By admin 
The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for their home opener this Sunday against the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers. This game promises to be a gritty, smashmouth affair between two teams that are more old-school in their approach, preferring to run the ball and rely on tough defense, rather than the flashy passing attacks common in today’s NFL.
A Smashmouth Showdown
Both the Steelers and Chargers bring a physical style of play to the field, with an emphasis on controlling the game on the ground. Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt has already warned fans to expect a ‘smashmouth’ game. Both teams will likely lean heavily on their running games while trying to control the pace with their defensive schemes.
On the defensive side, the Chargers’ coordinator Jesse Minter, fresh from Michigan under Jim Harbaugh, has implemented an innovative defensive system. The team is running the most Cover 6 defense in the league, which uses different combinations of zone coverages to stifle opposing receivers. In their Week 1 victory, the Chargers successfully neutralized star wide receiver Davante Adams. George Pickens will likely be the Steelers’ top weapon on Sunday, but he’ll have his work cut out for him if the Chargers stick to their defensive script.
Stout Run Defense vs. Steelers Ground Game
The Chargers’ run defense has been impressive, despite playing with lighter defensive boxes due to their Cover 6 scheme. Yet, they’ve managed to stifle opponents on the ground, presenting a tough challenge for the Steelers’ running attack.
The Steelers will need to break the Chargers out of this defensive setup, potentially forcing them to add extra help in the box. If Pittsburgh can accomplish this, it may open up opportunities in the passing game for Pickens. The Chargers’ defensive front will test the Steelers’ offensive line with different looks and stunts, aiming to disrupt Justin Fields’ mobility and limit his scrambling opportunities.
Run-Heavy Offense, Explosive Plays
On the offensive side, the Chargers have built an offense reminiscent of AFC North football, focused heavily on the ground game. This offseason, the team telegraphed their intentions by signing JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards and bulking up their offensive line. Through two weeks, the Chargers are averaging an impressive 198 rushing yards per game. However, these totals are often bolstered by explosive plays, particularly from Dobbins, who leads the NFL in broken tackles per touch.
If the Steelers can contain these explosive runs, they’ll stand a good chance of keeping pace with the Chargers. While Los Angeles leads the league in rushing yards over expectation, they rank just 28th in overall rushing success rate, meaning their consistency on the ground is still suspect.
Pressure Points: Can the Steelers Capitalize?
Both teams have areas of weakness in pass protection that could be decisive. While the Chargers have yet to fully unleash Justin Herbert’s passing potential due to his high ankle sprain, the Steelers’ defensive front is primed to exploit any opportunities that arise.
Pittsburgh leads the league in pressure rate, even while typically rushing only four players. On the flip side, the Chargers’ offensive line has allowed the 27th-most pressures in the league so far. If the Steelers can slow down the run game and force the Chargers into passing situations, they could take advantage of this vulnerability.
However, it won’t be easy. On the other side, Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa will test the Steelers’ tackle duo, which has allowed the sixth-most pressures in the league. Whichever team wins the battle in the trenches will likely control the outcome of this pivotal matchup.