By: Kylan Watson

The Philadelphia Eagles were riding a league high nine-game winning streak, as they faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Battle of PA. These teams battled throughout this game like it was a super bowl matchup. Thanks to a Jalen Hurts (Completed 25/32 passes for 290 yards, completed two touchdown passes, and had one rushing touchdown) touchdown run the Eagles were able to beat Pittsburgh 27-13 , and with the win extend their winning streak to 10 games.

Coming into this game the Eagles ineffective passing game was the focus of a lot local and national media outlets. Throughout this contest and to start this game, Philly showed that their passing game is still alive and able to kill an opponent when necessary. The Eagles were able to use their passing game to go straight down the field and finished that drive off with a Hurts touchdown pass to AJ Brown (8 receptions for 110 yards and caught one touchdown pass).

Clearly when game planning for this game against Pittsburgh the Eagles clearly emphasized getting Brown and Smith involved early and often in this contest.  Pittsburgh had no answers for Philly’s offensive attack.  The scheme was at its best when Hurts was able to get the ball out of his hands fast, and use slant and crossing routes to attack the middle of the field. This scheme helped them possess the ball for 20 plus minutes throughout this game. When Philly dominates the game like that not many teams can keep up with them.

That allowed them to wear Pittsburgh’s defensive unit out by using a tempo offensive scheme and the quick passing game with Saquon Barkley and Kenneth Gainwell out in the flat. Throughout this season the Eagles have not used the quick passing game with their running backs as often as they should have. Using a screen or quick out to an elusive running back is very effective against an aggressive defense like Pittsburgh.

Gainwell took at least two quick passes in this game for a first down and another one got Philly into prime scoring position. As a result, the Eagles were able to keep multiple drives alive and put points on the board. Pittsburgh could not get a stop when it mattered in this game and that was the difference in this contest. The Eagles were able to outexecute a Steelers team that just could not get enough big plays in this game when they needed it.

After the Eagles imposed their will in the first quarter, Pittsburgh responded by finally getting some pressure on Jalen Hurts which forced a fumble and then the Steelers recovered another one off of a Cooper DeJean muffed punt. Which the Steelers cashed in on with a touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth. That was the only touchdown the Eagles defense allowed in this contest.

Philly’s defense stepped up when it had to and late in the third quarter when the Steelers offense was driving, they were able to recover a Najee Harris fumble. Which led to a Hurts touchdown run which sealed the game for the Eagles. Once again, Philly’s defensive line was able to get pressure on the opposing quarterback and Vic Fangio called a perfect game to shut down a high-powered offense.

The Eagles continue to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks without Brandon Graham on the field, who was one of Philly’s best pass rushers this season. That says a lot about the amount of money, time, and draft capital Philly invested into that unit. It is paying off as the playoffs get closer and the defensive line has become one of the most dominant parts of Philly’s defensive unit.

Philly will now prepare to face the Washington Commanders next week with the division on the line. This game is also the last game that the Eagles will face a team with a winning record this season.

The Eagles defensive line will need to be dominant again and put Jayden Daniels on the ground. That should force him to get rid of the ball and create turnover opportunities for Philly to take advantage of like they did a few weeks ago. In addition, they will need to have a balanced offensive scheme that mixes in both running and passing plays to take advantage of an outmatched Washington defensive unit. Implementing these things into next week’s game plan should put Philly in great position to win their 13^th game of the season and push their winning streak to 11 games.