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SportsTop · 09-30-2009, 10:53 AM

Big game for both teams.

San Diego needs to win to prove to themselves they can beat Pittsburgh and stay within a game of the division leading Broncos.

Pittsburgh needs to win because going 1-3 in the first quarter of the season would be nearly catostrophic but not unrecoverable.

Vasquez should be back in at RG for the Chargers but my gut tells me LT and Merriman will be held out to give them the extra time to heal with the bye week coming up after this game.

Apparently FWP is battling turf toe and may be held out of practice. That kind of injury can be a nagging one all season long for a back like Parker.

If Rivers and the Chargers 2nd ranked passing offense can get any time to throw then he should do a good job against the Pittsburgh pass defense (18th) with their relatively shorter DB's. I don't expect to see any success in the running game by the Bolts until after the bye week.

The Steelers suspect running game (27th) versus the Chargers weak rush defense (26th).

Something has to give.

Freelance · 09-30-2009, 11:54 AM

Really looking forward to this one. Steelers staring at 1-3. Chargers trying to avoid last year's drama in a very weak division.

I don't have a lot of confidence in San Diego's ability to travel across the country. They've struggled with that. However, it's not cold yet, so as long as it doesn't rain, I like their chances.

Pittsburgh's o-line is weak. Seems to be catching up with them.

SportsTop · 09-30-2009, 01:32 PM

A couple of fun facts (courtesy uniontribune.com):

Pittsburgh's downfall has been the fourth quarter, where it's been outscored 24-0 the past two weeks, although it didn't help that Limas Sweed dropped a TD pass Sunday (which likely will buy him a place on the inactive list this week). The Steelers haven't run the ball well, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, and Ben Roethlisberger has thrown four interceptions. The defense, which had 29 takeaways last season, has not forced even one the last two weeks, and Pittsburgh has just five sacks this season after getting 51 last year.

SERIES HISTORY

It's one of the most remarkable stats in football – the Chargers have never won a regular-season game in 13 tries at Pittsburgh. Most of the games weren't even close until last year's 11-10 Steelers escape. The Steelers also beat the Chargers in the playoffs 35-24 to take a 21-8 series lead. Pittsburgh's only loss to the Chargers in eight games since the 1994 AFC Championship Game was in 2006.

NUMBERS

-10 Total yardage Steelers allowed in first quarter at Cincinnati

1 Rushing TD allowed by Steelers this season

4 Passes deflected at line by Steelers defense at Cincinnati

10-1 Steelers' record in prime-time games under coach Mike Tomlin

19 Total yardage by Steelers offense in fourth quarter at Cincinnati

SouthernBrick · 09-30-2009, 02:25 PM

Finally I don't have to watch this game online for once. Hopefully the Chargers can pull this out and snap that losing streak aganist the Steelers.

Is Troy out for this game or will he be making a come back? I can see the Steelers holding him out past the bye week.

SportsTop · 09-30-2009, 02:37 PM

Polamalu is out this week.

SoxFan01605 · 09-30-2009, 02:57 PM

Steelers seem to be a completely different team and presence without Troy P. However, doesn't it take a couple more weeks in the season before Norv's boys "turn things around" and starts looking like a SB contender? I'll go with the Steelers.

SouthernBrick · 09-30-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squint


	Polamalu is out this week.

I was kinda hoping he'd be in but, I'm definitely not sad about it. Chargers need to get that redzone offense going, because they still can not score. I know Vasquez will likely play in this game so that should help the run a bit more. I'm hoping they hold LT out and Merriman (which is likely) after the bye week, theres no need to rush.

The Defense showed some swagger out there in the Miami game and hopefully they'll show up again. The experience the back ups have now is starting to show and hopefully they'll get a a little better with the reps theyve been gettin.

jorge380 · 09-30-2009, 04:14 PM

With Troy being out,expect a big game from Gates.Troy matches up well with Gates and seems to have his number.The corners for Pittsburgh are going to have alot of trouble with our tall wideouts.On some formations Chargers are practically running 4 tightends out there.San Diego wins big this week,and everybody jumps back on the bandwagon.Go Bolts.

