Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, who was the former mayor of Braddock, made a friendly wager with Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker for Sunday’s Keystone State clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Phiadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field
“I bet @PhillyMayor — when the Steelers win, she wears a Steelers hat all day and proclaims at City Hall: Sheetz > Wawa (obv),” Fetterman said on X.
If the Steelers lose, Fetterman will vote in an Eagles hat and proclaim in the U.S. Senate: “Wawa > Sheetz.”
Fetterman added that Wawa > Sheetz is “a filthy lie.”
Mayor Parker accepted Fetterman’s wager, and she’s confident that her Eagles will come out on top.
“When the @Eagles win tomorrow, Senator Fetterman will wear an Eagles hat on Monday wherever he goes. And, I’ll suggest that he greet people in Washington with our signature Philly hello, ‘Go Birds!’” Parker wrote on X.
History is on the Eagles’ side, as the Steelers have not win in Philadelphia since 1965, a span of 10 games. And the losses in recent history have been brutal.
The Steelers have been out-scored 84-22 in their last three meetings in the City of Brotherly Love. The losses at Lincoln Financial Field in 2008, 2016 and 2022 were all bloodbaths.
The Eagles are currently 5.5-point favorites over the Steelers.
The Steelers will be without three starters on Sunday — wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring), defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) and strong safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring).
Not having Pickens will be tough to overcome, especially against a stout Eagles pass defense. The Eagles are allowing only 18.0 points per game, which is tied for second-best in the NFL. Overall, the Eagles rank No. 1 in yards allowed, surrendering only 284.2 yards per game.
The secondary has really shined with rookie cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean playing at a high level. The Eagles rank second in pass defense, allowing only 178.5 yards per game.
The Steelers pass catchers, including tight end Pat Freiermuth, are confident they can produce without their top wideout.
“Just continue to do what we do. The receiver room has a lot of talent, and so, we need to continue to keep working and keep going this week,” Freiermuth said. “We’ll be fine. We have a lot of confidence in everyone on offense.”
Russell Wilson is 6-0 against the Eagles in his career (including postseason) and 4-0 in Philadelphia, however. He downplayed that stat during his media availability this week.
Yeah, but you know, that’s old,” Wilson said. “I’m aware.”
The Steelers will need Wilson to continue his dominance against the Eagles in Week 15 if they hope to finally end their losing streak against them.
That’s why head coach Mike Tomlin has been laying the groundwork for Pennsylvania’s “state championship” all week.
“Really excited about this one, man. This Pennsylvania State Championship. Excited about representing the WPIAL in this,” Tomlin said. “They’re a really good football team. They need no endorsement from me.”
Aaron Becker provided reporting from Pittsburgh.