Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers Preview

By Chuck Bednar | Saturday, October 08, 2005 | ( 0 )

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Despite their early season struggles, the San Diego Chargers proved in last weekend's victory over New England that they are still capable of lighting up the scoreboard. The question is, can they do it two weeks in a row, as they set to host the Pittsburgh Steelers this Monday night at 9:00pm?

For San Diego, its almost been a tale of two seasons. In the first two games of the season, losses to Dallas and Denver, QB Drew Brees had quarterback ratings of 65.1 and 70.0, respectively, while RB LaDainian Tomlinson failed to gain even 80 yards in either contest. However, in victories over the Giants in Week 3 and the Patriots in Week 4, the Chargers offense has averaged 43-points per game. Brees has completed 82% of his passes for 439 yards and four touchdowns, while Tomlinson has run for 326 yards and five scores. San Diego has averaged 31.8 points per game, tops in the AFC, but they will be facing a tough Steeler defense that has yet to allow 65 yards to any running back allows just over 12 points per game to opposing offenses. No doubt that this match-up will be the one to watch, as it pits strength against strength.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers have the ball, they have the edge. They have the fifth-ranked offense in the NFL and have averaged more than 360 yards per game, thanks largely to the efforts of QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Willie Parker and WR Hines Wars. Roethlisberger, in just his second NFL season, has thrown for 688 yards and six touchdowns without tossing an INT. Parker, an undrafted free-agent from North Carolina, has shocked the NFL by rushing for 327 yards and two touchdowns, while Ward, who is expected to play despite a hamstring injury, has been his always consistent self, hauling in 12 receptions, four of them good for touchdowns. They face a good but not great San Diego Chargers defense that allows roughly 340 yards per game, tying them for 23rd in the league. It is this match-up that appears to give the Steelers the edge in this Monday night showdown.

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