Steelers Scouting Report: What To Expect From The Los Angeles Chargers
After a heartbreaking overtime loss against Baltimore last week, the 1-4 Steelers look to get back on the right track this weekend. However, this Sunday will be no easy task as they go on the road to face the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are off to a rough 2-3 start and gave the Denver Broncos their first win last week but are still a talented football team. This should be a very close game as both teams are looking to pull things together and turn their season around. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at this week’s opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers.
Injury Report
The Chargers are a team that has been hit by a lot of major injuries so far this season. This is especially true on the defensive side of the ball. Safety Derwin James (foot) and defensive back Adrian Phillips (forearm) were both placed on the Injured Reserve at the beginning of the season. Rookie safety Nasir Adderley and defensive end Melvin Ingram are both listed as questionable with hamstring injuries. Neither player practiced on Thursday.
On offense, wide receiver Dontrelle Inman was placed on the Injured Reserve a couple weeks ago with an injury to his quadriceps, and center Mike Pouncey was placed on the Injured Reserve this week with a neck injury. Tight end Hunter Henry (knee) and wide receiver Andre Patton (quadriceps) are both listed as questionable and were limited in practice on Thursday. Running back Justin Jackson is also listed as questionable with a calf injury but did not practice on Thursday. Kicker Mike Badgley is also listed as questionable this week with a groin injury.
Philip Rivers looks to lead Chargers offense to victory
Although they have struggled to put together wins this season, the Chargers offense doesn’t look bad statistically. They are currently 13th in the league in total offense, averaging 372.2 yards per game, along with 20.6 points per game.
This is largely due to their passing game. The Chargers rank sixth in the league in passing offense, averaging 282.4 yards per game. Quarterback Philip Rivers has had a solid season so far, ranking sixth in the league in passing with 1,465 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions. He has benefited from another great season from wide receiver Keenan Allen, who is sixth in the league in receiving with 38 receptions for 470 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Austin Ekeler has had a good season catching the ball as well with 39 receptions for 356 yards and three touchdowns. This passing attack will only get better with the return of tight end Hunter Henry.
As good as their passing game has been, the Chargers have struggled running the ball. They rank 24th in rushing offense, averaging only 89.8 yards per game and only scoring three total rushing touchdowns this season. During the Melvin Gordon holdout, Ekeler has been their lead back, rushing for 227 yards and three touchdowns. It will be interesting to see if they can get Gordon going this week and give this rushing attack a much-needed boost.
Chargers defense looks to make Hodges uncomfortable
This Chargers defense should be fired up to play this week as they will be facing an undrafted rookie third-string quarterback in Devlin Hodges who will likely be making his first start following an injury to Mason Rudolph. Even with their injuries on the defensive side of the ball, the Chargers defense isn’t terrible stats-wise. They rank 11th in total defense, allowing 334.8 yards per game and 18.8 points per game.
They have been their best against the pass, even without James. They rank eighth in passing defense, allowing 215 yards per game and nine touchdowns while coming away with four interceptions so far. Their secondary is led by veteran corner Casey Hayward Jr., who is joined by Michael Davis at the other corner. Rayshawn Jenkins and Roderic Teamer will start at safety. Desmond King III will play a key role as a rotational piece in the secondary.
Los Angeles has been less impressive against the run this season. They currently rank 18th in run defense, allowing 119.8 yards per game and three touchdowns so far. Although they don’t look perfect statistically, they have a very talented front seven. They have one of the better defensive end duos in the league in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Justin Jones will start at defensive tackle with Brandon Mebane at nose tackle. Rookie Jerry Tillery will also rotate in at defensive tackle. Behind them, the linebacker core consists of Denzel Perryman, Thomas Davis Sr., and Uchenna Nwosu. Jatavis Brown and Kyzir White will also see time at linebacker.
Final Thoughts
As I already mentioned, this is a very important game for both teams as they try to turn their season around. If the Steelers are smart, they won’t rush Rudolph back from injury and will start Hodges. I believe in Hodges and think he will manage the game and make the plays when it matters. However, I think this is a huge game for James Conner to step up. I see him rushing for over 100 for a couple of touchdowns. For the Chargers, Rivers will make some big plays to keep them in this game. I see this game coming down to the final drive with a game-winning field goal by Chris Boswell to give the Steelers the 24-21 victory on the road.
