The Eagles are entering the home stretch of the season and a tough opponent standing in their way as they eye for the number one seed in the NFC. The last time the Eagles faced the Steelers, in 2022, A.J. Brown had a hat trick with three first-half TDs and finished the game with six receptions for 156 yards. Jalen Hurts passed for four touchdowns and 285 yards against the Steeler’s defense on the Eagle’s march to a 35–13 victory.
This year’s game is somewhat similar to the one in 2022. There is talk of A.J. Brown needing to get the ball more this year, like before that game.
Will the game plan be to feed their star wide receiver again?
The Opposition
The Steelers have the 4th best run defense in the league, so the Eagles may have to rely on Jalen’s arm more than they have in their recent wins against Baltimore and Carolina. On the other hand, when you have the league’s best RB and offensive line, you likely still have a good day running the ball and should not be willing to reduce Saquon’s touches too much.
Pittsburgh is 18th in the NFL in passing yards with 3057 passing yards, but they have only allowed 14 passing touchdowns, which is 7th best in the NFL. They are also 7th in the NFL in completion percentage allowed. Protecting the ball will be important as the Steelers’ defense has forced 15 interceptions, 3rd most in the league, and they are 1st in total takeaways with 28.
Last week, Russell Wilson threw for 158 yards and 2 TDs with a 101.1 rate. That is a similar, conservative stat line comparable to what Hurts did in week 14. Like Philadelphia, the Steelers run a lot, almost 52% of the time. ( The Eagles 56.5%)
The Eagles OL will have their hands full with Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, T.J. Watt, and Preston Smith. Despite all of these great pass rushers, they are in the middle of the pack in the NFL with 32 sacks but are a threat all day. The Eagles will need to protect better than last week, or the Steeler’s defense could put up some gaudy totals. The Pittsburgh defense is allowing an average of 218.6 yards per game.
Fly Eagles Fly
If Hurts has time in the pocket, like he did last week, he should be able to pick apart the Pittsburg defensive backfield for some big gains.
The passing game needs to work in tandem, Jalen needs to get them the ball, and the receivers need to create more separation. DeVonta Smith is 27th in the league in separation, and AJ is 99th. They will likely need a couple of big plays from the star receivers to leave the field with a win. If the offense can get some of the explosive plays they had earlier in the season, it would be a long way to assuaging the doubts that some observers have in the Eagles passing game.
I expect Hurts to sling it more after passing for a season-low 108 yards last week. He may also be able to put up some numbers via the ground. The Steelers are allowing 4.9 yards per run to opposing QBs. Hurts is tied with Derrick Henry for the most rushing touchdowns in the NFL in 2024 with 13.
Saquon has rushed for 100 yards in seven of his last eight games.
Defensively, the Eagles have allowed less than 23 points in eight of their last nine games and a season average of 18 points allowed per game, tied for second-best in the NFL with 2 other teams.
The Eagle’s defense has held opposing QBs to an 82.2 rate (7th in the NFL) and the 5th lowest completion percentage. Philly’s stout run defense held the Panthers to an average of 3.5 a run. They will need to control the line of scrimmage and contain Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren to get the win on Sunday.
Prediction Time
The Steelers will not have their best offensive weapon in George Pickens. They have scored 27 points in back-to-back games and are winners of seven of their last eight games. Pittsburgh arrives at Lincoln Financial Field almost as hot as the Eagles who have won nine in a row. That won’t matter.
Pittsburgh has not won in Philly since they were the same team known as the Steagles, I kid, but it has been a long time. Way back in 1965. The Eagles have beaten them at home ten times in a row. Make it eleven!
Eagles 26, Steelers 17
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