QB Kenny Pickett was dealing the entire deck, with 12 receptions by eight different receivers in the first two quarters. He chipped in 29 yards on six rushes but the biggest play from the Steelers offense was an apparent jet sweep that turned into a one-yard, left-handed TD pass from WR Chase Claypool to FB Derek Watt.
We’re all aware of the Eagles first-round draft pick: Jordan Davis, the BIG (capital B, I and G) defensive tackle out of Georgia. HB Najee Harris had four rushes for zero yards in the first half. Davis left the game in the second quarter with an apparently severe right leg injury.
AJ Brown – no relation to Antonio Brown – was the entire Eagles offense in the first half. He pulled in not one, not two, but THREE TD catches of at least 20 yards (27, 29, 39)…each over the shoulder of CB Ahkello Witherspoon.
On the opening drive of the third quarter it was CB James Pierre accompanying Brown on a nine-route (go) up the right sideline. SS Terrell Edmunds bit on a fake screen and five plays into the second half Jalen Hurts had his fourth long-range TD pass of the afternoon (34 yards).
It appeared the Steelers were poised to answer that strike with yet another three-and-out, but MLB Marcus Allen – the up-back on the punt unit – ran a successful fake to keep the offense alive. It set up this gain from the Canadian, eagle-hating Claypool:
After another successful fourth-down conversion – a nine-yard swing pass to Najee – the Steelers ultimately ended a 15-play, seven-minute drive with a 29-yard FG to cut it to a two-score contest. 28-13 PHI
A sack from DE Cam Heyward – the Steelers’ third of the day – stalled Philly’s next drive. Najee clicked off an 18-yard run – his longest of the season – and TE Pat Freiermuth picked up another first down as the clock rolled over to the fourth quarter.
WR Stevens Sims had a nifty reverse for 11 yards before our old friend Javon Hargrave recorded a strip sack in pursuit of Pickett. Philly had the ball back almost at midfield with a two-score cushion and 14 minutes to play.
Two plays later the Eagles were in the end zone again. They were the Buckeyes to the Steelers’ Nittany Lion today. With Gardner Minshew in the game for Hurts the Steelers finally got a quick stop and decent field position. HB Jaylen Warren had three carries for 37 yards but Kenny had his fourth tipped ball interception of the season and the game was effectively over.
The Steelers’ rookie QB finished the day 25/38 for 191 yards with 0 TD, 1 INT and 6 sacks. He was also charged with two fumbles – one which he lost.
FINAL: 35-13 PHI
CamBlackburnWrites 