NFL Preseason Preview - Philadelphia (0-0) at Pittsburgh (0-0)

A battle for Keystone State pride will be the feature attraction at Heinz Field on Monday night, when the Pittsburgh Steelers play host to the Philadelphia Eagles in the initial preseason outing for both teams. Both the Steelers and Eagles come off terrific seasons that ended with their share of heartbreak. Pittsburgh stormed to an NFL-best 15-1 record during the 2004 regular season, but fell short of their Super Bowl goal with a 41-27 home loss to New England in the AFC Championship. - NFL Football -
Philadelphia reached a bit further, breaking a three-game losing streak in NFC Championship games by taking down the Falcons before falling to the Patriots, 24-21, in Super Bowl XXXIX. In addition to beginning their season on a positive note, Andy Reid's club will be looking to avenge a humiliating 27-3 loss to Pittsburgh during the 2004 regular season. - NFL Football -
The big story for the Eagles won't be the players that are on the field, but the one who isn't, Pro Bowl wideout Terrell Owens. Owens was suspended by the team following a verbal altercation with head coach Andy Reid last Wednesday, and won't return to training camp until Wednesday of this week. Owens has been engaged in a much-publicized contract dispute with the Eagles throughout the offseason. - NFL Football -
Also not in uniform will be Owens'' would-be fellow starting receiver, Todd Pinkston, who was lost for the season to a ruptured Achilles early in training camp. Second-round draft choice Reggie Brown (Georgia), and 2004 backups Greg Lewis and Billy McMullen stand to gain the most from the absences of Owens and Pinkston. Throwing the passes to the wideouts will be Donovan McNabb, who will yield to new backup and former Lion Mike McMahon, followed by longtime backup Koy Detmer. Defensively, Philadelphia will be minus the services of end Jerome McDougle, who was shot during a robbery attempt on the eve of camp and could miss the start of the season. - NFL Football -
Like the Eagles, Pittsburgh will also take the field on Monday without its two starting receivers of 2004. Plaxico Burress signed a free-agent deal with the New York Giants in the offseason, and leading wideout Hines Ward is embroiled in a contract dispute of his own. Former No. 3 receiver Antwaan Randle El and offseason addition Cedrick Wilson, a former 49er, will likely see time with the first unit on Monday. Bill Cowher and company have also suffered at least one significant injury on either side of the ball, with running back Duce Staley and linebacker Joey Porter both out for the next month with knee injuries. Of those that will play, fans will be most eager to see quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who comes off a stellar first season that earned him NFL Rookie of the Year honors. - NFL Football -
Roethlisberger is likely to be followed by veteran Tommy Maddox and third-string candidates Charlie Batch and Brian St. Pierre in the lineup. Staley will be replaced in the backfield by Jerome Bettis, who should see limited action before yielding to backups Verron Haynes, Willie Parker, and rookie Noah Herron (Northwestern).
Philadelphia holds a 16-14-1 edge in the all-time preseason series, with Pittsburgh narrowing the advantage with a 27-21 road victory prior to last season. The Eagles also lead the regular season series, 45-27-3, though Andy Reid's club dropped the last such installment of the rivalry, 27-3, at Heinz Field during the 2004 campaign. - NFL Football -

Tony Moss, NFL Editor
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