Tag: chargers vs. steelers

5 Steelers who pose biggest threat to Chargers

Highlighting a few Pittsburgh Steelers players who could make it difficult for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday at 6:25 p.m. PT.

Here are a few Steelers players who the Bolts must hone in on to increase their chances of coming out victorious in Week 11.

DL Cameron Heyward

Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler have been integral pieces along the offensive line, faring well against some of the league’s top defensive tackles. This weekend, it does not get any easier, as they will go head-to-head against Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 interior defender. Heyward has disrupted backfields on a weekly basis. As a result, he has 37 pressures, 27 hurries, 24 run stops, and five sacks.

EDGE T.J. Watt

The availability of Watt is currently up in the air after he suffered knee and hip injuries against the Lions last weekend. Despite the lingering issues, coach Mike Tomlin has yet to officially rule him out. If he’s a go, it will primarily be Storm Norton’s job to slow down the premiere pass rusher. Watt is second in the league in sacks (12.5). Furthermore, he has 28 pressures, 23 run stops, and three forced fumbles.

WR Diontae Johnson

Even though there’s a possibility the Steelers could be starting Mason Rudolph over Ben Roethlisberger this weekend, it doesn’t mean that it will impact the role of the team’s No. 1 receiver. Johnson leads Pittsburgh with 52 catches for 613 yards and three touchdowns this season. There’s the possibility of Michael Davis and Nasir Adderley returning from their perspective injuries, which would help. But the pass rush might take a bit of a hit since Joey Bosa is on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

RB Najee Harris

The Chargers have shown steady progress in the run defense department. But the team could be without Bosa, Jerry Tillery, Christian Covington, and Drue Tranquill, who are all on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. In addition, Linval Joseph has yet to practice this week due to a shoulder injury. Harris has 120+ yards from scrimmage in 4 of the last 5 games. He is close to the 1,000-yard mark from scrimmage and has six total touchdowns.

TE Pat Freiermiuth

This is the first time that two rookies have found their way to this list. One, it goes to show how many keys Steelers players the team could be without this weekend. Two, the Chargers have struggled against opposing tight ends, particularly in the red zone – allowing seven touchdowns this season. Freiermiuth has been bringing more to the table than just a blocker. 23 of his 32 catches have gone for either a first down or a score.

4 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 11 opponent: Steelers

Highlighting important things to know about the Chargers’ opponent ahead of the Week 11 matchup.

The Chargers are set to take on the Steelers on Nov. 21 at 6:25 pm PT in hopes of getting back on track after falling to the Vikings.

Here are four important things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the Week 11 bout:

Planning to start Mason

Mason Rudolph was thrust into the action when Ben Roethlisberger was ruled out last Sunday’s matchup against the Lions after testing positive for COVID-19. Even though Roethlisberger is vaccinated and coach Mike Tomlin said the Steelers would “leave the light on” for the starter, there’s a chance Rudolph could start a second consecutive game for Pittsburgh this week. In Week 10 against Detroit, Rudolph finished the game 30-of-50 passing for 242 yards with a touchdown. He started eight games in 2019 and another last year.

But wait, there’s more!

Roethlisberger is not the only notable player who could be out of the action in Week 11. Most notably, star pass rusher T.J. Watt’s availability is up in the air after suffering knee and hip injuries against the Lions. Cornerback Joe Haden sustained a foot injury in the same game. They are both labeled as day-to-day. In addition, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick remains on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. On the other side of the ball, guard Kevin Dotson and Trai Turner also suffered injuries against Detroit. Wide receiver Chase Claypool has a toe injury that occurred in Week 9 against the Bears. He was a limited participant on Wednesday.

Rookie is running wild

First-round pick Najee Harris has proven himself capable as a workhorse back. Harris has recorded 75+ scrimmage yards in eight straight games, which is the longest active streak in NFL, according to NFL Research. He is close to the 1,000-yard mark from scrimmage and has six total touchdowns. While the Chargers’ run defense has shown improvement, the team could potentially be without Drue Tranquill, Joey Bosa and Jerry Tillery, who are all on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Struggling to do the exact opposite

The Steelers might be efficient running the ball, but slowing their opponents from doing so is an entirely different story. In its last three games, Pittsburgh has allowed an average of 153.7 rushing yards per carry, making the most in that span. Of course, it might be skewed off of one game, as the Steelers allowed 229 yards on 39 carries, but still, it could be an area the Chargers look to expose with running back Austin Ekeler, who has 523 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in nine games.

Update on Chargers’ Joey Bosa, Jerry Tillery

An update on the status of Josa Bosa and Jerry Tillery after the two were added to the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

On Tuesday, edge defender Joey Bosa and defensive tackle Jerry Tillery were added to the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

It remained to be seen if Bosa and Tillery were vaccinated or not.

Bosa is unvaccinated and has been deemed a close contact, according to head coach Brandon Staley.

Bosa will have to spend five days from the contact and will then have to show no positive tests. Any positive test and he would be immediately ruled out against the Steelers.

On the other hand, Tillery, who is vaccinated, needs two negative tests 24 hours apart as long as he’s asymptomatic for 48 hours to play.

Furthermore, Christian Covington will also be heading to the COVID list.

Point spread, over/under for Chargers vs. Steelers in Week 11

The Los Angeles Chargers open as favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Los Angeles Chargers (5-4) are currently 4.5-point favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3-1) heading into Week 11 of the regular season. The over/under is set at 47.5, per Tipico Sportsbook.

The Chargers most recently fell to the Vikings by the score of 27-20.

Los Angeles could not get into an offensive rhythm, was haunted by dropped passes, and could not make crucial stops on third down in the second half.

The Steelers, on the other hand, tied with the Lions, 17-17.

Mason Rudolph was Pittsburgh’s starter because Ben Roethlisberger missed the game due to COVID-19. After guiding the offense to a touchdown on his first drive, he couldn’t get anything going the rest of the way out.

The last time these two teams met was back in 2019, and it was the Steelers who came out on top.

Sunday’s contest between Los Angeles and Pittsburgh will begin at 6:20 p.m. PT and be televised on NBC.