I’ve always said there’s no such thing as a must-win game in Week Four. But this is about as close as you can get.
The prospect of being 1-3 four weeks into the season isn’t something we even want to think about.
Phil Rivers is one of the best QBs in the game and has been lights out this year. Darren Sproles has potential to be very elusive and dangerous as well. The Chargers potent offense against a Steelers defense struggling to get pressure and collapsing late in games could be a disastrous matchup.
But the Chargers haven’t won in Pittsburgh in forever. And the Steelers always play best when their backs are against the wall.
This is definitely a huge game for both teams. New England missed the playoffs last year with an 11-5 record. A 1-3 start just isn’t something you want to mess with.
What they are saying…
For me, this game rests on the shoulders of Marcus McNeill. Although I criticized him last week, I was told his flu was quite severe and that he lost a lot of weight during the week leading up to the game. If he’s healthy again, and can handle James Harrison, I feel like the Chargers cannot lose. If Harrison is causing all sorts of problems for Rivers, it’s going to be hard to move the ball downfield and Norv will have to rely on the big passing plays again (always a risky gameplan).
The Chargers have been pathetic in the red zone the past two weeks, scoring just one touchdown in 11 opportunities. Whether the return of Tomlinson is the ticket, or different play calls, or wearing different socks something has to change. The good news for the Chargers is Pittsburgh hasn’t been lighting up the scoreboard either. Last week the Steelers had three goal-to-go situations and scored one TD. Whichever team gets the red-zone problem worked out becomes the favorite to win.
So really it comes down to two teams with issues, both struggling to avoid mediocre (or even disappointing) starts this season. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, the Chargers ability to win this game is entirely in their hands. Turn those engines up a notch and eliminate the mental mistakes and stupid penalties, and they can win this game in Pittsburgh.
Predictions…
Bam says: The Steelers offense will probably put up the same performance we’ve seen from them throughout the year. They will be able to score points, but not enough to win the game themselves. This game will come down to pressuring Philip Rivers. If the Steelers don’t get a lot of pressure, Rivers will eat them up. He is a lot better QB than Jay Cutler and more explosive than Carson Palmer these days. I feel sick picking the opposition for the second week in a row, but like last week’s game, this looks like a bad matchup to me. Chargers 24 – 17.
Norm says: It should be a hard fought game. Jeff Reed will win our hearts again on a last-second field goal. The Steelers will take advantage of the Chargers week rush defense and Rashard will rush for over 80 yards. If the Steelers can’t stop the pass, then the Chargers will come out on top. Steelers 21 – 18.
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