Pittsburgh Steelers at Chargers: Who has the edge?

STEELERS (5-3-1) AT CHARGERS (5-4)

When: 5:20 p.m. Sunday

Where: SoFi Stadium

TV/Radio: NBC (Ch. 4); 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish); Sirius 85

Line: Chargers by 6

Notable wounded designations: Chargers: DT Linval Joseph (doubtful; shoulder), S Alohi Gilman (doubtful; quadriceps), RB Justin Jackson (questionable; quadriceps), DB Trey Marshall (questionable; ankle), DB Mark Webb Jr. (doubtful; knee)

Steelers: OLB T.J. Watt (out; hip/knee), CB Joe Haden (out; foot), OL Kevin Dotson (out; ankle)

What’s astatine stake? The Chargers proceed to autumn successful the playoff standings, but they’re presently slotted arsenic the seventh and last effect successful the AFC and the Steelers power the sixth seed. The victor of Sunday night’s matchup could clasp a cardinal tiebreaker down the enactment erstwhile playoff races statesman to vigor up adjacent month. But the Chargers volition person to bushed the Steelers with perchance thousands of Steelers fans successful attendance astatine SoFi Stadium. Steelers fans invaded the shot venue successful Carson erstwhile the Chargers fell to the Steelers and backup backmost Devlin “Duck” Hodges successful 2019. The Steelers astir apt won’t request a backup backmost this clip with Ben Roethlisberger cleared to play aft spending the week connected the COVID-19 reserve list.

Who’s better? The Chargers are the amended squad connected insubstantial due to the fact that the Steelers volition beryllium without immoderate of their champion players connected defense, including extracurricular linebacker T.J. Watt and information Minkah Fitzpatrick, who is connected the COVID-19 reserve list. But lately, it hasn’t mattered who is playing against the Chargers. Last week, the Minnesota Vikings managed to bushed the Chargers astatine location contempt being without antiaircraft starters Anthony Barr, Harrison Smith, Patrick Peterson and Danielle Hunter. It was reminiscent of the Chargers’ sluggish location nonaccomplishment against the New England Patriots successful Week 8. The Chargers’ discourtesy has struggled successful 3 of the past 4 games. Chargers backmost Justin Herbert could interruption retired of his funk without Watt and Fitzpatrick connected the field. The Chargers volition besides beryllium down a fewer cardinal antiaircraft players with antiaircraft tackles Jerry Tillery and Christian Covington connected the COVID-19 reserve list. The Chargers could person a agelong time against Steelers rookie moving backmost Najee Harris, but astatine slightest the Chargers were capable to activate borderline rusher Joey Bosa and linebacker Drue Tranquill from the COVID-19 reserve list.

Matchup to watch: Chargers cornerback Michael Davis vs. Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool. Both players are returning from wounded and volition apt beryllium matched against each different due to the fact that of their speed. The Chargers’ secondary has struggled successful the past 2 games without Davis, who was retired with a hamstring injury. Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith and Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson had standout performances against the Chargers the past 2 weeks. Claypool is simply a big-bodied wideout who is susceptible of creating plays downfield and successful the backfield.

Chargers triumph if: … wide receiver Mike Williams regains his bushed connected the field. The Chargers said Williams’ wellness hasn’t been a origin successful his quiescent performances lately. Williams hasn’t had much than 58 receiving yards successful a crippled since Week 5. It’s nary coincidence that the Chargers person struggled successful 3 of their past 4 games during Williams’ diminution successful production. Chargers manager Brandon Staley and violative coordinator Joe Lombardi said they program connected getting Williams progressive aboriginal successful crippled plans moving forward.

Fantasy sleeper: Chargers rookie wide receiver Josh Palmer has seen an summation successful snaps and volition apt soon surpass Jalen Guyton for the No. 3 wide receiver role. Palmer tin assistance his origin by helping the Chargers interruption retired of their violative funk. Look for Palmer to grounds his 2nd vocation touchdown against the short-handed Steelers.

Prediction: The Chargers are the casual prime present due to the fact that the Steelers are missing a fistful of apical antiaircraft players and person immoderate uncertainty astatine quarterback. But the Chargers haven’t proven that they’re susceptible of beating short-handed teams astatine home. The Steelers are led by 1 of the champion coaches successful the NFL successful Mike Tomlin and person plentifulness of experienced players. With legions of their fans successful attendance, the Steelers get the 24-20 upset implicit the Chargers.