The red-hot Philadelphia Eagles (6-0) will play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5) on Sunday. The Steelers are coming off a 16-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday Night Football.
Despite holding the Dolphins scoreless in the second half, the Steelers could not overcome two late interceptions from rookie QB Kenny Pickett. The former Pittsburgh Panthers signal caller finished 32 of 44 for 257 yards with one score and three picks.
Running back Najee Harris finished with under four yards per carry for the sixth time in seven games.
The Eagles enjoyed a bye in Week 7 after beating the Dallas Cowboys two Sundays ago to remain undefeated. Philadelphia became the first team to beat the Cowboys with Cooper Rush under center, intercepting him three times in a 26-17 win.
Philadelphia nearly blew a 20-0 lead, but QB Jalen Hurts put the game on ice with a fourth-quarter touchdown to WR DeVonta Smith. Hurts finished with 155 yards passing and two scores. He played turnover-free football.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Philadelphia Eagles Betting Odds
All Lines Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook
Bet $10 on BetMGM Win $200 if any NFL Team Scores a TD
Tale of the Tape
The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing their worst season of the Mike Tomlin era. Many issues stem from the offseason retirement of future Hall of Fame QB Ben Roethlisberger.
The Steelers front office acquired former first-round pick QB Mitch Trubisky while drafting Kenny Pickett with the 20th pick in last year's draft. But neither of them have been able to navigate the offense to the endzone efficiently.
As a result, Pittsburgh ranks near the bottom of the NFL in passing yards, points, and total yards. Sunday's presumed starter, Pickett, has seven interceptions in four games. The Steelers rushing game has done Pickett no favors, with Najee Harris amongst the worst qualifiers in all rushing metrics.
Outside of LB TJ Watt, the Steelers defense has been uncharacteristically bad. Pittsburgh is 22nd in the NFL in points allowed, the worst mark the Steel Curtain has had since 1988.
However, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Watt, is yet to rule out a Week 8 return, giving the Steelers a little hope. Without him, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has schemed up only six sacks in the last five games.
The Philadelphia Eagles are undefeated for the first time since Donovan McNabb donned the midnight green. The Eagles rank within the top five in points for and against since the Birds won the 2017 Super Bowl.
MVP front-runner Jalen Hurts has been exceptional. He has been a dual threat force, completing 67 percent of his passes for 1,514 yards while adding 293 rushing yards and six scores.
The Eagles have a one-two punch in the receiver room, featuring former Titans star AJ Brown and 2020 Heisman winner DeVonta Smith. In six games, Brown is averaging 15 yards per reception, while Smith is closing in on 400 yards for the year.
The stout Eagles defense, which ranks fifth in total yards allowed, just added prized pass rusher Robert Quinn in a trade with the Chicago Bears. Quinn is the franchise record holder in Chicago for sacks in a season, accounting for 18.5 in 2022.
The pass rusher will join an already-loaded defensive line featuring Hasson Reddick and Fletcher Cox. Philadelphia's front seven will remain an immediate threat to all offensive coordinators, opening up the opportunity for the secondary to continue interception opposing quarterbacks. Darius Slay and CJ Gardner-Johnson are tied for second in the NFL in interceptions at three.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Philadelphia Eagles Betting Prediction
The last time the Steelers faced a top-five defense, the Bills in Week 5, QB Kenny Pickett was sacked three times in a 38-3 defeat.
Pittsburgh will struggle to do anything on offense against an Eagles squad that has had two weeks to prepare. Meanwhile, Philadelphia will slowly beat the Steelers with a run-heavy approach.
If Pittsburgh is going to struggle offensively and the Eagles are chewing the clock, scoring should be a premium, especially in the second half.
Prediction: Under 42.5 (-110)
Risk-free first bet up $1000 on BetMGM Sportsbook
Steelers Fans! Check out the latest Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule and dive into the Steelers Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.