Eagles 2008 Season Log: Week 3, Defense Stifles Steelers

With Dallas and the Giants at 3-0, and the Redskins at 2-1, the Steelers game turned out to be a must-win for the Birds. Fortunately, the Defense came through and the offense did just enough to win the game, leaving both the Eagles and the Redskins at 2-1 looking up at the undefeated Cowboys and Giants.

Jimmy Johnson's Defense put on quite a show against the Steelers. Our cross-State rivals were stifled in every aspect of their offensive game. We sacked Big Ben 9 times, and hurried or hit him dozens more. Fast Willie got nothing all game, and our CB trio of Asante Samuel, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown shut down the passing game.

People have been wondering where this Defense was against the Cowboys. But the Cowboys are a different team with a monstrous offensive line, Marion Barber and Felix Jones in the backfield, and TO catching passes. Oh, and one of the best Tight Ends in the league beating people up over the middle. I don't know--maybe the game plan could've been more aggressive against the 'Boys. I tend to think that both teams game planned for a shoot-out, and that's what we got. The Cowboys got the better of us mostly b/c of the late fumble by McNabb.

Anyway, I digress away from the Steelers game. This game was like a classic, late-season, battle of NFC East teams. The Eagles D beat up the Steelers, but we got beat up too. Westbrook sprained his ankle, McNabb missed a few plays, LJ Smith's back acted up, and Tony Hunt left the game with a concussion. Fortunately, the Defense and Special teams did enough to keep the Eagles offense in the game (the same was not true for the Steelers) and we escaped with a 15-6 victory, and no serious injuries.

Many of the experts put the Steelers in the top tier of the AFC, but the Eagles exposed them--at least on the offensive side of the ball. They will have a hard time beating a team like the Broncos or Chargers if they can't find any playmakers on offense. But I don't care about the Steelers. The Birds played a solid game and escaped with a victory. That makes me happy.

This week, we travel to Chicago for a Sunday night game against the Bears. The Bears aren't good, but they're still the Bears and the game is still on the road. Even though Westbrook will probably sit this one out, the Bears offense is so terrible that the Eagles should have enough to get it done. After this weekend in which the Giants are resting, the Redskins will either be 3-1 and tied with the Cowboys, or 2-2, leaving the Cowboys atop the division at 4-0. Another must win?