Meet The Opponent: Los Angeles Chargers

As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for a primetime match-up with the Los Angeles Chargers, get a preview of LA's second favorite football team.

Who: Pittsburgh Steelers (1-4) at Los Angeles Chargers (2-3) 
When: Sunday, October 13th, 8:20 PM ET
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park, Los Angeles, California 
TV Network: NBC
Broadcast Team: Al Michaels, Chris Collinsworth 
Spread: Chargers (-7)

It's currently duck season in Pittsburgh, as the Steelers travel to the west coast with third-string quarterback Devlin "Duck" Hodges as the presumed starter, despite Mason Rudolph practicing throughout the week. 

Both the Steelers (1-4) and Chargers (2-3) walk into week six needing a victory to keep up in their respective divisions. Last year's 33-30 contest at Heinz Field came down to a game-winning field goal, despite Pittsburgh's darkest memories mainly remembering Chargers WR Keenan Allen going for 14 receptions, 148 yards and 1 touchdown. 

Considering Pittsburgh's recent struggles against the AFC West (0-4 against the division last year) and trips to the west coast (Tomlin's sole career win on the west coast came against the Chargers in 2015), the pressure would presumably pile up on a football team that needs a crucial win without key components. 

"Adversity is to be expected," Steelers running back James Conner said to media members. "Even if we did have Ben still here, it wasn't going to be a smooth ride either way. Right now, it's our record and with our quarterback situation, so we just have to find a way to fight through it."

The Chargers, on the other hand, feel as if they're in the same boat. Despite possessing premium pass-rushers in Joey Bosa/Melvin Ingram and a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Philip Rivers, LA failed to secure a win last week against a then winless Denver Broncos squad. 

"We’ve been in this boat and kind of gotten rolling" said Rivers to Chargers.com. "Hopefully we weather the storm injury-wise and kind of find a way to win a game, and then, hopefully, we can string some (wins) together.”

What should we expect from the Chargers come Sunday? An in-depth preview at LA's offense, defense, and quite the insight from Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times. 

Injury Report 

Thursday's #PITvsLAC Injury Report pic.twitter.com/J0KQt23DNg

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 10, 2019

Offense

League Ranks:

Total Offense: 13th (372 yards per game)
Passing Offense: 5th (282 yards per game)
Rushing Offense: 23rd (90 yards per game)
Scoring Offense: 19th (21 points per game)
Third Down Conversions: 8th (46%)

Philip Rivers is a fellow 2004 draft class member alongside Ben Roethlisberger, as both quarterbacks are expected to enter the Hall of Fame at some point down the road. Rivers has returned to form for 2019, leading Los Angeles to a top-five ranked passing offense through the first five games of the season. Rivers possesses a gun-slingers mentality, and fiery southern persona only second to Brett Favre. Rivers boasts an impressive stat-line of 133/194 attempts (68.6 CMP%), 1,465 yards for 7 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. 

Rivers' favorite target? Look no further than wide receiver Keenan Allen. Allen, known as one of the top route-runners in the league, has gathered 38 receptions on 53 targets, good for third-most targets for any WR in the league. Allen also has accumulated 470 yards and 3 touchdowns thus far, yet his most impressive stat may rest within how he moves the chains, earning 24 first downs for LA thus far. Third-year receiver Mike Williams plays as the #2 receiver for Los Angeles, earning 14 receptions for 231 yards on 28 targets. Williams' big frame (6-4, 220 lbs) makes him an exceptional jump ball receiver, while also providing a solid deep threat for Rivers to find downfield. Other receiving options include Dontrelle Inman (recently placed on injury reserve) and Travis Benjamin. 

The Chargers tight end room is as unsolved as Pittsburgh's, mainly due to the injury of Hunter Henry. When healthy, Henry has produced numbers similar to Rob Gronkowski in terms of production. Yet staying on the field has been a problem for Henry, playing in only one game in 2019. Henry was limited in practice on Thursday, and his status for Sunday remains in question. Should Henry not be able to go, the Chargers will have to rely on a tight end room featuring Lance Kendricks and Virgil Green, with both combining for 6 receptions on the season to date.

On the ground, running back Melvin Gordon's debut last week came to the tune of 2.6 yards per carry on 12 attempts. While Gordon's role is expected to expand and thus help him become more efficient, running back Austin Ekeler has established himself not only in the rushing attack (3.8 yards per carry on 59 attempts, 3 touchdowns), but in the passing game as well (39 receptions on 41 targets, 356 yards, 3 touchdowns). Ekeler expects to still find himself used relatively often in the passing attack with the arrival of Gordon, signaling the fade of fellow running back Justin Jackson. Jackson, primarily used strictly in run situations, figures to miss Sunday's game, opening a bigger role for Ekeler/Gordon. 

