Steelers-Eagles Pregame Primer: Key to Win, Picks, Bold Prediction and More

The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to be the first team this season to knock off the Philadelphia Eagles, who have started the 2022 season with six consecutive wins.

Gameday: Steelers at Eagles,1 p.m.

KEY TO VICTORY

The Philadelphia Eagles probably have the best defensive front of any team the Steelers have faced so far this season, with old friend Javon Hargrave joined by Fletcher Cox, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, new addition Robert Quinn and first-round draft pick Jordan Davis. If the Steelers are going to be able to upset the Eagles, protecting Kenny Pickett and finding openings in the running game will be absolutely vital for the Steelers.

The Eagles also lead the NFL with 12 takeaways, and so much of that comes from their ability to pressure on quarterbacks. Pickett will have to be smarter with the football than he has been, with seven interceptions in four games.

BOLD PREDICTION: STEVEN SIMS GETS A BIG RETURN

If there’s one thing the Eagles haven’t been very good at, it’s been covering kicks, and the Steelers will get their impact player back at the positions. Sims hasn’t played since breaking off a long kick return against Tampa Bay in Week 7, and he might be the only area where the Steelers should feel like they have a personnel advantage in his one.

OVERLOOKED MATCHUP: CHASE CLAYPOOL vs. AVONTE MADDOX

Everyone remembers Claypool torching the Eagles defense for four touchdowns as a rookie in 2020. Now moved to the slot, he might be in line for a repeat performance, if he can take advantage of a physical mismatch against Philly slot corner Avonte Maddox. Claypool is 6-foot-4. Maddox is 5-foot-9. It shouldn’t take much for the Steelers big slot man to be open, and with Pickett likely under a lot of pressure, quick passes to the slot man could be a strong option.

PICK IT

Pittsburgh +11.5 (-110)

Under 42.5 (-110)

Miles Sanders Under 68.5 Rushing Yards (-110)