This one sets up as a game in the Pennsylvania rivalry that could be iconic: The 10-3 Pittsburgh Steelers visit the 11-2 Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in a game that features two very similar teams, franchises with decades of success, and so much at stake for both squads.
A classic? It sure could be if the game lives up to its advanced billing. The Steelers have won seven of their last eight games to surge into first place in the AFC North Division. Philadelphia, of course, has won nine straight games and looks for a franchise-record 10th consecutive victory with a W on Sunday.
We've got storylines for you, probably too many of them to list. It's safe to say that everything matters in this one, a game that is going to have a playoff feel on a late Sunday afternoon in South Philadelphia …
1. The Eagles and QB Russell Wilson: The past is the past …
Russell Wilson has played good football for the Steelers this season, compiling a 6-1 record since replacing Justin Fields as the starter. He is a crafty veteran with an innate ability to keep plays alive and improvise. Sometimes, it doesn't look pretty with Wilson, but he's gotten the job done and he has played great football in critical moments in games. Cornerback Darius "Big Play" Slay says that Wilson "throws Moonballs. He's always done that and has had a lot of success. Makes big plays."
The Eagles have played mobile quarterbacks all season. That isn't the issue here. They need to pressure Wilson, close off his escape routes, and play sticky coverage on the back end against an offense that will not have wide receiver George Pickens.
2. Who wins in the run game?
Here we go again: The Eagles' No. 1 rushing offense plays a defense that is really good against the run. Pittsburgh has allowed only five TEAMS to rush for more than 100 yards in a single game this season – Saquon Barkley has nine 100-yard games himself this year. So what gives? The Eagles know they are playing an outstanding defensive front. And Pittsburgh has a battering ram in running back Najee Harris, who teams with Jaylen Warren to make a productive duo. The Eagles will be tested by Pittsburgh's running game, for sure. This is going to be a physical battle and both teams like to flex that muscle. Look for a sensational battle in the trenches throughout the game.
3. The turnover battle has never been more important
Want a key reason for Pittsburgh's 10-3 season? They have forced a league-high 28 turnovers and they have a plus-17 in the turnover department, tied for best in the NFL. Clearly, the Eagles' offense, so effective and efficient in this nine-game winning streak, wants to keep it that way and have great ball security. Philadelphia was -6 in turnovers after four games and now the Eagles are at plus-4. That plus-10 difference has been key in the surge.
4. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' offense
What is the approach this week? Obviously, the Eagles want to get out and score early, something they've focused on all season. And they want to be more explosive and productive in the passing game to complement the great running game. The Steelers like to bring pressure, they live off of takeaways, and they will challenge on the back end. Hurts has to take what the Pittsburgh defense gives him, and he has done a great job of that this season. The Eagles always want to get the football to their standout wide receivers, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Tight end Grant Calcaterra was a nice piece of the offense in the win over Carolina on Sunday. This is a game of matchups and adjustments, so let's see how the Eagles attack Pittsburgh here.
5. The special teams matter, as we see every week
This is going to be so much fun. Pittsburgh is very good on special teams, as are the Eagles and in games like this – as we saw in Baltimore – hidden yardage can make all the difference. Braden Mann has been masterful at dropping punts inside the 20-yard line, so making the Steelers drive the length of the field is important. In last week's win over Cleveland, Pittsburgh had three scoring drives that began in Browns territory – those takeaways make so much of a difference – so Wilson wasn't asked to do a whole lot. What happens if he's going against the No. 1 defense in the NFL with a full field in front of him?
6. The little things are the big things here
Look, last Sunday's win was not the prettiest of the season for the Eagles. But they came out of it with a win and now it's on to a great matchup. The Eagles know how good the Steelers are and they know that they have to tackle well, they have to minimize penalties, and they have to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. These are the kinds of games that prepare teams for playoff football. These are the kinds of games where everything is evaluated with incredible scrutiny.
These are the games you look back on at the end of the season with a full-year perspective. Let's line it up and play – two teams heading for the postseason – in a game that means so much to both teams.
