Unbeaten Eagles pass biggest test yet, spanking Steelers to take over NFC East lead
PHILADELPHIA — It was unexpected, relentless, physical and — for the losing side — demoralizing.
The Philadelphia Eagles crushed the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon in a statement game, completely dominating what many considered to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender by the lopsided score of 34-3.
This was a barometer for the Eagles. In their first season with a rookie head coach in Doug Pederson, and a rookie quarterback making his third start in Carson Wentz, Philadelphia won its first two games against lesser opponents.
This was different.
With a near-flawless performance, Philadelphia (3-0) now has sole ownership of first place in the NFC East and looks every bit like a young team that can compete for a playoff spot.
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Pederson, much like he did in Weeks 1 and 2 against the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears, respectively, called a smart and simple game for Wentz. Philadelphia ran screen passes, misdirections, short crossing routes, quick throws to the edge and zone-beating posts up the seam. When open, they took chances down the field. Wentz fired some passes with velocity but also flashed touch and finesse.
Wentz completed 23 of 31 passes for 301 yards and two TDs and once again didn't commit a turnover.
No play was bigger than a third-quarter score that put the game out of reach. Holding a 10-point lead, Wentz took a third-down shotgun snap. When a Steeler rusher knifed through the offensive line, Wentz escaped to the right side, pump-faked and stayed behind the line of scrimmage just long enough for running back Darren Sproles to slip past his defender down the right sideline. Wentz lofted a pass to the wide-open Sproles, who juked and shimmied his way 73 yards down the field for a touchdown.
But for all the success of the Philadelphia offense, the defense was equally up to task.
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Using mainly four-man rushes, Philadelphia mauled the Steeler offensive line, pushing the unit back into quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s lap and keeping him uncomfortable throughout the day. Roethlisberger never settled into a rhythm, finishing 24 of 44 for 257 yards and an interception.
The Eagles now enter their bye week. But once they return, the next test awaits them: back-to-back road games against the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins.
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Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes
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