Excluding the Hall of Fame game, each team gets eight halves of preseason football. Out of those eight halves, the one that probably represents regular season football the most is the first half of week 3, the “dress rehearsal” for players and coaches that falls between the still-too-soon early part of August and the please-don’t-get-hurt week before the first real game.
NFL preseason 2014: Thursday’s schedule, Nick Foles and Ben Roethlisberger battle
The Keystone State takes center stage with two of the league’s top coaches and quarterbacks hitting the field.
Jared Wickerham
That’s why when you’re tuning into games during the third week of the preseason, you’re likely to see most of your favorite players starting and remaining in the game against starters on the other team, at least for a half. Which is something rarely seen during the month before the first regular season game, but even though the final score does not matter, at least the football is a close representation of the best versus the best.
Or at least the best versus the Jets.
7:30 p.m. ET (National: NFL Network, Home: WTXF 29 Away: KDKA 2)
Chip Kelly is under pressure to followup a surprise 10-6 finish a year ago with a prove-it performance in 2014. Is Nick Foles the real deal and can the offense remain as dangerous and explosive without leading receiver DeSean Jackson, who was released after the team decided they couldn't deal with him or pay him any longer. Foles was shaky in the first preseason game but on-point last week against the Patriots, as were backups Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley.
Can they keep in rhythm on Thursday night against the Steelers, a team looking for redemption this season?
Pittsburgh had a shocking 0-4 start to last season but rebounded to win eight of their final 12 games, just barely missing the postseason. Had Mike Tomlin gotten the Steelers into the postseason they might have been the most feared team in the AFC playoffs, but they fell just shy and the Chargers went instead. With running back Le'Veon Bell healthy, Pittsburgh can go back to smash-mouth football and could provide a tough test for Kelly and the Eagles as both teams edge closer to the regular season.
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