Eagles vs Steelers Studs & Duds

The Eagles 16-14 loss in Pittsburgh wasn't anywhere near as ugly as the debacle in Arizona. It wasn't exactly pretty either.

The offense was below average, the defense was average and the special teams were their usual self (which means poor). Michael Vick turned it over, Nnamdi Asomugha was targeted often and penalized, and the Eagles' rookies finally played like rookies. It all added up to a rather distasteful defeat that featured a select few studs and fair share of duds.

So here we go. Again, thanks for voting.

People's Dud

Michael Vick - It all comes down to turnovers. Take away the fumble at the goal line in the first quarter and Vick likely is your choice as the stud. Think about it: Vick completed 67 percent of his passes (20-of-30) for 175 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a quarterback rating of 104.2. When the Eagles trailed in the fourth quarter, he led them on a 17-play, 8:18 drive that ended with a two-yard TD pass to Brent Celek. Yet you deservedly voted him as the dud. If the Eagles defense would have stopped the Steelers you would probably be reading right now how insanely clutch Vick has been late in games this season. Two lost fumbles in the first half. That's how thin the line between stud and dud is for an NFL quarterback.

Raanan's Dud

Trent Cole - The Pro Bowl defensive end was invisible on Sunday afternoon. No pressures, no sacks, no knockdowns, nothing. One measly tackle. As a matter of fact, Cole - usually a strong starter - has been quietly unspectacular all season. He was especially quiet in Pittsburgh even though he was matched against Max Starks, one of the league's worst left tackles. Cole didn't make plays against the pass or the run as both Ben Roethlisberger and Rashard Mendenhall had their way with the Eagles defense once the Steelers stopped killing themselves. Cole, who has just 1.5 sacks this season, played one of his worst games as an Eagle. It's no surprise the Eagles had Philip Hunt and Darryl Tapp on the field for some snaps on the game's final drive.

People's Stud

LeSean McCoy - This really appeared to be a lack of other viable choices selection. McCoy had one of his quietest game of the season in his old stomping grounds. He caught four passes for 27 yards and one touchdown, and had 16 carries for 53 yards (3.3 ypc) on the ground. Not your typical Shady day's work, although he did break a few Steeler ankles along the way. I did notice, however, that his blocking was much improved from the previous two weeks. McCoy had one of his better afternoons picking up blitzers and keeping them away from his quarterback.

Raanan's Stud

Colt Anderson - You know the pickings were slim when one stop from the special teams ace merits acknowledgement as the stud. But that's where we stand considering the state of the Eagles kick return coverage and sub-par overall effort in Pittsburgh. Anderson, who has played in just three games this season as he struggles to return from a serious knee injury, tripped the dangerous Chris Rainey at the 8-yard line on the opening kickoff of the second half. It's good to have you back, Colt. The Eagles couldn't stop the Giants from getting to at least the 40 the previous week. Maybe, just maybe, this is a sign of things to come, although Rainey did have a big kick return later in the third quarter.

Jordan Raanan has covered the NFL since 2005. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan, on Facebook or email him at jraanan@hotmail.com.