Steelers (5-3-1) at Chargers (5-4)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California TV: NBC
Tipico Sportsbook line: Chargers by 41⁄2
Chargers’ keys to victory: It all starts with protecting QB Justin Herbert. The Steelers are getting after opposing quarterbacks at a high rate, which is why it is crucial that the protection is on point. From there, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi must utilize runpass option looks with Herbert to threaten the defense vertically. Defensively, slowing down RB Najee Harris is the most pivotal task. The Chargers must force the Steelers to throw the ball. After being banged up in the secondary, the unit should be healthy.
Steelers’ keys to victory: Offensively, Pittsburgh needs to feed Harris, not only to wear down Los Angeles’ defense, but to shorten the distance of the field for their passing game. (QB Ben Roethlisberger missed Pittsburgh’s Week 10 tie against the Lions due to COVID-19.) On the other side of the football, the Steelers need to continue to do what has been working by attacking the quarterback. Herbert has not done well against pressure.
Matchup to watch: Steelers DT Cameron Heyward vs. Chargers C Corey Linsley. The addition of Linsley has proved to pay dividends, but he will be facing arguably his toughest task yet. Heyward has been on a tear. Possibly without or with a hampered T.J. Watt, Heyward will look to be the one who gets the pass rush going and slow down RB Austin Ekeler.
Who wins? The Chargers’ offense has struggled to find a consistent groove. But the Steelers are banged up, with several starters injured in Week 10. (Status not certain at the time of publication.)
Chargers, 27-17