Eagles vs. Steelers: 14 winners, 5 losers, 7 IDKs

The Philadelphia Eagles are 12-2 after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers!

‘Twas a reasonably badass victory for the Birds, who set a brand new franchise file for his or her longest profitable streak at 10 video games.

Time at hand out some winners, losers, and IDKs.

WINNERS

JALEN HURTS

Following the aftermath of final week, all eyes have been on Hurts and the Eagles’ passing assault coming into this recreation.

And regardless of coping with a damaged finger on his non-throwing hand, Hurts stepped up and delivered in a giant manner.

He was decisive. He was correct. He was aggressive. He was in full management.

The Steelers entered Week 15 permitting the second-lowest common passer score within the NFL at 79.2. Hurts’ passing numbers in opposition to Pittsburgh: 25/32 (78.1% completion), 290 yards (9.1 common), 2 TD, 0 INT, 125.3 passer score.

That’s to go together with 15 carries for 45 dashing yards and one dashing landing … plus one misplaced fumble, which was the one vital blemish from an in any other case stellar displaying.

The Eagles can completely win the Super Bowl if Hurts seems this sharp within the playoffs. This was a confidence-inspiring efficiency.

THE EAGLES’ BALL CONTROL OFFENSE

The hallmark of a really nice Eagles staff is when the offense is ready to shut a recreation out with a protracted, emasculating drive that kills the clock by way of pure imposition. And that’s precisely what they did on this one.

Starting at their very own 1.5-yard line after an A.J. Brown false begin, the Eagles ran 21 performs to maneuver 88 yards and take 10:29 off the clock to win the sport. That’s particular:

And it wasn’t nearly that drive. It was the case for your complete second half of the sport.

• Eagles’ 1st drive of the second half: 13 performs, 47 yards, 3 factors, 7:08 off the clock
• Eagles’ 2nd drive of the second half: 13 performs, 74 yards, 7 factors, 6:33 off the clock
• Eagles’ third drive of the second half: 21 performs, 88 yards, 10:29 off the clock

The Steelers have been restricted to only two possessions within the second half!

THE EAGLES’ PLAYOFF OUTLOOK

Two issues:

1) With the Eagles profitable and the Detroit Lions dropping, the Birds have a legit likelihood at a first-round bye.

2) The manner the Eagles gained this recreation was very encouraging. Again, their ceiling is profitable the Super Bowl after they’re capable of play like this.

A.J. BROWN

A.J. was proper to name out the Eagles’ lackluster passing assault following their Week 14 win. He challenged the staff to be higher on this regard they usually answered. That’s management.

Running the ball successfully is nice and all however the Eagles can’t neglect that Brown is fairly unstoppable. It’s fairly insane that he solely noticed 4 targets final weekend.

Against the Steelers, Brown logged 11 targets for eight receptions, a team-high 110 receiving yards, and one landing. Simply put, good issues occur when the ball goes his manner.

DEVONTA SMITH

Oh, that’s proper … DeVonta’s fairly good, too.

Smitty was focused 12 occasions for 11 catches, 109 yards, and one landing of his personal.

11 receptions is a brand new career-high for Smith; he beforehand had 10 in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals in 2022.

109 receiving yards is a season-high for Smith, surpassing the 87 he had in Week 9. 109 can also be the ninth-most he’s ever had in a single recreation (together with playoffs).

Throw the ball to A.J. and DeVonta and good issues occur!

NICK SIRIANNI

Given the hullabaloo within the lead as much as this recreation, Sunday felt like a giant inflection level for the 2024 Eagles.

It appeared just like the Eagles would possibly’ve been ready to crumble following an uninspiring Week 14 win and the following unhealthy vibes.

But Sirianni didn’t let that occur.

There have been encouraging indicators of stability main as much as this recreation:

And, positive sufficient, they backed up their phrases with motion.

Sirianni clearly pushed the correct motivational buttons earlier than this recreation. The Eagles seemed able to play. They seemed like a well-coached staff.

KELLEN MOORE

The Steelers entered Week 15 permitting simply 310.2 yards per recreation, seventh-fewest within the NFL.

The Eagles’ offense produced 410 yards.

It wasn’t simply concerning the numbers, although. This offense handed the attention check. For probably the most half, it seemed well-coordinated and in sync.

KENNY GAINWELL

I’ve been arduous on Kenny G and the staff’s utilization of him up to now. I nonetheless assume it was loopy for the Eagles to attempt to make him a lead again over D’Andre Swift final yr!

