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Steeler Nation doesn’t just reside in the surrounding areas of Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. It is a world-wide army that lives and dies with the NFL franchise that calls Pittsburgh it’s home. The six-time Super Bowl champions are a team that always strives for excellence, and their fans expect nothing less in return. This is the ultimate Steelers Game Day Preview that all followers of the black and gold come to find everything they need to know about the Pittsburgh Steelers and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams with a weekly game story, the Steelers offensive and defensive game plans for success, score prediction, game day information, a detailed breakdown of each team, and an up to date team injury report. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff. The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform.
Wounded Steelers limp into Chargers game
The week at Steelers Headquarters was one of reflection, and ample time for many team members treating injuries.
Pittsburgh (5-3-1) was rolling along with a four game win streak, and had a huge opportunity to move into a tie for first place in the AFC North with a home victory over the 0-8 Detroit Lions.
Unfortunately, Ben Roethlisberger had to miss the game due to Covid, and halfway through the game, T.J. Watt left the game with a leg injury. Those were the highlights of the game, as the offense couldn’t make any splash plays, turned the ball over three times, and the defense decided that tackling was prohibited.
The result? A 16-16 tie vs the hapless Lions.
This week, Big Ben is back, but he will be missing guard Kevin Dotson, and the defense will be without LB T.J. Watt and his 12.5 sacks, corner Joe Haden, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who leads the team in tackles, and rookie defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk.
Ouch. Especially dealing with a Chargers offense featuring Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, and Keenan Allen.
Taco Charlton will start in place of Watt, with Karl Joseph, Arthur Maulet, Ahkello Witherspon, Justin Layne and Miles Killebrew being utilized to compensate for the losses of Haden and Fitzpatrick.
With Kevin Dotson ruled out, J.C. Hassenauer will get the nod.
“J.C. is a smart dude, too,” Steelers center Kendrick Green said. “So, it’s like having another set of eyes out there with me, because he’s a center (by trade), as well. So having J.C. is fun.”
The Los Angeles Chargers (5-4) got some good news as DE Joey Bosa was activated off the Covid list and will play.
The Chargers will have to face Roethlisberger who did not practice all week.
“I’ve talked to him every day,” Canada said about Roethlisberger. “Talked about the plan, talked about what we’re thinking. Obviously, he’s also met with Sully (quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan) every day and gone through the specifics of those things.
“He’s preparing like he’s going to be there and be ready to go. It’s almost exactly like last year. It’s just all Zoom meetings. We’ve all got practice at that. He’s very much engaged, watching practice and knowing what’s going on.”
Steelers Game Plan for Success
Offense
- Run the damn ball: The Chargers have a porous run defense. Time for Najee Harris to take over this game if the Steelers have any chance to win.
- Free the deep passes from Canada Lockdown: Week after week, we’ve been begging for the deep game to open up, and no one knew if it was Ben Roethlisberger or Matt Canada as the problem. After watching the same game plan with Mason Rudolph last week vs the Lions, it’s confirmed that it’s all on Canada and his refusal to run a NFL offense.
- High percentage passes: It seems every pass is contested and rarely is anyone open.
Defense
- Get personal with Justin Herbert: The young gunslinger is prone to bad throws when under pressure. With T.J. Watt out, Alex Highsmith will have to step his game up, as will Cam Heyward and everyone else.
- Tackle: The tackling has been an embarrassment all season.
Prediction
If the Steelers want to walk out of the beautiful SoFi Stadium with a win, it will likely rely on one thing.
Touchdowns over field goals.
Biggest questions is… how?
“To improve in the red zone?” Steelers running back Najee Harris replied. “Just run the ball, I guess. I guess that’d fix a lot of things.”
There’s no doubt that the rookie RB wants to take this team on his shoulders and lead he way offensively. Ir was something woefully underused against a terrible Detroit team.
“It’s not my decision at the end of the day,” Harris. “But I’ll say a little bit of stuff like, ‘Hey, even if they stack the box, we can at least chop down 2 or 3 yards, then it can be a shorter second or third down.’ But at the end of the day, it’s not my decision.”
Perhaps offensive coordinator Matt Canada will hear the pleas coming from one of his best weapons.
“Najee is a guy that wants to go all the time,” Canada said. “As you look at that game, as it evolved in-game, you want him getting as many touches as he can. We don’t want to wear him out, so it’s a real fine line. But every game, we’re just trying to get out of the game with a win.”
