Over the years, despite the fact that neither team plays in the same conference as the other, the Steelers and Eagles have had some memorable games. This is in addition to the fact that, 73 years ago, the Eagles and Steelers temporarily combined to be one team, the Steagles, due to both teams having lost many of their players to World War II. Since both teams started playing each other in 1933, surprisingly, the Eagles have a 46-28-3 record vs. Pittsburgh. One of the 77 games was added to the Eagles’ 10 greatest games DVD that came out seven-years ago.
On November 12th, 2000, at Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium, the Eagles put together a late fourth-quarter comeback to win in overtime, 26-23. With 3:55 left in the game, trailing 20-13, the Eagles were able to stop Hall of Fame halfback Jerome Bettis on 3rd down. Despite the stop, 13 seconds later, Pittsburgh kicker Kris Brown kicked a 40-yard field goal to increase their lead to 10. Kick returner and running back Brian Mitchell ran back the ensuing kick for 23 yards. After three-straight completions, and a lucky unnecessary-roughness call, on a fade route, Donovan McNabb caught Mitchell for 13 yards and a touchdown.
Then the Eagles successfully executed an onside-kick attempt, recovered the ball, and, as time expired, went on to tie the game at 23 all. During their last two drives, they were able to score 10 points in just two-and-a-half minutes. That year, the Steelers’ defense only allowed 13 passing touchdowns (McNabb had two of them that game, and 0 turnovers), and their unit ranked in the top 10 in several categories, including takeaways. 10:44 into overtime, with a 42-yard field goal, Eagles’ kicker David Akers won the game.
2000- Final Score- Eagles 26-23
In 1947, the 8-4 Steelers suffered their first ever playoff loss, 21-0 to the Eagles. A year later, vs. Chicago, the Eagles would win their first-ever championship. In that 1947 season, Pittsburgh was an even-keeled team, on both offense and defense. They ranked seventh in the league in both points for and points against (240-259). In October of that season, at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh beat Philadelphia 35-24, despite Eagles’ Hall of Fame halfback Steve Van Buren rushing for 133 yards. Leading up to their December divisional-round postseason game, the Steelers that season had three games with 30 or more points, including 38 at the Polo Grounds, yet in their playoff loss, they were shut out and only mustered 154 total yards. Two Pro Football Hall of Famers started that day for the Eagles (halfback Steve Van Buren and center/defensive end Alex Wojciechowic).
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