09-30-2009, 10:53 AM	#1
SportsTop The Few. The Proud. OVR: 44 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,716 Blog Entries: 10	Week 4: Chargers at Steelers Big game for both teams. San Diego needs to win to prove to themselves they can beat Pittsburgh and stay within a game of the division leading Broncos. Pittsburgh needs to win because going 1-3 in the first quarter of the season would be nearly catostrophic but not unrecoverable. Vasquez should be back in at RG for the Chargers but my gut tells me LT and Merriman will be held out to give them the extra time to heal with the bye week coming up after this game. Apparently FWP is battling turf toe and may be held out of practice. That kind of injury can be a nagging one all season long for a back like Parker. If Rivers and the Chargers 2nd ranked passing offense can get any time to throw then he should do a good job against the Pittsburgh pass defense (18th) with their relatively shorter DB's. I don't expect to see any success in the running game by the Bolts until after the bye week. The Steelers suspect running game (27th) versus the Chargers weak rush defense (26th). Something has to give. __________________ Follow me on Twitter! Last edited by SportsTop; 09-30-2009 at 11:58 AM.

09-30-2009, 11:54 AM	#2
Freelance Banned OVR: 21 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 7,021	Re: Week 4: Chargers at Steelers Really looking forward to this one. Steelers staring at 1-3. Chargers trying to avoid last year's drama in a very weak division. I don't have a lot of confidence in San Diego's ability to travel across the country. They've struggled with that. However, it's not cold yet, so as long as it doesn't rain, I like their chances. Pittsburgh's o-line is weak. Seems to be catching up with them.

09-30-2009, 01:32 PM	#3
SportsTop The Few. The Proud. OVR: 44 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,716 Blog Entries: 10	Re: Week 4: Chargers at Steelers A couple of fun facts (courtesy uniontribune.com): Pittsburgh's downfall has been the fourth quarter, where it's been outscored 24-0 the past two weeks, although it didn't help that Limas Sweed dropped a TD pass Sunday (which likely will buy him a place on the inactive list this week). The Steelers haven't run the ball well, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, and Ben Roethlisberger has thrown four interceptions. The defense, which had 29 takeaways last season, has not forced even one the last two weeks, and Pittsburgh has just five sacks this season after getting 51 last year. SERIES HISTORY It's one of the most remarkable stats in football – the Chargers have never won a regular-season game in 13 tries at Pittsburgh. Most of the games weren't even close until last year's 11-10 Steelers escape. The Steelers also beat the Chargers in the playoffs 35-24 to take a 21-8 series lead. Pittsburgh's only loss to the Chargers in eight games since the 1994 AFC Championship Game was in 2006. NUMBERS -10 Total yardage Steelers allowed in first quarter at Cincinnati 1 Rushing TD allowed by Steelers this season 4 Passes deflected at line by Steelers defense at Cincinnati 10-1 Steelers' record in prime-time games under coach Mike Tomlin 19 Total yardage by Steelers offense in fourth quarter at Cincinnati __________________ Follow me on Twitter!

09-30-2009, 02:37 PM	#5
SportsTop The Few. The Proud. OVR: 44 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,716 Blog Entries: 10	Re: Week 4: Chargers at Steelers Polamalu is out this week. __________________ Follow me on Twitter!

09-30-2009, 02:57 PM	#6
SoxFan01605 All Star OVR: 38 Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7,995	Re: Week 4: Chargers at Steelers Steelers seem to be a completely different team and presence without Troy P. However, doesn't it take a couple more weeks in the season before Norv's boys "turn things around" and starts looking like a SB contender? I'll go with the Steelers.

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09-30-2009, 04:14 PM	#8
jorge380 MVP OVR: 13 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: SAN DIEGO	Re: Week 4: Chargers at Steelers With Troy being out,expect a big game from Gates.Troy matches up well with Gates and seems to have his number.The corners for Pittsburgh are going to have alot of trouble with our tall wideouts.On some formations Chargers are practically running 4 tightends out there.San Diego wins big this week,and everybody jumps back on the bandwagon.Go Bolts.

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Week 4: Chargers at Steelers