Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Game Preview – PIT at PHI

Posted December 14th, 2024 | Comments Off on Game Preview – PIT at PHI

One thing the Eagles haven’t done this year is face a top notch defense. That will change on Sunday when they take on the Steelers and their defense that is ranked in the Top 7 in both points and yards allowed. This game will tell us a lot about the Eagles offense.

One game isn’t definitive of anything, but it can give you a good idea about something. If the Eagles can move the ball on the Steelers, that will be a great sign that this offense is good enough to have success in the postseason. Pittsburgh has only allowed more than 400 yards in one game and more than 150 rushing yards in one game.

As usual, the Steelers are strong up front. TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith have combined for 26 sacks and 9 FFs. They are a handful. The Eagles OL is going to have a major challenge in trying to keep those guys under control. Kellen Moore will use RBs and TEs to help block in some situations.

The key focus when playing the Steelers is protecting the ball. They have 2 or more takeaways in 10 of 13 games. That is crazy. They have 3 takeaways in seven games. This defense doesn’t just stop you. They take the ball away. The Eagles have done a great job of protecting the ball during their winning streak. Both teams thrive in regard to turnovers so this will be an even bigger focal point than most games.

It will be interesting to see how the Eagles approach this game. They are a running team. At the same time, the Steelers are more vulnerable to the pass than the run. The passing attack struggled last week so you wonder if the Eagles will come out throwing to try and prove that area isn’t broken. The first play of the game could be a slant ‘n go to AJ. Let Jalen Hurts go deep early and get the offense in attack mode.

I do think playing a good defense helps the Eagles offense. It puts pressure on them. The coaches need to have a really strong gameplan and the players need to execute at a high level. The expectation last week was to pile up a bunch of points and yards. The expectation this week is to find a way to win.

As good as the Steelers defense is, they have given up 24 or more points in 3 of the past 5 games. Good offenses can have success against them. Hurts is the key for the Eagles. He’s got to make good reads in the run and pass game. He’s got to play with confidence. He’s got to protect the ball. It will help if the stars come up big. AJ Brown torched the Steelers back in 2022. Nobody has even slowed Saquon Barkley down since early October.

I expect a good showing from Hurts and the Eagles offense.

Pittsburgh’s offense has been a good unit since Russell Wilson took over as the starting QB. The guy who was a disaster in Denver is gone. We’re back to the Wilson from the Seattle days. He is 6-1 in his 7 starts and has a passer rating of 103.9. The Steelers have scored 26 or more points in 5 of those 7 starts. This is such a different team than we expected to see.

The Steelers love to run the ball. They are second in the league in rushing attempts. Najee Harris is the workhorse, but they also mix in Jaylen Warren and Cordarelle Patterson. And of course, Wilson. His legs are more of a weapon in the passing game, as he moves around to buy time. Wilson has never lost to the Eagles and has tormented them over the years.

This is the best Eagles defense he’s ever faced.

Eagles rushers got a ton of pressure last week, but were only able to sack Bryce Young once. Hopefully going against Young got them ready to face Wilson. He’s lost a step, but remains incredibly elusive in the pocket. Rushers must be disciplined. Keep Wilson in the pocket and don’t give up until the play is completely over.

Wilson will be missing his key target, George Pickens. He’s their best offensive weapon. Calvin Austin and Mike Williams can be effective downfield receivers, Austin with speed and Williams with size. Pat Freiermuth is a good TE. The Eagles have been vulnerable to TEs in the red zone in recent weeks.

Pittsburgh is really good on STs. Michael Clay needs to have his guys prepared so the Eagles don’t allowed any blocked kicks or long returns.

This should be an interesting game. The Eagles have won 9 in a row. The Steelers have won 7 of 8. Both teams have good defenses and QBs who can make plays. The big difference is that the Eagles have more dynamic weapons on offense. Those playmakers could help the Eagles to win their tenth game in a row.

*****

Britain Covey is out so the Eagles need Wilson to play so they have enough depth at WR.

Blassingame gives the Eagles a STer and a FB. He’s had a couple of weeks to learn the playbook so he should be ready to play on offense if needed.

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Great Opportunity

Posted December 12th, 2024 | 3 Comments »

The Eagles spent the week talking about their disappointing passing attack, AJ’s comments, BG’s comments and Jalen Hurts. Nick Sirianni made sure to bring up the elephant in the room when talking to the team. He did that because he wanted to address the situation and then immediately move on to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Eagles take on the 10-3 Steelers on Sunday. That game is a great opportunity in a few ways. First, it gives the Eagles a chance to flush the past week down the drain. Go beat the Steelers and no one will care about last week. The score can be 31-30 or 14-13. Find a way to win and that will be what gets all the attention.

The other opportunity is the Eagles getting to show where they stand against a division leader and playoff team. When you don’t play a bunch of good teams, it helps to beat the ones you do face. The Eagles are 3-1 at this point. Beating the Steelers would boost that. The Eagles don’t have to worry about impressing a committee to get a good seed, but it does help to make annoying questions go away.

You aren’t going to beat Pittsburgh with a sloppy performance. The Eagles need to prepare well, practice well and play well. This is the kind of game they need coming off a weird week. Focus. Put all of your attention into beating the Steelers. If something is going to bring a team together, it is a tough opponent.

The Eagles goal is to be a Super Bowl team. You don’t do that by just racking up a bunch of wins. You need to play good teams. You need to be tested so you’re ready when January gets here. Hopefully the Eagles will pass that test on Sunday.

*****

Elliott is 18 for 19 in kicks under 50 yards. He is 0 for 5 from 50 and beyond. Elliott has a strong enough track record that I think you let him work his way through this. That said, you can’t ignore long FG situations down the stretch. I’m sure Sirianni would love to have a comfortable lead in a game where he could send Elliott out for a long kick. Try to build his confidence back.

*****

The Niners are officially a mess. They lost 12-6 to the Rams and fell to 6-8.

Brock Purdy struggled all game and threw a terrible INT that probably was the difference in the game. Deebo Samuel has now gone four straight games without having 40 total yards.

I wonder if BG has any thoughts he’d like to share on the Niners.

Injuries have decimated the team, but they are still underachieving. The SF defense allowed TDs on 13 consecutive trips to the red zone by opposing offenses. Even the 2023 Eagles didn’t do that. Oddly, SF is reminding me of the ’23 Eagles. They aren’t playing to their talent level and have lost several games they shouldn’t have. And they can’t blame this on Matt Patricia or James Bradberry.

Now SF officially has some drama of its own.

*****

The Eagles defense has played two games without Brandon Graham. They have allowed 19 and 16 points. The front played really well against the Ravens and gave that offense fits. The front played well against Carolina. If not for Bryce Young’s mobility, the Eagles might have had 5 or 6 sacks.

Jalyx Hunt is playing more and showing real potential. Milton Williams and Moro Ojomo are being active and disruptive. Nolan Smith has continued to play well.

It also helps to still have Jalen Carter dominating the middle.

That is one special dude.

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