Previewing Steelers Week 3 game against the Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Philadelphia Eagles
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sunday, September 25, 2016, 4:25 (ET)
Key Matchup
The Steelers offense vs. the Eagles defense. After two weeks, Philadelphia’s defense is ranked second overall and has allowed just 12 points per game. The Eagles formidable pass-rush has already collected six sacks, and the defense as a whole as tallied four takeaways. Of course, the Eagles didn’t exactly face the cream of the crop on offense over the first two weeks, as the Browns and Bears were their victims. Pittsburgh’s offense, perhaps the most complete and explosive in the entire NFL, will present a much stiffer challenge this Sunday. The Steelers torched Washington in Week 1 and managed to make just enough plays against Cincinnati’s stout defense in Week 2 to secure a win, this despite a game-long rain that wreaked havoc on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s accuracy. So, which unit is more potent? The answer to that question could ultimately determined Sunday’s outcome.
The Steelers Win If…
While the Eagles front-seven is stout and will be a handful, the secondary, led by veteran corner Nolan Carroll and youngster Eric Rowe, is still a work-in-progress. The Steelers offense dealt with some pretty decent secondaries in the first two games and still managed to complete many long passing plays. If Pittsburgh’s very talented offensive line can keep the likes of defensive end Fletcher Cox at bay, this could expose the Eagles secondary and lead to enough scoring to maintain the Steelers 31 points per game average.
On the defensive side, while Pittsburgh has just one sack in two weeks, opponents have only averaged 16 points per game. As a means to protect a secondary in transition, the strategy thus far as been to play zone and allow short completions, while preventing huge passes over the top. So far, so good. Last week, the Bengals advanced inside the red zone three times and came away with field goals instead of touchdowns. Through two weeks, Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz has completed 43 of 71 passes for 468 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. However, his yards per attempt has been pretty low (6.6), meaning short passes are what he’ll likely look to employ on Sunday. Perhaps the key on defense will be to continue to give up field goals and force Wentz into one or two mistakes that could turn a close game into a blow-out.
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The Steelers Lose If…
Roethlisberger was prone to interceptions last season (16) and has thrown three so far this year. If the Eagles pass-rush can get in No. 7’s face and flush him out of the pocket enough times to cause frustration, this could lead to a game-altering turnover and a Week 3 defeat.
The Steelers defense has been pretty stingy after allowing opponents to get near their own goal line so far this season. However, the bend-but-don’t-break strategy won’t always work. If Wentz feels no pressure from the front-seven on Sunday, rookie quarterback or not, the enormous talent that compelled the Eagles to make him the number two pick in the 2016 draft may come shining through.
Fantasy Tip
Antonio Brown was limited to just four catches for 39 yards last week by the Bengals talented secondary. For a receiver with goals of 150 catches and 2,000 yards, he’s probably not going to have many down weeks in 2016. Therefore, on sheer odds alone, he’s likely to have a huge day in Philadelphia.
What’s At Stake
There are no “must wins” in Week 3, especially when you’re talking about an out-of-conference match-up. But a victory would give the Steelers their first 3-0 start since 2010–the last time they reached the Super Bowl.
Odds-makers
Line: Steelers 3 1/2
O/U: 46.5
Money Line: Steelers -185/Eagles +165
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