Game Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday - 8:20)
This game is between two AFC playoff hopefuls with 5 wins, both of which have flaws that were on display last week as the Steelers tied the winless Lions and the Chargers lost to the Vikings. Unfortunately, their flaws will be exacerbated by COVID-19 this week, as both teams have star players that have been placed on protocol: Ben Roethlisberger and Minkah Fitzpatrick for the Steelers; Joey Bosa and Jerry Tillery for the Chargers. The Steelers Lions tie was the first of this season, and Steelers rookie RB Najee Harris confessed in the post-game interview that he didn't know there were ties in the NFL. Streakers, however, are aware of ties, as a handful of players guess "Tie game" in each NFL contest. After the NFL implemented overtime in 1974, ties became very rare—there were only three ties from 1990-2007. Since the NFL implemented new overtime rules in 2017, there has been at least one tie every season, so they should be considered as possible outcomes. Apparently, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has a chance to play in this game, but the QB will be Mason Rudolph if he doesn't. Either QB will rely on RB Harris, who has more touches (rushing and receiving) than any other player in the NFL with 220.
The Chargers are a team on the rise with sophomore QB Just Herbert who is putting up similar numbers to last season when he won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Herbert has a trio of top-end skill position players in WR Keenan Allen, WR Mike Williams, and RB Austin Ekeler. Fantasy owners should feel safe to start Ekeler on any given week, seeing as he starts himself in his own fantasy lineup. This week is a good matchup for Ekeler, as the Steelers give up 123 rushing yards per game, 8th most in the NFL. The Steelers passing defense is more formidable, as they give up the 9th fewest passing yards per game (225.9), but without star free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in this game, WRs Allen and Williams will have a chance to get over the top and let Herbert show off his arm strength. On the flip side, because the Chargers are missing Bosa and Tillery, they will have trouble pressuring the quarterback, so the Steelers will have more time to throw downfield as well. This is an important game for both teams, as they could be in contention with each other for a wild card at the end of the season, and head-to-head matchups are the first tiebreaker.
Spread: Chargers favored by 3.5 points
Over/under: 48
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