STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
NFL Team Report - Los Angeles Chargers</h2><br>PLAYER NOTES<p></p> --RB Melvin Gordon (knee) didn't practice and is out this week.<p></p> --RB Austin Ekeler (neck) was a full participant Wednesday.<p></p> --TE Antonio Gates (rest) didn't work Wednesday but will be fine for Sunday.<p></p> --WR Tyrell Williams (quad) was limited Wednesday.<p></p> PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RT Joe Barksdale. Barksdale has been working his way back into the rotation with Sam Tevi. Barksdale will have to be on his assignment in battling the Steelers' pass rush that comes from the edges. Barksdale has been playing well, but Tevi has been getting the starts. That could change with head coach Anthony Lynn possibly trusting the veteran Barksdale more on a rowdy Sunday night game in Pittsburgh.<p></p> GAME PLAN: The Chargers defense has been playing great in the second half, but keeping the Steelers in low numbers can be a challenge. With the Chargers missing their big running stud in Melvin Gordon, Philip Rivers is going to attack, although the underneath routes will take the place of some of the runs that Gordon was good for. Both the teams have top 10 defenses but the Chargers will still run - they can't change their offense because Gordon is down. But with Gordon out and Rivers riding one of the hottest streaks of his impressive career, the Chargers won't be shy about gaining yards through the air.<p></p>MATCHUPS TO WATCH<p></p> --Chargers passing game, missing Melvin Gordon vs. Steelers versatile pass rush. Nothing helps a quarterback stay upright better than a strong running game and the Chargers will be missing that with Gordon being down. So the Chargers will be passing the ball and Philip Rivers has plenty of willing targets even with Gordon's absence. But the Steelers will be active aiming for Rivers with T.J. Watt (10 sacks), Cameron Heyward (six), Javon Hargrave (5.5) and Bud Dupree (4.5).<p></p> --Chargers pass rush, with DEs Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram vs. Steelers offense that leads the NFL in passing attempts. Bosa, in his second game of the season last year, looked as if the rust had been knocked off with two sacks. And with the Pro Bowler Bosa back, Ingram is the beneficiary of blocking assignments being skewed toward Bosa. But can those two bring down Ben Roethlisberger? Good question, but the secondary would appreciate some heat on the pocket as it tries and track Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster as they have 15 touchdown receptions between them.
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