Scouting the Steelers' Week 8 opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
The Pittsburgh Steelers will head east to take on the Philadelphia Eagles at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Here’s a look at the Steelers’ Week 8 opponent:
The basics
Coach: Nick Sirianni, second season (15-8)
Record: 6-0
Division: NFC East, first place
Wins: Lions (38-35), Vikings (24-7), Commanders (24-8), Jaguars (29-21), Cardinals (20-17) and Cowboys (26-17)
Losses: none
Stat leaders
Passing: Jalen Hurts, 123-184, 1,514 yards, 6 TDs
Rushing: Miles Sanders, 105-485 yards, 4 TDs
Receiving: A.J. Brown, 33-503 yards, 2 TDs
Tackles: T.J. Edwards, 55 (36 solo)
Sacks: Haason Reddick, 4.5
Interceptions: C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Darius Slay, 3
2022 storylines
• It’s a good time to be a fan of Philadelphia sports with the Eagles flying high at 6-0 and the Phillies playing in the World Series. The 76ers, though, are off to a 1-4 start.
Ringing the bell to the WORLD SERIES. Congrats, @Phillies!#RedOctober
????: @PhillyInquirer / Yong Kim pic.twitter.com/IJfvBJBauR
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 23, 2022
• The Eagles’ rise to elite status this season coincides with the improvement shown by Jalen Hurts. The third-year quarterback has vaulted into MVP conversation after six games, throwing for 1,514 yards and six touchdowns and also rushing for nearly 300 yards and six scores. More importantly, he has guided the Eagles to a 6-0 start.
Hurts SZN#FlyEaglesFly
????: #PITvsPHI on CBS on 10/30 pic.twitter.com/eWZ5lPft7e
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 21, 2022
• Hurts has several weapons on offense that have bolstered the offense. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith each have 33 catches this season and tight end Dallas Goedert has 26 catches for 357 yards.
• In addition to the Eagles’ passing attack, the running game has excelled with Woodland Hills and Penn State product Miles Sanders. The 2019 second-round pick is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and has four touchdowns. He’s projected to surpass 1,300 yards this season.
• The Eagles acquired defensive end Robert Quinn via trade with the Bears for a 2023 fourth-round pick this week. The 12th-year veteran has eight tackles this season, including one sack. He also has played with the Rams, Dolphins and Cowboys, compiling 366 tackles and 102 sacks and 32 forced fumbles.
Wreck It Robert#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/5EbT7W5Cyd
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 27, 2022
Last meeting
• The Steelers improved to 4-0 in the team’s last meeting, a 38-29 victory over the Eagles on Oct. 11, 2020, in front of just 4,708 spectators at Heinz Field. The crowd was limited by covid restrictions. Chase Claypool caught three TD passes from Ben Roethlisberger and ran for another score. For the Eagles, Miles Sanders ran for two touchdowns, including a 74-yard scamper, and Carson Wentz threw for 258 yards and two scores. Then-rookie Jalen Hurts completed his only pass for 18 yards.
• The Eagles lead the all-time series 48-29-3.
Facts and figures
• 4-11-1 — Eagles’ record in 2020, which they improved to 9-8 last season before starting 6-0 this year.
• 1943 — The year the Eagles and Steelers played together as part of the “Steagles.” Few players were available because of World War II, which led to the teams combining for one season. Games were split between Philadelphia’s Shibe Park and Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. The team finished 5-4-1.
• 1 — The Eagles have won the Super Bowl one time, defeating New England, 41-33 in Super Bowl LII after the 2017 season. They have played in three Super Bowls.
Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.
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