Steelers vs. Eagles NFL Pick

By: Jordan Sharp

One of the most even preseason games kicks off a week from today, as the Philadelphia Eagles host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 of the preseason. What are we expecting to see from each squad in this match?

NFL Odds are conflicted as they normally are in the preseason, and the Eagles are favored at either -1 or -1 ½. However, some even have this game as a pick em. 

Both will be looking to rebound from disappointing seasons last year, but I don’t expect to see many of their stars. Both quarterbacks are injury prone, so as it is in the preseason, expect the backups to get most of the run. Who do you think will win this preseason showdown between Michael Vick and Ben Roethlisberger…sort of. 

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SIDE

MONEY LINE

TOTAL

SCORE

PITTSBURGH

PHILADELPHIA

•  +105
• N/A
• o33½ -110

•  -125
• N/A
• u33½ -110

• +1½ -110
• N/A
• o33½ -110

• -1½ -110
• N/A
• u33½ -110

• +1½ -115
• N/A
• o34 -110

• -1½ -105
• N/A
• u34 -110

• +1½ -110
• +105
• o33½ -110

• -1½ -110
• -125
• u33½ -110

• +1 +100
• N/A
• o34 +100

• -1 -110
• N/A
• u34 -110

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-

Big ben feeling the hurt 

Roethlisberger was sacked a league high 40 times last season, and it showed. He revealed recently that he suffered what he called a “little torn rotator cuff,” in a game in early November against the Ravens. There isn’t anything you can do for it, unless of course it tears the rest of the way, which without saying, would be bad for the Steelers.

Ben also had a high ankle sprain, which he played on, and alsp a fractured thumb last season. With all these injuries, I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t see Ben play at all this game. There is no point in risking that shoulder getting hit. 

Where’s Wallace?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with the contract saga of Mike Wallace, and even though I think it’s going to get resolved before any real damage is done, it’s another guy who’s not in training camp and is sitting on his butt getting fat. With their defense aging, Pittsburgh will need every weapon they have on offense. They will be without Rashard Mendenhall for at least the first half of the season, so the Steelers have a lot to worry about here in the preseason. 

Redeem Team 

The Eagles were considered one of he best teams in the NFC last season by some, and they ended up being just average. This season, the bar is set high once again, as the NFL Odds have them as one of the top five favorites to win the Super Bowl.

Michael Vick and company will have to stay on the field if the Eagles want to go far this season, and the defense will have to step up from last season. This defense has the ability to stop almost anyone, but they were just above average last season. 

Even though they have a few injuries, this team could very well win ten or eleven games. They could also go 7-9 and miss the playoffs. That’s how far of a gap there is between their floor and ceiling. 

The Sharp Pick 

With all the injuries the Steelers are still dealing with, I can’t help but like Philadelphia here. They are healthier, more talented, and they want to start proving as soon as they can that they can live up to the hype of last season and this season.

These two haven’t played one another in any capacity since 2008, and at least for a few series, I’m excited to see what Michael Vick can do against the Steelers. I expect a touchdown victory for the Eagles, because the Steelers might not even play any of their main guys. 

My Pick: Eagles -1 push