PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles showcased their dominance on Sunday, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-13 at Lincoln Financial Field. The victory not only marked the Eagles' tenth straight win but also secured their standing at 12-2, tying them with the Detroit Lions for the best record in the NFC.
With quarterback Jalen Hurts leading the charge, the Eagles made it clear early on they were the team to beat. Hurts completed 25 of 32 passes for 290 yards and threw two touchdowns, one each to star receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Their performance was key to overcoming any recent discontent about the passing game, especially after Brown's vocal disappointment the previous week.
From the opening series, the Eagles applied pressure. Hurts quickly found rhythm, hitting Brown for several important completions, including one for the first touchdown of the game. The Eagles took command early, going up 17-3 by the half thanks to Hurts' effective use of play-action and smart decision-making.
The Eagles drew first blood with Jake Elliott nailing a 34-yard field goal, setting the tone for their offensive onslaught. Brown, who finished with eight receptions for 110 yards, scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Hurts late in the first quarter.
Despite Pittsburgh's struggles on offense, they managed to tie the game at 3-3 following Chris Boswell's field goal. Yet the Eagles' offensive resurgence quickly reestablished their lead, with Hurts connecting with Smith on another 2-yard touchdown pass to make it 17-3.
After halftime, the Steelers regrouped and clawed back, scoring their first touchdown of the game with Russell Wilson throwing to Pat Freiermuth. The Steelers managed to narrow the deficit to 17-10 right before the half, closing the gap with Boswell's 49-yard field goal. But the Eagles weren't about to let their winning streak slip through their fingers.
Coming out of halftime, Philadelphia extended its lead, showcasing their prowess with clock management. They executed a 13-play, 7-minute opening drive of the second half. Although the drive ended with Crane Elliott's field goal, it signaled the Eagles' determination to dominate the clock. Each play exemplified their strategic advantage, wearing down the Steelers' defense.
Meanwhile, the Steelers were playing catch-up and desperately needed more offensive production. They were hindered by the absence of wide receiver George Pickens, which left them short-handed. Wilson connected for several impressive plays, including a flea-flicker pass to Calvin Austin III for 31 yards. Yet, as the game progressed, the Eagles' defense stepped up.
A pivotal moment came when the Steelers turned the ball over following Najee Harris' fumble, which was recovered by Eagles cornerback Darius Slay. The Eagles swiftly capitalized on the momentum, driving down the field before Hurts performed the infamous "Brotherly Shove" to seal another touchdown.
Despite T.J. Watt making his presence felt on the defensive side, tallying two sacks before leaving the game due to an ankle injury, the Steelers struggled to keep pace. Head Coach Mike Tomlin later confirmed the injury as likely being a low ankle sprain. He remarked, “We didn’t coach as well as we liked, and we didn’t play as well as we liked.”
Statistically, the Eagles dominated, outgaining Pittsburgh 401 yards to just 163. They also capitalized on both the time of possession and quarterback performance, holding the ball for 39 minutes and 52 seconds compared to just 20 minutes and 8 seconds for the Steelers.
The win not only solidified their playoff position but also extended their record-setting win streak, surpassing previous Eagles teams from 1949, 1960, 2003, and 2017, who had previously held the ten-game streak.
"I'd like to compliment the Eagles on a hard-fought victory," Tomlin said post-game. “But we’ve got to string together the small details to convert those opportunities.”
The Steelers, sitting at 10-4, still occupy first place in the AFC North, but they face challenges heading to Baltimore next week. A victory against the Ravens would secure the Division title, but they will need to improve their offensive execution, particularly with key players sidelined.
Moving forward, the Eagles are gearing up for their final stretch of the season, facing divisional opponents as they seek to clinch the NFC East. Next week, they will face the Washington Commanders, who sit at 9-5. With the Eagles' current form, they will aim to add to their remarkable winning streak and position themselves favorably for the playoffs.
