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Eagles Dominate Steelers in Statement Win

It was just the Browns and the Bears, right? The Eagles hadn’t beaten anybody yet, right? We don’t know what this team is yet, right?

That all changed Sunday.

Big time.

Led by rookie phenom Carson Wentz and an absolutely stifling defense, the Eagles took down a Super Bowl contender at the Linc, demolishing the cross-state Steelers, 34-3.

With the win, the Eagles are 3-0. And thanks to the Giants’ loss, they’re all alone in first place in the NFC East.

After taking a 10-point lead into halftime, the Eagles absolutely poured it on in the second half.

They scored early in the third quarter on a special play from Wentz to Darren Sproles. Wentz avoided pressure, stepped up and hit Sproles in stride. The veteran running back did the rest, going 73 yards for a touchdown to put the Eagles up 20-3. They added a couple more scores after that.

As impressive as the Eagles’ offense was, the defense might have been more impressive.

The Eagles’ defense held a future Hall of Fame quarterback, the NFL’s leading rusher after two weeks and the NFL’s best receiver to three points.

Sunday was the worst loss the Steelers suffered since Sept. 17, 1989, when they lost to the Bengals, 41-10.

Turning point
The Steelers got off to a hot start, but Markus Wheaton dropped a touchdown pass and then the ensuing field goal was blocked. On the next drive, the Eagles put up the first points of the game. That was a huge swing and the Eagles never looked back.

Key stat
Wentz has now thrown 102 passes without an interception to start his career.

The Eagles’ defense, which had allowed 17 points coming in, gave up just three to the Steelers on Sunday afternoon. In total, the Eagles have given up just 27 points through three games. That’s the fewest points they’ve given up through three games since 1992.

First half
The Eagles had an impressive first half, taking a 13-3 lead into the locker room after two quarters.

The Steelers actually got the ball first and put together an impressive drive. Ben Roethlisberger hit Wheaton in the back of the end zone for what should have been a touchdown, but Wheaton dropped it. So the Steelers settled for a 36-yard field goal attempt, but it was blocked by Bennie Logan.

The Eagles responded with a field goal drive that went 63 yards on seven plays. The Eagles have now scored on their first drive in each of the first three games of the season. On those first-possession drives, Wentz has completed 16 of 19 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown.

A Wentz to Jordan Matthews touchdown early in the second quarter put the Eagles up 10-0. That touchdown capped an 82-yard drive.

The team traded field goals later in the second quarter to keep the Eagles up 10.

Offensive stud
Wentz takes the honor yet again. The rookie has been unreal. On Sunday, he completed 23 of 31 passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating was 125.9. He became the third rookie in Eagles history to throw for 300-plus yards with two touchdowns in a game.

Sproles also had a huge day in the passing game. The Sproles' touchdown was the 16th 73-yard-plus passing touchdown in Eagles history and was the longest for an Eagles running back since Herschel Walker's 93-yarder in 1994.

Offensive dud
Ryan Mathews never really got it going Sunday. He has been dealing with an ankle injury, which might have limited him. He finished with minus-five yards on two carries that came in the first quarter. 

Defensive stud
We’ll give this to the whole unit. Just an all-around incredible performance.

Defensive dud
Rookie Jalen Mills got beat a couple times and had a defensive pass interference called against him. Overall, not a terrible day, it’s just that there wasn’t much to pick on with the Eagles’ defense.

Injuries
The Eagles entered Sunday’s game without Zach Ertz (ribs), Leodis McKelvin (hamstring) and Isaac Seumalo (pec). Pederson said he expects all three back after the bye week.

Up next
The Eagles have an early Week 4 bye so they’ll have an extra week to prepare for the Detroit Lions. Players will be at the NovaCare Complex on Monday, then go their separate ways. The Eagles will play again on Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. in Detroit, as they try to keep their perfect record intact.7:42 PM 9/25/2016

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