Week three of this NFL season features a lot of exciting matchups. One of the most anticipated games is between the two toughest teams in football this season. The Chargers and Steelers have found themselves at a 2-0 record by running the football down the field and playing hard-nosed defense. The matchup is also one of two of the best coaches in football – Jim Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin. The two masterminds will ensure that the team that loses this game will do so because they made the biggest mistake.
As previously mentioned, both offenses rely heavily on running the ball. The Chargers have done so with former Raven JK Dobbins, the league’s leader in rushing yards. The Steelers have used homegrown talent with Najee Harris – who seems to be having a resurgence year – and Jaylen Warren. Neither team has leaned on the passing game yet, but both teams are capable.
Both teams have weapons at the skill positions. The Chargers often boast their $262 million man Justin Herbert in the backfield, although he is being used less this season. When he does get to air the ball out, it is usually to his two young receivers Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey. Justin Fields leads the way for Pittsburgh, often throwing to WR George Pickens and TE Pat Freiermuth. Another piece of Steelers news worth noting is that former Michigan Man and college star Roman Wilson will make his NFL debut on Sunday vs. his former coach, Harbaugh.
Injuries are already beginning to stack up this season, and neither of these teams is an exception. Going into this game, the biggest injury news is around a rookie Steelers tackle who suffered a knee injury at practice and is out indefinitely. This will severely impact the Steelers’ offense since the Chargers pass rush is one of the best in the league and will be at even more of an advantage against an injured Pittsburgh line.
The Chargers have some problems of their own, too. Standout rookie LB Junior Colson is out, and star QB Justin Herbert’s status is in the air. Herbert suffered a high ankle sprain in the week two victory vs. the Panthers, and he is currently listed as questionable. The most recent reports have been optimistic, however. Expectations as of now are that Herbert will test out his ankle before the game on Sunday and decide, but he is currently leaning toward playing.
Whether or not Herbert plays, T.J. Watt will try to get to the quarterback. This week, he goes against rookie sensation RT Joe Alt. Alt has had a busy start to his career, going against Maxx Crosby and Jadaveon Clowney in his first two games, and now going against the league’s best defensive player. Alt has shined against the stars he has gone up against so far, so Watt is essentially the only harder challenge he can face. For that reason, Alt vs. Watt is the most intriguing matchup of any two players in this game.
Overall, this week three matchup will be a face-off between two of the best-coached teams in football and will be a true 60-minute battle to see who is the better team. Neither team will lose the game, so it will be decided whether Tomlin or Harbaugh coaches the better game.