But, hey, credit score the place credit score is due: this was a reasonably superior recreation by Gainwell. The field rating doesn’t inform the entire story with seven runs for simply 20 yards (2.9 common) and three catches for 40 yards.

Gainwell made affect performs, nonetheless, by catching two third down passes properly in need of the sticks earlier than making defenders miss to choose up essential first downs.

40 receiving yards is the sixth-most by Gainwell in his profession (together with playoffs).

He’s had a reasonably strong season as RB2. The guess right here is he’s pricing himself out of the Eagles bringing him again. Gainwell might get a strong contract in free company after this season.

BRANDON GRAHAM

You thought BG’s feedback that raised concern concerning the Hurts-Brown relationship have been unproductive?

You thought improper!

Whether intentional or not (very possible the latter), Graham’s feedback ended up being a four-dimensional chess transfer.

Somehow, his feedback created a notion that The Big Bad Monolithic Media was out to get the Eagles by inventing drama the place there was none.

The staff then rallied across the idea of proving the haters and doubters improper.

Hey, no matter works!

VIC FANGIO

The Steelers’ first 5 drives: 16 performs for -19 yards.

The Eagles solely gave up three factors on these as a result of the Steelers took over on the plus 11-yard line after recovering a fumbled punt return.

The Steelers’ sole landing drive was aided by a bogus pointless roughness penalty referred to as on Reed Blankenship that turned 2nd-and-2 on the plus 45-yard line into 1st-and-10 on the plus 30-yard line.

The Steelers’ second subject objective drive was aided in no small half by the Eagles offense working three performs for -14 yards earlier than a nasty 29-yard punt allowed Pittsburgh to take over on the plus 45-yard line. And even then the Eagles solely allowed the Steelers to choose up 14 yards on 5 performs earlier than Chris Bowell made a 49-yard kick.

The argument right here is that the Eagles’ protection performed even higher than giving up simply 13 factors would counsel.

In equity, Fangio’s protection was aided by the Eagles’ dominant ball-control offense and a fluky Najee Harris fumble on a toss play. But the Eagles’ protection was additionally in all probability due for some good fumble luck after having some misfortune in that regard not too long ago.

And, actually, this unit earns any luck with how dominant and well-coordinated they’re.

NOLAN SMITH

Smith’s second-year progress has been actually encouraging to see. He’s now as much as 5.5 sacks and 10 QB hits this season. Smith additionally had two TFLs and a giant cross deflection on this recreation. He brings actually good power and energy to the desk.

JOSH SWEAT

Sweat’s as much as eight sacks with three video games left to play. He’s presently three sacks shy of tying his career-high that he set in 2022 with 11.

Sweat solely had 6.5 sacks in 2023. Good bounce-back yr for him.

DARIUS SLAY

Probably not ultimate for Slay to place himself ready the place a ref would possibly interpret his effort to interrupt free from a block as a punch and thus computerized ejection! But respect to him for 1) not taking the Steelers’ bullshit, 2) sparking an emotional response by the remainder of the protection, and three) in the end baiting the Steelers into two penalties that knocked them again and compelled them to accept a subject objective as a substitute of getting 2nd-and-3 on the 4-yard line.

Slay additionally recovered the fumble on the Steelers’ botched toss run.

JAKE ELLIOTT

No misses!

2/2 from subject objective vary with makes from 34 and 41. Plus a make from 48 that was nullified as a result of a Steelers penalty to increase an Eagles drive.

3/3 on further factors.

Still on the lookout for his first make from 50+ … however nonetheless a pleasant rebound after final weekend.

LOSERS

RUSSELL WILSON

The Eagles FINALLY beat Russ.

Prior to Sunday, they have been 0-6 in opposition to him relationship again to 2014.

He’s clearly not fairly what he was once however he’s nonetheless had an excellent season.

THE STEELERS WHENEVER THEY’RE IN PHILADELPHIA

The Steelers nonetheless haven’t gained in Philadelphia since 1965.

Pittsburgh dropping 11 straight street video games to the Eagles is the longest street dropping streak in opposition to a single opponent in Steelers franchise historical past.

MIKE TOMLIN

In the second (learn: not simply hindsight), I assumed the Steelers head coach was mistaken for not going for it whereas down 14 factors from 4th-and-7 on the plus 46-yard line.

