Shut down the running game
Without Melvin Gordon, the Chargers are going to rely on Phillip Rivers a lot. They’ll try to get Austin Ekkeler involved early, which is where Pittsburgh needs to take advantage.
Put this game on the back of Rivers. If the Steelers can shut down the run game early, they’ll make this team one dimensional. Rivers is clearly a player who can control a game by himself, but it’s better to take that chance than give the Chargers a two dimensional offense.
Shutting down the run game gives Pittsburgh the upper hand all afternoon. Not having to face Melvin Gordon is a blessing. They need to take advantage of that and control this game on both ends of the ball.
Even if they can’t stop Rivers completely, not having a running game to rely on puts a lot more pressure on the quarterback.