Which surprise team starts with 3-0 wins?
Undefeated, surprises, running monsters… there are plenty of labels for these two teams after the start of the season. But who will be able to set the final score at 3-0 in our Steelers vs Chargers tip? That’s not so easy to say.
Because both teams are certainly overperforming a bit at the moment. Of the nine undefeated teams so far, these two have the weakest expected points added (EPA) in the NFL (Steelers: -16.63 and Chargers: -7.92). That says a lot.
So it was the defenses that were responsible for the victories for both teams. But what happens when two strong defenses and two strong rushing teams face each other directly? We expect a game for kickers.
So for Pittsburgh vs. Los Angeles, our prediction is a close game in which a lot of field goals will be scored. The team that cracks the 20-point mark at the end will have a good chance of winning the game.
Kickoff of the AFC game is on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. in Pittsburgh. The game can be followed live on DAZN.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Statistics & current form
The Steelers are once again 2-0 in victories, and again no one really knows why. Their offense struggles through games and only scores an average of 15.5 points per game – the seventh-weakest value in the NFL.
But their defense, kicker and a good run game repeatedly put them in a position to win their games. With their 139 rushing yards per game, they also control time of possession. As a result, they ended up with more total time of possession against both Atlanta and Denver, even though they were usually leading.
Matchup with Los Angeles will be more difficult
This should be more difficult for them now against the Chargers, who are also strong on the run. They are averaging 197.5 rushing yards per game and had over 36 minutes of possession against Carolina last time out. The running game should therefore also be the key to victory in this duel.
With Harris and Warren, the Steelers have a running back duo that can create little themselves. If we subtract Justin Fields’ rushing yards (86 in total), Pittsburgh’s average is suddenly well under 100 yards.
We see the duo of Dobbins and Edwards as significantly more efficient. So, when Pittsburgh meets LA, an outsider’s bet on the Chargers is certainly worth considering.
Under-points and field goals
All of this should slow down the touchdown production in this game – and boost the field goal production. After all, kicker Chris Boswell had to take six field goal attempts on the first matchday – and converted all six attempts.
He was also called upon twice on the second day of play. Since the Chargers kicker has already converted five field goals, the odds of Over 3.5 total field goals in the Steelers vs. Chargers game are our clear number one betting recommendation.
Key Players:
- QB: Russell Wilson
- RB: Najee Harris
- WR: Courtland Sutton
- TE: Pat Freiermuth
- K: Chris Boswell
Los Angeles Chargers – statistics & current form
The Los Angeles Chargers can definitely be considered one of the surprises. But can they really do so against opponents like the Raiders and the Panthers? Yes, because it was mainly the way they won that should give all Chargers fans hope.
This dominant running game is a tactic that is currently working very well in the NFL. And let’s not forget: With Justin Herbert, they still have one of the best passers as an ace up their sleeve.
Running game at the Chargers is being fully exploited
But as long as their rushing game continues to work as well as it has so far (197.5 rushing yards per game!), there is no need to change it. Now, however, they face one of the most stable defenses in the league.
The Steelers only allow 76.5 rushing yards on average and here it is important to win this battle at the line. If the Chargers manage to get over 120 rushing yards, then they should win the game in the end. Tips on them are definitely playable.
In addition to outsider bets on Los Angeles, the kickers of both teams could be in focus again. Chris Boswell has so far converted eight out of eight field goals, Cameron Dicker five out of five. On average, the two teams score 6.5 field goals per game.
This means that the betting odds for Pittsburgh against Los Angeles are clearly in favor of Over 3.5 Field Goals. Because one thing is clear: since both teams still have great difficulty reaching the end zone, there will also be an increased number of field goal attempts. And I see no reason to doubt that the two will maintain their efficiency.
Key Players:
- QB: Justin Herbert
- RB: J.K. Dobbins
- WR: Quentin Johnston
- TE: Hayden Hurst
- K: Cameron Dicker
Pittsburgh Steelers – Los Angeles Chargers Head-to-Head Record
The last meeting in 2021 saw a total of 78 points scored. We can certainly expect a different performance this time around, as the Chargers have a new regime in place and the Steelers have also revamped their offense.
They have since moved on from Big Ben to Justin Fields – a night and day difference. That’s not to say Fields doesn’t win his games, but he just doesn’t get 90% of them through the passing game and passing touchdowns.
Incidentally, the last six duels were always won alternately, which does not allow any major conclusions to be drawn about a favorite. However, we would still keep an eye on the odds for under TDs for Steelers against Chargers, as we do not expect five or six touchdowns here.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Los Angeles Chargers Tip
The Chargers allow an average of 6.5 points per game, the Steelers 8.0. These are currently the two best defenses in the league, so we don’t expect too many points. Understakes are therefore definitely in play.
However, this also has the effect that the kickers have to take significantly more kicks than when two high-scoring teams are on the field, because sometimes a 50-yarder has to be converted. So for Steelers against Chargers, our clear betting recommendation is Over 3.5 field goals in the game.
We also have a player bet on J.K. Dobbins for a TD. The Chargers’ running back has found the end zone in both previous games and seems to be the clear number one option in front of the goal line.
