After the Eagles' hard-fought 27-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, right tackle Lane Johnson wasn’t exactly in the mood to talk about how quarterback Jalen Hurts and the passing game performed. His focus was on something—or rather, someone—else. Specifically, the threat that was looming on the field: T.J. Watt.
“Don’t bother asking me about that,” Johnson said, grinning. “When I’m on the field, you’ve got to understand, my eyes are on that guy. Like, 90.” He was referring to none other than the six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, T.J. Watt, a formidable force on the Steelers' defense.
Heading into the matchup, Johnson was well aware of the challenge awaiting him. Watt entered the game with 9½ sacks for the season, leading the Steelers’ defense. Everyone knew that most of the night, Watt would be lining up across from Johnson, one of the best right tackles in the league. But despite the pressure, Coach Nick Sirianni had unwavering confidence in Johnson’s ability to handle Watt. “Lane gives you a lot of confidence going into the game,” Sirianni said after the game. “Because rushers in the NFL don’t come much better than Watt. He’s one of the best players in the NFL, and Lane’s one of the best players in the NFL. Anytime two of the top players at their positions go head-to-head, it’s always special.”
As it turns out, Sirianni’s confidence wasn’t misplaced. Even though Watt managed to record five pressures, including two sacks, Johnson held his own. According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson allowed just one pressure, which wasn’t one of those two sacks. His excellent pass-blocking efforts helped Hurts stay clean, allowing the quarterback to go 25-of-32 for 290 yards and two touchdowns, proving Johnson’s vital role in the offense’s success.
It wasn’t just a standout performance for Johnson; it was an extension of his season-long dominance. Throughout 13 games, Johnson has only allowed a total of eight pressures, which is the lowest among all offensive tackles in the league who’ve played at least 780 blocking snaps. That’s a staggering stat when you consider the caliber of opponents he faces week in and week out. Sirianni was quick to highlight Johnson’s consistency, saying, “Lane played an outstanding game against a phenomenal player. It’s always a boost to have him out there, week in and week out.”
However, the win wasn’t without its challenges. The Eagles suffered a loss on the offensive line when left guard Landon Dickerson went down with a knee injury. Dickerson, who is just 26, was injured on the final play of the first half after colliding awkwardly with Hurts during a sack by Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith. Though Dickerson tried to keep moving during halftime, riding a stationary bike and staying on the sidelines, he was ultimately sidelined for the remainder of the game. At Monday’s press conference, Sirianni had little to offer in terms of updates. “We’re still going through our process, and we’ll know more on Wednesday,” Sirianni said, acknowledging that the severity of Dickerson’s injury was still unknown.
With Dickerson sidelined, second-year offensive lineman Tyler Steen stepped in to take over. While his first possession in the second half was a bit rocky—he drew two holding penalties on the Eagles’ opening drive—he ultimately settled in. Steen allowed only one pressure on 21 pass-blocking opportunities, a solid performance in a high-pressure situation. Sirianni was complimentary of Steen’s play, stating, “That’s not an easy game to step into, especially against a team like the Steelers. But Tyler did a nice job, and he helped us get the victory.”
While the offense was handling its own challenges, the defense wasn’t without its drama. One of the most intense moments came late in the fourth quarter when rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 draft, earned a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness. Carter, showing his signature aggressive play, swatted at Steelers tight end Connor Heyward’s head after a punt. At first, the officials threw the penalty flag, which would’ve brought the Steelers’ offense back on the field. However, upon review, the penalty was ruled to have occurred after the punt, meaning the Eagles offense would take possession at their own 3-yard line.
Carter’s undisciplined play led to a heated exchange on the sideline with Sirianni, caught on camera for all to see. But while the exchange seemed tense, it was rooted in a desire to push Carter to refine his approach. “We correct everything,” Sirianni said on Monday, reflecting on the exchange. “I wanted to make sure he understood where I was coming from. But I also knew Clint [Hurtt], our defensive line coach, had already talked to him. So I wasn’t too worried.”
The situation resolved quickly after Sirianni and Carter shared a “moment” on the sideline, a reconciliatory hug that seemed to clear the air. Sirianni explained that his frustration came from a place of wanting Carter to channel his relentless energy into actions that benefited the team. “I know how good Jalen Carter wants to be. I know how aggressive he plays. My message to him is always: Be aggressive, be physical, but within the rules.”
As the Eagles closed out the game and celebrated their victory, it was clear that the win was a team effort. From Johnson’s stellar performance against Watt to Steen stepping up in Dickerson’s absence, and even Carter learning from his mistake, the Eagles showed resilience in multiple areas. These are the kinds of performances that solidify a championship contender—a team that doesn’t just rely on its stars but also on the collective strength of its roster.
In the end, the Eagles were victorious, and while the spotlight might have been on Hurts and the offense, it was Lane Johnson and the rest of the Eagles' line, along with a defense that delivered when it mattered most, who made sure the victory was secured. The Eagles are proving that they are a force to be reckoned with, not only because of their star power but also because of their depth and the ability to handle adversity when it arises.
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