Die Hard Sports Fan

After witnessing one of the best Eagles Defense’s performances in some time, all I can say is “WOW”!! After a tough loss to the Dallas Cowboys a week ago, the Eagles Defense had a statement to make and that statement is still echoing across the NFL today. There was no better time for this defense to stand up and take on their shoulders the burden of winning the game and they did so with reckless abandon. Most of the time, after a team loses one (if not two) of their star offensive players during a game, the rest of the team goes into what I call a “funk mode” where they just sleep-walk through the rest of the game to get it finished. Not so on Sunday against arguably one of the AFC’s top teams, The Pittsburgh Steelers. It was as if the defense recognized their offense needed a hand and took it upon themselves to keep Pittsburgh out of the end zone and lead the Birds to a very important victory. The Eagles defense registered 9 sacks, 3 turnovers, and even that rare safety. The amazing thing about the defense’s performance is they could have had even more sacks if not for some penalties and Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger’s ability to scramble away for some small, positive yardage or throw the ball away on more than one occasion. Like that bee’s nest that I accidentally hit with a basketball when I was younger, the Eagles defense came out flying and swarming Roethlisberger. They shut down the run and dangerous RB Willie Parker. They gave up minimum yardage to Steelers receiving threats in Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, and Heath Miller and kept them in check. The defense was simply amazing and as if the Eagles had at least 15 defenders on the field facing the Steelers’ 11 players. Nothing made me happier however when in the 4^th quarter, Eagles “Soon to be Hall of Famer” Safety Brian Dawkins came flying in, diving towards Roethlisberger and not only caused a fumble, but somehow used his ‘Jedi’ skills to fall on the ball and recover it too. “B-Dawk” is my favorite Eagle and he took a considerable amount of heat this week, especially after getting beat by Cowboys WR Terrell Owens for a TD in last week’s game against Dallas. With that single play against Pittsburgh, he showed us Die Hard Eagles Fans that although he is indeed older, he still has something left in the tank and he will leave nothing on the field with his hopes of bringing Philadelphia a championship. He is the heart and energy of our defense and despite some loss of speed; he proved yesterday he is very much needed on that field. To conclude, I want to be clear that Sunday’s victory was a true team win. Credit is due to the entire team, not just the defense. The Offense did execute well enough to get some points on the board. The Special Teams were fantastic both on kick-off coverage as well as punts. Punter Sav Rocca indeed had his best game with the Eagles. However, it was the fire and intensity that the Eagles defense brought all game long, and for that, we Eagles fans should be very proud and excited of what opportunities lie ahead if they can consistently perform at that level. All I can say is “WOW”!! With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!! EAGLES!!”

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The Eagles Defense earned the victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers.  In a physical, defensive battle, the Steelers could not find a way to protect QB Ben Roethlisberger from the ever attacking Eagles Defense.

1^st Quarter

The Eagles won the coin toss and QB Donovan McNabb moved the offense down the field.  FB Tony Hunt caught a ball out in the flat and tried turning it up field.  Hunt was knocked silly on the play, suffering a concussion.  Worse, he fumbled the ball and the Steelers were awarded possession after a challenge review indicating a fumble.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger then successfully lead the Steelers offense downfield and settled for a 37-yard field goal to earn a 3-0 Steelers lead.

2^nd Quarter

During the next Eagles offensive possession, RB Brian Westbrook went wide left on a running play and tried hurdling over OT Tra Thomas to avoid stepping on him.  When Westbrook came down, he landed awkwardly, spraining his ankle.  Westbrook limped off the field and did not return to the game.  X-Rays did not show anything broken and he will have an MRI on Monday.  A few plays later, McNabb found backup RB Correll Buckhalter open for a 20-yard TD pass.  It was McNabb’s 176^th TD pass, a new Eagles franchise record.  The Eagles lead 7-3.

On Pittsburgh’s next offensive possession, the Eagles defense turned up the heat and shut down RB Willie Parker and the Steelers Offense.  Roethlisberger was sacked 3 times and also fumbled where the ball was recovered by Philadelphia.

The Eagles immediately went to work, mixing it up with the pass and some run.  They marched down to the Steelers’ 14 yard-line where they settled for a 31-yard David Akers field goal making the score 10-3.

The next possession for the Steelers was similar to the last one where the Eagles defense was flying around the field, causing constant pressure.  After being sacked 2 more times, Roethlisberger was intercepted by Eagles CB Asante Samuel, giving the Eagles offense back the football.

After 2 plays, it was third down and McNabb dropped back to pass.  Backup RB Lorenzo Booker missed a crucial block to protect McNabb and he forced a ball into coverage.  It was intercepted by Steelers CB Bryan McFadden, giving the Steelers great field position, at the Eagles 49-yard line.  The Steelers then took the ball forward and settled for a 53-yard field goal by K Jeff Reed, making the score 10-6 right before half-time.

3^rd Quarter

After the Steelers Offense came out and was forced to punt, surprisingly the Eagles offense was lead out onto the field by backup QB Kevin Kolb.  It was reported that McNabb was in the locker room with a chest injury.  Kolb’s first pass was intercepted by Steelers Safety Troy Polamalu.

The Steelers were unsuccessful on their next possession and were forced to punt.  Kolb started the offensive drive, but McNabb replaced him, coming back in on a 2^nd and 2 play.  The Eagles drive stalled a few plays later where P Sav Rocca dropped the ball nicely to the Steelers’ 10 yard-line.  The Eagles and Steelers then finished the 3^rd quarter by trading possessions, punting the ball back and forth to each other after each team failing to move the ball on offense.

4^th Quarter

A few more possessions were traded back and forth as the Eagles defense was too much for the Steelers and their offensive line.  The Eagles offense also had trouble in the early stages of the 4^th quarter moving the ball. 

After a 54-yard punt by Rocca, placing the Steelers at their own 6-yard line, the Steelers were shut down trying to move the ball out from their goal-line.  On 3^rd down, Roethlisberger was pressured in his end zone and flagged for intentional grounding, giving the Eagles a Safety and increasing their lead to 12-6.

The Eagles received the Steelers’ free kick at the Eagles’ 39-yard line but were unsuccessful in moving the ball.  On the Steelers next possession, Roethlisberger was hit by a Eagles Safety Brian Dawkins who forced the fumble and recovered the ball as well.  The Eagles settled for a field goal, extending their lead to 15-6.

The Steelers took the ball back but Roethlisberger left the game with a hand injury.  Backup QB Byron Leftwhich replaced him and was unsuccessful in leading the Steelers to a score.  The Eagles got the ball back, took a knee and ran out the clock, winning this physical battle over The Keystone State, 15-6.

Wrap Up 

The Eagles Defense forced 9 sacks, 1 Safety, and 3 Turnovers against the Steelers.

Besides injuries to Hunt, McNabb, and Westbrook, TE L.J. Smith suffered a back injury.

The Eagles Defense held RB Willie Parker to just 20 yards rushing.

 With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

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