Punting appeared fairly unwise contemplating the Eagles solely wanted to maneuver into subject objective vary to make it a three-possession recreation. And the Eagles had simply gone on two lengthy scoring drives.

Had the Steelers efficiently transformed, they’d’ve had an opportunity to make it a one-possession recreation. And even when they turned it over on downs, that wouldn’t have been the worst case state of affairs since an Eagles rating would’ve occurred quicker than it will’ve following a punt. Time was extra beneficial than subject place there.

The Steelers’ cowardice was punished by the Football Gods with Pittsburgh by no means possessing the ball once more.

Tomlin’s a very good coach however he was outdone by Sirianni on Sunday.

PRIMANTI BROS

When it involves consuming, I’ve loved my journeys to Pittsburgh up to now. I used to be an particularly large fan of the Hog Heaven sandwich at Fuel and Fuddle (RIP).

But one of the disappointing meals experiences I’ve ever had was after I went to the unique Primanti Bros location in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.

I actually wished their sandwich filled with fries to be good! I assumed it will be. I’m not a choosy eater by any means and I’m within the mindset of rooting for the meals to be good. But the fries simply weren’t even any good! Maybe it was only one unhealthy expertise they usually deserve one other attempt. I don’t know. I’ll in all probability give it one other attempt in the future to be honest to them.

But generally locations do have unhealthy fries. See: In-N-Out. I really like their burgers however their fries are dreadful. I simply don’t perceive how one can mess up fries so badly. There are loads of locations that provide mediocre executions of fries that will be main upgrades on these unhealthy variations.

Getting again to Primanti Bros … in case your gimmick goes to be stuffing fries in your sandwich, the fries can’t be unhealthy!

SHEETZ

Eagles > Steelers means Wawa > Sheetz.

Wawa, in the event you’re studying this, please ship me free stuff. Thank you.

I DON’T KNOWS

SAQUON BARKLEY

The Steelers have been clearly centered on stopping Saquon, so, it’s not stunning that he was solely held to 65 yards on 19 carries (mere 3.4 common).

I don’t know the way a lot — if in any respect — Barkley’s harm points have been limiting him. He gave the impression to be in discomfort at occasions on the sideline. One would hope it’s not too critical.

I don’t know if Barkley’s MVP candidacy is as viable after this recreation. Not as a result of he was horrible however as a result of he’s now behind an inexpensive tempo to surpass Eric Dickerson’s single-season file. Barkley will want 418 yards over the past three weeks to get there. That’s 139 per recreation. Not unattainable … however hardly a given. Also, Josh Allen being on hearth and main the Bills to a win in Detroit is just boosting his inventory.

JALEN CARTER

Carter is clearly a improbable expertise however he merely can’t do that:

That penalty virtually worn out a giant cease to increase a Steelers drive that might’ve resulted in Pittsburgh making it a one-score recreation.

COOPER DEJEAN

DeJean appeared to rebound from final week’s defensive struggles. He made a pleasant sort out for no acquire within the crimson zone. He additionally had a 23-yard return on a line drive Steelers punt.

DeJean’s fumbled return was unhealthy, although. That mistake allowed the Steelers to take over simply 11 yards away from the tip zone. He’s lucky the gaffe solely resulted in three factors for Pittsburgh.

LANDON DICKERSON

I don’t know the way critical Dickerson’s harm is. He was in uniform on the sideline for the second half however didn’t re-enter the sport.

Tyler Steen had two holding penalties (just one accepted) in Dickerson’s absence.

MEKHI BECTON

Becton was seen limping off the sphere late within the recreation, prompting Jack Driscoll to fill in for him. Certainly not ultimate if the Eagles are down two beginning guards.

SYDNEY BROWN

Brown suffered a concussion on the opening kickoff. He could be in jeopardy of lacking Week 16. Though he’s put forth good effort as a gunner, it’s largely been a misplaced season for the No. 66 decide from the 2023 NFL Draft. Brown’s been restricted to only 27 defensive snaps, which have largely are available in rubbish time. Maybe 2025 will likely be extra of his yr.

BRYCE HUFF

Huff is now eligible to return from injured reserve after lacking 4 video games. Is he wholesome sufficient to play in Week 16? I don’t know. But regardless that he was largely disappointing previous to getting damage, he’s in all probability an improve over Charles Harris within the edge rotation. We’ll see if the Eagles open Huff’s 21-day follow window this week.