The Steelers won the ‘Battle of Pennsylvania’ over the Philadelphia Eagles today on a 34-yard Shaun Suisham field goal as time expired. The Steelers outplayed the Eagles for much of the game, but racked up 106 penalty yards during the game, including two personal foul calls on Ryan Clark and Ryan Mundy during a cruicial Eagles touchdown drive.
Philadelphia took the lead with a 17 play, 79 yard TD drive with 6 minutes to go. Michael Vick tossed a 2-yard TD pass to Brent Celek to give the Eagles their first lead of the game 14-13. The Steelers were able to counter with a long, dink and dunk drive of their own however.
Ben Roethlisberger lead the Steelers down the field on a 14 play drive that used up the rest of the clock. The drive started on a bad note with, yes, another penalty on Willie Colon (who was especially bad today). But Roethlisberger hit TE David Paulson for his first career grab and completed a crucial 20 yard pass to Antonio Brown on 3rd down that kick started the drive for Pittsburgh. Emmanuel Sanders made a clutch catch on a crucial 3rd down and Suisham was left with an easy kick for the win.
Injuries were again brutal, as Troy Polamalu and LaMarr Woodley both left the game for Pittsburgh. Polamalu only lasted a couple of series before leaving with what looked like the same calf that kept him out earlier this season.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Rashard Mendenhall, who returned today and really helped reinvigorate the Steelers running game. Mendenhall carried 14 times for 81 yards and was also a factor in the passing game, making 2 catches.
The Steelers have a very short week as they travel to Tennessee for this week’s Thursday Night Football game.
