Chargers-Steelers: Inside The Mind Of The Two Teams

The rush defense, however, has shown some cracks lately. Unfortunately for their last two opponents (the Broncos and the Colts), their OC's got away from the run, and tried to beat San Diego through the air. Both teams forgot their success earlier in those games, especially Denver, who scored both of their first-half TDs on long running plays by Tatum Bell.

You can best believe that this fact is not lost on the Steelers, especially when playing in big games. Tomlin's a smart guy, he knows what would be best for his franchise. He's gonna run at you, San Diego.

With that in mind, if the Chargers want a fair shot at beating Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon/evening, they'll have to hold the Steeler ground game to under 120 total yards on the day.

Simply stated, it'll be up to Charger DC Ron Rivera to come up with the defensive schemes to keep that Steeler ground game under control, while limiting the effectiveness of Pitt QB Ben Roethlisberger and his wideouts, Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. 

Oh, don't forget about Heath Miller.  Unfortunately, the last Charger DC always forgot about the opponent's tight ends.  That's why he's where he is now, and Rivera's doing what he's doing, and doing it well. 

Consequently, the Steelers are hoping to have a big day from Parker, Moore, and Russell. If they control the game on the ground, they'll be able to do whatever they wish on offense, both pass AND run.

This will make it easier to crack the Chargers' red-zone defense later, in what will be some key drives of the football game, at some point.

Personally, if I thought the Chargers could severely hinder Pittsburgh's attempt at running the ball, I'd play San Diego +6.

Unfortunately, I don't see that happening.

I think that the Steeler ground game will be key, it'll get those key yards, and will force the Chargers to do something they'd probably rather not attempt: Score on that 2008 "Steel Curtain," and do it often enough to beat the "Stellars."

Which brings us to...

When the Chargers Have the Football

This is the sexy aspect of this football game: Philip Rivers and his high-scoring Chargers' offensive attack, vs. the number 1 defense in all of football, the Steelers' defense.

Any good handicapper that has access to an earlier contest played between the two teams in question would love to analyze that previous game, to try to ascertain what might take place in this contest.

One problem.

Both teams, especially the Chargers, are quite different today than they were in mid-November.

This is another reason why, for my money, this game isn't very attractive from a betting standpoint.

Darren Sproles had one carry in the 11-16-08 Bolts-Stellars game, because Tomlinson was the man at that time. Also, Philip Rivers and his receiving corps, including Sproles, are much improved. 

Then again, it's the Steelers. They could make Montana look like Tarvaris Jackson.

Big key here: Can the Chargers move the ball with a little more consistency than the last time that these two teams got together?  

For what it's worth, Rivers didn't exactly light the Colts' pants on fire through the air last weekend. They beat Indy on the ground with their 5'6" lightning bug, Darren Sproles. The ex-Kansas State star looks to be the same triple-threat coming into this game for the Chargers as he was against Indy.

I'm really not too concerned about Antonio Gates' high-ankle sprain, or the off-the-field troubles of wideout Vincent Jackson. Rivers has one of Peyton Manning's finest qualities: He'll throw the ball to anyone that's open, no matter who.

Their offense appears basically intact, and ready to go in this one.

Rivers is gonna have to come through in a big way through the air in this game against a quality defensive opponent if the Chargers are going to survive their vacation in Pennsylvania, something that Steeler DC Dick LeBeau is hoping will not occur.  

LeBeau has really done a fantastic job of preparing the Steelers for each and every opponent, and this game will be no exception. He knows that the Chargers have gone on this five-game winning streak as a result of their rushing attack.

His job will be to get players like Keisel, Harrison, Polamalu, Woodley, and the rest of that stellar defense in the right position to make all the plays they've been making all year. Don't think that he won't.

Bottom line?

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