Introduction
The Pittsburgh Steelers faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles in a matchup that highlighted some notable stats across the board. The Steelers, despite their efforts, came up short with a 13-27 loss. This article breaks down the key player stats and team performance to provide a detailed understanding of what contributed to the outcome of the game.
Team Overview
Before diving into individual stats, let’s take a quick look at the overall performance of the two teams.
Pittsburgh Steelers: With a 10-4 record heading into this game, the Steelers were 5-3 on the road. They put up a total of 13 points, which was far below their expectations. Their offensive struggles were evident throughout the game.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles, boasting a 12-2 record with a 6-1 home record, were the more dominant team in this contest. Their offense was highly efficient, and they capitalized on almost every opportunity they had, scoring 27 points.
Key Team Stats
Here’s a look at some of the key team stats that stand out in the game.
1st Downs: The Eagles recorded 26 first downs compared to the Steelers’ 10. This significant difference highlights how well the Eagles moved the ball throughout the game.
3rd Down Efficiency: The Eagles dominated this category with a 10-17 conversion rate, while the Steelers struggled at 3-10.
Total Yards: The Eagles finished with 401 yards of total offense, over double the Steelers’ 163 yards. A lot of this was due to their balanced offensive attack, which moved the ball efficiently through both the air and on the ground.
Total Plays: The Eagles ran 77 plays, while the Steelers managed only 41. This shows that the Eagles were able to sustain longer drives and control the game clock, particularly in the second half.
Red Zone Efficiency: The Eagles were 3-6 in the red zone, converting half of their opportunities into touchdowns. The Steelers, on the other hand, were only 1-2, struggling to punch the ball in when they had the chance.
Offensive Performance
Pittsburgh Steelers
Passing: Quarterback performance was below average for the Steelers. The Steelers finished with 107 yards on 14 completions from 22 attempts. This averages to only 4.5 yards per pass, a figure that shows the Steelers couldn’t consistently stretch the field. Although they didn’t throw an interception, the lack of explosive plays limited their scoring opportunities.
Rushing: The Steelers’ ground game was also ineffective. They rushed for 56 yards on 17 attempts, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. With a total of 131 rushing yards for the Eagles, the Steelers needed more from their running backs to keep the defense honest and give their quarterback more manageable passing situations.
Possession: The Steelers had possession for only 20:08 minutes, a stark contrast to the Eagles’ 39:52 minutes. This difference in time of possession reflects the Steelers’ struggles on offense and the Eagles’ ability to control the game.
Philadelphia Eagles
Passing: Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ passing attack were much more efficient. Hurts completed 25 of 32 passes for 270 yards. The 7.7 yards per pass attempt demonstrates how well they were able to move the ball downfield, with Hurts spreading the ball to multiple receivers.
Rushing: The Eagles were strong on the ground as well, gaining 131 yards on 42 attempts for an average of 3.1 yards per carry. Though this was a modest yardage average, the Eagles’ commitment to the run game helped them dominate time of possession and keep the Steelers’ defense on the field for extended periods.
Red Zone Success: The Eagles’ ability to convert in the red zone helped them score efficiently. Their 3-6 success rate was instrumental in putting points on the board when they got inside the 20-yard line.
Individual Player Performances
Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenny Pickett (QB): The Steelers’ rookie quarterback struggled to find a rhythm in this game. Pickett completed 14 of 22 passes for 107 yards, averaging just 4.5 yards per attempt. He didn’t throw any interceptions but also didn’t generate any big plays.
Najee Harris (RB): Harris had a quiet game, rushing for only 56 yards on 17 attempts. Though he showed flashes of his ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact, his lack of consistent success in the running game was a significant factor in the Steelers’ offensive struggles.
Pat Freiermuth (TE): Freiermuth was the Steelers’ most effective pass catcher, hauling in 6 catches for 41 yards. His ability to gain some positive yardage helped move the chains at times, but he didn’t break any major plays.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts (QB): Hurts was in complete control of the game, completing 25 of 32 passes for 270 yards. He had two touchdown passes and demonstrated why he’s considered one of the league’s most dangerous quarterbacks. His ability to extend plays with his legs and throw accurate passes made a significant impact.
A.J. Brown (WR): Brown was the leading receiver for the Eagles, catching 6 passes for 127 yards. His big-play ability helped the Eagles stretch the field and create explosive opportunities, particularly in the second half.
Miles Sanders (RB): Sanders rushed for 94 yards on 21 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. His strong performance on the ground helped the Eagles keep the Steelers’ defense guessing and control the pace of the game. Sanders was effective in short-yardage situations and played a key role in the Eagles’ ability to sustain drives.
Defensive and Special Teams Impact
Pittsburgh Steelers
T.J. Watt (OLB): Watt was active on defense, recording 1 sack and 3 total tackles. While he was able to disrupt Hurts on a few occasions, the Steelers struggled to consistently generate pressure. Watt’s efforts were commendable, but the defense as a whole couldn’t contain the Eagles’ high-powered offense.
Minkah Fitzpatrick (S): Fitzpatrick had a solid game in the secondary, registering 8 tackles. He was tasked with covering the Eagles’ dynamic receivers but wasn’t able to stop their explosive passing game. Despite his strong individual efforts, the Steelers’ defense allowed too many big plays to keep them in the game.
Philadelphia Eagles
Fletcher Cox (DT): Cox was a major force in the middle of the defensive line, recording 1 sack and consistently disrupting the Steelers’ offensive line. His ability to pressure Pickett and clog running lanes was instrumental in the Eagles’ defensive success.
Darius Slay (CB): Slay had a strong performance in the secondary, defending several passes and limiting the effectiveness of the Steelers’ receivers. While he didn’t record an interception, his coverage on key downs helped to prevent any momentum-shifting plays from the Steelers.
Key Takeaways
Steelers’ Offensive Struggles: The lack of offensive balance was a major issue for the Steelers. Their inability to establish a strong rushing attack and generate explosive passing plays led to a lopsided time of possession, making it difficult for their defense to stay fresh.
Eagles’ Offensive Efficiency: The Eagles’ balanced offense was the key to their dominance in this game. Hurts’ efficient passing, combined with solid rushing from Sanders, allowed the Eagles to control the clock and move the ball at will.
Defensive Differences: The Steelers’ defense, despite some individual efforts from stars like Watt and Fitzpatrick, couldn’t stop the Eagles’ potent offense. The Eagles, meanwhile, played solid team defense and were able to limit the Steelers’ scoring chances.
Conclusion
The Philadelphia Eagles were the better team in almost every aspect of the game, dominating the time of possession, moving the ball efficiently, and converting opportunities into points. Despite the Steelers’ efforts on both sides of the ball, their inability to establish any offensive rhythm and failure to execute in the red zone ultimately led to their downfall. With both teams heading into the final stretch of the regular season, the Eagles look poised for a deep playoff run, while the Steelers will need to address their offensive struggles if they hope to make a postseason push.
FAQS
1. Who won the Steelers vs Philadelphia Eagles match?
The Philadelphia Eagles won the game 27-13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2. What were the key stats for the Steelers in this game?
The Steelers had 163 total yards, with 107 passing yards and 56 rushing yards.
3. How did Jalen Hurts perform in the game?
Jalen Hurts completed 25 of 32 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns.
4. What was the Steelers’ red zone efficiency?
The Steelers were 1-2 in the red zone, struggling to convert opportunities.
5. What was the Eagles’ time of possession?
The Eagles dominated time of possession with 39:52 compared to the Steelers’ 20:08.
