Steelers vs. Chargers: What's the Game Plan for Pittsburgh?

With a relatively healthy roster, minus two key stalwarts offensively, and a nice 10-day break from their disappointing late loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) get set to hit the road to the West Coast for a prime-time Monday Night Football matchup against the San Diego Chargers (2-2).

Against a Chargers defense that struggles to stop the run, the Steelers offense should lean heavily on star running back Le’Veon Bell and reserve running back DeAngelo Williams.

The Steelers are averaging 111.8 rushing yards per game, good for 14th-best in the NFL. If Pittsburgh can establish the running game early against the Chargers, it should open up the passing game for Michael Vick and Co., who struggled a week ago to move the ball through the air.

Defensively, the Steelers have to take advantage of a banged-up Chargers offensive line that will allow tons of pressure on Philip Rivers. Coming into the game with the fourth-most sacks in the NFL (14.0), the Steelers have to set the tone early against Rivers and his plethora of weapons, which includes future Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates, who is returning to action after serving a four-game suspension.

While the game plan looks relatively simply on paper, a few key players on both sides of the ball for the Steelers could make or break the game.

Offensive Game Plan

There's always talk about the famous Georgia Counter running play that seems to be the bread and butter for the Steelers offense. 

Much like they did in road wins over Tennessee and Cincinnati last season, the Steelers should emphasis the Georgia Counter early and often in this game against San Diego.

The Chargers defense—while relatively athletic—struggles at times with counters, powers and misdirection running plays because of late reaction, poor positioning and subpar tackling.

With the way the Steelers offensive line is built, this game has the makings of another dominant performance up front from the men in black and gold. 

While the Georgia Counter is the go-to play quite often in Todd Haley's running game, the Steelers have to incorporate draws, sweeps and stretch runs against San Diego not only to negate their athleticism in space but to slow down a relatively productive Chargers pass rush by utilizing draws in reasonable situations.

Le'Veon Bell has to be the workhorse in this game, but it would be remiss of the Steelers coaching staff not to give DeAngelo Williams a number of carries. This matchup should feature a heavy dose of touches for both running backs.

That's the way to beat the Chargers, who allow the fourth-most rushing yards in the NFL (126.8 yards per game). If the Steelers can establish a productive ground game early against San Diego, it should draw Chargers safety Eric Weddle closer to the line of scrimmage and render him obsolete in the passing game.

If the Chargers are forced to add an extra defender or two into the box to try to slow down the Steelers running game, it should allow Vick to take some deep shots against a stingy Chargers secondary that allows 225 yards per game through the air.

Although Martavis Bryant was supposed to make his 2015 season debut after serving a four-game suspension, it's becoming more and more likely that the second-year receiver—who isn't even officially on the 53-man roster yet—will have to miss the Monday night game against San Diego because of a hamstring issue.

That could be a big blow to the Steelers' offensive game plan, which was gearing up to incorporate the 6'4" receiver into the offense quickly.

However, Vick still has Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Sammie Coates, Heath Miller and Bell to work with in the passing game, so it's not like Bryant is a huge loss at this point in the season, considering Pittsburgh has already played four games without him.

Offensively, expect the Steelers to try to run the ball all over San Diego to set up some play-action shots from Vick. If he can connect on one or two of them, that could be the difference in what should be a relatively close game.

Defensive Game Plan

For a unit that had so many question marks coming into the season, the Steelers defense has played well since the Week 1 debacle at New England.

With the fourth-most sacks in the NFL through four weeks (14.0), it seems safe to say that the fearsome Steelers pass rush is back—for the most part.

However, Pittsburgh's defense has yet to be tested through the air outside of Tom Brady's aerial show in Week 1. That could change this week with Rivers and his weapons primed to continue their hot start to the season.

Rivers sits second in the NFL behind Brady in passing yards per game (309). With his favorite tight end in Gates returning to the lineup, expect the veteran quarterback to look in a familiar direction against the Steelers, who've struggled to stop tight ends for much of the year.

The biggest concern moving forward for Pittsburgh is stopping the running game. Last week against Baltimore, the Ravens ran for nearly 200 yards—150 of which came from Justin Forsett.

Chargers rookie running back Melvin Gordon is a dynamic talent, but with a relatively decimated offensive line in front of him this week, it could be tough-sledding for the former Wisconsin Badger against the Steelers front seven.

