Entering the season, many experts have the Steelers to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
Advertisement
We saw Alshon Jeffery accumulate almost 100 receiving yards last week, which Antonio Brown could easily surpass this week. Look for the Eagles to try to pass against the Steelers secondary, which is a weakness. With Antonio Brown drawing the attention that he does from each defense the other receivers have to be able to pounce on those chances and take advantage of the looks that will create for them. Davis can roam from nickelback to safety depending on the situation and the scheme.
Like Roethlisberger, he is big and physical: 6-foot-5, 245 pounds. The top cornerbacks for the Steelers are William Gay and Ross Cockrell.
It’s unlikely that tight end Tyler Eifert will be back this week, although he began practicing and is getting closer. It could mean more space underneath for the tight end.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Wentz has been hit 12 times, seventh among National Football League quarterbacks this season, though Reich also pointed out Wentz’s willingness to take a hit has contributed to his 80 percent completion rate against the blitz.
But a win against the 2-0 Steelers on Sunday would put to rest numerous doubts held by those still willing to fully buy-in on the Birds. He’s a tough match-up for some offensive tackles.
The Steelers have kept opposing teams to 3.4 yards per rush and 50.5 yards per game.
Grimble hadn’t caught a pass in a game that counted since his junior year at USC in 2013 and yet Roethlisberger didn’t hesitate when he saw Grimble lined up one-on-one late in the first quarter, a play that ended with Grimble stretching across the goal line for a 20-yard score. WR Jordan Matthews aims for fourth straight home game with 100 yards receiving and at least one TD.
While the Steelers defense will do their best to confuse Wentz and get him off his game, the offense will be challenged by a much-improved Eagles defense.
The Eagles have attempted to make the offense more Wentz friendly by balancing the run and pass.
Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams leads the National Football League in rushing in his 11th pro season, wide receiver Antonio Brown is the game’s most unsafe wideout, and Ben Roethlisberger is making big plays. The Steelers are the third team in a row Wentz will face that uses a 3-4 defense. Wentz has thrown for 468 yards with three touchdowns in two games, but those two games were against the Browns and Bears.
Roethlisberger is off to a great start this season, having thrown six touchdowns in two games. As good as the Eagles have been on offense in two wins, they’ll have to be much better on Sunday. With Leodis McKelvin out Sunday, expect this year’s seventh round pick, Jalen Mills, to line up across Brown. Brown moves all over the field, so he could see time against each cornerback.
This week’s opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles, are back to playing a base 4-3 – when they’re not in 4-2 nickel – under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz after playing a 3-4 under Chip Kelly. We’re going to do whatever we think we can do to win. They don’t ask for birth certificates before the game.
“Does [the Steelers game] make or break your season?”
Advertisement
NOTES: Wheaton participated and is optimistic he’ll play against the Eagles. We know he has the arm strength and accuracy to beat good coverage on deep balls, but the Steelers put extra emphasis on not giving up X-plays while allowing teams to accumulate yards underneath. Is it Williams? Is it the offensive line?
