The Steelers began their domination right at the start as Ben Roethlisberger orchestrated an 80 yard drive, capping it with an Antonio Brown touchdown. The first teamers played two offensive series, taking up plenty of time as they moved easily on the Eagles touted defense. Big Ben orchestrated two long scoring drives, the first taking 14 plays for 80 yards using up 7 minutes and 36 seconds while the second took 14 plays for 96 yards and 8 minutes 15 seconds.
The Steelers run game was amazing as Rashard Mendenhall and Issac Redman each carried the ball six times for 28 and 26 yards respecfully. The Steelers dominated the game from the line of scrimmage even when it looked as if they taken a turn for the worse. Starting left tackle Jonathan Scott went down with a knee injury and shortly after rookie second round pick Marcus Gilbert went down with the same injury.
The first team line held their own against the Eagles pass rush, giving up only one bull crap sack on the second drive. They picked up the Eagles pass rush rather well and gave Ben enough time to throw as he finished his two series 8 of 12 with 125yards and two touchdowns. Tony Hills played well at right guard and then left tackle as he filled in for the two injured lineman. Marcus Gilbert was impressive before his injury and the line seemed to get better as the drives went along.
On defense, well what can you say beside they were amazing? The Steelers defense pressured and confused Vick into throwing three interceptions in the first half. Ryan Clark grabbed the first one with Keenan Lewis snatching one on the very next series and Troy Polamalu not too long after him. James Harrison and second year Michigan corner Donovan Warren met up at Vick bringing him to the ground for the Steelers first and only sack.
The secondary really stepped up in this game which was a pleasant surprise since both Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden where out with injuries. The secondary recorded the before mentioned three interceptions and also had a forced fumble by back up saftey Will Allen in the second half. Donovan Warren really made a case for a roster spot as third round draft pick Curtis Brown wasn't really impressive and undrafted rookie Niles Brinkley played terrible at the end of the game.
FIRST HALF REVIEW
The Steelers first team offense played the first two series and the defense played the entire first half and both sides of the ball played phenomenal. The team seemed to easily take care of the Eagles and their star studded roster all game long. The Steelers first teamers amassed 252 yards to the Eagles 71 and had 16 first downs to the Eagles 5. Ben was extremely crisp and it was good to see the defense playing so well behind the number 3 and 4 cornerbacks.
SECOND HALF REVIEW
The second team defense kept up the great performance in the third quarter as they forced two more turnovers. The first came from Larry Foote as he intercepted Vince Young and the second from Will Allen as he forced former Pitt start Dion Lewis to fumble. Donvan Warren played the entire game and finished with 4 tackles and .5 sack but dropped an interception that would have ended an Eagle scoring drive in the fourth quarter. The Eagles really padded the yardage stats on the final two drives as Mike Kaftka connected with Jones for two garbage scores at the end of the game against a poor Niles Brinkley.
FINAL GAME NOTES
Swayze Waters, who is competing with Shaun Suisham had a field goal blocked and missed a 27 yard chip shot in the second half. While newly signed Macho Harris and Kevin Dockery were missing in action, which was to be expected but the rest of the secondary really stepped up. The team really left fans wanting more and I think that their August 27th match-up with the Falcons is going to be a great game.
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