Steelers vs. Eagles Odds: NFL Week 1 Preseason Picks & Predictions
NFL betting analyst Nick Galaida previews the Week 1 preseason matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. Follow along as he breaks down odds and gives two free picks for the Thursday night game. For more betting tips from Nick, check out his Washington vs. Patriots preseason preview.
Steelers vs. Eagles Odds
| Steelers Odds | +100 |
| Eagles Odds | -120 |
| Over/Under | 34.5 |
| Date | Thursday, Aug. 12 |
| Time | 7:30 pm ET |
| TV | KDKA-TV (CBS) |
| Odds accurate as of Thursday at BetMGM | |
On Thursday evening, the Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite defeating the Dallas Cowboys by a final score of 16-3 in the Hall of Fame Game, oddsmakers have Pittsburgh as a slight underdog in this matchup. Let’s take a look at where NFL bettors can find value in this meeting between two Pennsylvania teams.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers’ veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is once again going to be on the sidelines in this one. Head Coach Mike Tomlin announced earlier this week that Mason Rudolph has been announced as the starting signal-caller as he continues to battle Dwayne Haskins for the backup job—and potentially for the right to be Roethlisberger’s successor, should he choose to hang up his cleats at the conclusion of the season. Rudolph played well in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener, completing six of his nine pass attempts for 84 yards. Haskins played decently as well, but failed to connect on any passes down the field, resulting in just 4.2 yards per attempt.
The Steelers should once again rely heavily on their running attack. Against Dallas, rookie Najee Harris carried the ball seven times for 22 yards. Jaylen Samuels, who is entering his fourth season, received 11 carries, but only gained 20 yards. Regardless, it would be surprising to see Pittsburgh deviate dramatically from their 30 run/18 pass play selection in this one. As is always the case in the preseason, the main goal will be to get through this game healthy, which means a healthy amount of safe and conservative play calls.
Other players likely sitting out for the Steelers in this one include, DT Cam Heyward, CB Joe Haden, OLB T.J. Watt, DT Stephon Tuitt, WR James Washington, RB Benny Snell, and RB Kalen Ballage.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles will be getting their first taste of game action in 2021 on Thursday evening. Philadelphia signed both Joe Flacco and Nick Mullens in the off-season, but neither player appears to be a legitimate threat to supplant Jalen Hurts as the starter heading into Week 1 of the regular season. Hurts will likely get to play a series or two in this contest before allowing Flacco and Mullens ample opportunity to compete for the backup role.
Nick Siranni mentioned in a press conference earlier this week that he expects most of his healthy players to receive playing time on Thursday. Given that Sirianni is implementing a new offense, and that Hurts only started four games last year, it is possible that the coaching staff opens up the playbook a little bit more than is typical in the first game of the preseason. Hurts and his skill players, including second-year wide receiver Jalen Reagor, could benefit from as many in-game reps as possible as they prepare to improve upon a disappointing 2020 4-11-1 campaign in The City of Brotherly Love.
While Hurts figures to have a stronghold on the starting quarterback job, and Miles Sanders is presumed to be the lead running back, it will be interesting to see how the Eagles divide up touches behind Sanders in the backfield. Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott will both be eager to turn in a good performance as they look to solidify their spot near the top of the depth chart. The battle for the complementary running back role could also lead to a disproportionate amount of run plays called when the Eagles have the ball, as they look to evaluate their young talent.
Steelers vs. Eagles Preseason Picks
Both teams have a vested interest in running the ball often in this matchup—to stay healthy and to give their young players reps as they prepare for the grind of a 17-game season. Pittsburgh should be slightly ahead of Philadelphia in terms of game preparation and familiarity with their teams’ offense, considering that this will be their second preseason affair. The Steelers should be able to defeat an NFC East team for the second week in a row when they play the Eagles on Thursday—and it should be a low-scoring affair with an emphasis on running plays and short, safe passes.
Picks: Steelers ML (+100), Under 34.5 (-110)
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