This is a tough matchup for the Steelers as the team strengths that they have on offense are equalled by the Eagles’ defense.  The Steelers want to run the football to help protect Ben Roethlisberger’s injured throwing shoulder but that won’t be easy.  The Eagles are only allowing 52.0 yards rushing per game and 2.7 yards per carry so Willie Parker (243 yards rushing, 4.6 ypc) will have to earn every yard.  The Eagles are loaded at CB with Lito Sheppard, Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown and those guys match up very well with Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes.  With that in mind look for Heath Miller to get a lot of looks over the middle for the Steelers in this game.

The Steelers back seven will have to be ready to do battle with the quick hitting offense of the Eagles.  The Eagles have scored 75 points in two games this season and they are averaging 429.5 yards of offense per game.  To stop the Eagles the Steelers’ defense will have to contain Donovan McNabb in the pocket.  They will attempt to do that with blitzing but that could hang them out to dry against Brian Westbrook on screens and in the flats.  Westbrook is the real engine of the Eagles’ offense as he has 149 yards rushing and 46 yards receiving this year.  Westbrook has also scored 5 of the Eagles’ TDs this season and he will put big time pressure on the Steelers’ linebackers.  The Eagles will also try to loosen up the Steelers’ defense with short tosses to L.J. Smith over the middle of the field.  Make no mistake though, the Eagles will be throwing the ball deep to rookie WR DeSean Jackson, Hank Baskett, Greg Lewis and Reggie Brown.

PREDICTION:  PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 24, PITTSBURGH STEELERS 17