Four touchdowns by rookie Chase Claypool propelled the Steelers to a 38-29 victory over the visiting Eagles. Claypool, a second-round pick out of Notre Dame, became the first rookie in franchise history to score four touchdowns in a game and the first Steeler to do so since Roy Jefferson in 1968. His final score, a 35-yard reception with under three minutes left, helped the Steelers hold off the Eagles, who cut Pittsburgh’s lead to two points after falling behind 31-14 in the opening minutes of the second half.
Claypool’s two first-half touchdowns helped propel Pittsburgh to a 17-14 halftime lead. After both teams traded punts, the Steelers scored first after Claypool’s two-yard touchdown run capped off a 14-play drive. Less than a minute after Claypool’s score, the Eagles tied the game on Miles Sanders’ 74-yard run, the longest run by an Eagles player in 20 years.
Claypool gave Pittsburgh a 14-7 lead after catching Ben Roethlisberger’s 32-yard pass on the Steelers’ ensuing possession. Philadelphia quickly tied the score again on a one-yard touchdown run by Sanders, a Pittsburgh-area native. Pittsburgh regained the lead on their next possession, as a 17-yard completion from Big Ben to tight end Eric Ebron set up Chris Boswell’s 41-yard field goal.
A 58-yard run by Ray-Ray McCloud at the start of the third quarter set up Claypool’s third touchdown of the day on a five-yard reception. An interception by Steven Nelson moments later set up James Conner’s one-yard touchdown run, as Pittsburgh stretched its lead to 17 points.
The Eagles would not go away, however, as Wentz hit Greg Ward for an eight-yard pass on the Eagles’ next possession. Philadelphia further cut its deficit after Wentz hit receiver John Hightower on a two-point conversion. Philadelphia then cut it to two points when Wentz hit Travis Fulgham for a four-yard score less than four minutes into the fourth quarter. Fulgham, a 2019 sixth-round pick who had just two regular season receptions prior to Sunday, caught 10 passes for 152 yards.
But after forcing a turnover on Pittsburgh’s next possession, Philadelphia was unable to capitalize after Joe Haden broke up Wentz’s third-down pass to Fulgham. Haden’s breakup forced the Eagles to try a 57-yard field goal by Jake Elliott, whose kick sailed wide right with 3:10 remaining. Less than 20 seconds after the missed field goal, Roethlisberger found a wide open Claypool, who caught Big Ben’s pass in stride for a 35-yard score. Pittsburgh then iced the game when Nelson picked off Wentz’s desperation heave with just over two minutes left.
Pittsburgh is now 4-0 for the first time since 1979, while the Eagles are 1-3-1 through five games. To relive Sunday’s action in real time, check out our live blog below to see all the highlights and analysis from the Steelers’ win.
