The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles are geographically located on opposite ends of Pennsylvania. Their respective seasons are also headed in different directions.
The Steelers beat the Eagles 38-29 on Sunday, fueled by a four-touchdown performance by rookie wide receiver Chase Claypool. The Eagles fell to 1-3-1 but remained in the discussion to win the feeble NFC East that became even more wide open after Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending ankle injury. The Steelers are 4-0 for the first time since 1979, when they finished 12-4 and won Super Bowl XIV.
Here’s a breakdown of where the money was going for the Eagles vs. Steelers before kickoff at FanDuel online sportsbook:
- 60% of the money backed the Steelers (-7) to cover the spread
- 45% of the money for the Steelers (-315) on the moneyline
- 74% of the money on the over (44.5)
All three of the above markets that earned the majority of the public’s favor turned out to be winners.
Steelers a popular play at BetRivers
Eagles vs. Steelers was the most bet-on 1 p.m. game by total handle at BetRivers Sportsbook app.
The Steelers (-7) was an especially popular play, responsible for 45% of the total game handle. BetRivers online sportsbook also claimed that it took over two dozen bets on Claypool to score 2+ TDs (+1800).
The second-round draft pick out of Notre Dame tore apart the Eagles’ weak linebackers and suspect coverage for seven rec, 110 yards and four touchdowns. Claypool opened the season at +4000 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year at PA online betting apps.
Ben Roethlisberger continued to show why he was the favorite to win Comeback Player of the Year, as he passed for 239 yards and three TDs. Roethlisberger has had only one interception after four games.
Eagles vs. Steelers best tweets
It was also a tale of two very different Twitter fan bases on Sunday.
The Steelers are reveling in the return of their franchise quarterback and the breakout performance of a rookie wide receiver to go along with their dominant defense.
Eagles Twitter rips Schwartz and Gerry
Pundits and former players joined angry Eagles Twitter in roasting defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Claypool is better than all Eagles wideouts
Eagles fans are extra salty about Claypool since the Bird’s brass have a lousy track record of drafting and developing wide receivers.
According to The Athletic, Claypool’s three receiving touchdowns are more than all Eagles rookie wideouts have caught in the Doug Pederson era combined.
Here are the wideouts drafted in the Pederson era by GM Howie Roseman:
2020
- Jalen Reagor (5 rec/96 yds/0 TDs)
- John Hightower (7 rec/57 yds/0 TDs)
- Quez Watkins (0 rec/0 yds)
2019
- JJ Arcega-Whiteside (10 rec/169 yds/1 TD)
2017
- Mack Hollins (26 rec/351 yards/1 TD)
- Shelton Gibson (3 rec/59 yards)
Perhaps the lone bright spot for the Eagles on Sunday was receiver Travis Fulgham. Drafted in the sixth round by the Detroit Lions of 2019, Fulgham was promoted from the Eagles practice squad and made his first career catch last week. On Sunday against the Steelers, he had 10 receptions, 152 yards and one touchdown.
Lead image credit: AP Photo/Don Wright
