Steelers - Eagles Game Preview & Predictions

Story by Yinzer Crazy Featured Steelers Contributor Adam Davidson. Follow him on Twitter @Adam_J_Davidson

I could go on forever citing the many ways the world has changed since 1965. Rather than exhaust you with history lessons involving the Moon landing, the Cold War and even the advent of the technology that led to you reading this article, let’s keep it simple: 1965 was the last season the Steelers won in Philadelphia.

There are many adages thrown about in NFL circles, but perhaps none is as true as the one that generally says “a season in pro football is a lifetime.” If that’s true, how many lifetimes have passed since the Steelers last won in Eastern Pennsylvania?

Getting entangled in such existential questions is far too easy and only distracts from the real question at hand. So perhaps the better question is this: has there ever been a more ill-timed game for these Steelers?

At 2-5, the Steelers are the picture of ineptitude, having not scored more than twenty points all season in a league that is dictated by high-octane offenses. While brighter times are ahead, it’s more a matter of “how many seasons” rather than “how many games” before the franchise turns it around and returns to championship contention.

Over the past several weeks, Matt Canada’s job as offensive coordinator has become less secure, while Kenny Pickett’s mistakes keep adding up. And only so much can be asked of a defense that finds itself thrust back onto the field time and time again, punt after shanked punt. It’s been a challenging season for these Steelers, and the challenge doesn’t let up this Sunday.

At 6-0, the Philadelphia Eagles are the NFL’s lone undefeated team, owing much of their success to a top-five offensive unit in points-per-game and yards-per-game behind quarterback Jalen Hurts. It’s been a break-out year for the former Oklahoma Sooner and now third-year professional signal caller. And with the full confidence of head coach Nick Sirianni, Hurts has answered questions regarding his passing ability while still packing a punch in the running game. It’s this lethal combination of run and pass that keeps opposing defenses off-balance and guessing at what’s next. Throw in some serious offensive firepower such as running back Miles Sanders and receivers Devonta Smith and AJ Brown, and the Eagles have as potent and well-rounded an offense in all of football.

On defense, the Eagles have forced 14 turnovers, a mark that’s tied for the league-lead behind cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry. And in just the past couple days, Philly’s defense has acquired yet another piece to their star-studded puzzle with the acquisition of former Chicago Bear Robert Quinn.

Quinn will make his Eagles debut Sunday at right defensive end joining former Steeler Javon Hargrave and perennial Pro-Bowler Fletcher Cox along a stout defensive front. While falling off in terms of production over the course of seven games in Chicago, Quinn can attest to holding the Bears’ record for sacks in a season, notching 18.5 last year and surpassing Hall of Famer Richard Dent.

For a team with the second-best odds to win the Lombardi Trophy this year, the Eagles are proving that they are “all-in” in the pursuit of a second championship. Accomplishing such a feat may prove Philadelphia the true “City of Champions,” a claim that will no doubt ire the Pittsburgh faithful. With the World Series between the Phillies and Astros commencing Friday night and continuing through at least Tuesday, Lincoln Financial Field will indeed be a raucous venue for this inter-conference matchup between the Steelers and Eagles. No pressure, right?

For most rookie quarterbacks, the pressure would likely be too much. And while Kenny Pickett may at times be the one to blink first, he’s proven that he’s not afraid of the big stage and all the hurdles that it entails.

“It’s not going to be a smooth process,” Picket said of his transition into Steelers starting quarterback via a team transcript. “I’m in here working to get it right and I’ll definitely get it right and get us back on track here.”

The problem - as it has been all season - is the lack of explosive plays, and the blame falls on both coaches and players alike. However, no quarterback can be expected to lead flawless scoring drives consisting of ten-plus plays on every possession. Naturally, more pass attempts for short yardage means more interceptions, and more growing pains for Pickett.

For a team that has registered just one passing play of over forty yards and zero running plays over twenty all season, the Steelers need to score quick, take advantage of their skilled wideouts, and take over the flow of the game if they are to have a chance of winning. In this sense, Matt Canada and company are optimistic, insisting that big plays are looming on the horizon.

In the meantime, big plays must be generated on defense, which will be a tall task with premium free agent signings Larry Ogunjobi and Levi Wallace landing on the injury report yet again. However, it may not be a matter of who the Steelers are losing due to injury, but rather who they might be getting back.

TJ Watt has been rumored to be a late activation for Sunday’s game after his window to return opened earlier in the week. For Watt, it would be his first NFL action since suffering a pectoral injury week one against Cincinnati. His return would be more than welcome, considering the waning Steelers pass rush and their lack of success bringing the opposing QB down in big moments. But it’s a “wait-and-see” situation for now, and depends on how desperate the Steelers are to fight their way back into the standings. Alex Highsmith, for one, is excited to see his teammate back on the practice field.

“We’ll see,” Highsmith said of Watt’s chances of returning this week. “I know that’s something the trainers are talking about with him. I’m just excited to see how much he’s progressed and gotten back to himself. I’m excited to see him when he does return.”

Having a healthy Watt and Highsmith on the field will make for an interesting combination that represents the Steelers’ biggest key to victory. And that is pressuring the young Eagles quarterback.

When passing or running the ball under pressure this season, Jalen Hurts has shown he is, indeed, human. Whether it’s due to difficulty processing the play in front of him or not, Hurts’ QBR has dipped significantly when the opposing defense runs a blitz, a stat that holds up whether or not the blitz generates pressure.

For a defense that is accustomed to facing Lamar Jackson and other mobile QBs, the defense knows when to apply pressure, and when to back off. Considering this, the Steelers defense would be wise to disguise their blitzes and coverages, and not allow Hurts the extra time to process the play before the snap of the ball.

There’s a clear path to victory Sunday, and it all depends on execution. I expect the Steelers to play with pride and furthermore, play with the knowledge that the season’s well past its tipping point.

Halfway through the year, there have been two noticeably different Pennsylvania teams. One is struggling to make the necessary plays, with a fanbase longing for yesteryear. The other is now living in its heyday, five years removed from championship glory and anticipating more to come.

This clash of interstate rivals will be a closer-than-expected contest. But for the Eagles, history will repeat itself, and the Steelers will have to go another long while before getting their chance at a win in the City of Brotherly Love.

Prediction: Eagles 30, Steelers 21