McLane: So far, everything going Pederson's way

Now is not the time to wonder how the Eagles will respond to adversity. Now is not the time to question how Doug Pederson will handle a deficit, or a defeat, or a losing streak, or a locker room in turmoil.

Now is not the time after the Eagles whipped the Steelers, 34-3, on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, and put the rest of the NFL on alert. For days, the message from the punditry has been one of caution following lopsided wins over the suspect Browns and Bears.

Wait till the Eagles play Pittsburgh, a team with legitimate playoff and Super Bowl aspirations, and then we'll know. A loss wouldn't necessarily be a devastating one for a young team with a rookie quarterback, but it would put a 2-0 start in perspective. A win, however, would authenticate a team that entered the season with low expectations.

But what about a blowout? Hardly anyone foresaw the possibility. But to watch it unfold before your eyes would make even the most cynical a believer.

Yes, of course, Carson Wentz would throw for over 300 yards and for two touchdowns without a mistake.

And, naturally, Darren Sproles would uncork a 73-yard touchdown catch and run and lead the Eagles in receiving, while rookie running back Wendell Smallwood would top all rushers - including the NFL-leading DeAngelo Williams of Steelers - on the ground.

And, obviously, Jim Schwartz's defense would keep Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and the potent Pittsburgh offense out of the end zone.

And, finally, it would be Pederson, and not two-time Super Bowl-winning Mike Tomlin, who would outclass his coaching counterpart.

Pederson took his lumps when the Eagles hired him, somewhat unexpectedly, in January. He had never been a head coach at any level above high school. He had only been a coordinator for three years and had never even called an entire game. He had worked for only one man - Andy Reid.

And then he spoke and then there were concerns about how he would handle split-second decisions. He gave an awkward answer about the Chiefs' clock management in their playoff loss to the Patriots. He later didn't know how many channels he could have on his head coach headset. He seemed to be following the Reid blueprint step by step.

But Pederson has shown that he isn't a clone of his mentor. He has been adaptable in his play-calling. He has been egoless and has delegated to an experienced staff. And he has been authentic the entire way.

"It comes very natural to him because of the quality of person that he is," Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich said. "When you have that kind of integrity and that kind of character, you just can't fake that. I just think it creates a good dynamic for all of us working together as a staff."

Football isn't quantum physics, as much as Chip Kelly wanted to make it seem that way. Geniuses might make for good coaches, but it doesn't take that level of intellect to lead a team of 53 players and 20 assistants.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie took some gentle ribbing for his "emotional intelligence" comment when asked for the characteristics he looked for in the coach that would succeed the just-fired Kelly. But after a small sample of games, Pederson's temperament appears to be just what the NovaCare Complex needed.

"It's a fun place to work," Reich said. "He's a fun coach to work with. He has a clear vision, but yet, he accepts a lot of input."

Reich helps to craft the offensive game plan, but line coach Jeff Stoutland and other voices are heard. Pederson has given Wentz leeway despite his relative inexperience. But the coach has been in those quarterback shoes. It has to make a difference.

"The communication we have is so clear and it's just an open mind," Wentz said. "He really respects my opinion about plays, if I'm feeling something. He instills a lot of confidence in me and that's huge, especially for a young quarterback."

Tomlin even noted the work the Eagles have done with Wentz. The rookie deserves the bulk of credit for his play. And, frankly, he probably warrants as much recognition as anyone, save for maybe Schwartz, for the Eagles' 3-0 start. A top-flight quarterback can cover a lot of mistakes.

But Pederson has called three straight solid games. The Eagles clearly wanted to establish the screen game early, but two misdirection screens caught the Steelers flat-footed, especially a 40-yard pass to Darren Sproles on the opening drive.

"Their screen game was exceptional," Tomlin said.

Just like Wentz's improvisational 73-yard hookup with Sproles, Pederson has been successful at ad-libbing during games. The playbook is diverse enough that Pederson can extemporize and can set up several plays out of various formations.

"There's four or five calls a game that he makes that he gets an instinct on, goes off script, to make something, and most of the time those have been working out," Reich said. "Those don't always work out, but they have been so far."

So far . . .

Pederson has been near-perfect in managing games, but there may come a time when his failed challenge and loss of a timeout could come back to haunt him. And there may come a time when his laid-back demeanor with the players could backfire. The Eagles are unlikely to go 16-0, after all.

"When you're winning, it's obviously easy to buy in," veteran tight end Brent Celek said. "It's all about how we react to losing."

But now it's not the time, even if obstacles lay ahead.

"You're only as good as the last game," Pederson said, his voice hoarse. "Anything can happen in the NFL."

It happened here. The unheralded Eagles smoked the Steelers. And, right now, that's more than good enough.

jmclane@phillynews.com

@Jeff_McLane