PITTSBURGH — Following the announcement of the 2024 NFL schedule back in May, the Pittsburgh Steelers prepared themselves for a challenging December. The team was set for a demanding stretch of eleven days featuring three games, including two away matches against strong playoff contenders. Coach Mike Tomlin, known for implementing one of the league’s most rigorous training camps, emphasized the need for his players to be ready for tough challenges, stating, “That’s why we tackle in Latrobe every day that we have pads on.”
However, the Steelers faced a harsh reality when they played their first match on Sunday against the Eagles in Philadelphia. Despite their preparations at Saint Vincent College, the Eagles dominated the game with a decisive 27-13 victory, holding the ball for an impressive 40 minutes. A significant moment in the game was a 21-play drive in the fourth quarter that methodically moved the Eagles across the field and left the Steelers returning home with much to improve on and little time to do so. With a record of 10-4, Pittsburgh now has only five days to regroup before heading to Baltimore, where a victory would secure the division title – a feat that seemed unlikely at the beginning of the season. Despite significant progress this year, the Eagles displayed a strategy that could potentially expose weaknesses in the Steelers’ gameplay.
Philadelphia’s offensive line consistently controlled the game, aided by the Steelers’ unexpected mistakes, which they had largely avoided until now. Pittsburgh failed to capitalize on two early turnovers from the Eagles, going three-and-out on one occasion and managing only a field goal on the other due to a personal foul against receiver Calvin Austin III. During the match, the Steelers’ defense struggled to contain the Eagles’ offense as they racked up plays, mostly thwarted by missed tackles and lapses in assignment execution.
Coach Tomlin also admitted the coaching staff did not perform at optimal levels, as the tension between Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and receiver A.J. Brown seemed non-existent. Instead, the Eagles orchestrated numerous long gains, with Brown and Devonta Smith frequently finding space to operate. Tomlin’s normally aggressive approach took a backseat in crucial moments, letting nearly 20 seconds slip away late in the first half after T.J. Watt sacked Hurts. He later decided to punt instead of attempting a risky fourth-and-7 conversion, leaving the team down by two touchdowns with just over ten minutes in the game. Although Tomlin stated he felt it was the right decision based on the game situation, it ultimately resulted in the Steelers losing without a chance to score further, extending their winless streak in Philadelphia since 1965.
While Tomlin described the outcome simply as a loss and urged against making it overly dramatic, his team squandered a chance to prove they are contenders among the league’s top teams. Surprisingly, only Watt seemed prepared for the intense battle ahead. The upcoming match against their biggest rivals presents a significant challenge for the Steelers, who will need to raise their game to be considered serious threats in the AFC as the postseason approaches.
On a positive note, the team’s turnover drills, overseen by secondary coach Grady Brown, were effective, as evidenced by Watt’s forceful punchout against Hurts in the first quarter. The Steelers’ season total for turnovers reached an impressive NFL-best 30 after another forced fumble during a punt situation.
However, challenges remain, particularly in the passing game with the absence of injured wide receiver George Pickens, evidenced by a season-low passing yardage of 128 by Russell Wilson, whose longest completion was a 31-yard trick play. This realization highlights that conventional plays are not resonating well without their main target.
As for individual performances, the values of Pickens and safety DeShon Elliott have only increased in their absence. If Pickens aims for a lucrative contract extension, showcasing the stagnant offense without him is a strong argument for his case. Elliott’s physicality and tackling ability have also been sorely lacking. In contrast, the secondary faced a tough matchup against Brown and Smith, which did not unfold favorably, as the Eagles’ duo managed to move freely throughout the game.
Injury updates reveal a sense of optimism for Watt’s participation against Baltimore after he sustained an ankle injury late in the game. The statuses of Pickens (hamstring), Elliott (hamstring), defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin), and backup quarterback Justin Fields (abdomen) are less certain.
The key number for the Steelers remains 12—Tomlin has led the team to the playoffs that many times, now matching Hall of Famer Chuck Noll for the most playoff appearances in franchise history.
Looking ahead, the Steelers will aim to secure their first division title since 2020 by seeking a sweep of the Ravens, a team they have dominated recently, winning eight of the last nine encounters.
