Game story
In Week 3 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-09-21, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 15–6 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) paced the passing game, with -7.48 total EPA, and +2.3% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, H. Baskett (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.67 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-13.0% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Philadelphia Eagles changed the game: (9:39) 5-D.McNabb pass short right to 29-T.Hunt to PIT 20 for 5 yards (20-B.McFadden; 51-J.Farrior). PHI-29-T.Hunt was injured during the play. He is Out. Pittsburgh challenged the runner was down by
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 0 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 H. Baskett · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +7.67 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
- 2 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.96 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
- 3 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.81 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
- 4 N. Washington · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.11 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
- 5 J. Avant · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.74 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.37 EPA/play
- 6 C. Buckhalter · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.50 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 7 D. Jackson · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.12 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 8 S. Holmes · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.95 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
H. Baskett — PHI · Receiving
H. Baskett posted the highest total EPA (+7.67) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Philadelphia Eagles's efficiency. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.96 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.59 EPA) came from Pittsburgh Steelers: (6:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 45 for -6 yards (75-J.Parker). FUMBLES (75-J.Parker) [75-J.Parker], RECOVERED by PHI-97-B.Bunkley at PIT 45. 97-B.Bunkley to PIT 45 for no gain (83-H.Miller).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Philadelphia Eagles — C. Buckhalter (D. McNabb pass)
Field goals
- Pittsburgh Steelers — G. Warren
- Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers
- Pittsburgh Steelers — G. Warren
- Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the PHI 19 (Q1 47:55) — (2:55) 3-Je.Reed 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger..
The second quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 10–3. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the PIT 20 (Q2 39:31) — (9:31) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short left to 28-C.Buckhalter for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 39:23) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the PIT 13 (Q2 32:40) — (2:40) 2-D.Akers 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the PHI 36 (Q2 30:16) — (:16) 3-Je.Reed 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger..
The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 5–0. Philadelphia Eagles registered a safety from the PHI 95 (Q4 8:06); Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the PIT 13 (Q4 2:30) — (2:30) 2-D.Akers 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 54:39) — (9:39) 5-D.McNabb pass short right to 29-T.Hunt to PIT 20 for 5 yards (20-B.McFadden; 51-J.Farrior). PHI-29-T.Hunt was injured during the play. He is Out. Pittsburgh challenged the runner was down by
- Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 55:21) — (10:21) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass deep right to 81-J.Avant to PIT 25 for 19 yards (25-R.Clark).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 16:55) — (1:55) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 86-H.Ward to PHI 36 for 16 yards (26-L.Sheppard, 27-Q.Mikell).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 36:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 45 for -6 yards (75-J.Parker). FUMBLES (75-J.Parker) [75-J.Parker], RECOVERED by PHI-97-B.Bunkley at PIT 45. 97-B.Bunkley to PIT 45 for no gain (83-H.
- Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 28:16) — (13:16) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short right intended for 82-L.Smith INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at PHI 49. 43-T.Polamalu to PHI 49 for no gain (69-J.Runyan). Philadelphia challenged the pass completi
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 36:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 45 for -6 yards (75-J.Parker). FUMBLES (75-J.Parker) [75-J.Parker], RECOVERED by PHI-97-B.Bunkley at PIT 45. 97-B.Bunkley to PIT 45 for no gain (83-H.
- Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 54:39) — (9:39) 5-D.McNabb pass short right to 29-T.Hunt to PIT 20 for 5 yards (20-B.McFadden; 51-J.Farrior). PHI-29-T.Hunt was injured during the play. He is Out. Pittsburgh challenged the runner was down by
- Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 28:16) — (13:16) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short right intended for 82-L.Smith INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at PHI 49. 43-T.Polamalu to PHI 49 for no gain (69-J.Runyan). Philadelphia challenged the pass completi
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 3:39) — (3:39) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 18 for -5 yards (20-B.Dawkins). FUMBLES (20-B.Dawkins), RECOVERED by PHI-20-B.Dawkins at PIT 18. 20-B.Dawkins to PIT 18 for no gain (7-B.Roethlisberge
Quarterback report card
D.McNabb led all passers in efficiency for Philadelphia Eagles, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) · 39 dropbacks · 61.5% completion · +2.3% CPOE · -0.19 EPA/play · -7.48 total EPA
- B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 37 dropbacks · 35.1% completion · -7.1% CPOE · -0.39 EPA/play · -14.46 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Pittsburgh Steelers | Philadelphia Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.212 | -0.106 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.0% | 45.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.339 | -0.251 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.389 | -0.166 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.106 | +0.212 |
| Defensive success rate | 54.4% | 59.0% |
By the numbers
Philadelphia Eagles held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.11 vs -0.21), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Philadelphia Eagles: 13 drives, -8.38 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, -16.53 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Philadelphia Eagles leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- H. Baskett (Philadelphia Eagles) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 47:55 · PHI 19 · Score 3-0
(2:55) 3-Je.Reed 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger. - Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 39:31 · PIT 20 · Score 3-6
(9:31) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short left to 28-C.Buckhalter for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 39:23 · PIT 2 · Score 3-7
2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca. - Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 32:40 · PIT 13 · Score 3-10
(2:40) 2-D.Akers 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 30:16 · PHI 36 · Score 6-10
(:16) 3-Je.Reed 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger. - Philadelphia Eagles Safety (+2) — Q4 8:06 · PHI 95 · Score 6-12
(8:06) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete. PENALTY on PIT-7-B.Roethlisberger, Intentional Grounding, 5 yards, enforced in End Zone, SAFETY. - Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q4 2:30 · PIT 13 · Score 6-15
(2:30) 2-D.Akers 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Philadelphia Eagles?
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 15-6 in Week 3, 2008 on 2008-09-21.
What was the final score of Pittsburgh Steelers vs Philadelphia Eagles?
The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers 6, Philadelphia Eagles 15 (PIT 6-15 PHI) in Week 3, 2008 on 2008-09-21.
What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Philadelphia Eagles?
Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Philadelphia Eagles 0; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Philadelphia Eagles 10; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Philadelphia Eagles 5; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 6, Philadelphia Eagles 15.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Philadelphia Eagles?
Philadelphia Eagles touchdown — C. Buckhalter (D. McNabb pass) (Q2 39:31) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — G. Warren (Q1 47:55, 3 pts) Philadelphia Eagles field goal — D. Akers (Q2 32:40, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — G. Warren (Q2 30:16, 3 pts) Philadelphia Eagles field goal — D. Akers (Q4 2:30, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Philadelphia Eagles?
D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles), 61.5% completion, +2.3% CPOE, -0.19 EPA per dropback, -7.48 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 35.1% completion, -7.1% CPOE, -0.39 EPA per dropback, -14.46 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Philadelphia Eagles?
H. Baskett (Philadelphia Eagles) led the game in total EPA with +7.67 on receiving plays. across 8 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.59 EPA): (6:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 45 for -6 yards (75-J.Parker). FUMBLES (75-J.Parker) [75-J.Parker], RECOVERED by PHI-97-B.Bunkley at PIT 45. 97-B.Bunkley to PIT 4. The biggest win-probability swing was -13.0%.
Season records after this game
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 2-0 Now 2-1 L
Philadelphia Eagles
Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W
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