Eagles-Steelers scouting report

Recent history: The Steelers defeated the Eagles, 16-14, in Pittsburgh on Oct. 7, 2012. The Eagles have won eight consecutive times in Philadelphia, where the Steelers have not won since 1965. The Eagles lead the series (dating to 1933), 47-28-3.

WHEN THE EAGLES RUN THE BALL

With a rookie quarterback, the Eagles want to run the ball. And in their first two games they have. Their 66 rushing attempts are the sixth most in the league. And while they are a respectable 10th in rushing yards per game (116.5), they are only 21st in yards per attempt (3.5). Their line has struggled to open holes for the running backs, particularly inside. The Eagles have just four double-digit runs, one by the man who is supposed to be their primary ballcarrier, Ryan Mathews. Fifty-one of Mathews' 109 rshing yards have come in the fourth quarter. The Eagles are averaging just 3.2 yards per carry in the first half, 3.7 in the second half. The Steelers aren't going to be easy to run against. They've allowed just 101 rushing yards in their first two games, the second fewest in the league. ILB Ryan Shazier is a 6-1, 230-pound playmaker with 4.4 speed.

EDGE: Steelers

WHEN THE EAGLES PASS THE BALL

Carson Wentz had just 23 starts at FCS superpower North Dakota State before the Eagles took him with the second pick in the draft. He was supposed to be a project, but he hasn't looked like one in his first two NFL starts. He's been cool under fire, has made smart decisions, and has been very accurate. But he'll face a better defense than he's seen the previous two weeks, though the Steelers already have given up 10 passes of 20 yards or more. Wide receiver Jordan Matthews has been Wentz's go-to guy. He's been targeted 23 times and has 13 catches for 185 yards and a touchdown. Nelson Agholor, a disappointment as a first-round rookie last year, is starting to become a factor in the passing game. He has eight catches for 99 yards and a TD. Zach Ertz, who missed last week's game with a rib injury, is one of the league's top pass-catching TEs.

EDGE: Eagles

WHEN THE STEELERS RUN THE BALL

Suspended RB Le'Veon Bell's replacement, DeAngelo Williams, leads the league in rushing with 237 yards. They have a solid interior line anchored by C Maurkice Pouncey and RG David DeCastro, both Pro Bowlers. The Steelers are going to run the ball. They are tied for sixth in the league in rushing attempts with the Eagles (33 per game). Williams had 32 carries vs. the Bengals last week. The Eagles are 10th in run defense (92.0 yards allowed per game), but 27th in yards allowed per attempt (4.7). That number is a bit skewed by the 62 yards on five meaningless, fourth-quarter carries they gave up in their Week 1 win over the Browns. In the first three quarters of their first two games, they've held opponents to just 3.6 yards per carry. Rotating DTs Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan, Beau Allen and Destiny Vaeao have done a good job getting penetration.

EDGE: Even

WHEN THE STEELERS PASS THE BALL

Ben Roethlisberger has a league-high six TD passes in the first two games. Roethlisberger doesn't run much, but uses his mobility and size to extend plays. WR Antonio Brown caught 265 passes the previous two seasons and will be a difficult matchup for the Eagles' cornerbacks. The Steelers also are expected to get their other starting WR, Markus Wheaton, back this week. He missed the first two games with a shoulder injury. The Eagles have given up zero TD passes and just five pass plays of 20 or more yards so far. Just six teams have allowed fewer 20-plus-yard pass plays. But they haven't faced a QB with Roethlisberger's talent. Their pass rush, which ranks fifth in the league in sacks per pass play, will be the key to neutralizing Roethlisberger, particularly inside pressure can prevent him from stepping up into the pocket.

EDGE: Steelers

SPECIAL TEAMS

P Donnie Jones has had just one of his 11 punts returned. Unfortunately, that was a 65-yard TD return last week by the Bears' Eddie Royal. So Dave Fipp has some work to do this week. Last week's TD return was a rare slip for Fipp's coverage units, which have been ranked among the best in the league the last two seasons. PK Caleb Sturgis has made 5 of his 6 FG attempts, including a 53-yarder at the end of the first half Monday night. PR Darren Sproles had a 40-yard return vs. the Browns in Week 1, but has had just three other returns in the first two games. The Steelers are ranked in the bottom half of the league in both P and KO coverage, though P Jordan Berry is seventh in net average (42.8) and has put five of his 10 attempts inside the 20. PR Antonio Brown has returned a punt for a TD in each of last three seasons.

EDGE: Eagles

INTANGIBLES

It's been a while since the Steelers have beaten the Eagles in Philadelphia. Fifty-one years, to be exact. Their last victory here was in 1965, at Franklin Field. They are 0-8 since.

EDGE: Eagles

Domo's Prediction: Steelers 27, Eagles 17

KEY MATCHUPS

1. Eagles CBs Nolan Carroll, Leodis McKelvin and Ron Brooks vs. Steelers WR Antonio Brown: Brown may be the best wideout in the league, but had just two catches vs. Bengals. ADVANTAGE: Steelers

2. Eagles RDE Connor Barwin vs. Steelers LT Alejandro Villanueva: The 6-9, 320-pound Villanueva could have problems in space against Barwin and the rest of the Eagles' wide-9 pass-rushers. ADVANTAGE: Eagles

3. Eagles C Jason Kelce vs. Steelers NT Javon Hargrave: Kelce is more effective vs. four-man fronts than 3-4s like the Steelers'. But Eagles' "11" personnel groupings likely will force Steelers to play a lot of four-man-front nickel. ADVANTAGE: Even

Hot and Not

HOT

Eagles: TE Trey Burton. Had five catches for 49 yards and a touchdown vs. Bears.

Steelers: ILB Ryan Shazier. Had a team-high 12 tackles as Steelers held Bengals to 46 rushing yards.

NOT

Eagles: DE Marcus Smith. Former first-round pick has played just 18 snaps in the first two games.

Steelers: WR Antonio Brown. Had just four catches for 39 yards in win over Bengals.

@Pdomo Blog: ph.ly/Eagletarian.com