The Los Angeles Chargers currently stand at 2-0 under the brand-new regime led by Jim Harbaugh. The most important part of the Chargers identity is its toughness, and that goes through the offensive and defensive line. The trenches is where football games are decided, and the Chargers are currently two-time victors.
Chargers vs Steelers – Trench Warfare
The Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive and Defensive Lines Are No Joke
The Mike Tomlin-led Steelers are no slouches in their own right. The Steelers have done everything in their power to bolster their offensive line this past few off-seasons. As it stands, 4/5 of their starters have been drafted by the Steelers, and that same group is all under 26. A young, talented offensive line is not one to scoff at.
Offensive Line:
LT: Dan Moore Jr
LG: Spencer Anderson
C: Zach Frazier
RG: James Daniels
RT: Troy Fautanu & Broderick Jones
What the media really focuses on is the Steelers defensive line. It is the strongest group on the entire team, having superstars, veterans, and very strong depth. The Chargers offensive line has performed quite well, but this group is stronger than anything they have played thus far.
Defensive Line:
DEs: TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and DeMarvin Leal
IDLs: Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, and Montravious Adams
Key Matchups: Stars Collide
TJ Watt vs Joe Alt
The first matchup that comes to mind is the one to garner the most amount of media attention. The all-star rookie who was just compared to a Hall of Famer vs a future Hall-of-Fame EDGE rusher. The Chargers fifth overall selection has been right tackle, Joe Alt. Though it was a confusing selection at the time, his play has quieted the doubters. The 6’8 behemoth swapped over to right tackle with ease and has been a dominant force in his first two games in the NFL.
There is already an argument for Alt to be in the top 3 conversations two games into his rookie year. He is not a normal rookie. However, TJ Watt is not a normal EDGE rusher. He is already fifth in sacks across all active players. He is the youngest in the top five as well. If the Chargers want to contain this game and play their game, it will be up to Alt to hold it down against Watt. Especially in the run game.
Zion Johnson/Trey Pipkins vs Cameron Heyward
You would think at the age of 35 an interior defensive lineman would start to slow down. Unfortunately for the Chargers, Cameron Heyward has shown no signs of letting off the gas. He is ranked third across all interior defensive linemen in the PFF defense grade. This could be a major issue for the run-heavy Chargers.
The ones blocking the ageless Heyward are Chargers guards Zion Johnson and Trey Pipkins. Johnson is a former first-round selection who has been up-and-down his first few years in the league. Under the Harbaugh regime, he is expected to improve mightily. Week 2 against the Panthers was a much better game for Johnson, and he will be looking to continue that performance going into this Chargers vs Steelers game.
As for Pipkins who will be getting a good look at Heyward as well, has been solid in his first two games at guard. Pipkins has been the Chargers starting right tackle the last few seasons, developing into an average to above-average tackle. However, with this new Chargers regime and the selection of Joe Alt, he was moved inside to guard where he is learning the intricacies of playing the position. He has been solid in his two weeks, but this is truly the test if he can handle someone like Heyward.
A true game-wrecker going against a weak point across the Chargers offensive line is something to monitor. This Steelers defensive line is going to be a major challenge for the bolts offensive line. Will they rise up to the occasion?
Main Image: Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports
