Steelers win the Battle of Penn's Woods

27

13

Before I get to the recap, the Steelers made their first round of cuts today. The only one of significance? Kevan Barlow.

So long Kevan.

Steelers won the toss and had a good drive going until Ben throws a pick on an attempted dump-off pass. He should have held on to that one and took the sack.

You tell him coach.

Coach throws the challenge flag and wins...6 yards. It doesn't matter much as McNabb leads the Eagles down to the 23. Huge sack and strip by Clark Haggans on second down, but the Eagles recover. False start penalty pushes them back 5 more yards then Polamalu and Farrior lay down the law.

Steelers go run-run-pass and punt. Sepulveda chokes. Philly ball on the Pittsburgh 20.

Anthony Smith from the Cuse lays the smack down on Kevin Curtis on 3rd and Goal. Solid stand by the defense to hold the Eagles to 3 points.

Steelers start the next drive with a pass to Kreider. A nice little rumble down the sideline for 22 yards. Hines picks up a key 3rd down with a 13-yard catch. After a false start by A-Fan and...

Miller down to the 1, should be a sure touchdown, but Willie Parker has other ideas.

He coughs it upon the goal line. Ouch.

Eagles drive out of the shadow of their own goal posts only to punt. Willie Reid pulls a Colclough and muffs the kick. Steelers go 3-and-out again and punt. Sepulveda triples the distance on his previous kick. The defense stands strong and forces a punt.

It's go time.

We put the ball in Parker's hands 4 consecutive plays, including a 20-yard screen pass. Nice. Wilson and Holmes pull down big receptions to get us into the red zone. First and 10 from the 18. Power I. Eagles stack the box. I turn to my girlfriend and say, "We're probably going to run the ball here."

Hey, I'm no Nostradamus, but it worked.
Parker's goal line fumble is redeemed.
7-3

Kolb comes in to play QB for the Eagles. He was solid at Houston, and everyone was hoping this wasn't going to turn into another game like the Packers where a young QB beat us up and down the field. But the Defense stands strong again and forces another punt.

Steelers get the ball back and hit Najeh on a screen pass for 33 and Heath for 12. Nothing else is working and Reed hits a 37-yarder. 10-3.

Eagles get the ball back and go 3-and-out after a sack by I Like Ike Taylor on 3rd down.

Face your fears. Face the music. Face me Ike.

Another screen to the Najehnater and two sweet passes to Hines later, Reed knocks down a field goal to end the half. 13-3.

Tony Hunt runs all over the Steelers on the Eagles' first drive of the second half, but LaMarr Woodley comes up with a huge 3rd down sack and strip, holding the Eagles to a field goal. 13-6.

Nasty Nate pulls down two big receptions on the next drive from Homestead Charlie, including one that should have been a touchdown.

He's in.

Ex-Steeler Kevan Barlow pounds it in from the 1. 20-6. Game.

Kevin Kolb had different ideas. He drove the Eagles into Steelers territory but ran into the brick wall of the 2007 Draft. Timmons and Woodley with the huge 4th down stop.

BSP comes in and throws a pick and Kolb drives the Eagles back down the field but the defense steps up on a 4th down just outside the red zone.

Run-run-pass and ex-Steeler Mike Barr punts.

Kolb leads an impressive drive back down the field, resulting in a 4-yard touchdown pass. Maybe it's not over yet.

The Steelers change up the Offensive scheme and go run-pass-run-punt. At least it's the preseason.

Kolb marches the Eagles back down the field and is staring at a 1st down on the Steelers 28 as the clock strikes 2. The Defense gets a well-needed breather and comes back out.

Two words: William Gay.

He's making the team.

Huge strip by Gay and recovery by Javon Johnson who streaks 78 yards for the score.

Great way to cap off the night for the Defense.
27-13.

Kolb leads one last effort down the field which stalls at the Pittsburgh 6. Brian Randall comes in for the Victory Formation and takes a knee. Ballgame.

Concluding thoughts:

Needs to start.
Woodley is a great player. We need to see more of him.


Needs to stop.
Put us out of our misery and get rid of the mascot.