The Eagles need to show that the noise that started Week 15 is behind them against. Steelers

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles insist their focus is on Week 15 and the impending visit of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, and that Brandon Graham’s poorly delivered remarks earlier in the week put out the fire.

We’ll see soon enough if this distraction left no trace of smoldering embers during the 4:25 p.m. kickoff.

Saquon Barkley grew up less than 100 miles from his former home with the Giants, MetLife Stadium and the home of the Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field. He learned this week that the noise doesn’t take long to spread.

“I was a part of Philly, part of New York,” the Eagles running back said. “Something has to happen. There has to be some sort of entertainment, but at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what we think in this locker room, how we operate in this locker room.

“Our job is to come here and answer questions, but respectfully, what you say, the stories or the narrative created by the media in general doesn’t matter if we believe in this locker room. There is a That’s why we’re 11-2 and have won nine in a row and we have a tough opponent coming in, and we’re going to try to do the same thing.

Receiver AJ Brown played a role in lighting the fire. After last week’s win over the Panthers, he said the passing game wasn’t holding up its end of the bargain on offense. He wasn’t wrong. Some, like Graham, thought Brown was pointing the finger at quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Graham said Brown and Hurts’ friendship isn’t as strong as it was before Brown arrived in a trade in 2022. Brown and Hurts said their relationship is good. It might not be what it was before they became teammates, but it’s enough to keep winning.

“We’re not here for the feelings,” Brown said. “We’re not here to hold everyone’s hand. We go here to try to do our job and hold everyone accountable. …We are trying to delay the Lombardi Trophy. That’s the end goal. Who cares if they want to spin it and perceive me as the bad guy? Do I throw someone under the bus? Who cares? It’s about what we’re trying to do in the end.

Expect the Eagles to do what they can against the Steelers to get Hurts into a rhythm in the passing game, whether it’s a quick and easy throw, like slants to Brown or DeVonta Smith, freeing up Barkley and Kenny Gainwell for a few short throws, and a tight screen or two to Grant Calcaterra.

“I’m just finding that rhythm,” Hurts said when asked what’s best he can do to fix it. “A question of rhythm is important. It takes a collective group in how we approach things, what we do and how we attack people and ultimately knowing my job and doing my job.

Brown said it wasn’t all because of Hurts.

“It was a protection, it was a blockade,” he said. “Maybe it was a read on Jalen’s part. Maybe it was because we were opening up quicker, being where we need to be. It’s about timing. That doesn’t mean that the sky is falling on our heads with our passing game But it’s something to be aware of, to focus on, to improve in the moment we have.

Added left tackle Jordan Mailata: “People want to blame everything on Jalen, but the blame shouldn’t be placed on him. Are we giving him enough time to complete his readings? Do the receptors open? It’s a collective effort. And then you wonder if coaching is the right program? You know, there’s a few reasons why our passing game isn’t as good as it used to be, but we’re working on it and it’s great. I’m excited for this week”

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