Scouting the Steelers opponent: Chargers also off to 2-0 start based on defense

Chris Adamski
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 6:01 a.m. | Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 6:01 a.m.

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AP

Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh speaks at a news conference during training camp this summer. In his first season as coach of the team, Harbaugh faces Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin for the first time since 2011.

SCOUTING THE CHARGERS

Last meeting

Chargers beat Steelers, 41-37, on Nov. 21, 2021 in Los Angeles

Key matchup

Mike Tomlin vs. Jim Harbaugh

Though Tomlin and John Harbaugh have the second-most career meetings of any coaching duo in NFL history (35), this is only the second time Tomlin has matched up against John’s brother. Jim Harbaugh’s San Francisco 49ers beat Tomlin and the visiting Steelers, 20-3, in December 2011. This is Harbaugh’s first season as coach of Los Angeles.

Key injuries

Steelers starting quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) again is expected to serve as the emergency QB3 on Sunday. Rookie receiver Roman Wilson (ankle) is expected to play after practicing Thursday and Friday, but starting left guard Isaac Seumalo (pec) will miss a third consecutive game. L.A. starting quarterback Justin Herbert has a high-ankle sprain and didn’t practice this week. He is questionable for Sunday’s game.

Series record

Steelers lead 24-11 (including 1-2 in the playoffs).

Series notes

This is only the second time the Chargers have served as the opponent for the first Steelers’ first home game of a season. To open Chuck Noll’s final season Sept. 1, 1991, the then-San Diego Chargers lost 26-20 at Three Rivers Stadium. … The Steelers have won 14 of 16 regular-season meetings in Pittsburgh. The Chargers, though, have won two of three times they faced the Steelers in the playoffs. … Since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger, the Steelers are 37-16 at home against teams from the West Coast, including 11-6 under Tomlin.

Notable

Believe it or not, the Steelers have lost five of their past six home openers, including the past three. Before that stretch, they’d gone 14-1 in home openers between 2003-17. … The Steelers have never lost four consecutive home openers. … The Chargers (6.5 points allowed per game) and Steelers (8.0) rank 1-2 in the NFL in scoring defense through two weeks. It’s been 18 years since two teams met in Week 3 or later with both allowing fewer than 10 points per game. … It’s been 15 years (the 2009 Denver Broncos) since any NFL team allowed 10 or fewer points during each of their first three games of a season.

Fantasy tip

The Chargers’ J.K. Dobbins ranks fourth among running backs in fantasy points earned over the first two weeks (per NFL.com’s standard scoring format). … Only five running backs have more carries than the Steelers’ Najee Harris.