The Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers will both look to stay undefeated when they meet for a Week 3 battle at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Despite Russell Wilson being sidelined due to injury , the Steelers have managed a 2-0 start with Justin Fields under center. Fields and Co. only have one touchdown through two games but the defense and kicker Chris Boswell have been excellent, which has been enough to put the Steelers over the top.
The Chargers have had a similar start to the season. Granted, Los Angeles has been able to put up multiple touchdowns, but the defense has been the star of the show, as has running back J.K. Dobbins, who has broken the century mark in each of his first two games with the Chargers.
Something has got to give in Week 3, though, and one of these two teams will walk away with its first loss of the season. Let's see who experts think that will be.
NFL picks, predictions Week 3: Steelers vs. Chargers
Bill Bender, Sporting News: Chargers 20, Steelers 19
Bender: "This is arguably the best matchup of the week, and two former Ohio State players hold the keys to the matchup. Can Chargers running back JK Dobbins get rolling against a Pittsburgh defense that allows 76.5 yards per game? Justin Fields can build off his past two turnover-free starts. Harbaugh and the Chargers take advantage of the opportunity and improve to 3-0."
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Chargers 20, Steelers 17
Iyer: "The Chargers have become a tough road team already with Jim Harbaugh. Their offensive line is acing things in run blocking and keeping a banged-up Justin Herbert clean. That is key against the Steelers' pass rush, and the Steelers' run defense will be attacked enough. Herbert will protect the ball and himself better than Justin Fields as the Chargers keep up their momentum toward at least an AFC wild-card berth."
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Steelers 19, Chargers 16
Cluff: "These two teams have allowed the fewest points in the NFL this season. We're in for a defensive struggle. The Steelers' defense will make some big plays to win this one."
Iain MacMillan, Sports Illustrated: Chargers
MacMillan: "The Chargers are coming in as my upset pick of the week. The Steelers continue to baffle me as year after year they win games they don't deserve to win. Despite being 2-0, the Steelers have a Net Yards per Play of -0.7, which ranks 24th in the NFL. Good coaching and an average turnover margin per game of +2.5 has led them to their current record, but now they take on a team that has also been strongly coached through the first two weeks of the season in Los Angeles. The Steelers simply can't continue to win games scoring just 15.5 points per game. Justin Herbert and company will be able to do enough to get the win in Pittsburgh on Sunday."
Pittsburgh and Los Angeles will meet at Acrisure Stadium in Week 3, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET.
Local News
Comments / 0