Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs past Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and linebacker Myles Jack (51) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The best Eagles coverage is always local, but it’s helpful to get a national perspective as well.
That’s particularly true this week: while everyone is panicking locally about the Hurts/Brown relationship, analysts around the nation don’t seem concerned.
Here’s what they’re saying about your Birds against the Steelers:
Did you know the Eagles and Steelers teamed up during World War II to become the Steagles?
They went 5-4-1 in 1943 in their only year of existence, but it wasn't smooth. Eagles coach Greasy Neale once called a Steelers player "a statue of s***." pic.twitter.com/Bsq1BDNvJs
“Since [a] 1965 win, the Steelers have gone 0-10 in Philly and that includes 0-3 under Mike Tomlin. In Tomlin's three games as coach, the Steelers have been outscored 84-22. If Tomlin wants to end that streak, he might want to bring a tank to practice this week and have his defense practice tackling it, since that's basically what they'll be doing on Sunday when they go up against Saquon Barkley.
. . .
“The Eagles are 9-0 this season when Barkley rushes for at least 100 yards, so the big question is: Will he it 100 yards against the Steelers? There are only six teams in the NFL surrendering less than 100 rushing yards per game and the Steelers are one of them. The Steelers passed their biggest test of the year back in Week 11 when they gave up just 65 yards to Derrick Henry in a win over the Ravens. However, that game was at home in Pittsburgh and this game is being played Philadelphia, which has been Pittsburgh's personal football hell for nearly 60 years.”
"The most significant acquisition in the NFL in 2024."
Mike Tomlin on Eagles RB Saquon Barkley. #Steelers #Eagles #NFL @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/zvxVK9L0Lo
— FOX 53 (@fox53wpgh) December 10, 2024
“Maybe this is the Super Bowl preview of the week? The Eagles are on a nine-game winning streak, and this is a strength-on-strength matchup. How much success will Barkley have against the Steelers' run defense? Russell Wilson will match Jalen Hurts in the passing game in the first half, and the Steelers will keep this one close. We still like the Eagles to keep it rolling.”
“By virtually every metric you can look at, the Eagles are the superior team, but Mike Tomlin continues to get the most out of his team on a weekly basis and while you may think Philadelphia will win this game, covering a 5.5-point spread is another question.
“The Steelers have arguably played some of their best football in recent weeks, ranking ninth in the NFL in Net Yards per Play over their last three games at +0.5. They also have the rare ability to slow down the rush attack of the Eagles, ranking ninth in the league in opponent yards per carry, keeping teams to just 4.3 yards per rush.
“I'll take the points with Pittsburgh.”
Mike Tomlin said he'd want to play the "State Championship" between the Steelers and Eagles and represent the WPIAL in Breezewood.
This is the most PA statement ever and I love it. pic.twitter.com/7OSrgciIkB
“At this time last season, we saw a monumental collapse from the Philadelphia Eagles. And in Week 14, we saw a little wobble from them against the Panthers.
“Carolina wasn’t quite good enough to turn that wobble into a loss for the Eagles, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are a more complete team that will capitalize if Philadelphia looks sluggish again.
. . .
“The Eagles appear to be the better team overall, but the Ravens and Panthers have demonstrated a blueprint for taking them down, and the Steelers have the personnel to execute it. We should expect Philadelphia to get somewhere in the 20-24 point margin at least, but serious questions remain as to whether Pittsburgh can match or better that against a good Eagles defense.
“I lean towards the Eagles laying the points, and the metrics say that is how this game should go, especially with them at home.”
