The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into Week 3 with a sense of déjà vu. This Sunday, they’ll face the Los Angeles Chargers, but for Steelers fans, it’ll feel like another chapter in an old rivalry. Leading the Chargers offense is Greg Roman, the former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator who we’ve seen plenty of over the years. Roman has always been a run-first coach, and he’s staying true to form with the Chargers, not to mention new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh likes a very run heavy offense. Roman has also brought along two familiar faces in J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards.

J.K. Dobbins has always showed flashes of his potential but has been limited due to injuries while in Baltimore. Steelers fans know him all too well from his Ravens days, but he’s hit a new level since joining the Chargers. Roman couldn’t bring all his former players from Baltimore but has found a way to create a similar backfield using 296-pound nose tackle-turned-fullback Scott Matlock, much like he used Patrick Ricard.

According to NFL Pro: J.K. Dobbins has totaled 27 carries through two games with the Chargers this season, after playing on just 28 total snaps with the Ravens in 2023. With those 27 carries, Dobbins has totaled a league-high 266 yards (9.9 avg) and 2 touchdowns, including 132 yards before contact, the most of any running back. Dobbins has also generated +139 rushing yards over expected, more than double the next closest rusher (Josh Jacobs, +62). Dobbins reached a top speed of 19.92 MPH on his 61-yard rush in Week 1 against the Raiders, his 5th-fastest top speed as a ball carrier in his career.

Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins have created a dynamic backfield but let’s be real, stopping Dobbins is going to be the key if we’re going to limit this rushing attack. So far we’re seeing the best version of JK, and when he gets going, it’s tough to slow him down. Add in Gus Edwards as a good complimentary back, and Roman’s power-run scheme is firing on all cylinders. Even though the Chargers are coming in 2-0, I’m feeling confident. The Steelers have always found a way to neutralize Roman’s offenses. Our defense, led by T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and some new shiny pieces, is healthy and more than capable of shutting down this Chargers ground game.

At the end of the day, I believe this game, more than others, is going to come down to who wins in the trenches. And if there’s one thing we know, it’s that the Steelers have never backed down from a fight. As Head Coach Mike Tomlin says, “we run to it, not away from it”. I’m expecting another low scoring, “tighten up your chinstrap”, smash mouth game between two teams who have the same agenda.

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Stay Blessed and Stay Positive… “Here We Go”