Final score prediction for Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Here is my final score prediction for the game.

After a short bye week that Pittsburgh originally spent preparing for the Tenessee Titans, the Steelers are now set to take on Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field. This is a contest that could end up being closer than it appears on paper.

Since 2008, the Steelers are 1-2 against the Eagles and Pittsburgh has been outscored 25-63 – their only victory coming in a 16-14 win in 2012. In their most recent contest, Mike Tomlin’s squad was embarrassed in a 34-3 loss in Philadelphia.

Obviously, the Steelers are hoping for better results this time around. With circumstances being what they are, they might just find a win on Sunday.

Steelers vs. Eagles prediction

This game shouldn’t be a high-scoring affair, and other than Pittsburgh’s most recent loss to the Eagles, history tells us the same. The strength of these two teams is on the defensive line. Between T.J. Watt, Bud Dupree, Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, and Tyson Alualu, the Steelers have 4 former first-round picks and 1 second-round pick getting after the quarterback on any given play.

The Eagles have spent a similarly impressive amount of resources on their defensive line. In fact, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, and Malik Jackson are 3 of the top 19 highest-paid defensive linemen in the league, according to Over the Cap. Their combined annual salaries top $40.3 million. In addition, their top three edge defenders in Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, and Josh Sweat were all high draft choices.

The last time these two teams met, Fletcher Cox was a monster, and he destroyed David DeCastro for quite possibly the most embarrassing game of the All-Pro guard’s career. While we are certainly hoping Pittsburgh can put up more than 3 points this time around, their offensive line will have to hold up – especially on passing downs.

Outside of this, there aren’t a lot of areas that are overly concerning on Philadelphia’s current roster. While tight end Zach Ertz has the ability to shred their linebackers and safeties over the middle, the Eagles are without the equally impressive Dallas Goedert as he recently landed on IR with a fractured ankle.

Overall, Pittsburgh is much healthier than the Eagles heading into this contest. Wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson as well as cornerback Avonte Maddox have already been ruled out for this contest, and several other players dealt with ailments all week.

Though the defense should be their usual selves on Sunday against a banged-up Eagles offensive line, Pittsburgh’s offense will need to take advantage against a hobbled Philadelphia secondary and linebackers who have had a very poor season to this point.

In the end, I think the Steelers walk away as the victors from this one, but it won’t be the runaway blowout that fans have been waiting for.

Final score prediction: Steelers 24 Eagles 20

Pittsburgh has an advantage in this contest thanks to overall good health and a lack of holes on their team. Let’s hope they can start the season 4-0 for the first time since 1979 – a year the Steelers later went on to win the Super Bowl.