Two weeks, two kicks, both on the last play of the game. One week the ball falls inches short, giving the Eagles an unlikely win. The next, the ball splits the uprights, splitting open the hearts of Eagles’ fans in the process. Steelers 16, Eagles 14.
No doubt everyone today will want to talk about Michael Vick’s continuing issue with holding onto the football. He had three more fumbles yesterday, losing two of them, including one critical one as the Eagles were about to score. It was recovered in the end zone for a touchback by the Steelers.
Yes, it likely cost the Eagles 7 points early in the game.
But I would rather talk about the end of the game, in particular with 6:33 left in the 4th quarter. That’s when Vick and the Eagles capped a majestic drive to take a razor-thin 14-13 lead.
It appeared Vick and the Eagles were about to pull another Houdini act, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
Just one problem with that. Actually two.
First would be that 6:33 left. That’s an eternity. Second was the fact that the Eagles then had to kick off, and their kick coverage has been brutal.
But for once they actually got a touchback, meaning the Steelers would start on their own 20. They would have to march 80 yards for the win.
The Eagles defense has played very well this year, perhaps the surprise of the young season as they turned things around under Juan Castillo.
Right up until that final drive.
Simply put, this one is on the Eagles’ defense. Sure, Vick turned the ball over again. But he got them the lead. Then he turned it over to his defense, and they failed.
They got no pressure on Ben Roethlisberger from their vaunted ‘Wide 9’ front four. Their secondary got picked apart.
Coupled with the fact that Andy Reid - surprise, surprise - found himself without timeouts and thus unable to stop the clock.
The Steelers methodically drove down the field, including converting a third and 12, using all of the remaining time, lining up the winning kick with just 3 ticks left on the clock.
The only thing left was for the Steelers to line up for the winning kick. This time it wasn’t short.
There would be no miracle comeback.
The Eagles now stand at 3-2. They continue to struggle to score points, in part because Vick insists on turning the ball over in the red zone. They again failed to score 20 points yesterday, just as they have done in four of their five games this year. They have topped 20 points only once, against the Ravens.
But they would have won yesterday if their defense had risen to the occasion on that last Steelers’ possession.
Instead they had the ball stuffed down their throat.
I noted before the game that if the Eagles were able to beat the Steelers, they would have to be considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
They didn’t get it done. They remain a work in progress, still battling the demons of Michael Vick’s turnover problems and a defense that wilts when it needs to take a stand.
On to the Lions.
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