Brown, it hurts. Unbeaten Eagles defeat Steelers 35-13
THE PHILADELPHIA TIMES (AP) — A.J. Brown hauled in his third touchdown catch — of the first half — and the Eagles' star receiver peered through his tinted visor at two Steelers defenders knocked to the ground in a futile attempt to break up the pass.
Brown then mocked each fallen Steeler as the Philadelphia crowd roared, earning him a taunting penalty.
It was well worth the 15 yards to have some fun.
"I just said, 'One, two, it's not enough,'" Brown laughed.
Brown's three touchdowns were impressive. Taking the Eagles to seven, as in 7-0 and the NFL's only undefeated team, was also a goal.
Hurts threw three touchdown passes to Brown in the first half and finished with 285 yards and four touchdowns in Philadelphia's 35-13 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Brown had six receptions for 156 yards to help the Eagles win their first seven games for the second time in franchise history and the first time since Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens led them to the Super Bowl in 2004. With a loss to the Steelers that season, the Eagles were denied an 8-0 start.
Hurts and Brown turned the Linc into their own pitch-and-catch playground, and Pittsburgh (2-6) offered no resistance this time.
"I know I can't disappoint him," Brown said. "We're just having a good time and playing for each other." I'm pretty sure he knows I've got his back, and I know he has mine as well. That, I believe, is exactly what this is."
For the Steelers, rookie Kenny Pickett struggled more in the short term, going 25 of 38 for 191 yards and an interception. On a trick play in the first quarter, wide receiver Chase Claypool threw a 1-yard pass to fullback Derek Watt for Pittsburgh's only touchdown.
Pickett stated, "We need more explosive plays."
The World Series banner went up outside Citizens Bank Park — the Phillies and Houston Astros are tied 1-1 heading into Game 3 Monday in Philly — and it's suddenly the time in the NFL season to declare the Eagles Super Bowl favorites.
These are exciting times for Philly sports fans, and Brown has become the latest celebrity to provide them with a few more memorable October moments.
Increase the lead to three in the first half.
Brown might still be scoring and taunting in Tennessee if the Titans didn't think his asking price for an extension was too high in the spring. Brown was traded during the draft after the Titans decided they didn't want to pay him. Following the trade, the Eagles offered him a four-year, $100 million contract with a $57 million guarantee.
There hasn't been any buyer's remorse.
Brown became the first receiver since Tennessee's Drew Bennett in 2004 to have three 25-yard touchdown receptions in the first half. Hurts connected with Brown from 39, 27, and 29 yards out for a 21-10 halftime lead.
Brown scored on an over-the-shoulder grab in the end zone as Pittsburgh defenders Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ahkello Witherspoon collided. Brown could have made Owens proud with the type of celebration that the retired receiver was known for.
Their first touchdown was possibly the most impressive. Brown went up to catch the 39-yard heave and outdueled Fitzpatrick, who pounded the turf in frustration.
Hurts caught Brown in stride for the second touchdown, outrunning cornerback Arthur Maulet.
Brown had his best game in his brief tenure with the Eagles, outgaining the 155 yards he had in the season opener against Detroit. He came into the game with only two touchdowns.
One criticism leveled at the Eagles this season was their second-half sluggishness. They had only four second-half touchdowns and had been shut out by Minnesota and Washington after halftime.
Hurts allayed those fears in the third quarter, when he threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Zach Pascal for a 28-10 lead.
"They were making those plays, and we weren't," said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. "We have to take responsibility for it."
Since 1980, the only player with more than four TD passes of 25 yards or more in a single game was Hall of Famer Dan Marino, who had five against the Patriots in Week 1.
Hurts is the type of player who "reaches his ceiling," according to Eagles coach Nick Sirianni. "I'm not sure we know what his ceiling will be."
Hurts nearly caught Marino in the fourth quarter, but Brown was sacked at the 11 on a 43-yard pass. Not to worry. On the next play, Miles Sanders rushed for a touchdown and a 35-13 lead.
With a short week ahead, the Eagles rested their starters, and center Jason Kelce wore a Batman mask on the sideline in a playful nod to the superhero nicknames given to their wide receivers. Brown is known as "Swole Batman."
"We were out there celebrating and everything," Brown explained. "It's entertaining. It's unlike anything else."
MAKE A PRAYER
Inactive Eagles include Book, Jobe, and Sermon. That would be QB Ian Book, RB Trey Sermon, and CB Josh Jobe.
INJURIES
In place of the injured Chris Boswell, the Steelers' Nick Sciba kicked field goals of 38 and 29 yards (groin).
Jordan Davis of the Philadelphia Eagles suffered an ankle injury.
COMING UP
The Steelers have a bye week before hosting the Saints on November 13.
The Eagles play at Houston on Thursday night, potentially kicking off a busy Philly sports week in Texas. The World Series will be played in Houston on Friday and Saturday (if necessary).
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