Eagles, Steelers set to collide
Packers’ Matthews sidelined; Falcons’ Jones back at practice
Here come the unbeaten Steelers from Western Pennsylvania, crossing the Keystone State to meet the unbeaten Eagles.
They meet only every four years, but how cool it is that each is 2-0 and looking strong when they meet today?
Even without star running back Le’Veon Bell and emerging receiver Martavis Bryant — Bell finishes his three-game league suspension this weekend, while Bryant is suspended for the entire season — Pittsburgh’s offense has hummed. DeAngelo Williams leads the NFL in rushing in his 11th pro season, Antonio Brown is the game’s most dangerous wideout, and Ben Roethlisberger is making big plays.
“They don’t ask for a birth certificate before the game,” Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz says of the 33-year-old Williams.
“They don’t give you 9 yards (to gain a first down) if you are over 30. You’ve still got to get 10. He’s a patient runner, he’s compact, and he’s strong. He can test every area of your run gaps.”
The Steelers don’t have many run gaps; their rush defense ranks second. So Philly might need to rely once more on rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. He’s made a strong debut in wins over Cleveland and Chicago, but Pittsburgh isn’t anything like those two tailenders.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson pays Wentz quite a compliment when asked if he saw some Roethlisberger in the second overall draft pick. “Little bit, little bit,” Pederson says. “Carson has the ability to extend plays with his legs. Ben is big, strong, physical in the pocket, hard to bring down and continues to have great vision down the field.
“I think that’s one thing with Carson’s strength is he continues to have that vision down the field when things begin to break down.
“So, yeah, there are a lot of similarities there. The fact that they’re both very good throwers outside the pocket is a tribute to both of them.” As would be a 3-0 record.
SAINTS: Drew Brees hopes the world watches what happens in and around the Superdome on Monday night.
As the Saints host the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans will mark the 10-year anniversary of the reopening of the hulking, 73,000-seat stadium on Sept. 25, 2006, after its unprecedented 10-month restoration from extensive damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Brees figures coverage of the game will resonate with people he met this summer from flood-ravaged areas of West Virginia, when the Saints held training camp there — or with Louisiana residents whose communities around Baton Rouge were inundated last month.
“So many of those people, right when it happens to you, just can’t fathom ever being able to come back from that,” Brees said. “New Orleans is a great example and symbol of how it can come back when you have this community that bands together and continues to press on.” PACKERS: Pass-rushing linebacker Clay Matthews will miss Green Bay’s game against Detroit because of ankle and hamstring injuries.
The Packers downgraded Matthews’ status for the home opener from questionable to out after practice Saturday. Matthews has not practiced all week.
Green Bay also will be without Morgan Burnett after the starting safety was ruled out on Saturday with a groin injury.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville added cornerback Davon House of New Mexico State to the injury report because of an illness. House, cornerback Prince Amukamara (hamstring) and safety Tashaun Gipson (hamstring) are all questionable.
The Jaguars also promoted rookie offensive lineman Rashod Hill from the practice squad to the active roster and released receiver Bryan Walters.
FALCONS: Julio Jones joined practice for the first time this week, increasing his chances to play in the Falcons’ game at New Orleans on Monday night.
After being held out on Thursday and Friday with a calf injury from last week’s win at Oakland, Jones was limited in Saturday’s practice. Coach Dan Quinn says the All-Pro receiver is no longer bothered by the ankle injury that slowed him before the calf injury.
BROWNS: Already down, the Browns have been kicked again by the injury bug. Kicker Patrick Murray was placed on injured reserve Saturday after hurting his surgically repaired left knee in practice, forcing the Browns to sign Cody Parkey to handle their kicking duties in today’s game at Miami.