Film Study: What Went WRONG for Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Philadelphia Eagles
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles was billed as a high-stakes matchup between two teams with playoff aspirations. However, it turned into a frustrating night for Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, who struggled to get anything going against a tough Eagles defense. Despite Wilson’s veteran experience and the Steelers’ balanced offensive attack, the game quickly unraveled in a series of missteps, mistakes, and poor execution. In this film study, we’ll analyze exactly what went wrong for Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers in their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
1. Inability to Overcome Defensive Pressure
One of the biggest factors that contributed to Wilson’s struggles in this game was the relentless pressure from the Eagles’ defense. The Eagles’ defensive line, arguably one of the best in the NFL, dominated the Steelers’ offensive line throughout the game. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and edge rushers Brandon Graham and Haason Reddick put constant pressure on Wilson, collapsing the pocket and forcing him to scramble out of designed plays.
Wilson, known for his ability to escape the pocket and make plays on the run, wasn’t given the time he needed to make those kinds of plays. The Eagles’ front seven was disciplined and fast, containing Wilson’s mobility and ensuring that he had few options when escaping the rush. On multiple occasions, Wilson was forced to throw the ball away or take a sack due to the pressure. The Steelers’ offensive line, which had shown improvement earlier in the season, was simply overwhelmed by the Eagles’ defensive line. Wilson’s frustration was evident, as he had little room to operate and couldn’t develop a rhythm.
2. Missed Opportunities and Poor Decision Making
Throughout the game, Wilson had a number of opportunities to make plays, but poor decision-making and missed throws thwarted his chances. One of the more noticeable issues was Wilson’s tendency to hold onto the ball too long, which ultimately led to sacks or hurried throws. There were multiple instances where Wilson had open receivers downfield but chose to extend the play instead of making a quick throw. In a game where every possession counted, these missteps allowed the Eagles to dictate the tempo.
A prime example came in the second quarter when Wilson had a wide-open Deontay Johnson on a deep crossing route. If he had released the ball earlier, Johnson would have had plenty of space to run for a significant gain. Instead, Wilson hesitated, tried to evade pressure, and was eventually sacked before he could release the ball. This kind of indecision, especially against a defense like the Eagles’, is a recipe for disaster. Wilson’s decision-making under pressure was one of the most significant factors in his struggles during this game.
3. Lack of Chemistry with Receivers
Another critical issue that affected Wilson’s performance was the lack of chemistry between him and his receiving corps. While the Steelers have talented receivers in Deontay Johnson, George Pickens, and tight end Pat Freiermuth, the timing and accuracy of Wilson’s throws were off for much of the game. Several passes were either overthrown, underthrown, or slightly behind the intended target. This lack of precision, especially on key third downs, led to multiple incompletions and missed opportunities to move the chains.
There were also instances where Wilson seemed to misread the coverage and failed to see open receivers. On one play in the third quarter, Johnson ran a clean out route against a zone coverage, but Wilson threw the ball into double coverage, resulting in an incomplete pass. On another occasion, Pickens ran a deep route with a step on his defender, but Wilson underthrew the ball, allowing the Eagles’ cornerback to recover and break up the pass.
The disconnect between Wilson and his receivers was glaring and likely contributed to the Steelers’ inability to sustain drives. While the Eagles’ defense played well, the Steelers’ offense couldn’t get out of its own way due to the lack of timing and precision in the passing game.
4. Struggles in the Running Game
The Steelers were also unable to establish a consistent running game, which compounded their struggles on offense. Running back Najee Harris, who has been one of the focal points of Pittsburgh’s offense, was held to just 40 yards on 14 carries. The Eagles’ defensive line did an excellent job of stuffing the run, making it difficult for the Steelers to find any rhythm on the ground.
Without a reliable running game to complement the passing attack, Wilson and the offense were forced into obvious passing situations. This predictability played into the hands of the Eagles’ defense, who could tee off on Wilson, knowing he would have to drop back to pass on nearly every play. As the game progressed, the Eagles continued to load the box and stop Harris at the line of scrimmage, which limited the Steelers’ ability to create balance on offense.
The inability to establish the run made the passing game more challenging, as the Eagles could focus their attention solely on Wilson, knowing the Steelers had no effective counterbalance. A strong running game would have opened up more opportunities for play-action and shorter, high-percentage throws, but the lack of success in this area led to an uphill battle for the Steelers’ offense.
5. Inability to Convert on Third Down
Third down efficiency is always crucial, but it became particularly glaring in this game. The Steelers were only able to convert 3 of their 12 third-down attempts, a figure that simply won’t cut it against a team like the Eagles, who thrive on getting off the field quickly and forcing punts. In several instances, the Steelers found themselves in long third-down situations due to negative plays or penalties, putting Wilson in a tough spot.
The Eagles’ defense, which prides itself on being aggressive and well-coached, didn’t make it easy for Wilson to convert these critical third downs. Whether it was through their pressure on the quarterback or tight coverage downfield, the Eagles managed to disrupt the Steelers’ rhythm and force them into difficult situations. With Wilson under constant duress and the receivers struggling to get open, the Steelers’ offense had no chance of sustaining drives.
6. Eagles’ Defensive Scheme: Smart and Aggressive
The Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive scheme, led by defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, played a huge role in disrupting the Steelers’ offense. The Eagles mixed up their defensive looks, alternating between blitzes, coverages, and pre-snap movements to keep Wilson guessing. The front four was able to generate pressure without sending too many extra rushers, giving the Eagles the flexibility to drop more players into coverage.
This strategy kept the Steelers’ offense off balance throughout the game. The Eagles did an excellent job of disguising their blitzes, creating confusion in the Steelers’ protection schemes. Wilson was often forced to make quick decisions, which led to rushed throws and missed opportunities. The Eagles’ defense capitalized on every mistake, and their aggressive play style kept the Steelers on their heels for the majority of the game.
7. Turnovers and Missed Opportunities
As the game went on, Wilson also contributed to the turnover issue that plagued the Steelers. In the second half, Wilson threw an interception late in the third quarter that allowed the Eagles to extend their lead. It was a costly mistake, as he forced a pass into double coverage, and Eagles’ safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson made an easy pick. The interception killed a promising drive and gave the Eagles a short field to work with, which they capitalized on to score.
In addition to the interception, the Steelers also missed several opportunities to create turnovers on defense. While they did get pressure on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts at times, they weren’t able to finish with sacks or force turnovers. The lack of turnovers on both sides of the ball contributed to the Eagles’ ability to dominate possession and control the pace of the game.
Conclusion: A Tough Loss for Russell Wilson and the Steelers
In the end, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was a tough one for Russell Wilson, who had hoped to lead his team to victory in a high-stakes game. Despite his experience and talent, Wilson struggled against the Eagles’ defensive line and couldn’t get into a rhythm with his receivers. The lack of protection, poor decision-making, and missed opportunities led to a frustrating performance for the veteran quarterback.
The Steelers’ inability to establish the running game and convert on third downs made the task even more difficult for Wilson. As the season progresses, the Steelers will need to find ways to protect their quarterback, establish a more balanced offense, and improve on their third-down efficiency if they are to remain competitive. For Wilson, this game will serve as a learning experience, but it also highlighted the challenges he faces in a new offensive system and a tough division. The Steelers have work to do, and Wilson will need to bounce back quickly if they are to remain in playoff contention.