The Chargers offensive line suffered a big blow when center Mike Pouncey was put on injured reserve earlier this week after injuring his neck in last week's game against Denver. Pouncey will join Chargers left tackle Russell Okung on the sideline, who currently is placed on the non-football illness list after suffering a pulmonary embolism in the summer. LA has allowed 11 sacks through five games so far. The Chargers offensive line figures to look like this: 

LT- Trent Scott, LG- Forrest Lamp, C- Dan Feeney, RG-Michael Schofield, RT- Sam Tevi

Defense 

League Ranks: 

Total Defense: 11th (335 yards per game)
Pass Defense: 8th (215 yards per game)
Rush Defense: 18th (120 yards per game)
Points Per Game: 9th (19 PPG)
Third Down Defense: 29th (46% conversions allowed)

Defensive end Joey Bosa continues to prove his worth as one of the best pass-rushers in the league, leading the team with 3 sacks thus far. Though the numbers for Bosa don't exactly jump off the page, his impact on the pass rush is undeniable. Opposite pass rusher Melvin Ingram also wreaks havoc on the field, creating one of the more underrated duos in the league. Yet Ingram missed last week with a hamstring issue, and is expected to miss Sunday's contest as well. Starting in place of Ingram would be Uchenna Nwosu, who earned an impressive 90.8 grade from Pro Football Focus, totaling 5 pressures, 4 tackles, 3 assisted tackles, 4 run-stops and 1 forced fumble. 

Featured inside are defensive tackles Brandon Mebane and Jerry Tillery. Tillery, the team's first round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, played just 14 snaps last week but continues to progress as the season goes on. 

Free agent acquisition Thomas Davis Sr. has been nothing short of tremendous since his arrival from Carolina, as the All-Pro linebacker currently leads the team in tackles (41) with a sack to his name as well. Holding down the middle is Kyzir White, the team's only linebacker with an interception to his name. White also is 5th on the team in tackles. Denzel Perryman will likely shift into a more prominent role should Ingram not be good to go, as well as Drue Tranquill, who played a season-high 20 snaps last week. 

Injuries have somewhat plagued LA, and their secondary is no exception. Safety Nasir Adderley is questionable with a hamstring injury while fellow safety Derwin James, considered to be one of the best up and coming defensive players in the league, was put on IR before the season due to a stress fracture in his foot. While James is eligible to return after week eight if healthy enough, the Chargers secondary has held strong in his absence. 

Cornerback Casey Heyward Jr. remains the Chargers number one corner with a team-high 4 passes defended thus far. Heyward is expected to follow JuJu Smith-Schuster on Sunday, with fellow DB's Desmond King and Brandon Facyson following suit. With Adderley/James missing from the safety spot, Rayshawn Jenkins and Rodric Teamer anchor the back end of the defensive backfield. 

Interview with Jeff Miller

Every week I have the pleasure of interviewing a reporter/beat writer of another team. This week's interview features Jeff Miller, who covers the Los Angeles Chargers for the Los Angeles Times. For more Chargers coverage, go follow Jeff on Twitter @JeffMillerLAT. 

Donnie Druin: Melvin Gordon has finally returned to the Chargers. Steelers fans know all too well how a holdout can change a player, as the team experienced a similar situation with Le’Veon Bell last season. What’s been the reception for Gordon from fans and people in the organization for his return?

Jeff Miller: The reception for Gordon has been nothing but positive. Keenan Allen posted a video on social media of the warm reception that awaited him in the locker room the exact moment he returned. None of Gordon’s teammates came even close to speaking ill of him when he was away and, believe me, we gave them plenty of opportunities to do so. Before holding out, Gordon was a very popular player in the locker room and this bit of business evidently did nothing to diminish that. At least publicly, his teammates supported him while insisting they were more focused on prepping for the season.

DD: Philip Rivers, much like Ben Roethlisberger, is at the tail end of what many assume to be a Hall of Fame career. What’s been the key for Rivers to keep throwing the ball at such a high level at his age?

JM: Good timing with this question in that, for the first time since I’ve been around this team, Rivers did not throw the ball well last week. He was frequently off target while the offense was completely out of sync in a 20-13 loss to Denver. But before Sunday, he had been sharp and consistent week in and week out. The qualities that have allowed Rivers to play this long at an impressive level, I believe, include his intelligence. He’s very smart with getting rid of the ball and knowing how to avoid taking big hits. He prepares for each opponent to an almost absurd level, which gives him an advantage when the bodies start flying. 

