PHILADELPHIA - When you're playing against another good team, as the Steelers were on Sunday, taking care of the little things matters greatly – just as much or even more so than taking care of the big issues.
Going into Sunday's game at Philadelphia, there was no mistaking that stopping Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was a major issue, perhaps the biggest one the Steelers have faced all season.
The Steelers limited Barkley, the NFL's leading rusher who was on pace to break the single-season rushing record, to 65 yards on 19 carries. That 3.4 yards per carry was nearly half the 6.1 yards per attempt he entered this game with.
But the Steelers hurt themselves on too many occasions with penalties and missed tackles on some of the other Philadelphia skill players. And the result was a 27-13 loss here at Lincoln Financial Field in which the Eagles held a 39:52-20:08 advantage in time of possession.
The Eagles also had 401 total yards, compared to just 163 for the Steelers. They converted on 10 of 17 third downs, while the Steelers were just 3 of 10.
They ran 77 offensive plays to just 41 for the Steelers.
The defense did a good job overall in this game, limiting Philadelphia to 5.2 yards per play, well below its average of 5.8 for the season. And it did that by stopping Barkley.
If his best run of the day – a 22-yarder on the Eagles' first touchdown drive – is taken out of the equation, he managed just 43 yards on his other 18 attempts, an average of 2.4 yards per carry.
But while that was happening, his backup, Kenneth Gainwell had three big receptions for 40 yards, all of which resulted converted a third down into a first down.
Game action photos from the Steelers' Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson (93) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson (93), Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28), and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson (93) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) and Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) and Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) and Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90), and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) and Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Dean Lowry (94) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Meanwhile, overall, quarterback Jalen Hurts was 9 of 11 for 102 yards and a touchdown on third downs, turning eight of those completions into first downs. And the one he didn't convert left the Eagles with fourth-and-1, which he converted on a fourth-down QB sneak.
The conversions weren't on big passing plays. The longest was a 21-yard completion late in the game. But they were enough to move the chains, often with a crossing pattern, quick out or pass to the flats on which the receiver used his speed to get to the sticks or juked a Pittsburgh defender to do so.
The Steelers won the battle against Barkley defensively, but they lost the war overall.
"There were several possession downs on defense where we had opportunities to tackle ball carriers in the flat, and we missed those tackles," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "And that produced extended drives, and thus points. That's life in our business. It's not anything mystical. It's very fundamental. We have to play disciplined. We have to secure the ball. We have to tackle. And we didn't do some of those fundamental things well enough tonight to secure victory."
• The Steelers seem to have avoided a catastrophe in this game in terms of outside linebacker T.J. Watt.
Watt went to the ground in the fourth quarter with the Steelers trailing 27-13, holding his ankle.
After a moment, he hopped up and walked off the field slowly with team doctors and trainers.
Watt said after the game he simply rolled his ankle and that an X-ray revealed no damage.
I think that can be described as a low ankle at this juncture, but I'll have more information for you the next time we get together," said Tomlin.
That will be tomorrow, as Tomlin will hold his weekly press conference at noon Monday because the Steelers have a short week upcoming against the Ravens next Saturday in Baltimore.
Watt had a monster game in this one, keeping the Steelers in the game in the first half when he had a forced fumble and later two sacks on a series at the end of the half that got the ball back for the offense to set up a field goal that cut the score to 17-13.
"He's the leader of the whole squad, so when he goes down, you hope for the best," said offensive tackle Broderick Jones. "Everybody is praying for him. Hopefully it's nothing too major and he can play next week. We'll see."
• In the grand scheme of things, the Eagles basically did to the Steelers what Pittsburgh has been doing to its opponents this season.
Trailing 20-13, the Steelers were on the move in the third quarter after Russell Wilson connected with Calvin Austin III for a 31-yard gain on a flea-flicker on their first offensive play of the second half.
The Steelers then had Jaylen Warren pick up a first down on runs of 6 and 7 yards before Najee Harris mishandled a pitch from Wilson and the Eagles recovered the loose football at their own 26.
The Steelers would not get the ball back for the rest of the third quarter.
By the time they got the ball back, they trailed 27-13 and there was just over 14 minutes remaining in the game.
The Steelers pushed the ball to midfield and got a 6-yard run by Cordarrelle Patterson that would have gone to the Philadelphia 43. But center Zach Frazier was called for tripping, pushing them back across their side of the field.
On fourth-and-7 from the Philadelphia 46, they punted the ball back to the Eagles with 10:29 remaining in the game. And never touched the ball again, as the Eagles went from their own 2 to finish the game taking knees at the Pittsburgh 8.
The Eagles ran 21 plays and would not let the Steelers get back on the field.
They played good, complementary football in this game. The Steelers did not.
• The Steelers had the ball for just 5:50 in the second half. Tough to mount a comeback when that's happening.
But without top wide receiver George Pickens and defensive starters in defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi and safety DeShon Elliott, it was going to be tough sledding in this one.
Then, cornerback Donte Jackson went out in the first half with a back issue, thinning the defense out a little more.
The Steelers can still clinch the AFC North title next week with a win at Baltimore, a team against which they have won eight of the past nine meetings, including earlier this season, 18-16, at Acrisure Stadium.
The hope is that they'll have a good number of those injured starters back.
