Steelers vs. Eagles: TV Schedule, Game Time, Position Battles and More

Expectations can lift a good team to greatness. They can also knock down a would-be contender a rung because of the pressure.

The Philadelphia Eagles take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in FOX's nationally televised preseason game. Both teams are looking well ahead of Thursday to loftier goals.

The tone for the second preseason match for either club will be of expectations. The Steelers will be expected to once again lead the AFC North with an iron fist.

Tough defense will make way for a stout running game. By season's end, the Steelers will again be in the thick of it.

For the Eagles, they enter Thursday as more of a Super Bowl certainty than the defending champion Green Bay Packers. The new Dream Team will attempt to continue to grow as a cohesive unit.

The Steelers just hope to shake off a great deal of the rust they showed last week against the Washington Redskins.

Let's delve deeper into the upcoming clash of contenders.

Where: Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

When: Thursday, 8:00 p.m. EST

Watch: FOX Nationally Televised Game; online at NFL.com (must pay $19.99 for league-wide package), live look-ins on NFL Network; game replay: 7:00 a.m. EST Saturday, NFL Network.

Listen: 94 WYSP-Philadelphia, WDVE-FM 102.5-Pittsburgh, WBGG-AM AM 970-Pittsburgh, Sirius 92 (PHI) 88 (PIT)   

Steelers' Key Addition

The Steelers did not make nearly as big a dent in free agency as the team across the field did. They mainly concentrated on bringing back key guys, just as any perennial contender would do.

The best signing has to be Jerrico Cotchery, who gives the Steelers another set of arms for Ben Roethlisberger to target. Cotchery is a great fit for Pittsburgh.   

Eagles' Key Addition

It is hard to choose just one great addition in a sea of many. You can't discount the boost Steve Smith will lend once healthy, or the depth given by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

The winner is none other than Nnamdi Asomugha. Success in the secondary will begin with this shutdown corner. The pressure will be on this star, but he can handle it.  

Steelers' Biggest Loss

The Steelers, and more specifically Rashard Mendenhall, will miss Matt Spaeth. The mountain of a man is a solid run-blocking tight end.

It remains to be seen just how effective Mendenhall can be without his lead blocker.    

Eagles' Biggest Loss

It's hard to remember who this team is missing when you consider all the great new toys they have to play with.

However, Quintin Mikell will be greatly missed in the back. The safety is a versatile defender that is now the star of a swarming Rams defense.  

What They're Saying

Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports paints a beautiful picture of the Philadelphia Eagles. This team has been anointed by the media as an All-Star caliber squad, but do not call them the Miami Heat. They are doing their best to temper the hype. 

Mark Kaboly of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review describes Steelers receiver Hines Ward as chomping at the bit. The only thing is, he has one team in mind: the Baltimore Ravens. This should have every fan clamoring for the season to hurry up and start.    

Steelers' Player To Watch

I have two players to watch here: James Harrison and Troy Polamalu. Both defenders are critical to the livelihood of the Steelers' fortunes.

We will get our first look at Polamalu after last season's Achilles injury. He will no doubt be limited to a few snaps, but we will be looking for a spry safety in the back.  

Eagles' Player To Watch

This really is going to be a great fan feast of entertainment. There are so many subplots and side storylines. However, I will have just one moment where I must be watching this game, and that is when Michael Vick is on the screen.

Last week, we only got to see last year's MVP runner-up in a single drive, but it was a marvelous one. With the season still weeks away, I will take my eye candy where I can get it. Look for Vick to mount a scoring drive and take the rest of the game off.  

Matchup To Watch

There are great stories all over the field. You will have to watch the very beginning to find the marquee matchups that will actually mater in a few weeks.

I will be very interested to see how DeSean Jackson fares in his first touches of the preseason, especially as he goes vertical against Troy Polamalu. This will be the test that measures which team may have the upper hand going into the season.  

Steelers' Position Battle

Ramon Foster and Doug Legursky are still battling it out for the left guard position. They should both feature on the line. 

The winner will no doubt get to stay on the O-line once Chris Kemoeatu is cleared to play in games. He is expected to miss this affair though. 

Eagles' Position Battle

The Eagles will be looking for their second in command to helm the receiving corps. Jeremy Maclin is still injured, and Steve Smith will not be game ready for another couple months.

It is now time for either Jason Avant or Riley Cooper to step up. After week one of the preseason, I give a slight advantage to Cooper. Let's see what Avant has in store for Round 2.  

Key Storyline

There is just one thing that will be on these teams minds: don't get hurt. We will be looking at two legitimate contenders to the Super Bowl.

The biggest thing that could derail their lofty goal is an injury to a key character. The Steelers and Eagles offer us a marquee match in the dead of summer.

Th exciting thought is to see the two Pennsylvania teams clash once again in February. Could this be a prelude to a far superior game for the whole enchilada? It certainly could. That is what makes this one of the most important preseason games left on the docket.  

Prediction: Eagles, 24-17

For more coverage on your favorite team's first preseason game, visit the Bleacher Report NFL Page.