As the wait continues for the next game of the NFL schedule, the next game involves Los Angeles Chargers (2-0) boarding up to travel through Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) at week 3, where both sides will be keen to maintain their 100% winning record. This match has been scheduled for Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, with the game being televised on CBS starting at 1.00 PM ET, indicating that the match will be one of the most critical in the early days of the season. Let’s jump in and look at what our dear customers can expect from this fascinating game, as well as provide some expert premium tips.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 9/22/24 Game Info |
|
When: | Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 1:00 PM ET |
Where: | Acrisure Stadium |
TV: | CBS |
Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Los Angeles Chargers (2-0) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0)
The Chargers have been particularly successful at running and passing the ball, especially highlighted in their recent 26-3 rout against Carolina. Running back J.K. Dobbins has emerged as a revelation, having accumulated 266 rushing yards within two games, including a strenuous match with the Panthers’ defense. For the Chargers, it was still non other than Dobbins, who could deliver big long-run plays that were crucial in their victories early on. For his part, Johnston has also stepped up and has been reliable whenever Herbert needs one, finishing with 89 yards and 2 touchdowns, showing his ability to be a key weapon in the offense.
In a different strain of things, it is also important to note that the Steelers have displayed their courage, having just beaten Denver by 13-6. Najee Harris has been the workhorse for Pittsburgh, and even if his yards per carry do not seem very eye-popping, he has been effective in picking up difficult yards to extend drives. George Pickens, in contrast, has made significant contributions of his own receiving for 114 yards and has become an important cog in the Steelers’ passing offense especially in taking shots down the field with a long catch of 40 yards against the Broncos’ secondary.
Justin Herbert QB vs. Justin Fields QB
Even with only 274 yards and three touchdowns to his name in the opening weeks, Justin Herbert has only continued to wow the fans and analysts in his young career. His accuracy and poise are certain to come in handy against the Steelers team that has had its troubles while defending the pass. Although he was sacked two times and had an interception, Herbert’s ability to make big plays under pressure, signifies that he is a fighter and will always find a way out of trouble.
Although Justin Fields has nearly kept up with Herbert, he has demonstrated good figures, recording a 69.8% completion rate which is an improvement at least at the marginal level, and has not thrown any interceptions up to now. The mobility and the developing ability of Fields to step up in the pocket could be the secret weapon for Pittsburgh as it could give the franchise a new dual threat that would hurt the defensive patterns of the Chargers.
It will be a contest between Herbert’s arm strength and Fields’ ability to run when these two quarterbacks meet. Both players are young and gifted and what they do on this day will go a long way to influence the pace and result of the game. This one will be a tactical slugfest, more like a chess game, as both will aim at dissecting the small flaws in the defence of their opposite team.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Pittsburgh Steelers -1.5 (-120), Total Odds: 43.5
The current betting landscape shows the Steelers slightly favored at home, with a tight spread reflecting the expected competitiveness of the game. The total, set at 43.5, suggests a moderately high-scoring affair, aligning with both teams’ recent trends towards effective offensive outings but also their capability to clamp down defensively when required.
Los Angeles Chargers Betting Trends
The Chargers have struggled against the spread (ATS) in recent matchups against Pittsburgh, going 5-13 in their last 18 games, which could be a point of concern for bettors leaning towards Los Angeles. Moreover, their tendency for games to go UNDER the total points, especially on the road, should be noted, as it indicates a strong defensive strategy away from home.
Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends
Pittsburgh’s recent betting trends show a solid performance ATS, covering in five of their last six games. Their games have a tendency to hit the UNDER overall, which might play into the hands of defensive battle expectations. However, their matchups against the Chargers have often exceeded the point totals, suggesting potential for a break from the trend.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 9/22/24 Betting Picks
According to the analysis and the recent trends, it appears that the Steelers will manage to cover the spread at home, primarily due to their effective defense and to some extent, the effective management of Fields’ speed. Nevertheless, the situation may remain competitive owing to the strong running game of the Chargers and the poise of Herbert in high-pressure situations. As for the prop bets, it might be wise to consider J.K. Dobbins to score a touchdown any time during the game, taking into account how good he presently is.
Nevertheless, the best pick here would slightly favor the Steelers covering the spread, as low-scoring games make the total UNDER more probable because both defenses tighten in key situations. When it comes to NFL no-cost game day tips, the quarterback battle will be quite important, with each having a deciding factor for victory on Sunday.