Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay revealed that the team was fully aware of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive plays before they unfolded, crediting meticulous preparation and flawless execution for their dominance. Slay and the Eagles’ defense stifled the Steelers’ offense, holding them to a mere 163 total yards—their lowest mark since 2010.
“We knew their plans,” Slay shared on his podcast, Big Play Slay. “We saw it on film, and our coaches developed a fantastic game plan. We executed at a very high level.”
The Eagles’ mastery of the Steelers’ playbook was evident, as Pittsburgh managed just two possessions and 11 offensive plays in one half. This marked the fewest plays run by any NFL team in a half since 2009. The Steelers’ inability to sustain drives led to a significant time of possession disparity, with Philadelphia nearly doubling Pittsburgh’s control of the clock. It was the largest possession gap the Steelers have faced in a game since 2004.
This dominance wasn’t merely a product of the Eagles’ execution but also exposed a recurring issue for the Steelers: predictable play calling. Critics have long pointed out that opposing defenses often seem to anticipate Pittsburgh’s offensive strategies, and this game was no exception.
The Eagles capitalized on this predictability, leaving the Steelers struggling to gain any offensive rhythm. Philadelphia’s defense suffocated Pittsburgh’s attempts to establish a ground game or connect on significant passing plays. With every adjustment the Steelers attempted, the Eagles had an answer.
Ultimately, the Eagles’ thorough preparation and execution overwhelmed the Steelers, showcasing why Philadelphia’s defense is among the league’s elite. Meanwhile, the Steelers must address their predictable approach if they hope to compete at a higher level moving forward.
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