But you do have to be concerned that having the defense play 71 snaps on a short week could take its toll. The Steelers do, after all, have three games in the span of 11 days.
• A pool report with referee Alan Eck was requested to explain how Darnell Washington and Austin were penalized for unnecessary roughness in the second quarter after a Harris screen play had gone to the Philadelphia 4.
Washington had driven the player he was blocking through the end zone and the Eagles responded by running to the end zone. A scrum ensued and at least one Philadelphia player appeared to throw a punch.
Eck said that was not the case and that Replay Assist in New York didn't see it, either.
"Two Steelers were observed, No. 80 and No. 19, committing unsportsmanlike conduct after the play was over," Eck said in the pool report. "That's what it was. Two players, after the fact, unsportsmanlike conduct."
Apparently, the 20 Eagles players who were there were on a trip with the Boy Scouts.
"No punches were observed on the field," said Eck. "Since we had flags down, it gave New York an opportunity to review the play, as well. There was no video evidence of punched observed by the Philadelphia Eagles."
It must be on the Zapruder tape.
"If I see 20 Eagles surrounding my guy, I'm going to go and help my guy," said the 5-foot-9, 162-pound Austin. "But I guess, being the biggest guy out there, I'm going to get a flag thrown on me."
Typically in those situations, there are offsetting flags and the teams play on. In this instance, two Steelers were penalized. No Eagles received a penalty. And instead of having the ball second-and-three from the 4, the Steelers were pushed back to the 19.
Tomlin was asked if he got an explanation of the call.
"Not a sufficient one," he said.
Washington was over-exuberant in blocking his man all the way through the end zone. But to say the Eagles did nothing wrong defies logic.
• While on the subject of defying logic, a penalty against defensive tackle Montravius Adams for hitting the long-snapper on a field goal attempt when he was blocked into said long-snapper also defies logic. And physics.
Now, the Steelers stopped the Eagles after that and forced another field goal attempt – they made both kicks. But that allowed Philadelphia to run an additional five plays after Adams was called.
"It was one of those calls where the refs made the call and we have to deal with it," Adams said with a smile. "I'm not saying it was a great call or a bad call. It was one of those ones where it's borderline."
• All of that said, the Steelers didn't lose this game because of officiating or anything but their own sub-standard play.
They had a rough day at the office against a good football team.
But despite all of the things that affected them on this day, if they don't lose the Harris fumble, they very well might have won this game.
They had seized the momentum back after the Eagles had jumped out to a 17-3 lead early in the second quarter.
• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast Pittonline@iheartmedia.com
"We were able to get a first down," said tight end Pat Freiermuth on what changed after falling behind 17-3. "We had five three-and-outs to start the game. We'll learn from it. We'll fix it and get better."
The slow starts offensively have to change.
The Eagles have a very good defense. It entered this game No. 1 in the NFL. And without Pickens, the Eagles loaded the box and dared the Steelers to throw the ball.
They did so with very little success early, as Russell Wilson started the game just 2 of 8 for 8 yards.
Meanwhile, the running game was doing nothing, as well, as the Steelers gained 5 yards on four first-quarter carries.
"We got behind the sticks," said Austin. "The penalty I got knocked us out of a touchdown. Instead of getting 7, we got 3. Getting behind the sticks a lot, being in second-and-long, third-and-long, that's just going to be losing football that way. It's very frustrating because we know if we don't beat ourselves, it's a different game."
• The Steelers did load up to stop Barkley. And they did so at the expense of leaving their cornerbacks on an island with wide receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith.
Both caught touchdown passes and finished with 100 yards receiving, Brown on eight catches, Smith on 10.
The Steelers figured the Eagles might throw the ball more this week than they had. After all, Brown had complained last week that the Eagles weren't throwing the ball enough.
And Hurts' 32 pass attempts were the first time he's been over 30 since a Sept. 29 loss to Tampa Bay.
In some ways, it's a tip of the cap to what the Eagles expected from the Steelers. They knew they were going to have tough sledding in the running game.
"I think a Mike Tomlin team is physical, disruptive, and tough," said Hurts. "That whole conference, that whole division, is tough. Playing against a Steelers team is always a tough challenge. It was definitely a test, a battle. They're coming after the ball and playing physical ball. It was a great opponent we played out there."
• Lost in all of this is the fact that Chris Boswell made both of his field goal attempts in this game and now holds the Steelers' record with 38 made field goals in a season. And he's gotten there with just 41 overall attempts.
• Buffalo's win at Detroit likely puts securing the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye out of reach of the Steelers. So, the next step now after locking up a playoff spot is securing a home playoff game.
And they do that by winning in Baltimore next week.
That will make focusing this week pretty easy.
"It's awesome to be able to clinch it this early, but I wish we would have gotten the win to be able to celebrate," said Freiermuth. "But we want to do some stuff big in the postseason and hopefully clinch the division next weekend."
To do that, they'll need to get back to the things that helped this team rattle off seven wins in eight games coming into this one.
"We approached this game with the right mindset," said Austin. "But you can approach the game with the right mindset and if the details, execution and focus doesn't match your mindset, then it doesn't matter. In any win or loss, you've got to go back to the basics and clean up the little things and overemphasize things so they don't happen again."
