The Los Angeles Chargers (2-0) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) will do battle in a clash of undefeated teams in Week 3 on Sunday. The team that comes out victorious will be out to a 3-0 start and considered one of the best teams through the first three games of the season.
This game will feature two teams who play a similar brand of football, led by two of the best head coaches in the league today, Jim Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin.
Kickoff is set for 10:00 am PT and the game will be televised on CBS with their A-team, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo calling the action. Here are the top storylines heading into this matchup.
Chargers vs. Steelers top Week 3 storylines
Justin Herbert’s status
Justin Herbert revealed this week that he suffered a high ankle sprain in the team’s Week 2 win over the Carolina Panthers. That has left him listed as questionable for this game but he went through Friday’s practice with the ankle heavily taped up, meaning that even if he does play, he won’t be close to 100 percent.
If Herbert can’t go, who will the Chargers turn to in his place? Harbaugh will have to go with Easton Stick, the team’s backup for the past several years, or Taylor Heinicke, the quarterback the Chargers traded for after the preseason. Heinicke has been a healthy scratch in each of the first two games but he is considered a big upgrade by most over Stick so long as he is up to speed with the playbook.
Steelers offensive line is banged up
The Steelers will go into this game without two of their starting offensive linemen. Isaac Seumalo was already going to miss the game but during Friday’s practice, the Steelers had their first-round pick, Troy Fautanu, go down with a knee injury. He will miss an indefinite period of time.
Sources: Steelers starting rookie right tackle Troy Fautanu injured his knee during Friday’s practice and, while he still is undergoing further evaluation, he now is expected to be sidelined indefinitely. pic.twitter.com/5fqRA5xreT
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 21, 2024
The absence of these two players could open some opportunities for this Chargers defense, which has been terrific in the first two games.
Strength vs. Strength
These teams are similarly constructed and have similar philosophies. Get the ground game going and play tough, hard-nosed defense. Both of these teams plan to win games by grinding opponents out on both sides of the ball, so this game could be a race to 17 points.
It will be interesting to see a battle between Harbaugh and Tomlin, two of the more old-school style coaches in the league. Has Jim gotten any tips from his brother on how to beat the Steelers?
MORE CHARGERS NEWS
Chargers final Week 3 injury report
Chargers vs. Steelers series history
Winners, losers from Chargers’ Week 3 win over Panthers