All in all, until Canada gets a clue, starts using his running game more effectively, and opens up the passing attack downfield, there is not much to be positive about. With T.J. Watt out and the team considering tackling an option instead of a job description, chances are the Steelers find a way to lose to a Chargers team they should beat… Chargers 27 Steelers 20
Game Day Information
Pittsburgh Steelers at LA Chargers
- Vegas line: LA Chargers -6.5
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA.
- Field: Kentucky Blue Grass
Game-time: Sunday, November 21st, at 8:20 PM
TV: NBC (WPXI-TV)
- Announcers: Al Michaels (play-by-play) Cris Collinsworth (analyst) | Michele Tafoya (reporter)
Local radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Craig Wolfley (analyst) | Max Starks (sideline) Missi Matthews (sideline)
National Radio: Westwood One Sports
- Announcers: Ryan Radtke (play-by-play) Terrell Davis (analyst)
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Weather at kickoff: 67. Inside.
NFL Links
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 5-3-1 (2nd in AFC North)
Last game: Steelers 16 Lions 16
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (14th Season with Steelers)
- Overall regular-season record: 150-81-2
- Playoff record: 8-8 (Qualified for playoffs 9 times)
Links
- 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2021 Schedule
Steelers Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 19.9
- Total yards per game: 342.2
- Passing yards per game: 247.6
- Rushing yards per game: 94.7
Offensive Scouting Report
- Strengths: Balance between run and pass attack. Najee Harris.
- Weaknesses: Scoring. Passing downfield. Being consistent…
Starting Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger* | Back-up: Mason Rudolph
- Ben Roethlisberger has 1,986 yards passing with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. He has been sacked 18 times. Big Ben is best suited dropping back to pass around 25-30 times a game. Unfortunately, Roethlisberger has lost his mobility that made him one of the best passers in the league, and he rarely attempts long passes downfield anymore, which was once a staple of his game. Mason Rudolph has thrown for 242 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Starting Running Back: Najee Harris | Back-up: Benny Snell, Jr. and Kalen Ballage.
- Rookie Najee Harris is showing why the Steelers drafted him in the first round, and has rushed for 646 yards and four touchdowns this year. Harris is 2nd on the team with 44 catches for 317 yards and two touchdowns.
Wide Receivers: Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, James Washington, Ray-Ray McCloud, Steven Sims, and Cody White.
- Diontae Johnson leads the team with 52 catches for 613 yards and three touchdowns. Chase Claypool is the Steelers deep threat, and has 29 receptions for 433 yards and a touchdown. James Washington has caught 14 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown. Ray-Ray McCloud has 17 receptions for 129 yards. Cody White will look to make the most of his chances, but had better not drop anymore passes like he did vs Denver. Steven Sims was just promoted from the Practice Squad. Sims had 61 receptions for 575 yards and five touchdowns for Washington in 2019-20.
Ends: Pat Friermuth, Eric Ebron, Zach Gentry, and Kevin Rader
- Pat Friermuth has passed Ebron on the depth chart, and has 32 receptions for 276 yards and a four touchdowns. Zach Gentry has logged six catches for 60 yards. Eric Ebron has nine catches for 60 yards.
Placekicker: Chris Boswell
- Extra Points: 15-16
- Field Goals: 18-19
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 6-6
- 30-39 yards: 2-2
- 40-49 yards: 4-5
- 50+ yards: 6-6
*Injured/Out
Steelers Defense (Base 3-4)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 20.6
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 348.9
- Passing yards allowed: 225.9
- Rushing yards allowed: 123
- Sacks: 26
- Interceptions: 3
Defensive Scouting Report
- Strengths: Great pass rush lead by T.J. Watt.
- Weaknesses: DE Stephon Tuitt is still on IR. Bad tackling and communication has lead to some blown plays this year.
Defensive Line: Cam Heyward, Isaiah Buggs, and Chris Wormley.
- Cam Heyward and Chris Wormley bookend Isaiah Buggs in the middle. Wormley will be in for starter Stephon Tuitt who is out indefinitely. Heyward has 4.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, and 47 tackles.
Linebackers: T.J. Watt, Devin Bush, Joe Schobert, and Alex Highsmith.
- Defensive Player of the Year candidate T.J. Watt leads a solid linebacker corps alongside Devin Bush, Joe Schobert, a Pro Bowler acquired from Jacksonville, and Alex Highsmith. Watt has 12.5 sacks, but is out this week. Bush has been a disappointment all year, and has 42 tackles and two sacks. Schobert is 2nd the team with 63 tackles.
Secondary: Joe Haden, Terrell Edmunds, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cameron Sutton.
