 NFL Preseason Pick - Pittsburgh at Philadelphia
Pittsburgh (0-2 SU and ATS) at Philadelphia (1-2 SU and ATS)
Ben Roethlisberger will see his first extended playing time of the summer when he guides the Steelers against the Eagles in this preseason battle between intrastrate rivals.
Roethlisberger has played just a single series in Pittsburgh’s first two games, losses to the Vikings and Cardinals. He went 3-for-4 in each contest for a total of 59 yards and a touchdown. The Super Bowl hero, along with the rest of the Steelers’ starters, will play most, if not all, of the first hafl. Charlie Batch (61 percent 130 yards, 1 INT) will replace Roethlisberger, followed by Shane Boyd and Omar Jacobs.
Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward will once again sit out for Pittsburgh, meaning more playing time for young wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Willie Reid.
Eagles QB Donovan McNabb has been sensational this summer, completing 72.7 percent of his passes for 204 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions – good for a 116.5 quarterback rating.
Even though this is Philly’s fourth of five preseason games, McNabb and the rest of the team’s starters are expected to be on the field for the entire first half and part of the third quarter. McNabb will hand off to backup Jeff Garcia, who sat out last week after completing 62 percent of his throws for 168 yards with a TD and an INT in the Eagles’ first two games. Third-stringer Mike McMahon will finish up.
Philly WR Todd Pinkston, who missed all of last season with an injury, will see action tonight, as will oft-injured RB Correll Buckhalter, who hasn’t played since the 2004 preseason. Buckhalter will start in place of Brian Westbrook, who remains out for the rest of the preseason with an injury.
Pittsburgh topped Philly 38-31 as a three-point home favorite last August, its second straight preseason victory over the Eagles. The straight-up winner has cashed in each of the last 10 clashes going back to 1994, including four regular-season meetings.
The Steelers are in the midst of a 3-9 funk in the preseason (4-8 ATS), including 1-4 on the road (2-3 ATS).
The Eagles are 5-5 in their last 10 preseason home games (4-6 ATS), including a 20-7 rout of the Browns as a 3½-point favorite back on Aug. 10.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA  | 
