4 key questions Steelers must answer to beat the Chargers
By Andrew Falce
Can Steelers’ run defense show up?
One of the biggest issues that the Steelers saw during their tie to the Lions was the fact that their run defense couldn’t stop anything. D’Andre Swift and company were regularly gashing this defense, and as a result, the team could never truly pull away and secure a win. The Chargers aren’t a premiere running team by any means, but neither were the Lions, and Austin Ekeler has proven to be a capable running back.
The Steelers need to scheme around stopping the run this week. They can’t allow the Chargers to beat them on the ground. While their passing game is equally talented (more on that soon), the team tied the Lions because of the fact that no matter the look, they couldn’t even slow down the Lions on the ground.
Having a defensive scheme ready to combat the run is the first thing the Steelers have to do to have a chance at winning. Sure, this group doesn’t have to stifle the Chargers as they have to some teams in the past, but they can’t surrender 200 plus yards on the ground again this week. The Chargers have to win through the air. They can’t get the easy win on the ground.