Chargers Will Return To Blitzburgh

Chargers Confidential

January 4, 2009

9 Comments

By Rich Campbell

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Chargers vs. Steelers in November, photo by Rich Campbell

The Baltimore Ravens just defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-9, earning them a ticket to Nashville and sending the Bolts to face the number one defense in the NFL, The Pittsburgh Steelers.

As some of you may remember, I was at the game in Pittsburgh on November 16th. It was a game I felt the Chargers should have won and did not, largely due to what I consider to be the low point of an exciting but inconsistent year from Philip Rivers.

I feel that San Diego can be effective on defense against Ben Roethlisberger and the Steeler offense. We held them to a season low last game and I feel that a similar performance is very possible.

L.T. may not improve. If his injury really is a detached tendon, another week isn't going to do it...he'll need surgery. Obviously, Darren Sproles is effective, but I hope that Michael Bennet gets plenty of reps this week. Antonio Gates will be better and whatever caused the blind spot Rivers had developed regarding his tight end, it seems to have healed. That bodes well for San Diego.

But just like this week and most of this season, this game is going to be about how well Philip plays. If Rivers plays well, we probably win. If he plays poorly, we probably lose. And if he just gets by, then other factors may determine the outcome. But I think Rivers is the primary key.

According to Steelers.com, Big Ben is expected to start, his concussion vs. Cleveland notwithstanding. If the San Diego defense is as well prepared for this game as they were for Indy, it may not matter. Ron Rivera developed as good of a game plan as I have ever seen to beat Peyton Manning and the Colts and I look forward to seeing what he will come up with for Heinz Field. Stopping the run and forcing the QB to move his feet are the basics of a Rivera defense, with game specific additional goals added on.

My personal suggestion? Pay attention to Heath Miller. The Iron City tight end was always open at precisely the wrong time for San Diego back in November.

I've already put in a bid on Stubhub and have every intention of bringing a personal report back on this one no matter the outcome. I also just learned that we will be visiting the Steelers again on the 2009 schedule. Somebody must be watching out for me. I'm very pleased that I will get to attend three Bolt games in my first 14 months in the Appalachian mountains.

Tags: NFL Playoffs, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers

Discussion

9 Comments on "Chargers Will Return To Blitzburgh"

Posted by Jeff Williams, January 5, 2009 1:11 AM

Rich, I hope you can go to the game- we need all the good karma we can get!

Posted by Steeler Fan, January 5, 2009 2:36 AM

Steelers RULE!

Posted by Steel Curtain, January 5, 2009 3:55 AM

It is going to be a long ride back to San Diego

You saw less than 50% of the Steelers Defense packages. Rivers won't be able to handle the preasure.

Your munchkin back won't be able to cut on the worst mud pit in the NFL. There is going to be snow and rain this week.

Good luck, YOU will need it

Posted by Rich Campbell, January 5, 2009 2:00 PM

Rivers won't be able to handle the pressure? Um, did you watch the AFC Championship Game last year? That's not the kind of comment I was hoping to hear from Steeler fans. Oh, and Darren is a munchkin. Now that's original.

Now I guess I'm supposed to make some sort of silly remark about Troy Unpronoucable's hair. BTW, you think Polamalu is hard to deal with as a name, try our back-up at TE. Of course, Steeler fans have nasty memories of Charger back-up TE with polynesian names.

Polamalu as a player IS hard to deal with, but don't think the end in November is prep. Nor will I listen to anyone complain about end of the game referreeing in a game they won. *shakes head* We have you beat cold in the area of blown calls at end of games. The fact that we overcame it takes some sting out, but not enough.

QB is a matchup you lose. RB is open to discusiion. But, as usual, the lines will decide this game in the trenches.

Now come with something intelligent. This is the playoffs, not Raider Week!

Posted by foreign_steel, January 5, 2009 11:31 PM

alfred pupunu??
well, it`s not the same case
anyway: let`s go steelers

Posted by DAVID, January 6, 2009 7:03 PM

the steelers are on a swivel. in that i mean that they are ready for anything, including sproles. he is definitely a player you have to respect, and know where he is at at all times. but in the end, the score will be anther story, as in the usa today will read " STEELERS WIN TWICE " TAKES THE BOLTS OUT OF THE CHARGER. STEELERS-12 CHARGERS-11

Posted by DAVID, January 6, 2009 7:04 PM

Posted by TAILGATING RAVEN, January 6, 2009 10:03 PM

RICH YOU ARE SO RIGHT . IT SEEMS HARD TO GET ANY INTELLIGENT COMMENTS FROM MOST SQUEELER FANS.THEY MOSTLY TALK TRASH AND TELL YOU HOW BAD YOUR TEAM AND PLAYERS ARE.I THINK THE WAY RIVERS IS PLAYING MISTAKE FREE FOOTBALL THE CHARGERS HAVE A GOOD CHANCE SUNDAY.EVERY TIME HE GOT PRESSURED AGAINST THE COLTS HE THREW THE BALL AWAY.IF SAN DIEGO CAN SHUT DOWN THE RUN,WHICH IS VERY POSSIBLE THIS YEAR PLAYING THE STEELERS,I LIKE THERE CHANCES. SAN DIEGO 20 PITTSBURGH 17

Posted by Harrison, January 6, 2009 10:35 PM

Rich, I don't think the advantage is at quarterback for san diego, Rivers and Ben are both good quarterbacks except Ben has a superbowl ring regardless of his performance in the big game. He has carved up good defenses in the playoffs to get to a superbowl and only his health and his protection will be the question. The only way the chargers win is if the steelers beat themselves on offense by turning the ball over and leaving points on the field. Rivers is a good quarter back but he will need to play his best game to score points on this steelers defense in the elements and have some help from the steeler offense.

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