It all adds up to a Chargers victory Sunday
Not that I want to be run out of town, but here are the top 10 reasons why the San Diego Chargers will win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday's AFC playoff at Heinz Field:
No. 10: The Steelers' insistence that the run game is just fine. The Steelers had one 100-yard rusher in the previous nine games before Willie Parker rushed for 116 against the Browns in the regular-season finale.The Steelers were thrilled that they were able to run against the Browns, although Cleveland was ranked 28th against the run.
No. 9: The Chargers are 0-13 in Pittsburgh during the regular season, but 2-0 in AFC playoff games. Remember 1994? Natrone Means. Stan Humphries. Tony Martin. Alfred Pupunu. Dennis Gibson. The Steelers were a two-touchdown favorite and lost in the title game. In a first-round playoff game from 1982, the Steelers blew a 28-17 lead, thanks to two late Dan Fouts scoring drives, and lost 31-28.
No. 8: The Chargers might have been 8-8 during the regular season, but, with a five-game winning streak, they enter the game as the hotter team. They knocked off Indianapolis 23-17 in overtime Saturday. The Colts had a nine-game winning streak snapped. Granted, San Diego's opponents weren't juggernauts — Kansas City and slumping Tampa Bay and Denver teams — but they seemed to have found their groove. Remember, Pittsburgh won its final four games of the 2005 season to make the wild-card game and went on to win the Super Bowl. So did the New York Giants last season.
No. 7: The Chargers, like the Steelers, have been in every game this season. They lost all eight of their games by nine points or fewer and four by three points or fewer, including an 11-10 decision to Pittsburgh. They opened the season with a two-point loss to Carolina, then a one-point loss to Denver.
No. 6: The Chargers were 14-2 two seasons ago before the fired Marty Schottenheimer after a first-round playoff loss, then reached the AFCChampionship Game last season before losing to the New England Patriots 21-12 under coach Norv Turner. This year, all the pieces could be in place for a Super Bowl push.
No. 5: Darren Sproles gives the Chargers an added dimension. His quick feet and small size makes him tough to catch. LaDainian Tomlinson has had a lackluster year and was not the breakaway back he has been. Sproles is young and has fresh legs.
No. 4: Speaking of Sproles, he's a special teams threat as well. His kickoff and punt return averages are among the best in the league. Plus, punter Mike Scifres had an unbelievable game against the Colts — a 51.7 yards-per-punt average on six punts. He's averaged 45.7 and 46.1 yards per punt over the past two seasons and his lowest net in his five seasons is 38.0 yards.Field position will be huge in this game. The Steelers must sustain some long drives and will need their running game. See No. 10.
No. 3: Antonio Gates. At 6-feet-4, 260 pounds, this tight end must be watched. The Steelers limited him to two catches for 10 yards earlier this season, but he is coming off an eight-catch, 87-yard effort. He is a big target on crucial third-down plays.
No. 2: The 2004 draft. Two of the Big Three of Quarterbacks that year — Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger — have won Super Bowls. Philip Rivers is looking for his. A title would solidify his place in of one of the best quarterback drafts in history.
No. 1: The Chargers are averaging 27.4 points per game, second in the NFL, their 241 yards passing per game is seventh and 319 yards per game is 11th. In a defensive battle, there will be enough offense to earn the win.Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.
