Two of the league’s best players to start this young season will be on the field for this one, as the NFL’s top passer, Philip Rivers (1,248 yards, 8 TDs), and the San Diego Chargers (2-2) meet top receiver, Antonio Brown (478 yards, 2 TDs), and the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2). The Chargers and Steelers each have a 2-2 record this season. The game will begin Monday, Oct 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN.
San Diego barely got past Cleveland 30-27 last week. Philip Rivers had a big game throwing the ball in the win, completing 23 of 38 passes for 358 yards and three TDs. Pittsburgh didn’t have the same success as San Diego, barely losing to Baltimore 23-20. Le’Veon Bell had an outstanding performance on the ground for the Steelers, gaining 129 yards and one TD on 22 carries.
The Chargers, a three-point favorite, will be looking to defend their home field when Pittsburgh visits. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is 45 points.
The Chargers enter the game with records of 2-2 Straight Up (SU) and 1-3 Against The Spread (ATS) this season. The Chargers may look to take advantage of a Pittsburgh pass defense that allows opposing quarterbacks to complete 69.5% of their passes.
In comparison to the Chargers, the Steelers have a record of 2-0-2 ATS and 2-2 SU. If San Diego’s earlier games are any indication, the Steelers should lean on a solid rushing attack. The Chargers allow 126.8 rushing yards per game, 29th in the NFL. Shifting to the other side of the ball, the Pittsburgh defense can dominate if it takes advantage of some favorable matchups. When Pittsburgh’s defensive front gets going, it is an absolute force. This year, the Steelers average 3.5 sacks per game, good enough for fifth in the league. The Steelers can take advantage of San Diego’s tendency to give up points heading into halftime. They allow 9.5 points during the second quarter, ranking 26th in the NFL.
Predictions: SU Winner – Pit, ATS Winner – Pit, O/U – Over
Notes
San Diego is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
San Diego is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home.
San Diego is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games at home.
San Diego is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing Pittsburgh.
San Diego is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Pittsburgh.
San Diego is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Diego’s last 7 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh is 2-1 SU when leading at the start of the fourth quarter this season. San Diego is 1-0 SU when leading after three quarters.
According to overall NFL pass rankings, San Diego is rated higher on both sides of the ball. Its second-ranked offensive passing game will face the 13th-ranked pass defense of Pittsburgh, while its 10th-ranked pass defense will look to limit the 15th-ranked aerial attack of the Steelers.
