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Chargers (4-5) at Steelers (6-3) — Sunday, 1:15 p.m. PST, CBS

THE SCENE:

The Chargers were one point, or rather one two-point conversion, away from devastation against the Chiefs.  It’s a position that’s been all too familiar so far this year. And while the win may have prolonged their season or at least helped keep them in the chase, it certainly didn’t restore any order in the AFC. If anything, it created more chaos.

Face it, San Diego’s not the elite team we want them to be. They score 27.1 ppg (fifth in the NFL), but surrender 24.2 (19th). How bad is their pass defense? They not only allow a league-worst 264.9 ypg, but last week made Kansas City QB Tyler Thigpen look more like a legitimate NFL starter than any of his previous opponents… combined. Just wait until Hines Ward gets loose in the secondary 10 or 11 times.

Still, Pittsburgh’s not without their own problems. For one, they’re playing .500 football at home (2-2), including last week’s 24-20 loss to Indianapolis. And they’re out of sync offensively, especially with nagging injuries to Ben Roethlisberger and Willie Parker, plus an offensive line that’s struggled in pass protection.
PERSONALITIES:

San Diego Chargers

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB #21.  Just because he didn’t run amok on the Chiefs hardly means LT’s “washed up.” His 3.8 ypc and four touchdowns are reason to be concerned, but consider this: Tomlinson, the NFL’s top rusher two seasons in a row, has averaged 143.5 total yards over his last two games. LT says he’s “fine” physically, even if the team’s ups and downs have drained him mentally.

On a quasi-related note, San Diego signed former 100-meter dash star and journeyman back Michael Bennett after he was waived by the Bucs.

Tim Dobbins, LB #51. His most notable play of the season may have been recovering the Jay Cutler fumble that “wasn’t” in week two. But Dobbins, who has excelled in a special teams role for the two straight seasons, is quietly second among the Chargers’ linebackers in tackles with 36. He brings intensity to the inside, especially when lined up next to Stephen Cooper, San Diego’s best run stopper.

Mike Scifres, P #5. His consistency in kicking the Chargers out of trouble has been remarkable. Out of Scifres’ 28 punts, 11 have landed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and he’s also averaging 48.3 yards per boot (tied for 4th in the NFL). In a game where field position will be at a premium, Scifres gives the Chargers a significant advantage. The Steelers replaced veteran punter Mitch Berger, who averaged 36.3 yards per punt versus Washington,with former Bronco Paul Ernster.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger, QB #7.There’s no question the Steelers’ battered leader has been a gamer. He’s played through an AC joint injury in his throwing shoulder and withstood countless hits in the pocket. Coach Mike Tomlin think his timing is off because of limited practice time since the week one injury.

James Harrison, LB #92 / LaMarr Woodley, LB #56. It’s hard to imagine one without the other. Harrison’s second in the NFL with 11 sacks, Woodley is fifth with 9.5. San Diego’s offensive line has done well in protecting QB Philip Rivers (12 sacks), but they have yet to face the constant pressure from the outside that Harrison and Woodley bring.

ISSUES:

Willie or Won’t He? Adam Schefter from the NFL Network said that Parker had a torn labrum and would likely miss the rest of the season. Parker denied the report. NFL.com then reported the running back will be in the lineup on Sunday. Who do we believe? If Parker’s healthy, it changes the way San Diego defends Pittsburgh and can lighten the load on Roethlisberger. But it’s not a question of whether Parker’s shoulder is injured, just how severely. The first drive will tell us a lot, especially when he lowers his head (or shoulder) into somebody’s chest.

When healthy, Parker is a dynamic weapon in the Steelers offense and can dominate a game. Watch these clips from week one, when a full-speed “Fast” Willie, running behind an aggressive line, gradually wore down the Texans. His speed forces defenses to game plan around trying to contain him, which opens up the passing game. Without him, they have survived, thanks in large part to the play of Mewelde Moore. However, his absence may have also contributed to Roethlisberger’s pounding in recent weeks.

All Quiet on the Western Front.The Chargers are the only Pacific coast team since 2002 that has won more than 50% of their games when traveling to the Eastern Time Zone. This season, no west coast team has won east of Cleveland (0-13). Perhaps San Diego will play the role of Paul Baumer, braving through the carnage, but ultimately meeting their demise.

Sunday’s game starts at 7:15 p.m ET, giving the Chargers an extra three hours to adjust to the time difference.  However, if weather reports of snow flurries prove true, the already ragged turf at Heinz Field will become chunks of frozen mulch. The Chargers practiced all week in Southern California, where the most inclement conditions consisted of scattered haze and low temperatures in the high 50s.  That could render the later starting time meaningless.

Who’s the man with the master plan? Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick “Architect of the “zone blitz” LeBeau, versus San Diego head coach Norv Turner, the play-caller behind the 90s Cowboys. Turner may have the advantage simply by default. Pittsburgh corners Deshea Townsend and Bryant McFadden are out, meaning San Diego’s Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd (arguably the best hands on the squad) and Chris Chambers (reportedly returning from an Oct. 5 ankle injury) may be a nightmare for the secondary. How will LeBeau counter? Probably by relentlessly blitzing everyone, including star safety Troy Polamalu.

TURNING POINT:

The biggest difference between the Steelers and Chargers? Pittsburgh usually finds a way to win close ones. They are 3-1 in games decided by five points or fewer. By comparison San Diego is 1-3.

LINE: PIT (-4.5)

WEATHER:

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh PA. Cloudy, 20 mph wind, 30% chance of precipitation, 31-degrees.

INJURIES:

San Diego: Questionable - Cletis Gordon, CB (knee), Steve Gregory, S (neck); Probable - Antonio Cromartie, CB (hip), Chris Chambers, WR (ankle), Buster Davis, WR (groin), Marques Harris, LB (hamstring).

Pittsburgh: Out - Heath Miller, TE (ankle), Townsend, CB (hamstring), McFadden, CB (forearm); Questionable - Marvel Smith, T (back), Woodley, LB (calf); Probable - Parker, RB (shoulder), Roethlisberger, QB (shoulder).

PREDICTION:

San Diego’s pass defense is too shaky to ignore. Steelers 24, Chargers 20.

Discuss:

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