4. Oh, and that protection! It shined once more!
From the very begin, the Eagles attacked the road of scrimmage and overwhelmed Pittsburgh to the tune of -19 yards on the Steelers’ first 5 possessions. Pittsburgh put up three factors solely after a Hurts fumble gave Pittsburgh the ball on the Eagles’ facet of the 50-yard line (the protection held) after which after a Cooper DeJean fumble that the Steelers recovered on the Philadelphia 11-yard line and kicked a area purpose. The Steelers picked up 10 first downs on this recreation. They gained 163 whole internet yards. TOTAL! They had been 3 of 10 on third down. Philadelphia managed the time of possession, 39 minutes, 52 seconds to Pittsburgh’s 20 minutes and eight seconds. Whole performs – Eagles 77 to Pittsburgh’s 42. Actually, actually outstanding and a complete domination.
“I am actually pleased with the efficiency. I imply, put in robust conditions, having to get stops after we wanted to. We did a very good job general, we had been very detailed,” linebacker Zack Baun stated. “We did a great job stopping the run. That is a group that is going to run the ball in the event that they obtained a shot to kill clock. That was an emphasis this recreation, to cease the run and we positively did that within the first quarter. That is an ideal time to do it.”
5. Turnovers had been vital, as anticipated
The Eagles gave it away twice on the fumbles from Hurts and DeJean, and the protection stepped up, holding the Steelers to a few factors. A 3rd-quarter fumble from Pittsburgh from the Philadelphia 26-yard line on a easy working play – quarterback Russell Wilson pitched to working again Najee Harris, who coughed up the soccer that was recovered by Darius “Huge Play” Slay – helped hold Philadelphia, holding a 7-point lead on the time – in command. It was a pivotal second that went within the favor of the Eagles and took loads of starch out of the Steelers’ comeback efforts.
“Each time we assault the sector, our purpose is to go on the market with loads of power. Play sensible, play quick with one another, play collectively. And that is what we did. We did not care about what is going on on the offensive facet. After we assault the sector, we’re going on the market to deal with enterprise – three and out, turnover, that is what we preach. We do not like individuals driving the ball on our protection,” Slay stated.
6. Some underrated moments and standout gamers
• On a day when Saquon Barkley was banged up early and held to 65 dashing yards on 19 carries, Kenneth Gainwell stepped up with some good work (60 yards from scrimmage on 10 touches) and his greatest play got here after the Eagles took possession on the Slay fumble restoration. On a third-and-9 play from the Pittsburgh 15-yard line, Hurts threw on the left facet brief for Gainwell, who broke tackles and ended up gaining 14 yards to the Pittsburgh 1-yard line because the third quarter ended. A few performs later, Hurts scored on a Brotherly Shove and the Eagles held a 27-13 benefit early within the fourth quarter.
• Jake Elliott had area targets of 34 and 41 yards and nailed all three PAT kicks, an ideal day that helped the Eagles a lot on particular groups.
• Nolan Smith, Jr. continues to rise. He had a quarterback sack, two tackles for loss, and 4 whole tackles. He was bodily and quick off the road of scrimmage and was an affect participant.
• Credit score additionally to edge participant exterior linebacker Josh Sweat, who had a quarterback sack towards the elusive Wilson.
• Linebacker Nakobe Dean led the protection with 10 whole tackles, together with 7 solos, and compelled a fumble. Extra super-solid play from a participant who has taken an enormous leap ahead this season.