The first half of the Steelers’ second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles has been as great as their first preseason game against the Washington Redskins was bad. The Steelers have played very well almost across the board, producing offensively and sacking Michael Vick three times, en route to a score of 21-0 at halftime.
Both Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich have been effective in leading the Pittsburgh offense. Roethlisberger passed to Antonio Brown for a 29-yard score in the first quarter, then to Hines Ward for a 20-yard score in the second. Leftwich entered the game with about nine minutes left in the second half and ended up with a 20-yard touchdown pass to newcomer Jerricho Cotchery.
Meanwhile, Vick did not look sharp, and Ryan Clark, Keenan Lewis (having a much-needed good game) and Troy Polamalu all intercepted him. The Eagles’ offense hardly ever seemed to be on the field at all, in fact.
The Steelers’ running game, led by Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman, was also effective in the first half, as the Steelers picked up 93 yards on the ground.
Cotchery, making his Steelers debut, had two receptions for 49 yards, along with the score, in the first half.
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