By: Kylan Watson

The Philadelphia Eagles kicked off their first game of the 2021 preseason against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Eagles came into this game looking to take advantage of their youth and their new offensive and defensive schemes. However, it wasn’t to be in this game as the Steelers put the birds down 24-16.

This was the first preseason game for the Eagles so the starters only played two series on offense and defense. Offensively Jalen Hurts looked sharp he was able to hit his receivers on time and the drive was only hindered by drops by Zach Ertz and Jalen Reagor. It did end in a field goal. Hurts showed some signs that he may be maturing. He threw the ball away when he needed too. To avoid pressure. We should see more of the offense in the second preseason game.

Hurts was not the only young gun that put his stamp on the game. Sophomore receiver Quez Watkins took a pass from Flacco and took it 79-yards to the house. He made the defense look silly and got a rousing applause and high-fives from the Eagles side lines. Watkins has been a stud in camp so far and looks to make some noise when the season starts. He is definitely a name to watch.

On defense the D-line stood out the most as Javon Hargraves was the stud of the night he stayed in the opposing quarterbacks face. His season was cut short last year because of a torn pectoral. He seems to be making up for lost time. He’s a name to watch for the rest of preseason and in the regular season opposite Fletcher Cox. With the attention he gets, Hargraves should be monster this year.

The Steelers second and third units were able to take advantage of some defensive mistakes and a turnover from quarterback Nick Mullens set the Steelers up to beat the Eagles. Its only the first game of preseason and there is definitely room for improvement as they prepare for their second preseason game against the New England Patriots next Thursday.