PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts absorbed the shots when the Eagles' recent anemic passing attack was panned by his own star wide receivers. Hurts and A.J. Brown — one of those receivers who brought the complaints to a boil — then had their relationship dissected and thrown under the bus by a teammate, the type of locker room criticism that can unravel a franchise.
Or maybe, the touchy internal evaluation was exactly the kind of incentive Philadelphia needed to flex its superiority in a cross-state showdown with a playoff-bound opponent.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts after a touchdown pass to teammate Pat Freiermuth during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) pulls in the ball for a touchdown in front of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrates his touchdown with teammates Jalen Hurts (1) and DeVonta Smith during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (68) reacts after a touchdown by Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers' Patrick Queen (6) and Damontae Kazee (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt reacts after sacking Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
“Every opportunity to get better, you use,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “I’m not for one minute saying that all the turmoil on the outside was a good thing. We want to make sure that we’re locked into what we’re doing, and that’s what I felt like.”
Hurts threw touchdown passes to Brown and DeVonta Smith to mute scrutiny of the Eagles' offense, and Philadelphia won its franchise-record 10th straight game, 27-13 over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
“So that’s what you all wanted to see?” said Hurts, who confirmed he was playing with a broken finger on his non-throwing hand.
Philly's recent friction wasn't fan- or media-driven at all — like a horror movie, the sounds were coming from inside the house.
Hurts and the Eagles’ offense made the big plays a week after both Smith and Brown griped about a lack of catches in a win over Carolina. Later in the week, injured defensive end Brandon Graham appeared on a Philadelphia sports radio station and suggested there were personal issues at play between Hurts and Brown.
Hurts, who threw for 290 yards and after not topping 200 in any of the last three games, tried to squash any perceived in-house dissention on the opening drive. He connected with Smith twice and Brown once, leading to Jake Elliott’s 34-yard field goal.
“Scrutiny is never-ending. It’s nothing new,” Hurts said. “That’s something that I find a thrill in. I appreciate being told I can’t and that we can’t. I know that I lead this team, and it takes a lot out of it. It demands a lot out of you.”
Brown, who walked gingerly on the sideline late in the game, had eight catches for 110 yards, and Smith had 11 for 109 yards a week after they combined for only eight catches and 80 yards.
“Behind closed doors, we talked about it,” Brown said. “We called each other out. It was very uncomfortable because we don’t want to feel like we’re getting attacked.”
Hurts hit Brown late in the first quarter for a 5-yard TD — the pair celebrated with the Kid ’N Play dance — and connected with Smith on a 2-yard score in the second for a 17-3 lead.
“That was our moment to tell everybody to shut up,” Brown said.
Eagles running back Saquon Barkey’s chase of the NFL season rushing record was slowed when he ran for just 65 yards on 19 carries. Barkley, who still leads the NFL with 1,688 yards, took a low hit from Pittsburgh’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and missed most of the second quarter. Barkley said his right knee was fine and he wasn't injured on Fitzpatrick's hit.
Hurts also had a rushing touchdown on a tush push for the Eagles (12-2), who were denied a shot a clinching the NFC East when Washington beat New Orleans earlier in the day. AFC North-leading Pittsburgh (10-4) lost for the second time in nine games but clinched a playoff spot thanks to losses by Miami and Indianapolis.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said the playoff berth wasn't all that important under the circumstances.
“Not as I stand here today. We had a game to play today. We wanted to win it and we didn’t,” he said. “Some of that other stuff is less relevant to us.”
The Steelers lost star linebacker T.J Watt to an ankle injury after he chased down Hurts in the fourth quarter. Watt, who leads the Steelers with 11 1/2 sacks, said he was in “wait-and-see” mode for next week's division showdown at Baltimore. The 30-year-old former defensive player of the year came away with a rolled ankle that he didn’t necessarily believe was a serious injury.
Pittsburgh's Russell Wilson was stymied by the Eagles' defense and threw for a season-low 128 yards. He threw a 9-yard TD pass to Pat Freiermuth while falling to 6-1 lifetime against the Eagles.
It was clear the Steelers missed wide receiver George Pickens, who leads the team in receptions (55) and yards receiving (850) by a wide margin. He missed a second straight game with a hamstring injury.
The Steelers haven’t won at Philadelphia since Oct. 24, 1965.
Wilson botched a pitch to Najee Harris in the third quarter and the Eagles recovered. That led to Hurts' score on a 1-yard tush push for a 27-13 lead.
It was the first time the teams — among the original eight in the NFL — played each other when both had a double-digit win total. But this meeting wasn't all that competitive.
Chris Boswell kicked field goals of 37 and 49 yards and became Pittsburgh's season leader in field goals with 38.
Barkley needs 418 yards over the final three games to top Eric Dickerson’s 40-year-old NFL record. Dickerson rushed for 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. His rushing total was his second worst this season.
Steelers: CB Donte Jackson sustained a back injury. ... Backup QB Justin Fields had an abdominal injury.
Eagles: S Sydney Brown suffered a concussion on a hit during the opening kickoff. ... LG Landon Dickerson suffered a knee injury.
