The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered their fourth loss of the 2024 campaign on Sunday, falling to the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 27-13 at Lincoln Financial Field. Pittsburgh is now 10-4 on the year, with three out of their four defeats coming on the road.
It was an all-around frustrating day for the Steelers, as the Eagles dominated time of possession, and the defense didn’t have many answers for Philadelphia’s potent offense. Russell Wilson and the offense only had nine offensive drives on Sunday and just two possessions in the second half. Arthur Smith’s group struggled to stay on the field and keep the chains moving, converting just three third downs on ten attempts.
Though the Steelers scored just one touchdown in Week 15, which came in the second quarter, the team was robbed of a touchdown opportunity during the first quarter. After linebacker Nick Herbig recovered a muffed punt by Eagles cornerback and returner Cooper DeJean at the Philadelphia 11-yard line, Pittsburgh was in a prime position to cash in for six.
Eagles muff the punt!
📺: #PITvsPHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/pJeiFVpAqI— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
On the first play of the ensuing offensive drive, running back Najee Harris caught a check down from Wilson and advanced the ball inside the five-yard line, but the play was called back due to unnecessary roughness penalties on tight end Darnell Washington and wide receiver Calvin Austin III. Washington blocked Eagles cornerback Darius Slay into the stands, causing a brawl between both teams to break out, where Austin III shoved Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in defense of his teammate.
Clear video of Darius Slay punching Darnell Washington. Steelers got penalized 15 yards. Nothing on Eagles. Steelers will pass this along to the NFL. Horrible job by officials. pic.twitter.com/KPkKlHpZ6G
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) December 16, 2024
“There was no video evidence of punches observed by the Philadelphia Eagles.” 🤨 pic.twitter.com/Z3ZG8Yj4Zr
— Chris Mack (@THEChrisMack) December 16, 2024
Instead of calling offsetting penalties on the play and replaying the down, as there is clear video evidence of Slay and Mitchell throwing punches and committing fouls, the officials enforced a 15-yard penalty on the Steelers for unnecessary roughness, as Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni opted to accept the penalty on Austin III and decline the foul on Washington, causing Pittsburgh to fall behind the sticks in the red zone. This ruling clearly didn’t sit well with Mike Tomlin, who unleashed an epic F-bomb on an official.
Mike Tomlin’s reaction to those offensive penalties on the Steelers. pic.twitter.com/2EceHYnRHL
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 15, 2024
Though Tomlin probably shouldn’t have cursed out a referee, the long-time Steelers head coach had all the right to be upset. Pittsburgh was robbed of a pivotal touchdown-scoring opportunity and had to settle for a field goal on the drive, which tied the game at 3-3 with under four minutes to play in the first quarter.
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