The final act in another Sunday chapter in the NFL 2021 season comes from SoFi Stadium where the Los Angeles Chargers host the Pittsburgh Steelers in a match which could have a significant implication on the AFC long-term.
Both these sides have struggled for a bit of consistency this term and might end up in a battle for a wildcard spot in the AFC so you get the impression that even though there are seven more weeks of the regular season after this one, that this could be a key encounter.
Los Angeles Chargers
It looked like Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers were going to launch a challenge not just for the AFC West title but something more significant this season but that charge has hit the buffers a little in recent weeks. The Bolts go into this match off the back of three losses in their last four outings and with injuries not really helping them there is a sense that they have been found out, so they will be eager to show their best stuff here on primetime.
Defensively the Chargers haven’t been anywhere close to good enough in recent times. Even when they won like against the Cleveland Browns earlier this season they conceded 42 points. It isn’t a sustainable successful model so they need to improve on defence. One of the reasons for that is their offense is very reliant on Justin Herbert and the passing game. Austin Ekeler does plenty of solid work but generally when the Bills are looking good offensively it is their passing game that catches the eye.
Special Offer
Sign up for a Boylesports account to get up to £25 in free bets! Perfect offer for this league! Click the image below for this great offer! New accounts only. 18+ T&Cs apply. Gamble Aware.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers were going absolutely nowhere at the beginning of the season but something has clicked and all of a sudden they go into this one off the back of five matches undefeated, although the tie with the Detroit Lions last week might feel as though it was a loss. There was a mitigating circumstance about that tie though as Ben Roethlisberger was missing because he tested positive for Covid-19.
He is back for this primetime clash which will be something of a boost for the Steelers but the bigger issue for them going into this one is the defensive injuries they have. We saw earlier in the season when they had injuries that they struggled to cope and in T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joe Haden all out here their pass rush and back line are decimated. That is going to put a lot of pressure on the offense to deliver the goods here.
Betting
Logic would tell us that the Los Angeles Chargers should win this and win it well given that the Pittsburgh Steelers defence has so many injuries but that is reflected in the point spread which is 5.5 in the Steelers’ favour. Los Angeles should cover that but they have been haemorrhaging points for a while now and have lost three of their last four matches so I’m not exactly in a rush to take the Chargers to cover. I can’t be having the Steelers either really.
Instead I’m going to take advantage of the defensive injuries that the Steelers have and take over 47.5pts. We know Justin Herbert and his arm can take any defence to the cleaners let alone an injury ravaged one. He has receivers who are big units and can overpower the Steelers defence but there are still concerns over the Chargers’ defence for me. They have shipped at least 24 points in their last five matches and if that trend continues then the over should land comfortably. It might well land even if they don’t.
Tips
Back Over 47.5pts for a 3/10 stake at 1.95 with Boylesports
Back it here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2021