Steelers: At Baltimore on Saturday in a key AFC North matchup.
Eagles: At Washington next Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts after a touchdown pass to teammate Pat Freiermuth during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) pulls in the ball for a touchdown in front of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrates his touchdown with teammates Jalen Hurts (1) and DeVonta Smith during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (68) reacts after a touchdown by Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers' Patrick Queen (6) and Damontae Kazee (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt reacts after sacking Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean law enforcement authorities are pushing to summon impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning over his short-lived martial law decree as the Constitutional Court began its first meeting Monday on Yoon’s case to determine whether to remove him from office or reinstate him.
A joint investigative team involving police, an anti-corruption agency and the Defense Ministry said it plans to convey a request to Yoon’s office that he appear for questioning on Wednesday, as they expand a probe into whether his ill-conceived power grab amounted to rebellion.
Son Yeong-jo, an investigator with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, said the team plans to question Yoon on charges of rebellion and abuse of power. He declined to provide specifics when asked how investigators would respond if Yoon refuses to appear.
Son said the team tried to deliver the summons request to the presidential office but was rerouted to Yoon’s personal residence after presidential secretarial staff claimed they were unsure whether conveying the request to the impeached president was part of their duties.
Yoon was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Saturday over his Dec. 3 martial law decree. His presidential powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him. If Yoon is dismissed, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days.
Yoon has justified his martial law enforcement as a necessary act of governance against the main liberal opposition Democratic Party that he described as “anti-state forces” bogging down his agendas and vowed to “fight to the end” against efforts to remove him from office.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters have poured onto the streets of the country’s capital, Seoul, in recent days, calling for Yoon’s ouster and arrest.
It remains unclear whether Yoon will grant the request by investigators for an interview. South Korean prosecutors, who are pushing a separate investigation into the incident, also reportedly asked Yoon to appear at a prosecution office for questioning on Sunday but he refused to do so. Repeated calls to a prosecutors’ office in Seoul were unanswered.
Yoon’s presidential security service has also resisted a police attempt to search Yoon's office for evidence.
The request came before the Constitutional Court met Monday to discuss the case. The court has up to 180 days to rule. But observers say that a court ruling could come faster.
In the case of parliamentary impeachments of past presidents — Roh Moo-hyun in 2004 and Park Geun-hye in 2016 — the court spent 63 days and 91 days respectively before determining to reinstate Roh and dismiss Park.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who became the country’s acting leader after Yoon's impeachment, and other government officials have sought to reassure allies and markets after Yoon’s surprise stunt paralyzed politics, halted high-level diplomacy and complicated efforts to revive a faltering economy.
Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung urged the Constitutional Court to rule swiftly on Yoon’s impeachment and proposed a special council for policy cooperation between the government and parliament.
Lee, a firebrand lawmaker who drove a political offensive against Yoon’s government, is seen as the frontrunner to replace him. He lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon by a razor-thin margin.
Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader of Yoon’s conservative People Power Party, separately criticized Lee’s proposal for the special council, saying that it’s “not right” for the opposition party to act like the ruling party.
Yoon’s impeachment, which was endorsed in parliament by some of his ruling People Power Party lawmakers, has created a deep rift within the party between Yoon’s loyalists and his opponents. On Monday, PPP chair Han Dong-hun, a strong critic of Yoon's martial law, announced his resignation.
“If martial law had not been lifted that night, a bloody incident could have erupted that morning between the citizens who would have taken to the streets and our young soldiers,” Han told a news conference.
Yoon’s Dec. 3 imposition of martial law, the first of its kind in more than four decades, harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders the country has not seen since the 1980s. Yoon was forced to lift his decree hours later after parliament unanimously voted to overturn it.
Yoon sent hundreds of troops and police officers to the parliament in an effort to stop the vote, but they withdrew after the parliament rejected Yoon’s decree. No major violence occurred.
Opposition parties have accused Yoon of rebellion, saying a president in South Korea is allowed to declare martial law only during wartime or similar emergencies and would have no right to suspend parliament’s operations even in those cases.
South Korea's ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hun speaks during a news conference to announce his resignation after President Yoon Suk Yeol's parliamentary impeachment, at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
South Korea's ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hun reacts during a news conference to announce his resignation after President Yoon Suk Yeol's parliamentary impeachment, at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Participants shout slogans during a rally calling on the Constitutional Court to dismiss the President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The signs read "Immediately arrest." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Participants shout slogans during a rally calling on the Constitutional Court to dismiss the President Yoon Suk Yeol, in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The signs read "Immediately arrest." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Participants shout slogans during a rally calling on the Constitutional Court to dismiss the President Yoon Suk Yeol, in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The signs read "Immediately arrest." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
In this photo released by South Korean President Office via Yonhap, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol bows while delivering a speech at the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, after South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach Yoon Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (South Korean Presidential Office/Yonhap via AP)
South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during a press conference on removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, at the party office at the National Assembly building in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Participants hold signs during a rally calling on the Constitutional Court to dismiss the President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The signs read "Immediately arrest." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)