 3

2nd Quarter

The Steelers offensive struggles continued, as they hadn’t gotten a first down in the game into the second quarter.

A poor Waitman punt set up the Eagles offense in Pittsburgh territory, and the ensuing drive continued the same way they had all game. Pittsburgh’s defense was able to slow them in moments, but on 3rd downs it was Philadelphia who made the key plays. Once in a 1st and goal situation, it was Hurts who hit Davante Smith for the touchdown, on 3rd down.

The extra point was good, making the score 17-3 with 9:07 left in the quarter.

The Steelers hopes were on life support, even in the first half, and the team finally put together their best drive of the game. It started with a Ben Skowronek reception, was aided by a personal foul after a late hit on Justin Fields, and some Russell Wilson scrambles got the ball into a first and goal situation.

The drive ended with the Steelers first score of the game, a strike from Wilson to Pat Freiermuth.

The extra point was good, albeit off the right upright, making the score 17-10 with 2:24 left in the half.

Needing a defensive stop, it was T.J. Watt who was happy to oblige. A big-time sack on 3rd down forced a 3-and-out, and gave the ball right back to the offense. The Steelers started in Philadelphia territory, and after just two completions moved into Boswell’s field goal range. When all was said and done, the Steelers added a 49-yard field goal to make the score 17-13 with under one minute left in the half.

Philadelphia had the ball with 28 seconds left with one timeout remaining, but after an Alex Highsmith sack on first down the Eagles took their lead into halftime.

Score at Halftime: Eagles 17, Steelers 13

3rd Quarter

Philadelphia started with the football to start the second half, and they came out firing on all cylinders. However, when it looked like the Steelers had forced them into a long Jake Elliott field goal, a personal foul call on Monatravius Adams gave them a new set of downs. The end result was the same, but Elliott’s kick was closer, making the score 20-13 with 7:52 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

On the first play from scrimmage for the Steelers in the second half, the team ran a successful flea flicker to Calvin Austin III for a 31-yard gain. The team was moving, and after back-to-back big runs the team was well within Boswell’s field goal range. Then disaster struck when Najee Harris took his eyes off the pitch and fumbled the ball. Philadelphia recovered, and it was a critical mistake.

The Eagles took little time moving the ball down the field, and it was a good mixture of pass and run which set up the team in the red-zone. Several poor tackles by the Steelers helped extend the drive, and they faced a first and goal at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Score after 3rd Quarter: Eagles 20, Steelers 13

4th Quarter

The Eagles were stopped once with the “tush push”, but their second try was a success.

The extra point was good, making the score 27-13 with 14:17 remaining in the 4th quarter.

The Steelers, needing a score to keep the game close, faced a 4th and 7 near midfield, and instead of going for it, considering they were down two scores, Mike Tomlin elected to punt the ball away. The hope was his defense would get the ball back to the offense quickly, but that didn’t happen.

Instead, the Eagles sucked the life out of the game with a time-consuming drive with a ton of 3rd down conversions keeping the drive alive. To be precise, the Steelers didn’t get the ball back. Ever. The Eagles would go on a legendary drive, and not ever give the ball back, making the final score hold.

FINAL SCORE: Eagles 27, Steelers 13

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16.

Jeff Hartman

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