SNF Steelers At Chargers: All You Need To Know

Game Information:

Where: Dignity Healthy Sports Park, Carson, CA

When: Sunday, October 13th

Time/Channel: 8:20 PM ET / NBC

Weather: Sunny, 76 F

Spread: Chargers -7

Total: 41.5

Moneyline: Steelers +260, Chargers -310

Steelers @ Chargers (-7), 8:20 PM ET:

The Los Angeles Chargers (2-3) dropped a second consecutive home game, losing as six-and-a-half-point favorites to the Denver Broncos 20-13.

Running back Melvin Gordon made his long-awaited return but had an underwhelming performance with 12 carries for 31 yards.

For fellow running back Austin Ekeler, it was business as usual. Ekeler made plays in the passing game, catching a team-high 15 passes for 86 yards.

The bad luck for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-4) continued in Baltimore as they lost to the Ravens 26-23 in overtime.

Pittsburgh’s defense kept the game close with constant pressure totaling five sacks and three interceptions.

Quarterback Mason Rudolph was efficient prior to exiting in the fourth quarter with a scary head injury, completing 13-of-20 for 131 yards and one touchdown.

After the injury, in stepped third-string rookie back-up Devlin Hodges who proved to be serviceable. Hodges completed 7-of-9 for 68 yards and added two rushes for 20 yards.

Chargers Fantasy Star

Austin Ekeler, RB

Over the first five weeks of the season, Austin Ekeler has been one of the top two players in fantasy football and is averaging 25.9 fantasy points per game in PPR scoring.

As mentioned above, the pass-catching back caught 15 of 16 targets last week for 86 yards.

Ekeler has caught all but two of his 41 targets this season and has seen at least five targets per game.

The Steelers have allowed 125.8 rush yards per game, so there’s room for Ekeler to thrive both on the ground and through the air. One thing standing in his way is Melvin Gordon possibly taking up touches, especially on the goal line.

To note, Los Angeles placed starting Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey on injured reserve with a neck injury so the offensive line will be lacking a significant push.

Judging by the usage of last week, there’s room for both running backs to have standalone value. My expectation is that Ekeler will fuel the Chargers offense with catches out of the backfield.

Steelers Fantasy Star

Diontae Johnson, WR

The current quarterback situation in Pittsburgh leaves unanswered questions about how the team plans on going about their offense. If one thing is for certain, the Steelers will be limited to what they can do this upcoming Sunday.

Since the loss of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh survived by running the ball and completing short passes.

In the passing game, all eyes have been on star wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster which has opened up opportunities for number two receiver Diontae Johnson.

Last week, the rookie wide receiver led the Steelers in targets with eight while totaling 27 yards on five receptions.

Johnson has quickly risen up the depth chart in Pittsburgh and has seen at least six targets in each of the last three games, including two touchdowns over that span.