Our football staff predicts the Steelers' game vs. the Eagles, today, 1:02 p.m. at Heinz Field:
Dale Lolley (3-0): If this game were in Philadelphia, I'd automatically pick the Eagles. The Steelers are 0-9 there since 1965. But it's not. The Steelers have beaten the Eagles both times they've come to Heinz Field, where they're also 30-7-1 against NFC opponents. The team record for sacks in a game is 10, something the Steelers have accomplished four times, the last coming back in 2001 against the Buccaneers. That record could be in jeopardy in this game. The Steelers are going to eat this makeshift Eagles line alive, especially if the offense can put some points on the board early. We might even see a safety in this game, so I'll factor that into my final score. Steelers, 26-14
Chris Carter (3-0): The Steelers' defensive front should terrorize Carson Wentz, and Wentz's lack of healthy weapons will keep him from getting bailed out. On the other side the Steelers' skill players match up very well with the Eagles' secondary and linebackers. Outside of Darius Slay, the Eagles won't have a lot of answers to the Steelers' weapons, especially Ebron. But do beware Philly's defensive front. Steelers, 31-13
Ramon Foster (3-0): In the words of Mike Tomlin, 'Nobody cares about your problems. Or they're glad you've got 'em.' All of Philly's injuries ... the way their O-line is ... their receivers ... guess what, it's not the Steelers' problem they've developed T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree. The way the Eagles are right now, I'm sure this is defense is just looking to mow them down. Crank the lawnmower, and let's roll. Steelers, 30-17
Tom Reed (3-0): The NFC East is awful and the AFC North teams, who face the teams from that division through this regular season, are likely to feast all the way through. The Steelers can't afford a slip-up today. They need to take care of business against a wounded opponent. The Eagles are battered on the the offensive line and at wide receiver. Hard to see an upset in this one. Steelers, 27-17
Dejan Kovacevic (3-0): It's often fun to be the contrarian. It's more often dumb to be the contrarian. Only way the Eagles and Wentz survive an offensive line that's got a rookie Australian rugby guy at left tackle would be if Roethlisberger throws a pick every other possession. And the Eagles' secondary isn't nearly good enough to pull that off. Philly's defensive front will prevent the blowout, but that's about it. Steelers, 26-10