by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Sep 17, 2024
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, September 22, 2024
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Where to Watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Chargers +2, Steelers -2; Over/Under: 35.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Chargers +2, Steelers -2; Over/Under: 35.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Chargers +2, Steelers -2; Over/Under: 35.5 points
Season Record
Los Angeles Chargers: 2-0 (1st place, AFC West)
Pittsburgh Steelers: 2-0 (1st place, AFC North)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Chargers: won their last game on the road against the Carolina Panthers 26-3.
Pittsburgh Steelers: won their last game on the road against the Denver Broncos 13-6.
Los Angeles Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers Preview and Analysis
The Chargers are entering this game with a 2-0 record overall and they have a 1-0 record in their divisional games too. They are 1-0 in their home games, 1-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against the Carolina Panthers 26-3. Justin Herbert was the starting QB and he completed 14/20 passes for 130 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. J.K. Dobbins led the team in rushing yards with 131 and 1 TD. Quentin Johnston led the receivers with 51 receiving yards on 5 receptions and 2 TDs. Daiyan Henley led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles while Denzel Perryman and Joey Bosa each led the defense in sacks with 1. Elijah Molden came away with the only interception for them in that one.
The Steelers are entering this game with a 2-0 record overall and they have a 0-0 record in their divisional games too. They are 0-0 in their home games, 2-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against the Denver Broncos 13-6. Justin Fields was the starting QB and he completed 13/20 passes for 117 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. Najee Harris led the team in rushing yards with 69. Pat Freiermuth led the receivers with 39 receiving yards on 4 receptions. Minkah Fitzpatrick led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Alex Highsmith and T. J. Watt each led the defense in sacks with 1. Damontae Kazee and Cory Trice Jr. each came away with 1 interception for them in that one.
Chargers vs Steelers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Steelers listed as a 2 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Steelers have looked really good in their games this season with their 2-0 record overall. Their offense hasn't looked that good in their 2 games, scoring less than 20 points in both games, but their defense looks like one of the best in the NFL this year. The Steelers always have a solid defense under Tomlin and even though their defense has been winning their games, the offense hasn't been hurting them with Fields not making many mistakes. Meanwhile, the Chargers have also looked good in their games this season with their 2-0 record overall. Just like the Steelers, the Chargers haven't really been wowing teams with their offense, but their defense has been great under the new Harbaugh regime. Herbert should play in this game, but he did get a little banged up in their last game and he does have a history of poor performance when playing through injuries. It won't help going against this Steelers defense that has been playing like the best defense in the NFL, and the Steelers are also playing their home opener after 2 straight weeks on the road to open up the season so the atmosphere is going to be great and that will give the Steelers an edge in this game where defense will rule. The best way to place a bet here is on the Steelers to cover the spread in this game.
Chargers Steelers Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, September 22, 2024 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Steelers 13 Chargers 10.
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NFL Betting Trends
Los Angeles Chargers: 7-11 ATS in the 2nd quarter of their last 18 games. 14-4 to the 3rd quarter under in their last 18 games.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 12-5 ATS in the 2nd half of their last 17 games. 6-2 (+5.10 units) on the 4th quarter moneyline in their last 8 home games.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Chargers: J. Bosa (OLB) Questionable - Back. K. Mack (OLB) Injured - Rest. D. Perryman (LB) Injured - Thigh. A. Gilman (SAF) Doubtful - Knee. J. Taylor (DB) Questionable - Fibula. H. Haskins (RB) Questionable - Toe. J. Colson (LB) Injured - Knee. A. Samuel (CB) Injured - Shoulder. J. Palmer (WR) Questionable - Knee. T. Still (CB) Injured - Hip.
Pittsburgh Steelers: C. Heyward (DT) Injured - Rest. P. Queen (LB) Injured - Groin. L. Ogunjobi (DT) Injured - Knee. D. Moore (OT) Injured - Ankle. D. Rush (CB) Injured - Concussion. R. Wilson (QB) Questionable - Calf. I. Seumalo (G) Out - Pectoral. R. Wilson (WR) Questionable - Ankle.
Notable Quotes
“We had 22 players who played on defense. The rotations were really good. More importantly, anytime anybody went in, they played really well.” - Jim Harbaugh after his team’s win against the Panthers in their last game.
“It’s always hard to win in this league, so being able to start out 2-0, with two away games has been great. But we’ve got to be better. We’ve got to stop the penalties, stuff like that. We ought to be better, including me. We get that and the way our defense is playing, we get rolling on offense, scoring 28 points-plus, we’ll be in good shape.” - Justin Fields after their win against the Broncos in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Chargers
WR Johnston, Quentin
WR Palmer, Joshua
WR McConkey, Ladd
TE Hurst, Hayden
QB Herbert, Justin
RB Dobbins, J.K
Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Pickens, George
WR Jefferson, Van
TE Freiermuth, Pat
TE Washington, Darnell
QB Fields, Justin
RB Harris, Najee
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Chargers
Passing: J. Herbert (274)
Rushing: J. Dobbins (266)
Receiving: Q. Johnston (89)
Touchdowns: J. Dobbins (2)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Passing: J. Fields (273)
Rushing: N. Harris (139)
Receiving: G. Pickens (114)
Touchdowns: D. Washington (1)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh (1st season)
Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin (18th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
