IT’S GAME DAY!!

That means while we all wait for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers to kickoff at 1:00pm EST in Week 3 on Sunday, it’s time to take a look at who the SCN staff likes in this game. The current line for the game is PIT (-1.5) with a Total of 36.

But these picks are vs. the spread, or based on an over/under. These are straight up picks. So, let’s get to the prognostications…

Jeff Hartman

Injuries seem to be the name of the game in this Week 3 game. Justin Herbert is certainly a name to keep your eye on, and the Steelers will be without Troy Fautanu who is now on Injured Reserve. However, with injuries aside, this will be a game of who can control the ball and stop the run. The Chargers running attack is insane after two weeks, but so is the Steelers’ run defense. Can the Steelers defense stop the Chargers running attack, and can the Pittsburgh offense get a lead which would force the ball into the air? That’s the key, and I think the Steelers do just that in this game. I like the Steelers in the home opener at Acrisure Stadium to advance to 3-0 on the season.

Prediction: Steelers 20, Chargers 17

Dave Schofield 

This feels like a really weird game. Is Justin Herbert going to play? If so, how effective will he be as a running option? Will he be able to evade the Steelers pass rush? Is it really going to be about the Chargers running backs? And these are just the questions about the Chargers offense. I think the Steelers defense can keep the Chargers to a relatively low score, although it might be more than they have given up either of the first two weeks. If the Steelers can get to 17 points I think they win the game. I’m just not convinced they will… yet.

Prediction: Chargers 12, Steelers 9

Jeremy Betz

At some point, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to stop playing not to lose on offense and start playing to win. Fortunately for them, that may not be the case this week. Both LA and Pittsburgh want to pound the rock and play stifling defense, so the team who makes the fewest mistakes may well come out on top. I trust the Steelers D more than the Chargers based on talent, so I’m riding with the Black and Gold to get to 3-0 in a close, hard-fought battle on Sunday.

Prediction: Steelers 17, Chargers 14

Anthony Defeo

Perhaps it’s fitting that a Harbaugh will be the opposing head coach at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday because this feels like a good old fashioned Steelers and Ravens matchup. Only difference is it’s the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh looking to make us all forget that passing was once all the rage in the NFL. Despite the presence of a bona fide franchise passer, the Chargers identity early in the tenure of their new head coach is a team that loves to run the ball and play defense. The Steelers have loved to play that way since like 2019. In other words, mirror images. But Los Angeles still has the better quarterback, or does it? I mean, it does, but how much will that high ankle sprain limit Herbert. I think Sunday will be a game where the stout Chargers defense forces Justin Fields to throw. I like his chances of being able to make a couple of great throws, but I also anticipate a fumble or two while under pressure by the likes of Joey Bosa. I think that could be the difference.

Prediction: Chargers 17, Steelers 9

Big Bro Scho

This game is starting to look like a battle of the wounded warriors. Who’s actually healthy for this game? I know T.J.Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Chris Boswell are for the Steelers. Good enough for me, not a real exciting game but the Steelers do enough to win.

Prediction: Steelers 20, Chargers 10

K.T. Smith

One of these teams is starting 3-0. Is it the Steelers, with their unsettled QB situation, shaky offense and lights-out defense? Or is it the Chargers, with their new head coach and coordinators? Neither team feels worthy of being 3-0, but I like the demeanor of the Steelers so far so give me Pittsburgh in a squeaker.

Prediction: Steelers 20, Chargers 17

Corey Eckenroth

The Los Angeles Chargers look a lot like the Pittsburgh Steelers have in the first two games: an opportunistic defense that creates turnovers, and an offense that is in transition, but built to run the ball.

The Steelers Defense will get its stiffest test yet against the run, because LAC will want to limit the exposure of Herbert’s injury. This game is going to seem like it goes by fast as both teams grind drives out in the running game.

One big difference between the two teams: The ‘Justin’s’ on the field. The Chargers have a Herbert (maybe), the Steelers have a Fields. That WILL account for something, but so will the fact that the Steelers have a record of 8-4 against Greg Roman-led offenses.

It won’t be pretty, but in reality, that’s how the Steelers roll in 2024.

Prediction: Steelers 18, Chargers 13

Jason Murphy

I thought this would be the week I had to pick against the Steelers. The team has seemed to come out flat in day home games, and I worried how Justin Fields and the offense would respond when the boo birds get loud if there are consecutive 3 and out drives. Justin Herbert is now questionable with a high ankle sprain, and that changes things. Troy Fautanu being injured in Friday’s practice is concerning, because Broderick Jones is also clearly not healthy and will need both arms to stand a chance against Joey Bosa. Ultimately, this could be a copycat Ravens game, only with the visiting team not having as good a defense and much better uniforms. The Steelers know how to beat the Ravens, so they should hold court in another low scoring muddy it up game.

Prediction: Steelers 19, Chargers 13

Sadie Hubler

Justin Herbert’s health will likely be key in Sunday’s outcome. Playing the odds that he is able to start, I’m picking the Steelers to lose this one in a close contest. Although Pittsburgh’s defense is stout and will have another good performance this week, LA’s running attack is going to wear them down and make them tired. This, coupled with a Pittsburgh offense that is still finding its identity, is likely to cause problems that the Chargers can capitalize on. I think the Steelers are going to have to push the ball down the field while playing from behind, leading to a costly turnover that is the difference in this game.

Prediction: Chargers 17, Steelers 14

What is your prediction? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the upcoming Week 3 game between the Steelers and Chargers.