These teams meet every four years in the regular season, and Pittsburgh won at home 38-29 last October. The home team has won each of the last five meetings dating back to an Eagles overtime win in Pittsburgh on November 12, 2000.
Steelers Get Another Look at Backup QB’s
For the second straight week, all that future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will do in this one is standing on the sideline with a clipboard. The Steelers will split quarterback reps between Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins, and Joshua Dobbs. None were great last week as the Steelers were shut out in the first half before winning 16-3.
Rudolph started against the Cowboys and will likely start against the Eagles as well. He was 6-for-9 for 84 yards and no points before giving way to Haskins. The former first-rounder was 8-for-13 for 54 yards while Dobbs threw for a touchdown pass, going 4-for-6 for 37 yards.
The Steelers gave the ball to 2021 first-round pick Najee Harris seven times against the Cowboys, and the former Alabama running back accounted for 22 yards. Kalen Ballage ran for a touchdown against the Cowboys. Starting wideout Chase Claypool hauled in three passes for 62 yards, but JuJu Smith-Schuster didn’t play and likely won’t again this week.
Pittsburgh’s defense was the story of the opener as they limited Dallas to three points while forcing four fumbles and recording an interception. The fearsome front seven picked up four sacks as well and will look to chase the Eagles quarterbacks all over the field Thursday.
Eagles Get a Look at Hurts
New coach Nick Sirianni has already said that Jalen Hurts will get action in the opener with a lot of the starters on the field for the beginning. One player we won’t see is the 2021 first-round pick and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith who has a knee injury.
Hurts will need his line to keep him clean in however many drives he leads Thursday before turning the ball over to veteran Joe Flacco. The former Ravens, Broncos, and Jets signal-caller is attempting to hold off Nick Mullens to be the Eagles’ backup. Mullens started eight games last season for the 49ers and threw for nearly 2,500 yards.
The Eagles’ wideouts have long been a struggle, and that will be a question mark while Smith is injured. Whoever plays quarterback needs Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward, and J.J Arcega-Whiteside to finally step up. Doing so against Steelers corners Joe Haden and Cameron Sutton is an even bigger challenge.
Philadelphia’s defense added rookies Milton Williams and Marlon Tuipulotu to the defensive line and will be challenged by Harris and the Steelers starting offensive line. Both are battling to backup veterans Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham, with Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat, and Derek Barnett also on the veteran line.
Betting Analysis
- Steelers +1 (-110). Moneyline +100
- Eagles -1 (-110). Moneyline -120
- Total 35 points. Under +100. Over -120.
The Steelers already have a game under their belt, and they have the better defense and depth. This game is mostly for bragging rights in the state between Eagles and Steelers fans as both teams just want to get some experience and get through uninjured. Look for Pittsburgh to take care of the ball and win the game.
FREE PICK: Steelers moneyline (+100)