Steelers 2020 Breakdown: Week 5, Eagles

HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- The battle of Pennsylvania returns in 2020 with the Eagles making the cross-state trek to Heinz Field to play the Steelers. Anytime these two teams meet up in Philadelphia, it is bad news for Pittsburgh. Luckily for Steeler Nation, the game will be played on the western side of the state this time around.

MATCHUP

Opponent: Eagles
2019 Record: 9-7
Overall History (W/L):  48-28-3 for Eagles
Last 4 Games: 2-2
Opening Line: Steelers (-1.5)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Pittsburgh

OUTGOING PLAYERS/ FREE-AGENT LOSSES

OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai
RB Jordan Howard
CB Ronald Darby
LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
WR Nelson Agholor
TE Richard Rodgers

RETIREMENTS

N/A

FREE-AGENT ADDITIONS

DT Javon Hargrave
DB Will Parks
CB Nickell Robey
LB Jatavis Brown

PLAYERS VIA TRADE

CB Darius Slay

2020 NFL DRAFT CLASS

Round 1: Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Round 2: Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Round 3: Davion Taylor, LB, Colorado
Round 4: K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson
Round 4: Jack Driscoll, OG, Auburn
Round 5: John Hightower, WR, Boise State
Round 6: Shaun Bradley, ILB, Temple
Round 6: Quez Watkins, WR, Southern Mississippi
Round 6: Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
Round 7: Casey Toohill, DE, Stanford

OVERVIEW

Fans of the Steelers know all too well what happens when the Steelers travel to Philadelphia. Bad things happen. But when the Eagles come to Heinz Field, it is a different story.

In Week 5, that is exactly what we'll see, as Carson Wentz and company invade the big ketchup bottle. Although the Eagles made the playoffs in 2019, their NFC East championship was hardly something to write home about. Their 9-7 record was more of the "best of the worst" than the "beast of the east."

Looking at last year's statistics, the Eagles struggled to protect the football. They finished with a minus-six turnover ratio, but when it came to putting points on the board, the Eagles averaged 24.1 points per game. On the other side of the ball, the defense surrendered 22.1 points per game. Do the math, and you realize the Eagles were in a lot of close games. Nine of their games in 2019 were settled by one score or fewer.

With Wentz and company, you never know how these games will play out. The Steelers are favored, but the line is razor-thin when you consider the game will be played in Pittsburgh. Could it be a coin-flip game in Week 5?

PREDICTION

If you have checked out the previous breakdowns (see links below) you know I predict the Steelers will come into Week 5 sporting a 3-1 record. Their loss came the week prior to the Titans on the road. I just don't see the Steelers dropping back-to-back games, and I feel they will be a team to be reckoned with at Heinz Field in 2020.

Steelers, 27-18

Be sure to check out the other 2020 regular season breakdowns:

Week 1 - at the Giants

Week 2 - vs. the Broncos

Week 3 - vs. the Texans

Week 4 - at the Titans