Field goal in final seconds lifts Steelers past Eagles

• Shaun Suisham kicks a 34-yard field goal as time expires to lift the Steelers
• Michael Vick fumbled three times, losing two, and has lost 11 turnovers in five games
• Philadelphia has four turnovers in the red zone this season

PITTSBURGH -- Kurt Coleman doesn't mind the turnovers of Philadelphia Eagles teammate Michael Vick, which contributed to a 16-14 loss Sunday to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"We relish in the opportunities to get on the field and make plays," the Eagles safety said when asked if Vick's costly fumbles were deflating. "It gets us more stats. We enjoy it."

It's hard to say whether Coleman genuinely doesn't mind, or he's being supportive of a teammate. One thing's for sure: He's in the minority.

Vick didn't throw an interception, but he fumbled three times, losing two. The worst one for the Eagles came on a designed Vick sprint to the goal line in the first quarter. He fumbled as he was tackled at the 1-yard line, and the Steelers recovered in the end zone. They won three quarters later with Shaun Suisham's field goal as time expired.

It frustrated Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, who earned 80 yards rushing and receiving combined in a return to Pittsburgh, where he played in college at Pitt. He saw the goal-line fumble as a big momentum swing.

"That contributed to the loss," he said. "You need to at least score three. We have to stop it."

Vick, criticized for his ball control in every game but one this season, had few answers.

"I don't have any explanation," Vick said. "I've never had a problem with fumbling before. It was one of those things. Everything happens for a reason, and if it was meant to be, I wouldn't have fumbled at the goal line."

Reasons. Explanations. It's all been hard to come by when it comes to the Eagles (3-2). Three times before Sunday, Vick and the offense had sputtered early, only to put together a game-winning drive late. In one game he threw four interceptions.

In contrast, the Steelers offense, while largely unproductive, held onto the ball.

Ben Roethlisberger wasn't sacked by Philadelphia's pass rush. He passed for 207 yards and led the game-winning touchdown drive in the final minutes. He did come away with a statistical blemish: A first-half shotgun snap flew beyond his grasp and he was credited with a fumble.

Pittsburgh improves to 2-2 in the competitive AFC North, and this win helps remedy a 34-31 upset loss to the Oakland Raiders two weeks ago, before the Steelers' bye week.

Said Roethlisberger, "We know we need to get better in certain areas, but a win's a win."

Before Sunday, Vick's problems seemed to go away a week before with a 19-17 victory vs. the New York Giants. A passing touchdown, 241 yards through the air and no turnovers. Then came Sunday's collapse, making it five fumbles and six interceptions in five games.

Vick says he'll protect the ball better, but he's been saying that for weeks. How many times can ball security at the game's paramount position undermine what's been one of the league's best defenses?

"We just didn't execute when we needed to execute," Eagles defensive end Trent Cole said. "You can't have mistakes and turnovers and go out there and win games. You have to go out there and be mistake-free. That's what great teams do."

And if Vick can't play mistake-free football, how long before the Philadelphia Eagles go a different direction?

Perhaps one of Vick's saving graces is the alternative: Unproven rookie Nick Foles. The Arizona product had a nice preseason, but that's where his NFL resume tails off.

Reid took a simplistic view of Vick's struggles Sunday, though more insight into the coach's plans could be forthcoming. After a Week 3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, he gave what sounded like a tepid endorsement of Vick as his starter and later said it was misinterpreted.

He didn't leave any wiggle room with his words Sunday.

"The turnovers early hurt us," he said. "You can't do that on the road against a good football team. You just can't."