Are AJ Brown and Hurts fighting? Is the passing game a weakness? Is the locker room fractured? It doesn’t seem like it! The Eagles silenced any off-field drama that was brewing with a statement win over the Steelers on Sunday. In a game where Philly never trailed, not even the staunchest Negadelphian could find something to criticize outside of a couple flukey fumbles. Credit to Nick Sirianni for keeping his team focused on Pittsburgh rather than the outside noise that cluttered Philly media this past week. Jalen Hurts, the defense and Nick Sirianni all shined bright in the Eagles’ 27-13 rout of the Steelers.
Saucon Valley Eagles fan John said his love for the team began at an early age. (Credit: Helen Behe)
I’ve always worn green-colored glasses when it comes to Hurts, and he rewarded my faith in him with a phenomenal performance against Pittsburgh. Hurts went 22/32 for 290 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions for a QB rating of 125—all with a broken finger. Hurts added another touchdown on a Brotherly Shove, bringing his rushing total to 45 yards. Of greater importance than the stats, Hurts appeared more comfortable and decisive in this game than he’s looked all year. His touchdown to Brown had good zip and ball placement, which led to the two players celebrating together with a choreographed dance. And how about the fancy flip to Barkley on 2nd down? Facing 2nd and 6 on the Eagles’ final drive, Hurts evaded four Steelers defenders before lobbing the ball to Barkley, playing some backyard football and avoiding a sack. Hurts brought some of that swagger to his post-game press conference, clapping back at the criticism that he and the passing attack were the weakness of the offense: “Just because we don’t doesn’t mean we can’t.”
Similar to Hurts, the defense bounced back against the Steelers after a suboptimal performance against the Carolina Panthers last Sunday. Vic Fangio was hired to fill the shoes of previous defensive coordinators Sean Desai and Matt Patricia, neither of whom are remembered fondly in Philadelphia. Fans were mostly excited for a change. Few people anticipated Fangio transforming this unit into the NFL’s best defense. Philadelphia held Pittsburgh to only 163 yards of offense on Sunday and kept them scoreless in the second half. Nolan Smith Jr. was a particularly bright spot. The former Georgia Bulldog sacked Russell Wilson on a crucial 2nd down, taking the Steelers out of the redzone and forcing a field goal. Those 3 points were the last Pittsburgh scored. Smith also logged a batted pass and two tackles for loss. Formerly criticized for his lack of impact during his 2023 rookie season, Smith has responded in a big way this year and continues to make strides.
Though he’s not mentioned often enough, Nick Sirianni deserves much praise for his team’s success. Sirianni now holds the fourth highest winning percentage among all coaches in NFL history, and one could largely ascribe it to his adaptability. Heading into the bye week at 2-2, this Eagles team was reeling and searching for an identity. Sirianni found the answer in Saquon Barkley, making the Eagles a run-first team and reworking the offensive philosophy. That small change propelled Philly to a nine-game win streak. When the passing game faltered against Carolina and the security of Brown’s and Hurts’ relationship was brought into question, Sirianni rolled out an aggressive passing offense to dominate the Steelers on a day when Barkley was nursing an injury. Historically, Sirianni responds well to criticism and is excellent at adjusting. He is a big reason why the Eagles have won 10 games in a row and stand in position to snag the #1 seed.
Just like me, this Eagles team has local fan John feeling good! While helping load up his parents’ Christmas tree on Sunday, John was kind enough to share his thoughts on why he thinks the Eagles have had such a stellar season: “I think it’s the camaraderie,” John explained while sporting a Saquon Barkley jersey. “Especially after the collapse last year in the second half of the season, I think the new coordinators and what Nick Sirianni’s done has really brought the team back together.” The vibes in Philadelphia are excellent, and John’s feeling optimistic. “They’re playing more like a family this year, just like in 2017 when they won the Super Bowl!” he said.
Like many others, John’s fandom is tied to his family. “I grew up here,” he explained, “and ever since I was a young kid it always brought our family together on Sundays and gave us a reason to spend time together to celebrate and watch the Birds.”
The Eagles go on the road this Sunday to face the Washington Commanders in a game that will affect seeding. If Philadelphia wants to stay in contention for the #1 seed, they must win all their remaining games. A win this Sunday would also clinch the NFC East for the Eagles, so the Birds should bring their A game to the coming matchup in Maryland.
Helen Behe is an MFA candidate at DeSales University, where she is studying through the program’s poetry track for a degree in creative writing and publishing. Aside from her studies, Helen enjoys gardening, boxing and rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles. She is a resident of Bethlehem. Read more of Helen’s Then & Now series featuring local history-related topics here.