- Joe Haden and Cameron Sutton will be at the corners with Minkah Fitzpatrick at free safety and Terrell Edmunds at strong safety. Haden is out this week. CB James Pierre will see plenty of field time in the nickle. Fitzpatrick has a team leading 64 tackles, but is out with Covid. Edmunds has one the Steelers three interceptions. Former first rounder Karl Joseph has been elevated to the 53 man roster.
Steelers Special Teams
Punter: Pressley Harvin III
Kickoff Returners: Ray-Ray McCloud
Punt Returner: Ray-Ray McCloud
Scouting report: McCloud is averaging 23.2 yard per kickoff return and 8.8 yards per punt return.
Scouting the LA Chargers
Overall record: 5-4 (4th in AFC West)
Last game: Vikings 27 Chargers 20
Head coach: Brandon Staley (1st season with Chargers)
- Overall regular-season record: 5-4 | 5-4 with Chargers
Links
Chargers Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 24.3
- Total Offense per game: 383
- Passing yards per game: 282.8
- Rushing yards per game: 100.2
Offensive Scouting Report
- Strengths: Great passing game with many weapons for Justin Herbert to utilize. Austin Ekeler is one of the leagues best backs.
- Weaknesses: Herbert is prone to silly turnovers if pressured.
Starting Quarterback: Justin Herbert | Back-up: Ty Long
- Justin Herbert has thrown for 2,545 yards, with 19 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and has been sacked 16 times. Herbert also has 117 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.
Starting Running Back: Austin Ekeler | Back-up: Justin Jackson, Larry Rountree III
- Austin Ekeler has rushed for 523 yards and five touchdowns. He has also caught 39 passes for 340 yards and another four touchdowns. Justin Jackson has 101 yards, but is questionable today.
Wide Receivers: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Jaylen Guyton, Joshua Palmer, and K.J. Hill
- Keenan Allen leads the team with 65 receptions for 698 yards and two TD’s. Mike Williams, a deep threat who has been quiet of late, has 41 catches for 608 yards and six touchdowns. Jaylen Guyton has caught 11 passes for 158 yards. Joshua Palmer has 12 receptions for 126 yards and a score.
Tight Ends: Jared Cook, Donald Parham, Jr., and Stephen Anderson
- Jared Cook is the top tight end with 28 catches for 318 yards and a pair of scores. Donald Parham, Jr. has contributed 11 catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns. Stephen Anderson has nine catches for 82 yards and a TD.
Placekicker: Dustin Hopkins
- Extra Points: 6-7
- Field Goals: 5-5
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 2-2
- 30-39 yards: 1-1
- 40-49 yards: 2-2
- 50+ yards: 0-0
*Injured/out
Chargers Defense (Base 4-3)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 25.3
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 361.1
- Passing yards allowed: 206
- Rushing yards allowed: 155.1
- Sacks: 17
- Interceptions: 6
Defensive Scouting Report
- Strengths: Joey Bosa
- Weaknesses: Horrible run defense.
Defensive Line: DE Joey Bosa has 28 tackles to go with 5.5 sacks. Jerry Tillery has 30 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Linebackers: Kyzir White has 65 tackles, one sacks, and two interceptions.
Secondary: Safety Derwin James Jr. has 80 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception. CB Asante Samuel, Jr. has two inteerceptions.
Chargers Special Teams
Kickoff Returners: Andre Roberts and Larry Rountree
Punt Returner: Andre Roberts and K.J. Hill
Scouting report: Andre Roberts is averaging 22.6 yards per kickoff return, while Larry Rountree averages 16.7… Andre Roberts is averaging 8.0 yards per punt return.
Steelers vs Chargers History
Series History: Began in 1971
Overall Record: 24-10
- Home: 15-4
- Away: 9-6
- Postseason: 1-2
Streak: Steelers won the last game.
Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 24-17 (Oct. 13, 2019)
Last postseason meeting: Steelers Win, 35-24 (Jan. 9, 2009)
Injury Report (11/20/21)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Out: CB Joe Haden (Foot), OL Kevin Dotson (Ankle), LB T.J. Watt (Hip/Knee), DE Isaiahh Loudermilk (Groin),
- Doubtful: None reported
- Questionable: None reported
- COVID List/Out: SS Minkah Fitzpatrick
LA Chargers
- Out: None reported
- Doubtful: S Alohi Gilman (Quadricep), DL Linval Joseph (Shoulder), DB Mark Webb Jr. (Knee)
- Questionable: RB Justin Jackson (Quadricep), DB Trey Marshal (Ankle)
- COVID List/Out: LB Drue Tranquill, DT Jerry Tillery, DT Christian Covington
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
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