Eagles-Steelers predictions
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles-Steelers predictions
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
JEFF MCLANE
Record, 1-3.
Week 5: At this point, the above record suggests I should get out of the prediction game. The Eagles, who are 3-1/2-point underdogs to the Steelers, are 1-3 against the spread this season. I’m 1-3 straight up. But press on, I must.
My gut says the Eagles win Sunday. I’ve gone against my better judgment the last three weeks. Not gonna do it, as Dana Carvey’s George Bush would say, this week. The book says you don’t bet against the Steelers at home against an NFC opponent. Ben Roethlisberger is 13-1 against the NFC at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh has won nine of their last ten at home.
But this is not a dominating Steelers team – based on the first few weeks of the season and on paper -- and it is aging at some key spots on defense. Safety Troy Polomalu (calf) will play after a two-game absence. He is still a force to be reckoned with, but he doesn’t move quite as well at 31. James Harrison is also expected back, but at this point in his career it’s difficult to predict how much he can play with a chronically injured knee. LaMarr Woodley, at the other outside linebacker spot, is dangerous. He should give Todd Herremans, who has struggled for parts of this season, all he can handle at right tackle.
The thing that worries the most is how Michael Vick and the Eagles offense will fare against Dick LeBeau’s defense after one of his disciples terrorized the quarterback two weeks ago. Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton did an effective job of keeping Vick off kilter with a variety of blitz packages. LeBeau doesn’t have the same caliber of horses up front, though. Defensive ends Brett Keisel and Ziggy Hood are not as unrelenting as the Cardinals’ Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett.
So Vick should have more time to operate behind a line that got into a groove in the second half last week.
The Steelers offense, meanwhile, has been lopsided. The running game has been non-existent, but running back Rashard Mendenhall will play for the first time this season. Roethlisberger has been sharp this season playing in a scheme that has him getting rid of the ball much earlier than he is used to. In spite of that, the Steelers quarterback has already been sacked nine times in three games. The Eagles defensive line should be licking its chops against an offensive line that is suspect.
I got the Eagles winning another close one in the fourth quarter, which probably means it won’t happen. Eagles 23, Steelers 21.
What goes right: Jeremy Maclin gets back into the swing of things and takes advantage of Steelers cornerback Keenan Lewis.
What goes wrong: The Eagles special teams continue to have their issues.
ZACH BERMAN
Record, 2-2.
Week 5: This is a tough matchup for the Eagles. The Steelers are a considerably more different team when they're healthy than when they're injured, and the return of Polamalu, Harrison, and Mendenhall makes them a better squad than what's on film from this season. That is why the 1-2 record is misleading. It's also worth noting that both losses were on the road, and this game is in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers are especially difficult to play.
Look for a disciplined game from the Steelers, who will set the tempo and not allow the Eagles many big plays. Vick will get pressured from the Steelers' zone blitz scheme, and the Steelers prove to be effective on third downs to extend drives. Pittsburgh will win the time of the possession battle, a critical element in this game. The game will come down to the fourth quarter, and Vick will again lead a clutch drive. But the Steelers will win the game on the final possession, and the Eagles will prepare for the Lions with a 3-2 record.
Steelers 27, Eagles 24
What goes right: The Eagles run the ball a healthy amount, and LeSean McCoy tops 100 yards. The kickoff coverage will also improve.
What goes wrong: Polamalu shows why he's one of the best safeties in NFL history. Roethlisberger leads the Steelers on a fourth-quarter drive.
- Logic? You? That's rich!
— Penfold18 - Eagles 24-17 if Shady gets health doses of runs along with his back up.— phillynupe4
- Steelers 30-16. Big Ben will hit 70% of his 3rd down plays while Reid gives up trying to run the ball. Vick attempts 45 passes before he gets hurt.— farley
- If the Eagles go I formation again this week, and carefully (conservatively) pick their spots to take advantage of a bad Steelers secondary, Eagles win 24-16. Eagles D shuts down The Rapist and a gimpy running game.— petergou
- Eagles 20 Steelers 10, that is if they don't turn the ball over and play smart. I think the Steelers are an aging team on the way down, the Eagles have a log of young players and are on the rise. I think they run the ball down the Steelers throats with McCoy after a couple of quick strikes. Lets see how well the hair ball moves those old legs. Loser trolls like Mario and CG25 NY Giant fans that hate the Eagles and their fans go back into their hiding hold for another 2 weeks until something negative happens. TROLLING LOSERS— TrollExterminator
- silly to see all these fans suddenly on Eagles bandwagon because they are somehow 3-1 when they could just as easily be 2-2, 1-3 or 0-4... the only sure thing in NFL this season is regression to the mean and the team that needs the game more will generally find a way to win..I'm not one for football predictions but this one is a "Best Bet" for season and won't be close as Steelers win— warbiscuit
- I used to take pride in being part of the Eagles fan base, known for being tough and knowledgeable. Perhaps, I have been coming to these boards too often. It's clear that a sizable portion of the vocal minority are a bunch of idiots. It makes me embarrassed to be lumped in with these idiots (you know who you are).— Penfold18
- Yes, and he posted yet another obsessive loser message below — andimike
- Oh come on now, if you are posting too much, and don't know that people don't act like this outside of the house, then you are spending too much time in your house.
Just think about these comments...How many fans do you see personally, or on t.v. that act like this? The internet is a haven for those, including myself and you, who type anything without being accountable for what they say.
— MFPhils 
lol...its reciprocal Penfold. The fan base is split 50/50 or so on Andy with an acutal MAJORITY 51% wanting Andy Reid FIRED according to a poll on this very site. A lot of fans are tired of a MORON COACH THAT WILL NEVER WIN A SB. With one of the DUMBEST GAMEPLANS EVER IN FOOTBALL EXISTENCE. Post your prediction for the game on sunday, and on monday lets see who is more right. THE KOOLAID IS DELICIOUS.- Again, I'm sure that I don't need to explain polling validity to such an *intelligent* person like you, right? — Penfold18
- Steelers romp 31-20.— 1republican
- The Eagles played their best game of the season against the Giants and won by only two points -- and that game was at home. The Eagles could play a similar game -- no interceptions and no turnovers -- but I doubt it because they rarely play two great games in a row. If the team from last week shows up the Eagles could eek out another win (24-20), but if the Eagle team that showed up against the Browns and Cardinals play they'll easily get beat up(31-17). The real question will be the Eagles pass defense -- which we all know can be pretty erratic.— Ron T
- Steelers should win at home with a relatively healthy team. Special teams will probably kill us. Turnovers will be the deciding factor. But, who knows. It is why they play the games on the field and not in our heads.— johnny eagle
- Totally depends, as always, on how Reid chooses to gameplan. If it's to put all the pressure on Vick, then he will choke and turn it over. If he spreads the wealth, we'll likely win. Not rocket science. I don't believe Andy's learned anything from last week, so I'll go 17-10 Pittsburgh.— evolutionary
