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Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Toughest games of 2019 season

By Samuel Teets

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 02: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers lines up under center in the second half during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 02: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers lines up under center in the second half during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2. Los Angeles Chargers – Week 6

The Chargers were a dark-horse team last year that picked up more steam as the 2018 season went along. The team did a great job sticking with the Kansas City Chiefs and they actually finished with the same record (12-4) as Patrick Mahomes‘ squad. Now that Joey Bosa is lined up for a healthy season and Derwin James is in his second year, the Chargers are looking like an even bigger challenge in 2019.

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The Steelers lost to the Chargers in a 33-30 shootout last season. Ordinarily, a team can score 30 points and win, but the Steelers defense was picked apart by Philip Rivers. He completed 26 of his 36 attempts for 299 yards and two touchdowns. Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen caught 14 of those balls for 148 yards and a touchdown. On the other side of the ball, James intercepted Ben Roethlisberger once and Bosa got in for a sack.

It’s really not the Chargers defense that is the issue for Pittsburgh, though. Antonio Brown caught 10 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown against them last year. Even if he’s not here this season, the Steelers always have receivers step up when another leaves. The offense can put up big numbers.

The problem is the Chargers have the players to match the Steelers offensive output. Both teams have Pro Bowl quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and centers.

The Chargers beat the Ravens in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs last season before falling to the New England Patriots. If the Steelers plan on making a deep playoff run, there’s a good chance they’ll have to go through the Chargers. Week 6 will serve as a good measuring stick for where Pittsburgh sits in the AFC power rankings.

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