Eagles 27-13 Steelers (December 15, 2024) Game Recap

Eagles 27-13 Steelers (December 15, 2024) Game Recap

PHILADELPHIA – Jalen Hurts threw touchdown passes to AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith to dampen the scrutiny of the Eagles’ offense, and Philadelphia won its franchise-record 10th straight game 27-13 over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Eagles running back Saquon Barkey’s pursuit of the NFL single-season rushing record was slowed as he rushed for just 65 yards on 19 carries. Barkley, who still leads the NFL with 1,688 yards, took a low hit from Pittsburgh’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and missed most of the second quarter.

Hurts also had a rushing touchdown on a tush push for the Eagles (12-2), who were denied a shot to clinch the NFC East when Washington beat New Orleans earlier in the day. AFC North leader Pittsburgh (10-4) lost for the second time in nine games but secured a playoff spot thanks to losses to Miami and Indianapolis.

The Steelers lost star linebacker TJ Watt to an apparent foot injury after he chased Hurts in the fourth quarter. Watt, who leads the Steelers with 11 1/2 sacks, was checked out in the medical tent and did not return.

Hurts and the Eagles’ offense still lacked dynamism a week after both Smith and Brown complained about a lack of catches in a win over Carolina. Hurts and Brown came under greater scrutiny later in the week when injured defensive end Brandon Graham appeared on a Philadelphia sports radio station and suggested there was friction between the Pro Bowl duo.

Hurts, who threw for 290 yards and had not topped 200 yards in any of the last three games, tried to quell any perceived internal dissension on the first drive. He hit Smith twice and Brown once, leading to Jake Elliott’s 34-yard field goal.

Brown, who ran cautiously on the sideline late in the game, had eight catches for 110 yards and Smith had 11 for 109 yards on the week after they combined for just eight catches and 80 yards.

Hurts hit Brown for a 5-yard TD late in the first quarter – the pair celebrated with the Kid ‘N Play dance – and connected with Smith for a 2-yard score in the second quarter for a 17-3 lead.

Pittsburgh’s Russell Wilson was hampered by the Eagles’ stout defense and threw for a season-low 128 yards. He threw a 9-yard TD pass to Pat Freiermuth in a 6-1 lifetime loss to the Eagles.

It was clear that the Steelers were missing injured wide receiver George Pickens, who leads the team by a wide margin in receptions (55) and yards receiving (850). He missed the second game in a row due to a hamstring injury.

The Steelers haven’t won in Philadelphia since October 24, 1965.

Wilson botched a pitch to Najee Harris in the third quarter and the Eagles recovered. That led to Hurts scoring a 1-yard tush push for a 27-13 lead.

It was the first time the teams – among the original eight in the NFL – played each other, with both posting double-digit win totals. But this clash of playoff franchises wasn’t particularly competitive.

Chris Boswell made field goals of 37 and 49 yards and was Pittsburgh’s season best with 38 field goals.

Barkley update

Barkley needs 418 yards in the final three games to surpass Eric Dickerson’s 40-year-old NFL record. Dickerson ran for 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984.

Barkley was drilled in the right knee by Fitzpatrick late in the first quarter and landed on his right shoulder. He was briefly examined and returned to the sidelines, helmet in hand.

After the score, he rushed twice for three yards and didn’t have another carry until after halftime. His rushing total was his second-worst of the season.

Injuries

Steelers: CB Donte Jackson suffered a back injury. … Backup QB Justin Fields had an abdominal injury.

Eagles: S Sydney Brown suffered a concussion when hit in the opener. … LG Landon Dickerson suffered a knee injury.

Next

Steelers: At Baltimore on Saturday in an important AFC North game.

Eagles: Next Sunday at Washington.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

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