Week 1 NFL Preseason Predictions: August 9th 2012
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Current betting line: Pittsburgh (-1/34).

The Philadelphia Eagles host their state rival-the Pittsburgh Steelers-on Thursday at 7:30pm from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Eagles have to be heartbroken for head coach Andy Reid, who lost his son Garrett over the weekend at age 29, due to drug-related causes. But Reid could return for this game as the funeral was held on Tuesday.

Philadelphia is coming off a disappointing 8-8 SU season (8-8 ATS, 8-7-1 O/U) as expectations were much higher. Andy Reid is 20-32 SU in preseason and is 22-30 ATS and 27-21-1 Over. Pittsburgh finished 12-4 SU last season, impressive considering the injuries. They were also 7-9 ATS and 6-10 Under in 2011. Mike Tomlin is 16-5 SU, 26-32-6 ATS and 25-31 Under in preseason.

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The weather is expected to be humid, in the low eighties with a chance of thunderstorms.

Pittsburgh addressed their issues on the offensive line by drafting G David DeCastro and T Mike Adams. Both will start in Game 1 as tackle Max Starks and guard Willie Colon are coming off injuries. The key is protecting Ben Roethlisberger (ankle/rotator cuff) who is already banged up. They also need to find a running game as Rashard Mendenhall (knee) is questionable for the start of the season and burly Isaac Redman will get the start. As for the Eagles, they have all the pieces: a great running back in LeSean McCoy, a happy WR in DeSean Jackson and a healthy QB in Michael Vick. What they need is more consistency on defense.

The Eagles can’t afford to lose Vick so don’t expect him to go more than a series or two. Mike Kafka and Trent Edwards are decent, while rookie Nick Foles could see mop-up duty. The Steelers are little more solid with veterans Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch as backups. Jerrod Johnson could see the mop-up duty but could play more if they bench Roethlisberger.

Pittsburgh has their issues with Roethlisberger and the offensive line, as well as the holdout of speedy WR Mike Wallace. As for the Eagles, DT Mike Patterson (brain surgery) is out a couple of months (rookie DT Fletcher Cox takes over). DE Jason Babin (18 sacks last year) is out due to a calf strain and DE Trent Cole (shoulder sprain) is ?

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