Chargers’ buzzer-beating trade asset already has a target on his back against the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have a clear path towards victory on Sunday night.
The Los Angeles Chargers will be home for Sunday Night Football this week, taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game that on paper and according to the sportsbooks, should be a good one. The problem for the Chargers is that their offense is banged up.
But they are beat up at the one spot you can’t afford to be against the Steelers.
And that may come back to bite them on Sunday night, even after their buzzer-beating trade on deadline day.
Chargers’ injuries up front could give the Steelers an edge
Trevor Penning was traded from the New Orleans Saints to the Chargers with just minutes to go before Tuesday’s deadline, and he will be heading into a baptism by fire situation. The loss of both Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt looms large for a team that is built from the inside out.
That especially rings true given that this was supposed to be a revenge game for Najee Harris, who has obviously been out for weeks with a torn Achilles, and the loss of RB Omarion Hampton, who is still rehabbing from his ankle injury.
That means there’s a chance that it turns into a drop-back passing game on Sunday night. That’s a dream scenario for the Steelers on most game days. Throw in a tackle that will have been there all of four days, and T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and even Jack Sawyer will be salivating at the opportunity to rush the passer.
And here’s the real kicker. The Steelers’ defense looked the best it has all season against the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday. That wasn’t a coincidence. Pittsburgh played the most split safety coverage it had all year, and Jalen Ramsey played over 80% of his snaps at free safety.
Next thing you know, Watt and Highsmith are recording strip sacks, Joey Porter Jr., and Payton Wilson are catching interceptions, and everything looks back to normal in Pittsburgh. Don’t expect that coverage look to change this week against the Chargers, due in large part to the aforementioned injuries.
It will be on the Chargers to run the Steelers out of those looks.
Los Angeles Chargers News
The Los Angeles Chargers have clear path to victory Sunday Night against the Pittsburgh Steelers but it will be easier said than done
The Chargers must find a way to establish the run against the Steelers.
