In an exciting clash of Pennsylvania pride, the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) are set to face off against the Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) this week in the NFL. The last encounter between these two teams ended with a significant victory for the Eagles, who triumphed 23-0 at home in 2022. The Steelers are riding high after a 27-14 victory over the Browns, successfully covering the 6.5-point spread. Meanwhile, the Eagles narrowly defeated the Panthers 22-16 but did not cover as 13.5-point favorites. Currently, the Eagles are favored by 5.5 points in this matchup. The game will kick off at 4:25 PM EST at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, broadcast regionally on FOX.
The anticipation builds for this Pennsylvania rivalry. Continue reading for a prediction on the Steelers vs. Eagles game.
Steelers Show Resilience
The Pittsburgh Steelers are leading the AFC North, boasting an impressive record of six wins in their last seven games. Coach Mike Tomlin’s choice to start veteran quarterback Russell Wilson has paid off, with the team looking forward to a playoff berth unless a drastic downturn occurs. The Steelers hold a two-game lead in their division, with four games remaining, and are four games ahead of the Colts, who are currently on the outside looking in for playoff qualification. In their latest game against Cleveland, Wilson contributed with 158 passing yards and two touchdown passes.
The Steelers have a challenging schedule ahead, prompting tight end Pat Freiermuth to express excitement: “Why not test us before the playoffs, get a feel? They’re all playoff teams we’re playing, so it’ll be great.” This season, Wilson has accumulated 1,784 passing yards, achieving a completion rate of 64.8% with a 12-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. While his running game isn’t as prominent as that of some other quarterbacks, he has managed 44 rushing yards this season. Star running back Najee Harris leads the team with 877 rushing yards and five touchdowns, scoring in his last two outings. George Pickens, the top receiver, has 55 catches for 850 yards and three touchdowns but will miss this game due to injury. Freiermuth adds another 50 receptions for 470 yards and five touchdowns.
Pittsburgh ranks 10th in the league in scoring with an average of 24.8 points per game and stands 5th defensively, allowing only 18.3 points per contest. Linebacker Patrick Queen leads the team with 98 tackles, while safety DeShon Elliott follows closely behind with 96. The Steelers have tallied 32 sacks this season, with T.J. Watt at the forefront, having recorded 9.5 sacks. The defense has also secured 15 interceptions, led by cornerback Donte Jackson with five.
Injury Report:
Questionable: DT Larry Ogunjobi, S DeShon Elliott
Out: WR George Pickens
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Eagles Maintain Dominance
The Philadelphia Eagles have achieved an impressive nine-game winning streak, but not all players are satisfied with their performance. After the recent game against Carolina, wide receiver A.J. Brown emphasized the need for improvement in the passing game, stating it is difficult for receivers to establish a rhythm. In that game, Brown caught four passes for 43 yards. Despite already securing a playoff spot, the Eagles are competing for the top seed in the NFC.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts has amassed 2,602 passing yards this season, placing him 20th in the league. His completion rate is 68.3%, with a 16-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio, making him a dual threat in both the passing and running game. The Eagles have effectively utilized short yardage plays, contributing to 13 rushing touchdowns, and Hurts ranks second on the team with 544 rushing yards. Running back Saquon Barkley recently set a franchise record for rushing yards in a season, now totaling 1,643 yards and 11 touchdowns. Barkley is currently the second favorite in the MVP race, according to FanDuel, with odds of +550, trailing only Josh Allen at -450. A.J. Brown has accumulated 836 receiving yards this season with four touchdowns, while DeVonta Smith has added 553 yards and five touchdowns.
Philadelphia ranks 8th in scoring, averaging 26.3 points per game, and their defense is 4th in the league, allowing just 18.0 points per game. Linebacker Zack Baun leads the team with 129 tackles and has contributed 3.5 of the team’s 37 sacks. The top sack artist is Josh Sweat, who has recorded seven sacks. The defense has intercepted eight passes this season, with cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson and safety Reed Blankenship each grabbing three.
Injury Report:
Questionable: S Reed Blankenship, S Sydney Brown
TE Dallas Goedert was placed on IR last week due to a knee injury.
Best Bets for Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
