By Tucker Bagley, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
Another week, another game of meaningless football. But once again, the Eagles have found a way to make this week compelling.
The first-team offense will get some more time, without Lane Johnson as they await to hear about his impending 10-game suspension. The wide receivers and offensive line will try to shake off last week's terrible performance. And heck, maybe Chase Daniel will even look more like an NFL backup QB and less like George Plimpton.
Even with Carson Wentz sidelined with a hairline fracture, the Birds have a lot to prove tonight as they travel across the Keystone State to face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night at 7 p.m.
Quarterbacks
| Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) | Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) |
| 3 Landry Jones | 7 Sam Bradford |
| 2015 Stats: 513 YD, 3 TD, 4 INT | 2015 Stats: 3,725 YD, 19 TD, 14 INT |
Sam Bradford completed just one pass for three yards last week, so he, along with the rest of the first-team offense should get extended time tonight to make up for playing just three snaps. After Daniel's inept performance against the Buccaneers and Wentz's injury, Bradford's position atop the depth chart is even more secure than it was a week ago.
Ben Roethlisberger will be leading the high-powered Steelers offense once the games start counting, but the veteran will given tonight off, so the team will be quarterbacked by Landry Jones and Dustin Vaughan. Jones replaced Roethlisberger last year when the latter as hurt, but after a few inconsistent performances, Jones was replaced by former Eagle Michael Vick.
Running Backs
| Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) | Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) |
| 38 Daryl Richardson | 24 Ryan Mathews |
| Week One Stats: 11 Att, 44 YD | 2015 Stats: 106 Att, 539 YD, 6 TD |
Ryan Mathews put to rest any doubts about his ability to be the Eagles lead back last week, when he rushed twice, for 15 yards and a touchdown, before retreating to the bench. Mathews' skill level has never been questioned, but his health will always be a concern. Expect the Eagles to mix in a lot of Wendell Smallwood, if the rookie is active. The fifth-round pick has some ground to make up after missing last week's game.
For the Steelers, they will be without Le'Voen Bell, who is suspended for the first four weeks of the season. DeAngelo Williams will be their top back up, but he sat out last week for rest reasons. Daryl Richardson was the Steelers top rusher last week, picking up 44 yards. The former St. Louis Ram is trying to make a comeback after being out of the league for the past two seasons.
Wide Receivers
| Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) | Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) | ||
| 84 Antonio Brown | 2015 Stats: 138 Rec, 1,834 YD, 10 TD | 17 Nelson Agholor | 2015 Stats: 23 Rec, 283 YD, 1 TD |
| 11 Markus Wheaton | 2015 Stats: 44 Rec, 749 YD, 5 TD | 82 Rueben Randle | 2015 Stats: 57 Rec, 797 YD, 8 TD |
For Nelson Agholor, last week was just another disappointing performance. No catches and one drop for the 2015 first-round pick once again has fans worried about his ability to play in the NFL. Paul Turner was the Eagles top receiver last week, picking up 34 yards on six catches. The Eagles made headlines on Tuesday when the traded for Dorial Green-Beckham, but it looks like the newest member of the team will not suit up this week.
Antonio Brown may be the best wide receiver in football, but like his other veteran teammates, he will be getting the night off. In his absence, Darrius Heyward-Bey was the Steelers top receiving option last week, picking up 29 yards and a touchdown. Wheaton missed last week's game and is questionable for tonight.
Defense
| Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) | Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) | ||
| 97 Cameron Heyward | 2015 Stats: 7.0 Sacks, 39 Tackles | 91 Fletcher Cox | 2015 Stats: 71 Tackles, 9.5 Sacks |
| 94 Lawrence Timmons | 2015 Stats: 77 Tackles, 1 INT | 58 Jordan Hicks | 2015 Stats: 50 Tackles, 2 INT |
| 22 William Gay | 2015 Stats: 46 Tackles, 2 INT | 21 Leodis McKelvin | 2015 Stats: 25 Tackles, 2 INT |
Fletcher Cox had a strip sack and fumble recovery last week, while Jordan Hicks made a nice play against the run, blowing up a trap play. Leodis McKelvin, on the other hand, will look to bounce back from an uninspiring performance that saw him misplay a pass in the air that ending up going for six points.
The Steelers defense is a veteran group, led by Heyward, Timmons and Gay. Their experience should be a good test for Doug Pederson's offense.
Player to Watch
| Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) | Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) |
| 53 Maurkice Pouncey | 28 Wendell Smallwood |
| 2015: Missed Due To Injury | 2015 Stats: N/A |
With Wentz out, it's another rookie who could steal the spotlight this week. Smallwood missed last week's game due to injury and is listed as probable for tonight. Expect a lot of touches for him, especially in the passing game where his ability to catch and move in space could make him a valuable weapon in this offense.
It's not usual to pick a center out to watch, but Pouncey will be back on the field tonight for the first time since he broke his leg last August. For a guy who was one of the premier centers in football before his injury, it will be interesting to see how he bounces back from a year of rehab.
Injury Report
|
Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1) |
Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) |
||||
| QB Bruce Gradkowski | Hamstring | Out |
LB Mychal Kendricks |
Hamstring | Out |
| CB Senquez Golson | Foot | Out | DB Jalen Miils | Hamstring | Out |
| DT Mike Martin | Knee |
Out |
|||
|
WR Jordan Matthews |
Knee |
Out |
|||
| QB Carson Wentz | Ribs | Out | |||
| WR Hunter Sharp | Hamstring | Out | |||
Game Notes
- The Eagles and Steelers will play again during Week 3 of the regular season.
- This will be the 10th preseason meeting between the two teams since 2000. The Steelers have won five of the previous nine preseason matchups.
- The Steelers will also be without the services of Martavis Bryant, who is currently suspended for the 2016 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Where to Watch
TV: CSN (Scott Graham, Mike Mayock, Dave Spadaro)
Radio: 94 Sportsradio WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)
