[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”]
[et_pb_row admin_label=”row”]
[et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]
Chargers Head to Pittsburgh Looking to Prove They’re Contenders
The Chargers are heading into Pittsburgh with a lot of confidence after getting off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2012. The players have bought into the style of play that Jim Harbaugh has instilled, and the team is starting to believe in the possibility of at least securing a Wild Card spot in the 2024 season. Offensive coordinators Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh are quickly establishing their identity on offense, while the Chargers’ passing game has seen early improvements, particularly from wide receiver Quentin Johnston. Johnston, who has already scored two touchdowns, needs to continue progressing. His development is crucial for the Chargers as they aim to balance their aerial attack with a strong running game, ultimately taking pressure off the ground attack.
On the offensive line, Joe Alt has been as impressive as advertised, neutralizing elite pass rushers like Max Crosby in the opener and Jadeveon Clowney in Week 2. Alt, paired with Rayshawn Slater, is forming what could become the best tackle duo in the league. Meanwhile, running back J.K. Dobbins has been a standout, defying expectations after recovering from multiple injuries. Through two games, Dobbins has racked up 266 yards on just 27 carries, averaging an astounding 9.9 yards per carry, along with two touchdowns. His explosiveness and ability to make defenders miss in the open field have given the Chargers a consistent spark on offense.
While the wide receivers remain young and inexperienced, their development will be key to the Chargers’ offensive consistency. More production is needed from this group, as they work through their learning curve. However, the Chargers’ 2-0 start, with victories over the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers, has shown the team’s physicality, grit, and toughness—hallmarks of a Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman-led offense.
Despite these wins, many around the league have been cautious to give the Chargers too much credit, noting that they have beaten teams they were expected to. However, this alone is an improvement, as the team has often faltered in similar situations in recent years.
On defense, new defensive coordinator Jessie Minter has made an immediate impact. With a defense already stacked with talent—Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Derwin James, and Tui Tuipulotu—the additions of Denzel Perryman, Bud Dupree, Tear Tart, and Poona Ford have only strengthened the unit. Newly acquired Elijah Molden, son of former Chargers player Alex Molden, shined in his debut against the Panthers, making several key plays, including a critical interception. Minter’s focus on simplifying the defense has allowed the players to play faster, more physical football without overthinking assignments. The results have been immediate, with the defense looking vastly improved from its struggles under Brandon Staley.
As the Chargers prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, they’ll be facing a team that mirrors their own physical and defensive style. The Steelers, also undefeated, boast a strong defense that excels at getting after the quarterback. Head coach Mike Tomlin, a Super Bowl champion and one of the most consistent coaches in the league, will have his team ready for the challenge. Tomlin, who has never had a losing season in his 17 years of coaching, understands what to expect from a Jim Harbaugh-led team, setting up a likely low-scoring, defensive slugfest.
On the offensive side, the Steelers continue to struggle with inconsistency, particularly at the quarterback position. Russell Wilson is nursing a calf injury, while Justin Fields has struggled with accuracy and ball security, including issues with fumbles. The Steelers’ offense has also been plagued by penalties and a lack of weapons outside of George Pickens, making them somewhat one-dimensional. This week, the Chargers may need to lean more on quarterback Justin Herbert and the receiving corps, as the Steelers’ defense will likely focus on slowing down J.K. Dobbins and the Chargers’ power run game.
The Chargers have built their identity around a ground-and-pound style of football, far removed from the high-powered offenses of years past. They are now built to run downhill, wear down opponents, and break them in the fourth quarter. Sunday’s game against the Steelers could resemble the old-school Ravens vs. Steelers matchups, where both teams exchanged body blows, and the team that avoided turnovers emerged victorious.
This week’s matchup will be an important measuring stick for the Chargers. In the coming weeks, they will face both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs, two teams with top-five defenses that can match the Chargers’ physicality and toughness. If the Chargers can emerge from Week 4 with a 3-1 or 4-0 record, they’ll need to be considered serious contenders in the AFC.
Stay tuned—this season is just heating up.
Important measuring stick indeed. Win this and teams/pundits will be forced to take note that something different is happening in Chargerland.
I believe the passing game is going to need to step it up here, if for no other reason than to soften Pittsburgh up for the run. Perhaps this is a time to let DD fly a little, just to keep Pittsburgh’s D a little more honest?
I want this one real bad.
@buck-melanoma You not by yourself. Yes I want this one bad as well and agree the passing attack with the receivers been kind of slow to coming around but in this game they have to give more. You know the Steelers are game planning for JK Dobbins. But you know Harbaugh and Greg Roman are stubborn in a good way about that run game. So far it has worked. This is gonna be interesting.
@buck-melanoma I think they already have taken notice. Colin Cowherd has the Chargers as the 3rd best team in the NFL in his Herd Hierarchy fwiw.
Another win in Pittsburgh and even some of the doubters might change their tune.
@lfg_boltz If I can add, I saw where Colin has them as number 3, Stephen A. Smith had them at 4. With respect to them that’s nice, but I think it’s way too early for anyone to be ranking teams after just 2 games. I know I talk to friends everyday that are diehards like we are that love their teams. Most of them represent teams that has won Championships. All I hear is that it was just the Raiders and Panthers. And to a degree i agree with that also. The Raiders or Panthers are not in my opinion playoff teams. I get it. We should’ve beaten them. But I know Pittsburgh is a historically great organization that’s won 6 championships, has respect around the league and only has had 3 coaches in their long franchise and currently Mike Tomlin hasn’t had a losing season in 17 years of coaching. In my opinion going into Pittsburgh and beating a team of that caliber would mean so much more than those two teams we just defeated.
@buck-melanoma I agree, this could be the first game of the season when the passing game has to manifest itself in a more balanced attack.
Good writeup, Stacey, by the way.
But the OL holds the key to this matchup. If it controls the Steelers DL in the first half like it did to the Raiders’ DL in the 2nd half of that game (a similar defense to the Raiders), the Steelers defense will break down in the 2nd half. Our defense will get to rest more, a formula for defensive dominance against an average Steelers offense.
The combination of Cameron Heyward (DT) and Keeanu Benton (NT) inside will be a big problem comes Sunday against our interior OL. T.J. Watt can easily wreck games because of the interior pressure from his IDL, and that they can really shut down a running game. I’m confident Slater and Alt will hold serve against TJ Watt and Co but my only worry is our IOL against the Steelers’ formidable IDL. Another real test for the interior OL before a showdown against KC next week.
I think the Chargers will win this one by 2 scores (13 pts). Herbert will throw over 200 yards for the first time this season; 245 yards is my projection.
@tui1hit Absolutely. The offensive line is the key. The Raiders got a helluva defensive front that gave us a lot of problems until they made the adjustments at halftime. If there able to contain Hayward and Watt they will be okay. I got a feeling that Cameron Dicker is going to be big in this game.
Nice write up Stacey. This game is interesting on so many levels.
[/et_pb_row]
[/et_pb_section]
