Week 3 - Chargers @ Steelers Pregame Thoughts
The Steelers drew the Los Angeles Chargers for their 2024 home opener here in a few hours. They could’ve played this game in LA or Pittsburgh…it wouldn’t have mattered. The stands would be filled with Terrible Towels either way. Chargers fans exist only in myth.
We got some shit news yesterday afternoon after Troy Fautanu’s MRI. Not only was he immediately placed on IR, but Gerry Dulac from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette is saying that it’s looking like a potentially season-ending injury. So, the Broderick Jones experiment will continue for the foreseeable future. Thankfully Dylan Cook and Isaac Seumalo should be available to us in the coming weeks to help out this drowning offensive line.
Not only is the Fautanu news shitty for the offensive line for the future, but the tackles are going to have their hands FULL today against the Chargers. Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are legit game-wreckers working the two edge spots. If I’m just speaking bluntly, Dan Moore Jr. and Broderick Jones (the version of him we’ve seen lately) can’t keep up with these two guys. They do like to run a lot of stunts, which could end up working out in our favor at least in terms of matchups, considering we’re better along the interior of our offensive line. However, if I can see that, surely Jim Harbaugh’s staff can too, so they may just leave that out of their game plan entirely. Moral of the story is, one way or another, Justin Fields is probably going to get sacked today.
Thankfully, the Chargers can get got in the interior of their defensive line. Mack and Bosa are underrated against the run, so I expect Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren to be running hard inside a lot. WR Roman Wilson could potentially be seeing the field for the first time in his career to help out this QUIET WR room, outside of Pickens. All the receivers not named Pickens have combined for less than 50 yards in two games this season. Wilson could be a bit of an x-factor, just because teams haven’t seen how Arthur Smith will use him yet; especially against the Chargers who struggle defending the slot, which is where Wilson can do some damage. Not to mention, Jim Harbaugh was his coach last year at Michigan. How ‘bout that for motivation in your first career game?
On the defensive side of the ball, we know we’re going to see former Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins. He ain’t no stranger to AFC North ball, and even though the Chargers aren’t in the AFC North, they play like they are. They want to win games in the trenches just like we do. Also, Justin Herbert hasn’t even been officially declared the starter as he’s been battling an ankle sprain throughout the week. If he does start, he’s undoubtedly going to make some noise with his arm at some point, but make no mistake about it…if the Chargers win this game, it will be because of J.K. Dobbins and the pass rush.
I’m a little annoyed that people think that T.J. Watt and Joe Alt are, somehow, in the same class. I expect him to get active early and often, and shut that conversation down quickly.
At the end of the day, the team that wins in the trenches and takes care of the football is going to win this game. Also, as I’m wrapping this up, Justin Herbert has just been announced as the starter for this game. I assume he’ll be fairly limited from a mobility standpoint, but you have to believe he’s capable of managing the game and taking care of the football, despite the ankle injury. If you’re asking me which offense I have more faith in RIGHT NOW, it’s the Chargers. If you’re asking me which defense I have more faith in RIGHT NOW, it’s the Steelers. The Steelers are 2.5 point favorites in this one, mainly because the game is in Pittsburgh. However, from a betting perspective, I wouldn’t touch this game with a 10 foot pole. This is a legit toss up, and a game that the Steelers really could lose. This is a real chance for us to really come out of this game looking like legit contenders. I love the anxiety I’m feeling right now. Give me the Steelers in an absolute DOG FIGHT. LET’S FUCKIN GO.
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