Dating back to 2011, the Philadelphia Eagles are 14-5 straight up and 13-6 against the spread in their last 19 preseason games. The Eagles will try to pick up another win as an underdog this Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Eagles vs. Steelers odds 2016: Pittsburgh favored over Philly in preseason matchup
The Philadelphia Eagles will be looking to build on their recent preseason success on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.
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Philadelphia is a 3-point betting underdog in Thursday night’s contest at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. In their last seven preseason games, the Eagles are 6-1 SU and ATS.
Led by a strong effort from the defense, the Eagles won their preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-9 at home. While the defense played well, the offense struggled with rookie quarterback Carson Wentz at the helm. Wentz passed for just 89 yards and an interception on 24 attempts, and will be out with a rib injury for this game against the Steelers.
Chase Daniel and fourth-stringer McLeod Bethel-Thompson will likely get plenty of playing time for Philadelphia after starter Sam Bradford leaves the game.
The Eagles haven’t beaten the Steelers in Pittsburgh in the preseason since 2003. Pittsburgh is 4-0 SU and ATS in its last four preseason home games against the Eagles per the OddsShark NFL Database.
The Steelers lost their preseason home opener to the Detroit Lions 30-17, continuing a recent losing trend in preseason play.
From 2009 to 2012, the Steelers were a strong preseason team with a 12-4 SU and 11-5 ATS record including an 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS record at home. But since the start of the 2013 season, the Steelers are just 2-12 SU and ATS in 14 preseason games.
Thursday’s total is set at 39 points. The OVER is 7-2 in the last nine preseason games between these two state rivals.
Pittsburgh at home was at one point an extremely reliable bet during the preseason, but that hasn’t been the case in recent years. As the Eagles continue to work out their depth chart under a new head coach, Mike Tomlin’s main focus seems to be towards keeping his starters healthy.
The preseason can be difficult to predict, but recent trends point to the Eagles having some value as an underdog in this one.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
When: Thursday, August 18, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
