will we ever win?

BDB Preview: Eagles at Steelers

This Sunday, the 7-0 Eagles square off against the red hot, cross-state 6-1 Steelers, who have won 5 in a row behind rookie QB sensation, Ben Roethlisberger. Prior to this season, BDB would simply respond to Steeler office talk with a single name: Tommy Maddux ('Nuf said). However, behind Big Ben the Steelers are fresh off a crushing of the Platinum Standard NEP and are attempting to continue their best start since '78.

There is nothing really close to a rivalry between these two out of conference PA teams. In fact they even combined to form the "Steagles" in 1943, during World War II. Additionally, with the overall series at 46-26-3, Philly fans can only thank the Steelers for their contribution to our total franchise wins. The series is 11-3 in the last 14 matchups since '65 (all three losses coming in PIT, but with a 4-3 record in PIT in that same time span).

Keys to the game:

• Protect the ball! At +9 turnovers on the season, PIT is 2nd in the AFC and 4th overall. In 5/6 wins (vs. OAK, MIA, CIN, DAL, NEP) PIT won the t/o battle. In the other win (vs. CLE), t/o's were even. Their only loss in wk 2 (vs. BAL) came after losing the t/o battle. This PIT team THRIVES off of opponent mistakes and will easily win if they come out on top here.
• The Eagles know they must STOP the run game AND pressure Big Ben at the same time. BDB has missed Duce since before he left, and this weekend will only serve to remind Philly fans of the void he left. But, with the PIT red zone offense ranked 3rd in the AFC (72.7%), the Eagles can't expect to just clamp down once things tighten up. JJ will need to pressure Big Ben with his most creative blitzing and scheming activity of the year (all the while protecting against Duce screens, yikes!).
• Balance our own offense out. Certainly, the Eagles must pass more than run. Assuming they sprinkle in enough running to rest the defense and control some clock, they MUST spread even the air ball around better. Rather than being a TO-only offense, the Birds must involve even FMitch. Sure, look to TO in the clutch or for the big play. But if we don't involve other WR's and TE's, the AFC's 3rd ranked defense WILL shut down the pass (ie. the offense).

This weekend will be the greatest test the Birds have seen this season and may very well stand as that up until the playoffs. This is the first offense to feature a solid backfield AND at least two marquee WR's (6'0" and 6'5" vs. 5'10" CBs). And get this straight: The Steelers are not yet set up for a "let down" game after beating the Pats. Cowher won't stand for that (PIT just came off a bye before NEP), Duce won't stand for that, and PIT knows they have an opportunity to beat another undefeated team this week.

Both O's (slight edge PIT w/o BW and Ritchie) and D's (slight edge PIT, the second 3-4 D in two weeks) will perform. Both special teams will execute (slight edge PHI). The team making the least mistakes will win. The team that gets an extra call from the refs will win. The team that gets one extra coaching call will win. Unfortunately for Philly fans, the latter will be the most significant factor, which leads to our first loss of the season and wonderment over whether Big Red can ever get it done in January. PIT wins this one 23-20.

Big Daddy B