Along with Gordon, scatback Danny Woodhead is a dangerous weapon out of the backfield and in the slot. The Chargers love to get him the ball in space on screens, flares and crossing routes, allowing him to use his speed and vision in space against linebackers and safeties.

Luckily for Pittsburgh, it looks like second-year linebacker Ryan Shazier will return this week, so he should be able to match up with Woodhead and Gordon out of the backfield.

Additionally, the Chargers will have to utilize quick throws against Pittsburgh because of the Steelers' productive pass rush, as well as the lack of protection up front for Rivers due to injuries to King Dunlap and Orlando Franklin. Plus, D.J. Fluker and Chris Hairston are hobbled.

Should the Chargers get back to what they did against the Detroit Lions in Week 1, which was a heavy dose of Keenan Allen on crossing routes, the Steelers will be forced to drop some linebackers into the middle of the field, which would put more pressure on James Harrison, Jarvis Jones, Bud Dupree and Arthur Moats, as well as Stephon Tuitt and Cam Heyward, to get home to Rivers as much as possible.

With the way Tuitt is playing through four games, it wouldn't be surprising if he records a sack in his fourth straight game.

Key Matchups

Ryan Shazier and Sean Spence vs. Danny Woodhead and Melvin Gordon

Spence stepped up in a big way for the Steelers in the absence of Shazier, but now that the do-everything linebacker is back, Spence will have to take a backseat.

However, with the way the Chargers like to utilize their running backs in the passing game, one would assume that Spence will get onto the field often on Monday night. 

It's no secret just how dangerous Woodhead is in the passing game with Rivers. The Chargers run designed plays for Woodhead out of the slot in hopes of getting him one-on-one against a linebacker. Usually it works, especially against Minnesota, but the Vikings didn't have anyone who could match up with him one-on-one.

Pittsburgh has two players who can keep up with Woodhead, so it will be interesting to see how the Chargers try to get him the ball in space while also trying to incorporate Gordon into the passing game as well.

Steelers OLBs vs. Chargers OTs

With no Dunlap in this one and a banged-up Hairston, the Chargers are vulnerable on the edges against the Steelers pass rush.

Joe Barksdale hasn't played well as the starter on the right side, and with Hairston nursing an ankle injury, Pittsburgh's outside linebackers could be in for a big day.

In fact, Jarvis Jones might just pick up his first sack of the season.

However, if the Chargers go with a quick passing game in this one, it could negate the pass rush, which would force the outside linebackers to make an impact in the running game, as well as in coverage.

If San Diego decides to stick to what works, which is intermediate throws and occasional downfield shots, the advantage in this matchup would go to the Steelers' outside linebackers.

Steelers secondary vs. Antonio Gates and Ladarius Green

Through four games, the Steelers defense has struggled to contain opposing tight ends.

While Rob Gronkowski (five catches, 94 yards, three touchdowns) was the only tight end to have a big day against Pittsburgh in Week 1, St. Louis' Lance Kendricks and San Francisco's Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald and Garrett Celek ran wild through the secondary against Pittsburgh.

Gates is ticketed for the Hall of Fame, while Green is no slouch of a backup and is a mismatch for most defenders who try to cover him.

If the Pittsburgh secondary has learned anything through four weeks, it undoubtedly is paying attention to the opposing tight end. If the Steelers fail to contain these Gates and Green, the Chargers offense will be tough to stop.

Prediction

Factoring in the tough West Coast trip and the second straight game with no Ben Roethlisberger under center, it's tough to pick the Steelers in a matchup like this one.

While the Steelers should be able to run the ball with relative ease, it will be hard to cash in for six in the red zone without Roethlisberger, considering how poorly Vick played last week against Baltimore.

Ten days off should do wonders for him in terms of terminology, comfort and confidence within the system, but he still needs to make the plays. I simply can't pick him to lead the Steelers to a win like I can with Rivers and the Chargers.

Facing Rivers will be the biggest challenge for the secondary since Week 1. The veteran quarterback throws for more than 300 yards per game, so he'll likely pass that mark once again.

A late touchdown from Antonio Gates seals this one for the Chargers, who get lucky thanks to the Steelers' inability to get six in the red zone.

Final Score: Chargers 21, Steelers 16

UPDATE: Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier has officially been ruled out for Monday's game, which is surprising considering he returned to practice all week and was a full participant toward the end of the week.