The Steelers are finding out how hard it is to be considered the defending champs.
This past Sunday, the Steelers suffered a jaw-dropping loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, as the Bengals dropped 14 on Pittsburgh in the 4th Quarter, led by stellar play from QB Carson Palmer, while leaving the Steelers out to dry with zero points of their own.
As a matter of fact, the Steelers proved recently that they can struggle with defending their title, considering the fact that the Steelers of ’06 also started the season with a 1-2 record, which was the same season they last missed out on the playoffs with a dead even 8-8 record.
Is history already doomed to repeat itself this season? Or can the contemporary “Steel Curtain” help itself in the W category and get things turned around week against San Diego?
Here is what you need to know about Sunday night’s Chargers-Steelers tilt:
San Diego Chargers (2-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2)
- Chargers-Steelers Date: Sunday, October 4th
- Chargers-Steelers Kickoff Time: 8:20 ET
- Chargers-Steelers TV: NBC
- Chargers-Steelers Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
- Chargers-Steelers Point Spread: Steelers -6.5
- Chargers-Steelers Over-Under: 43
- Chargers-Steelers Spread Pick by Jerod: I feel sorry for the Chargers. The Steelers have to deal with a pissed off Mike Tomlin all week, and I think they come out ready to play at home. The question is, can Pittsburgh cover by a TD? That’s tough. I don’t think so. They win, but not by 7. Chargers-Steelers pick: Chargers +6.5
Chargers-Steelers Preview and Analysis
It certainly won’t be easy for Pittsburgh to get the ship righted on Sunday night, as San Diego comes in with a grind-it-out 2-1 record that has proven the resolve of this veteran team.
“We all feel good to be 2-1, especially with the type of adversity we faced early, both with injuries and with illness,” QB Phillip Rivers stated after beating the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The victory advanced the team to a 2-1 start for the first time since ’07.
So, basically, there is no doubt that the Chargers will be revved up for next Sunday’s game. Certainly it’s safe to assume that there is at least one thing still ringing in the head of every single player on that team: last year’s AFC Divisonal Playoff loss against the Steelers.
“We still got a lot of things to fix,” San Diego linebacker Stephen Cooper said. “It’s a hostile environment…they are a good team and they are going to try and run the ball as well.”
Cooper’s right, they need to step it up, especially facing a Steelers defense which held the Bengals to a 25% third down conversion ratio.
On the other hand…
The Charges have allowed an avergage of 142 rushing yards per game, and it doesn’t help the fact that they have also lost Pro Bowl tackle Jamal Williams for the season. The Chargers D will have to step up next week.
Anyone who watched last year’s AFC Divisional Playoff game knows very well that Pittsburgh showed their true, brutal, up-front running attack while wearing down the Chargers’ front line. But this year, their running game is singing a different tune.
The Steelers are averaging a weak 81 rush yards per game, which is ranked 27th in the league. But the Chargers’ afore mentioned 142 yards rushing given up also ranks near the bottom of the NFL, second worst to be more specific
Pretty hard to believe for both franchises.
From Pittsburgh’s perspective, if Willie Parker and Co. can stick to their running roots and provide consistent production on Sunday night, it just may be enough to get the W in the end. If the Chargers can compensate for the loss of Williams and prove stout against the rush, they will have a much better chance to getting the ball into Philip Rivers’ hands…which is exactly where they want it to be.
Oh, and I almost forgot about the Steelers QB. Expect Big Ben to have a good game, especially when you consider that the Chargers’ D has only garnered three sacks this entire season. Scary to think of Ben in the pocket with a D like that.
Chargers-Steelers Prediction
Ben will have an above average game, but the X-factor will be Willie Parker whom I believe will take advantage of SD’s defense.
While on the other hand, SD will choke again as they usually do when they enter Heinz Field. Especially due to the fact that LT is out.
Pittsburgh-19
San Diego-13
Also of note is that injuries will be very key in this matchup.Â
Here are a few quick hit points on some key players for the Steelers — a few of whom who are injured — that the Steelers will be counting on moving forward this season:
- Steelers SS Troy Polamalu- This guy’s hair is not the only thing great about him. In last year’s AFC Divison game, Troy had 3 tackels and an amazing interception against SD. Decent stats, but everyone knows very well that this Steelers secondary is not the same without Polamalu.
- Steelers WR Limas Sweed- Steelers receiver Limas Sweed may have dropped his way onto the bench. Sweed had one catch for 5 yards, and one dropped pass during the 3rd quarter in the endzone last Suday against Cincinnatti.*
- Steelers TE/HB David Johnson- Johnson is a good versatile player the Steelers rely on, but without him on the bench, Parker and Miller may need to dig deeper.
- Steelers HB Rashard Mendenhall- Although he is not injured, expect a good game from him Fantasy nerds. Last week, Mendenhall did not have one carry or a reception during last week’s Cinn. game due to a poor week of practice, according to Coach Mike Tomlin. This could result into a hard fought week of practice, resulting in more play.
Other news:
-Steelers may sign FB (Rookie Frank Summers injured back).
-Steelers release FB Carey Davis, then end up resigning again.
-Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger to host WWE event on Monday.
*Possibility Sweed does not play; deactivated for game against SD.
