Two elite teams collide this Sunday as the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles. Here’s our preview, which includes a prediction, using the best NFL odds from the top sportsbooks.
NFL Pick: Eagles -4.5 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Steelers vs. Eagles
Sunday, December 15, 2024 – 04:25 PM ET at Lincoln Financial Field
Steelers Handle Browns, Extend Dominance
The Steelers continued their mastery over the Browns, securing a 27-14 victory behind Russell Wilson’s steady performance on Sunday. Wilson completed 15 of 26 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns, capitalizing on Cleveland’s errors.
Najee Harris chipped in with 53 yards on 16 carries, including a touchdown, helping the Steelers extend their streak to 21 straight regular-season home wins against Cleveland.
Despite missing star receiver George Pickens due to a groin injury, Wilson adapted in the second half, connecting with Pat Freiermuth and Van Jefferson for touchdowns. The win pushed Pittsburgh two games ahead of Baltimore in the AFC North, with four weeks remaining in the season.
Eagles Roll to Ninth Straight Victory
Philadelphia maintained their scorching form, defeating the Panthers 22-16 for their ninth consecutive win on Sunday.
Saquon Barkley headlined the effort, rushing for 124 yards and breaking LeSean McCoy’s franchise record for single-season rushing yards, now totaling 1,623 with four games to go.
Jalen Hurts played a complementary role, completing 14 of 21 passes for 108 yards while adding two touchdown passes and a rushing score. His efficiency in red-zone situations proved pivotal, as did a fourth-quarter two-point conversion that widened the Eagles’ lead.
Philadelphia’s passing game featured contributions from A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who combined for 80 yards and a touchdown on eight catches. The win showcased the Eagles’ ability to control games with balance and resilience.
Keys to the Game
Wilson’s composure will be tested against an Eagles defense that thrives on disrupting quarterbacks. With Pickens sidelined last week, Wilson relied on intermediate throws to Freiermuth and Jefferson.
Philadelphia’s secondary, bolstered by a strong pass rush, will aim to force Wilson into hurried decisions.
Harris has been consistent but unspectacular, rushing for 53 yards and a score last week. The Eagles, strong against the run, will look to limit Harris early and force Pittsburgh into a pass-heavy game plan.
If Harris can establish momentum, it could open opportunities for play-action, giving Wilson more time to operate.
Barkley remains the engine of Philadelphia’s offense, breaking long runs and keeping defenses off balance. The Steelers’ front seven must focus on containing him at the line of scrimmage to prevent the Eagles from dictating the pace.
Any success Barkley finds will open the door for Hurts to exploit Pittsburgh’s defense with his versatility.
Hurts’ dual-threat ability gives the Eagles a tactical advantage. While his passing stats against Carolina were modest, his red-zone execution and rushing threat make him hard to defend.
The Steelers will need to keep Hurts contained, pressuring him into throwing from the pocket while minimizing his impact on the ground.
Both teams excel at exploiting errors. The Steelers’ defense thrived on Cleveland’s miscues, while the Eagles’ ball control and efficiency limited their mistakes.
A single turnover or special teams miscue could be the difference in a game likely to be decided by slim margins.
NFL Pick
This game promises to be a hard-fought battle, with the Steelers leaning on their defense and the Eagles counting on their stars to deliver in key moments. Pittsburgh’s offense could struggle without Pickens, particularly against an Eagles defense that thrives on disruption. Conversely, Philadelphia’s balanced attack and Barkley’s dominance on the ground make them tough to contain.
Expect the Eagles to leverage their playmakers to pull ahead late, while the Steelers’ inability to generate big plays limits their ability to keep pace.
NFL Pick: Eagles -4.5 (-110) at Bet365
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