Inside the Numbers: Steelers defense vs Chargers offense
With a 1-4 record, the Steelers find themselves in a precarious position. The offense is gutted with injuries and can't find consistent production anywhere. If the Steelers have a prayer for turning the season around, it will have to begin with the defense.
The Chargers will be no easy match for the Steeler defense. Philip Rivers is a potential Hall-of-Fame quarterback, the duo of Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler at running back is as dangerous as any in the league, and Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry are quality targets in the passing game.
Here's how the Steelers defense matches up with the Chargers offense on paper:
| Steelers Defense | Chargers Offense |
|---|---|
22.8 Points-per-game allowed (15th) | 20.6 Points-per-game (T-18th) |
355.6 Total yards-per-game allowed (16th) | 372.2 Total yards-per-game (13th) |
125.8 Rushing yards-per-game allowed (21st) | 89.8 Rushing yards-per-game (24th) |
229.8 Passing yards-per-game allowed (12th) | 282.4 Passing yards-per-game (5th) |
12 Takeaways (6 INT/6 fumbles) (T-1st) | 8 Turnovers (4 INT/4 fumbles) (T-10th) |
19 Sacks (3rd) | 11 Sacks allowed (T-13th) |
42% 3rd down conversion against (23rd) | 46% 3rd down conversion (T-7th) |
Advantage: Steelers - slightly
This really is going to be an intriguing matchup. The Steelers' advantage in this matchup is very, very slight.
Pittsburgh has done a great job of getting to the quarterback this season, and it's coming from multiple players. Nine different players have registered at least a half sack, and four of which have registered at least three sacks each.
The Steelers have also drastically improved in taking the ball away. After recording only 15 takeaways in all of 2018, they have already taken the ball away from their opponent 12 times.
Where the Chargers could drastically hurt the Steelers is on 3rd down conversions. The Chargers are one of the better teams in converting third downs, while the defense has struggled all season with getting of the field in those crucial situations.
Pittsburgh's defense is on the field an average of 34:46 per game, which is 2nd-most in the NFL. It's a bad combination of the offense being unable to sustain drives along with getting the opposing team off the field on 3rd downs.
Los Angeles likes to play the shorter passing game, averaging only 11 yards-per-completion. To put that in perspective, the Steelers' offense averages 10.1 yards-per-completion.
The Chargers rely a lot on running back Austin Ekeler in the passing game, who has filled in for Melvin Gordon quite nicely while Gordon held out. Ekeler is Los Angeles' leading receiver with 39 receptions. His 356 receiving yards accounts for over 25% of the Chargers total yards through the air.
Melvin Gordon is being eased back into the fold for L.A., but it won't be long before we see Gordon gain more touches from Ekeler. Although, Ekeler has been absolutely stellar for the Bolts.
The Chargers could gash Pittsburgh in the short passing game. If they've watched any tape, they should know the middle of the field should be near the top of the primary attack zones.
In 2018, Keenan Allen terrorized the Steelers' defense, catching 14 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown. Allen did most of his damage out of the slot, where he was the beneficiary of lots of mismatches. Pittsburgh cannot allow another stunt like this to happen if they have any ideas of winning this game.
After averaging 30.5 points-per-game in the first two weeks, the defense has improved. In the past three games, they are allowing 17.7 points-per-game. Pittsburgh is getting to the quarterback more frequently now, and they are taking the ball away more frequently. The addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick has made a big difference in the deep middle of the field.
If Pittsburgh can limit the 3rd down conversions and do their part in aiding themselves and getting off the field, they can have another really good performance similar to last week against Baltimore.
It's refreshing that we're starting to see this unit play a little better every week. And with Ben Roethlisberger out for the season, if the Steelers have any hopes in sneaking into the postseason, it will have to begin with the defense.
