Steelers early 2021 regular-season preview: Weeks 11-12
Training camp is edging closer and closer for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We’ve been taking an early look at the Steelers’ 2021 NFL regular season opponents on the schedule. In each preview, we’ve looked at additions those teams made via the 2021 NFL Draft and other key factors that could play a part in how the games this upcoming season may play out for Pittsburgh. Weeks 11 and 12 will feature Steelers on the road in back-to-back weeks; first, they’ll travel to Los Angeles to face the Chargers, then return closer to home by visiting Cincinnati to face the Bengals.
Week 11: Steelers at Chargers
The last time Pittsburgh faced the L.A. Chargers was on October 13, 2019. Devlin Hodges was the starting quarterback as Ben Roethlisberger worked the sidelines due to an arm injury. The Steelers scored early due to a Devin Bush nine-yard fumble return for a touchdown. By the end of the third quarter, Pittsburgh was up 24-0 over Los Angeles before Philip Rivers was able to connect with Hunter Henry on two touchdown receptions in the fourth quarter. James Conner was the Steelers’ leading rusher and scored twice. The Steelers held on for the win.
Last season, under Anthony Lynn, the Chargers finished 7-9. They’ll enter the 2021 regular season with new head coach Brandon Staley. The Chargers released guard Trai Turner, cornerback Casey Hayward, and linebacker Malik Jefferson. Hunter Henry was not given the franchise tag although the Chargers did sign center Corey Linsley, guards Oday Aboushi and Matt Feiler, tight end Jared Cook, quarterback Chase Daniel, and cornerback Michael Davis. Sam Tevi went to the Indianapolis Colts. Heading into the Draft, the Chargers were looking at ways to protect the 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year, quarterback Justin Herbert. Here are the players they selected:
- No. 13 – Rashawn Slater (OT, Northwestern)
- No. 47 – Asante Samuel, Jr. (CB, Florida State)
- No. 77 – Josh Palmer (WR, Tennessee)
- No. 97 – Tre’ McKitty (TE, Georgia)
- No. 118 – Chris Rumph II (LB, Duke)
- No. 159 – Brendan James (OT, Nebraska)
- No. 185 – Nick Niemann (LB, Iowa)
- No. 198 – Larry Rountree III (RB, Missouri)
- No. 241 – Mark Webb (S, Georgia)
The Chargers are going to be spending a lot of time in training camp focused on surrounding Herbert with not just protection but targets. The addition of McKitty should help provide an extra outlet with Cook, but it remains to be seen if Los Angeles will attempt to get Slater and James in as starters on the offensive line early or slowly work them into the roster. There wasn’t anything extravagant about how the Chargers drafted. They knew what they needed and didn’t reach to add depth or add playmakers like Roundtree and Samuel, Jr.
Early prediction: This should prove to be an interesting matchup for the Steelers as they have gotten younger and will be working some new additions into their offensive line while the Chargers do the same. Pittsburgh has a slight edge due to the level of veteran experience on both sides of the ball, however.
Week 12: Steelers at Bengals
We covered the Bengals’ 2021 NFL Draft selections and offseason moves in our Week 3 preview. At this point in the 2021-22 NFL regular season, we should know for sure if Joe Burrow‘s knee has healed fully or not. If Burrow has complications, this already rebuilding Bengals team could see themselves swept by the Steelers this season.
Early prediction: Steelers defense is too much for the Bengals offense to overcome.