He also has the ability to throw accurately from a variety of arm slots and while shuffling around or outside the pocket. A lot of QBs need to have their feet set to be as accurate as Rivers can be when he’s moving. Much like Roethlisberger, his size and strength also certainly have played a major role in him staying healthy and productive.

DD: Free agent signing Thomas Davis is having himself quite a year thus far, leading the team with 41 total tackles. Could you speak for what Davis has done for the team, both on and off the field? The veteran presence on defense must be key for a team that feels like they’re on the verge of a deep playoff run.

JM: From the day in arrived in the offseason, Davis has been a leader on this team. Several of his teammates and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley have talked repeatedly about how he didn’t wait to get “a feel” for things before he started taking charge. Defensive end Joey Bosa said one of the first things Davis pointed out to him was how he wasn’t hustling off the field during one practice. On the field, Davis’ worth was obvious when he played every defensive snap through the first three weeks. 

He has been bothered recently by a groin injury that has forced the Chargers to sit him more than they’d like. This team made very few changes from last season - adding basically two notable veterans: Davis and quarterback Tyrod Taylor - but they’ve talked about how bringing in Davis was a coup. Hard to argue with that given how he has played.

DD: Los Angeles currently sits at 2-3, with losses to the Lions, Texans and Broncos by an average of less than a touchdown. In your opinion, what’s been the defining factors between emerging victorious and walking away defeated?

JM: Way too many self-inflicted mistakes. These guys have had four touchdowns nullified by penalties. They’ve turned the ball over four times in goal-to-go situations. Rivers has been intercepted twice in the end zone. Austin Ekeler has fumbled twice at or inside the one-yard line. Realistically, they should be 4-1, the Lions and Texans losses games they should have won. The Broncos, on the other hand, beat them, in my opinion. A year ago, they famously made plays late in games to secure victories, like they did in Pittsburgh in December. Whatever magic they had back then is long gone now. Their playmakers - at least the ones who aren’t hurt - aren’t making the deciding plays and they instead are being buried by their own mistakes.

DD: Through five weeks of play, the Steelers have given up a mere 5 sacks. Can you gauge your confidence levels in LA’s pass rush to get to third string quarterback Devlin Hodges on Sunday?

JM: The Chargers’ pass rush has been, like so many elements of their season so far, inconsistent. Edge rusher Melvin Ingram is dealing with a hamstring issue, and I’m guessing he won’t play against the Steelers. But Uchenna Nwosu filled in for Ingram last week and was probably the Chargers’ best defender. Joey Bosa has only three sacks so far but has played much better than that number would suggest. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley hasn’t blitzed much and I don’t think that will change Sunday, no matter who the Pittsburgh QB is. Then again, given the inexperience that will be back there, maybe Bradley will opt to dial up the pressure. 

If that’s the case, expect nickel cornerback Desmond King to come flying off the edge. He’s one of those playmakers the Chargers have been counting on the past couple seasons. All totaled, the pass rush hasn’t had a major impact yet. I’m skeptical of that suddenly changing.

DD: If you would, pick a match-up or two you think will be pivotal come Sunday. Hopefully one of those isn’t a Steelers linebacker on Keenan Allen again.

JM: With these guys, the weekly match-up to watch has seemed be the offensive line against whomever the other team is lining up. The Chargers are missing their two most accomplished, most experienced O-lineman in left tackle Russell Okung and center Mike Pouncey. So the key Sunday very well could be how left tackle Trent Scott and right tackle Sam Tevi hold up against the Pittsburgh rush. They both have had great and not-so-great moments this season. Forrest Lamp will be getting his first career start - at left guard - with Dan Feeney moving to center to replace Pouncey, who was lost for the season this week because of a neck injury. 

The Chargers’ offense was horrible Sunday against the Broncos, and they are starting this week already in a hole along the line. If Scott and Tevi struggle, this could have another long four quarters for an offense looking to make a major bounce back.

DD: If the Chargers are able to do (blank), they will win the game.

JM: At the risk of sounding remarkably simplistic, they’d say if they are able to put the ball in the damn end zone. They were 0 for 4 in red-zone trips last week and I’ve already mentioned their repeated failures all season long when they’ve moved deep into opposition territory. Over the past month, the Chargers have talked at great length about the importance of finishing drives. But, so far, they haven’t been able to fix the problem. They’ve wasted too much chances and, in turn, they are now threatening to waste their entire season.