Steelers Scouting Report: Los Angeles Chargers, Week 3
Steel City Underground scouts the Pittsburgh Steelers’ opponents each week of the 2024 NFL regular season ahead of the games to inform fans of the latest news, roster moves, important players, and latest social media chatter.
Both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers enter Week 3 of the 2024 NFL regular season game at Acrisure Stadium on September 22 with 2-0 records. The Steelers enter off of a win over the Denver Broncos (13-6) and the Chargers off of a win over the Carolina Panthers (26-3).
The Chargers offense
Side by side, the two teams look as follows through the first two weeks of play:
| Team | Pts | Yds Off | Pass Yds | TD | INT | Rush Yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers | 48 | 665 | 270 | 3 | 1 | 395 | 2 |
| Steelers | 31 | 521 | 243 | 1 | 0 | 278 | 0 |
The Chargers offense currently ranks 2nd in the league in rushing; they’re 28th in passing. Conversely, the Steelers are 12th in rushing and 30th in passing.
While Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert isn’t lighting the league up via his arm – averaging just six yards per pass attempt – head coach Jim Harbaugh has him managing games for victories versus stats sheets. Herbert has made key throws in support of a stronger run game this season. One thing to watch against a tenacious Steelers defensive front is whether or not a right leg injury, suffered in Week 2, will hinder Herbert or not.
Asked if Herbert had an MRI, Harbaugh said: "I'm sure there'll be further evaluations as the week goes on." https://t.co/r3YjjIPJc1
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) September 16, 2024
- Related: Official Chargers injury report
On just 27 carries, running back J.K. Dobbins is averaging 133 yards on the ground and on pace to go well over 1,000 yards before the season ends. He is averaging 9.9 yards per carry. He’ll put pressure on the Steelers’ interior linebackers, including former teammate Patrick Queen.
https://twitter.com/chargers/status/1835381227064361093?t=ZaLHZbdlYSBFY3Jwgi2wdQ&s=19
Although Gus Edwards – also a former Ravens player – has averaged just 2.9 yards per carry, the Steelers can’t afford to let him get a head of steam either.
The top Chargers receivers are Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. Neither are as dangerous as Pittsburgh’s George Pickens, but Johnston has averaged 11.1 yards on eight catches with two touchdowns and McConkey, as a rookie, has caught seven passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.
https://twitter.com/chargers/status/1835378606635147312?t=EmCFZSR8QtHNLDMelsqg1Q&s=19
Chargers defense
The pressure is real when it comes to Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Although Bosa has an injury history, he has logged a sack in each of the Chargers’ games this season. Mack grabbed a fumble in Week 1 and returned it 22 yards while putting together 1.5 sacks in that game. With the Steelers still looking for the best combination of personnel on the offensive line, things could get ugly for Pittsburgh if they allow the duo to dial in.
https://twitter.com/chargers/status/1835391509224374333?t=CY8oa7hHvF8tK2XZODTwhg&s=19
The Chargers defense hasn’t given up a touchdown in seven quarters of play. By swarming opposing quarterbacks, they made the job of the defensive backfield easier. If Justin Fields gets the start at quarterback for Pittsburgh, he’ll need to have his head on a swivel and get passes out quicker, but smartly.
Currently, the Chargers defense ranks first in EPA per play (0.465), total points allowed (13) and opposing offense success rate allowed (30.6 percent). Through two weeks, they’ve allowed just two total plays in the red zone.
“I feel like we were just playing team defense… from the first game to the second game, we were just communicating really well and all on the same page…
Then just film study, knowing what their offense likes to do and taking that away,” – safety Elijah Molden
The storm is coming?
If you’re curious how much energy Harbaugh brought with him to Los Angeles after winning a National Championship with the Michigan Wolverines, well… here’s the message the Chargers are sending out.
consider this ur warning pic.twitter.com/orXUoTrXJ9
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 5, 2024
So, will the Chargers storm on the Steelers or turn to drizzle? We’ll find out on Sunday.
