Chargers vs. Steelers Overview:
Seen by many as the perfect roster in professional sports, the San Diego Chargers have been favorites to go to the Super Bowl for years. Injuries sidelined dynamic pass rusher OLB Shawne Merriman early, and Pro-Bowl weapons like RB LaDanian Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates have been in and out of the line up. In spite of all this, the San Diego Chargers rallied around QB Philip Rivers for a four-game winning streak. Fans with Pittsburgh Steelers playoffs tickets could care less about this amazing journey as their No. 1 overall defense and 12-4 record speak for themselves.
San Diego Chargers Offense:
Running back LaDanian Tomlinson has been playing through a horrific groin injury, and with that limiting effect, L.T. has deferred a lot of carries to backup Darren Sproles. Fans with San Diego Chargers playoffs tickets quickly came to love the tiny Darren Sproles as he led an amazing victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round. Quarterbacks come no tougher than Philip Rivers, and his attitude has permeated the entire organization. TE Antonio Gates is virtually uncoverable when healthy and is helped by WRs Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson.
San Diego Chargers Defense:
The San Diego Chargers defense is certainly lacking its usual lights-out ability thanks to the injury of Shawne Merriman, but defensive coordinator Ron Rivera has stepped up with brilliant schemes. NT Jamal Williams is the pivot point for the 3-4 defense, and his size means that he can soak up blockers to free other players. OLB Shaun Phillips continues as the leading pass rusher, but various ILBs like Stephen Cooper and Tim Dobbins are getting more pressure than ever before. CBs Antonio Cromartie, Antoine Cason, and Quentin Jammer make for a deadly nickel defense.
Pittsburgh Steelers Offense:
Fans with NFL playoffs tickets know what to expect from the Pittsburgh Steelers offense by now as the formula hasn’t changed in decades. With a powerful offensive line in front, the Pittsburgh Steelers run the ball in every situation and love to control the clock. RBs Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore share the load and run through defenses with speed and versatility respectively. QB Ben Roethlisberger is suffering from a concussion, but Big Ben will stick it out with Byron Leftwich ready to step in. A QB couldn’t ask for better targets than Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes.
Pittsburgh Steelers Defense:
Like a wizard from a fairy tale, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau continues to conjure up zone-blitzes that defy any convention from the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers 3-4. Totaling 51 sacks on the year, the Pittsburgh Steelers have no problem with finding pass rushers. OLBs James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley attack the passer from the outside while ILB Lawrence Timmons rips into the belly of the offense behind NT Casey Hampton. No player in the NFL fills a team with dread like SS Troy Polamalu, whose versatility in all aspects of the game fuels the defense.
San Diego Chargers Keys to Victory:
In their first meeting this season, the San Diego Chargers lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 11-10. The reason was that the San Diego Chargers running game was stuffed and the defense came full tilt at Phillip Rivers. Since RB Darren Sproles has stepped into the hero role in support of L.T., the running game has a new dimension and power now. The direct run will keep OLB James Harrison from mugging Philip Rivers all game and will tire out the defense. Fans with San Diego Chargers playoff tickets know only good things can happen when TE Antonio Gates gets the ball.
The San Diego Chargers got run over in the regular-season game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. NT Jamal Williams needs to be the dominant force he can be and cannot be driven back into the linebackers. Because of the sheer size and power of the Pittsburgh Steelers line, plenty of blitzes from the inside are necessary. Though he stands on the sidelines, new defensive coordinator Ron Rivera may be the biggest difference maker since he is not shy about blitzing every gap. Fans with NFL playoffs tickets will see a defense with a freshly sharpened aggressive edge.
Pittsburgh Steelers Keys to Victory:
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-0 against 3-4 defenses in 2008 thanks to their victories in the trenches. Even at a combined 1,000 pounds, the San Diego Chargers front three is no match for the burly Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line, especially when it has end zone on its mind. RBs Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore both need huge days and should find good running room. Fans with Pittsburgh Steelers playoff tickets know that QB Ben Roethlisberger is not 100 percent, and keeping the ball on the ground is key. TE Heath Miller should find success in the middle of the field.
The age-old Pittsburgh Steelers philosophy of stopping the run and destroying the passer should continue as it was quite effective before against the San Diego Chargers. OLB James Harrison had a sack, an interception, a forced fumble, and a safety to boot against Philip Rivers, and a similar output would go a long way. Stopping LaDanian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles will be difficult and can only be achieved if NT Casey Hampton holds his water at the line. Though Troy Polamalu is at home in the box and in run support, he will probably hunt TE Antonio Gates all day.
Chargers vs. Steelers Outlook:
With now five-straight must-win games in a row under their belt, the San Diego Chargers are rolling and have that 2007 swagger back. For every superstar lost, fans with San Diego Chargers playoff tickets have been given three role players to root for. Over the course of the season, the San Diego Chargers have gone from West Coast swingers and All-Pros to the perfect underdog team for a Hollywood movie. It appears that in their troubled times, the San Diego Chargers have finally found the meaning of the word “team”.
The San Diego Chargers may have a feel-good shine to them, but across the line of scrimmage is the No. 1 defense in the NFL, a team of legitimate tough guys with chips on their shoulders that date back to 2007. Rested, inspired, and always angry, the Pittsburgh Steelers have all the tools to win the game. Fans with NFL playoffs tickets will have the honor of two real teams laying it all on the line at Heinz Field and will see unquestioned intestinal fortitude from each squad. Fans with Pittsburgh Steelers playoff tickets will see their team advance but not without a heck of a fight.
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