Have the Pittsburgh Steelers solved their defensive problems? If you consider how that unit performed in last week’s victory over Indianapolis that answer would be a definitive YES. This week it is a road game in Los Angeles to play the 6-3 Chargers who average less points per game than does Pittsburgh (23.9 to the Steelers’ 25.3). Always thought to be a solid offensive team, Pittsburgh’s defense should be able to handle the Chargers’ attack.
Whether or not the Steelers’ defense can have a repeat performance from week nine, they should still approach defending Justin Herbert with caution. He is currently second in the NFL in passing yards with 2,390 trailing only Daniel Jones. He is also second in touchdown passes with 18. He has thrown eight interceptions but has been sacked the third most in the league going down behind the line of scrimmage 28 times.
As we look back at the history between these two teams and the games they have played, there have been some classic and memorable matchups. The first one that comes to mind is the AFC title game in 1995 played in the confines of Three Rivers Stadium. The Chargers played in San Diego at the time won that game 17-13 but Pittsburgh should have won. Having reached the San Diego nine-yard line, Barry Foster was given the ball and lost a yard with just 2:00 left on the game clock. The next three plays created a hell of a lot of controversy.
One of the best runners in Steelers history was Barry Foster and with the Steelers just three yards from the end zone with a chance to win the game advancing Pittsburgh to the Super Bowl, Foster was not given an opportunity to run to the end zone. Instead, quarterback Neil O’Donnell missed on a pass intended for Eric Green. On third down John Williams did get the ball on a pass that took him to the Chargers three-yard line. A perfect time for a Foster attempt to score right? Instead, on fourth down O’Donnell tried to feed the ball to Foster through the air only to have the pass fall incomplete and it was game over.
The Chargers went to the Super Bowl instead and got blown out by the San Francisco 49ers. We will never know how Pittsburgh would have faired instead. The following season Pittsburgh reached the Super Bowl and lost to the Dallas Cowboys due mostly in part because of O’Donnell’s two terrible interceptions to Larry Brown. As for the remainder of the series between San Diego/Los Angeles and the Steelers, Pittsburgh has won 25 of 36 games and three were playoff games two of which the ‘Bolts won.
Last season the Chargers lost to the Steelers on their turf 20-10. Four years ago, was the last meeting between the two teams before the 2024 matchup and the Steelers lost in a shootout 41-37. The very first meeting took place on October 3, 1971, in which Pittsburgh triumphed 21-17. The Steelers would win the next five games in a row until the Chargers upended the Steelers 35-7 in 1979. Two more losses by Pittsburgh was halted when they won an additional two in a row in 1983 and 1984.
Pittsburgh won another five in a row from 1989 through the 1993 season. They did it again from 1995 and into the 2005 season. When it comes to final scores, the Steelers have put up 30 points or more 13 times, going over 35 nine times. Lighting up the scoreboard for more than 40 has happened three times for Pittsburgh when they won 40-24 (2003), in a loss on December 8, 1985, the Chargers outscored Pittsburgh 54-44, and then the Steelers scored nearly as much a season before when they won 52-24 in Pittsburgh.
The Chargers have never shut out the Steelers, but Pittsburgh has done that defensively winning 23-0 in 1976 and 37-0 in 1975. On December 17, 1972, the first year the Steelers made the playoffs, in a game against San Diego, the Steelers held the Chargers to just a safety winning 24-2. On three other occasions Pittsburgh kept San Diego out of the end zone allowing just a single field goal.
Now comes a crucial game for both teams as they try to solidify their positions within the respective divisions. Who does this game mean more to? Los Angeles or Pittsburgh. The Steelers are in first place and can make it more difficult for Biltmore or Cincinnati to catch them if they win. The Chargers need to keep pace with Denver so it is probably more of a must win for them.
When the Steelers have the ball
The Pittsburgh offense was not as sharp a week ago in defeating the Colts and Mike Tomlin would like nothing more than to have his offense match the defense. We have yet to see a complete game by both units, offense and defense. If T.J. Watt and his buddies on ‘D can repeat the Indianapolis effort and Aaron Rodgers can lead his boys to an efficient evening, this game could work in Pittsburgh’s favor in a major way.
DK Metcalf is way overdue for a big game. Could this be the night? Rodgers will be looking for him but expect Darnell Washington’s growth to continue with another big game even if it is just a few receptions. The Chargers defense is around the middle of the pack in defending the run giving up 109.7 yards per game so we should see a strong dose of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell running with the ball.
The Chargers are tough against the pass as opponents have averaged only 177.1 yards per game. That doesn’t mean Rodgers won’t try. Aaron Rodgers has outstanding accuracy, so he just needs his receivers to catch the balls thrown their way as he has seen a good share of dropped pass this season. It should be run first and see if that can loosen up the Chargers secondary before A-Rod starts tossing the rock.
When the Chargers have the ball
Los Angeles is fifth in the NFL in total yards gained per game with 374.6 so they can get downfield. Justin Herbert is averaging nearly 251 yards passing and the Chargers running game averages about 124 yards per game. Their leading runner is Omarion Hampton who has 314 yards in five games and a 4.8 yards per carry average. Kimani Vidal is second, not far behind with 309 and then Justin Herbert has just four less. I don’t think Herbert wants to take off running on this Steelers defense.
If the Steelers defense continues to play as they did when they took down the high-flying Indianapolis Colts, this could be a long evening for the Los Angeles Chargers. The Steelers are getting one break and that is because Omarion Hampton has been sidelined until at least week 12 with an ankle injury. The Pittsburgh defense needs to attack Justin Herbert just as they had with Daniel Jones.
Intangibles
The Chargers always play the Steelers tough, and they are on a two-game winning streak. If Pittsburgh wants naysayers to believe they are a legitimate playoff contender, their impressive defensive play they put on display in the previous week has to continue from now until the end of the season. For the Chargers they need to show their fans they will fight to replace Kansas City for the division title.
