Eagles vs Steelers NFL Football Spread/Handicapping
It is hard to tell whether Philadelphia is lucky or whether things are just evening out this year. This team has three wins by a combined 4 points and an ugly loss to Arizona.
Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2)
Sunday October 7
Heinz Field – Pittsburgh, PA
1:00PM
Moneyline: Pittsburgh -175, Philadelphia +155 From: Bovada
Spread: Pittsburgh -3
O/U: 43
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Philadelphia
If they really are elite than they should rise up to beat a Pittsburgh team that hasn’t shown much yet. The Eagles with their “Dream Team” may not crushing anybody but I am sure they are happy about not having to talk about losing.
For the Eagles to continue winning they have to keep QB Mike Vick healthy. He got banged up on the final drive of their win against the Giants and you can bet the hard hitting Steelers will take aim. It is hard not to enjoy watching LeSean McCoy who just might be the best back in football. He was super last week against NY but will be facing a Steelers defense that just got some reinforcements back from injury.
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Though they are in-state rivals these two only get together once every four years with the home team winning the last two. Because Philly has been winning by such small margins they have yet to cover a spread this year but this will be their first game where they are not the favourite. Facing a rested Steelers team on the road seems like a difficult situation to get your first cover.
Pittsburgh
The Steelers never seem to jump out of the starting gate. This year they had an early bye week and it might have been just what the doctor ordered as they get three key players back in James Harrison, Troy Polamalu and Rashard Mendenhall. Losing at Denver to start the season was acceptable but the defense looked tired in giving up 13 4th quarter points to Oakland in their loss in Week 3. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Against Oakland Big Ben threw for 384 yards with 4 TDs and no interceptions and it wasn’t enough. The Steelers rushed for just 54 yards and you have to think that if they had been more effective on the ground they might have been able to grind out the victory. The return of Mendenhall will hopefully help but if they can get better defensive play they can also keep pace with an Eagles attack that hasn’t wowed this season.
With coach Mike Tomlin it seems like the Steelers should be a good post bye week team. I normally think having that week so early in the season isn’t ideal but I think in this case it is exactly what the doctor ordered. A fresher, healthier Steelers team will announce that their demise was premature.
Spread Pick: Pittsburgh -3
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Pittsburgh 31 – Philadelphia 17
