Week 11 Preview - Chargers & Steelers

You won’t find too many optimistic San Diego Chargers fans at this point of the season, with the team struggling on both sides of the ball and failing to meet pre season expectations. The fact that San Diego struggled last week to beat a lowly Kansas City Chiefs team won’t help inspire confidence, and neither will a match up this week against the physically imposing Pittsburgh Steelers. Let’s ignore the Chargers horrendous record when playing on the east coast this season or the fact that San Diego is 0-12 in regular season games at Pittsburgh. The real problem for San Diego on Sunday will be a Steelers team that creates all sorts of match up problems, and should be able to exploit some of the numerous problems that have plagued the Chargers all season.

Now I know what you’re thinking, where is the optimism that I have demonstrated during the past couple of weeks? I still believe that the San Diego Chargers will catch an overrated Denver Broncos team, and in the process capture first place in the AFC West for a third consecutive year. That being said, I’m just not exactly confident about the Chargers chances this week traveling to Pittsburgh to play a very tough Steelers team. However, apprehensive San Diego fans should take comfort in the fact that people who follow the league closely (myself included) haven’t been able to predict how this team will respond all season. So who knows exactly what we will see on Sunday from a desperate and inconsistent San Diego team, but it will definitely be interesting game to watch. Let’s take a look at what the Chargers need to do to win the game….

3 Keys To The Game

GET SOME PRESSURE IN THE BACKFIELD  - Let’s be honest, San Diego fans have screaming this since Shawne Merriman tore his knee up at the start of the season. Since then, the Chargers defence has consistently ranked near the middle of the league in total sacks. Well that’s not exactly awful, that sort of anemic pass rush isn’t going to win you the super bowl. The Chargers D should have a little more success at getting pressure on Ben Roethlisberger this Sunday, as the Steelers have allowed an AFC leading 31 sacks this season.

Smart Decisions from Philip Rivers - This game will see the #1 ranked quarterback in the league go against the top ranked pass defence. The Steelers D has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks this season, leading the league in sacks (34) and only allowing an average of 171.1 passing yards per game. That being said, the Chargers have athletic receivers that are capable of making big plays in tight coverage. Also, I think the Chargers offence is more likely to have success attacking this Steelers D through the air than they will running the football.

Capitalize On A Struggling Roethlisberger - The Chargers beleaguered secondary will have a shot at redemption this Sunday, as they match up against a struggling Ben Roethlisberger. Although the Steelers offence is always dangerous, Roethlisberger has struggled during the past three games (eight interceptions and one touchdown) The awful play of the Chargers secondary has been one of the main reasons the team has struggled so far this season, and they will have every opportunity to be a difference maker on Sunday.

Game Notes

- The San Diego defence currently ranks 25th in the league against the run, allowing an average of 96.1  rushing yards per game

- LT hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown in 5 straight games, and has only gone over 100 yards rushing on two occasions this season.

- The Chargers won the last meeting between these two teams, with a 23-13 win in San Diego on Oct 8th, 2006

- The Steelers lead the all time series 19-8

Enjoy the game everyone. If you have any questions or want to contact me, feel free to write me at brandoncampbell@sportstalkbuzz.com

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