The Steelers are 5-3 on the season and in first place of their division despite having a down year by their own lofty standards. Mainly that’s due to the rest of the AFC North going through hell and back with their rosters, but first place is first place at the end of the day.
Mainly, the Steelers defense has been pretty bad this year outside of their recent win over the Colts. On the year, they’re the worst pass defense (even after adding Jalen Ramsey this offseason) and allow the third-most yards per game at 383.8.
This week, if the Chargers want to find a way to win in primetime inside their own stadium, they’ll need to play a clean game all while trying to mitigate their massive loss as of late. Joe Alt’s not coming back. They have who they have on the roster going forward not that the trade deadline has passed.
Can Jesse Minter find a way to bother the stoic Aaron Rodgers? Can the offense keep Herbert clean against the likes of T.J. Watt and the rest of the Steelers front? Boy, I sure hope so.
With that said, here’s a quick screenshot of how these two teams fare on paper after the first eight weeks of the season.
Total yards per game: 376.4 (5th)
Points per game: 23.9 (17th)
Passing yards per game: 250.6 (6th)
Rushing yards per game: 124.0 (10th)
Passing: QB Justin Herbert – 2,390 passing yards, 18 touchdowns
Rushing yards: RB Omarion Hampton – 314
Rushing touchdowns: RB Omarion Hampton – 2
Receiving yards: WR Ladd McConkey – 524
Receptions: WR Keenan Allen – 50
Receiving touchdowns: WR Quentin Johnston – 6
Total yards allowed per game: 286.8 (6th)
Points allowed per game: 21.4 (12th)
Passing yards allowed per game: 177.1 (3rd)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 109.7 (17th)
Tackles: LB Daiyan Henley – 61
Tackles for loss: EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu – 10
Sacks: EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu – 7
Passes Defended: CB Tarheeb Still, CB Cam Hart – 6
Interceptions: S Tony Jefferson – 2
Forced fumbles: EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu, DT Teair Tart – 1
Fumble recoveries: DT Teair Tart – 1
Total yards per game: 288.1 (28th)
Points per game: 25.3 (13th)
Passing yards per game: 200.9 (21st)
Rushing yards per game: 87.3 (30th)
Passing: QB Aaron Rodgers – 1,692 passing yards, 17 touchdowns
Rushing yards: RB Jaylen Warren 404
Rushing touchdowns: RB Kenneth Gainwell – 3
Receiving yards: WR D.K. Metcalf – 467
Receptions: WR D.K. Metcalf – 29
Receiving Touchdowns: WR D.K. Metcalf – 5
Total yards allowed per game: 383.3 (30th)
Points allowed per game: 24.4 (21st)
Passing yards allowed per game: 278.3 (32nd)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 105.5 (14th)
Tackles: LB Payton Wilson – 71
Tackles for loss: EDGE T.J. Watt, EDGE Nate Herbig – 6
Sacks: EDGE T.J. Watt – 5
Passes Defended: CB Joey Porter Jr. – 9
Interceptions: 8 players tied w/ 1
Forced fumbles: EDGE T.J. Watt, EDGE Nate Herbig – 2
Fumble recoveries: EDGE T.J. Watt- 2
