Chargers vs. Steelers Predictions, Picks & Odds: NFL Week 3, Sunday 9/22
It seems as though the NFL provides us with a coast-to-coast matchup on a weekly basis, which includes Week 3’s AFC clash between the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. This matchup in the Steel City is also one between two 2-0 teams, making it all the more important to have the best Chargers vs. Steelers predictions.
That’s what we’re here to provide you with, along with a FanDuel Sportsbook sign up bonus worth over $200 guaranteed!
Chargers vs. Steelers Predictions for Week 3, Sunday 9/22
The similarity between these teams doesn’t end with being undefeated through the first two weeks of the season. In fact, many fans would argue that the surprise of that fact is a commonality, as both LA and Pittsburgh have very different looking offenses from last season.
We’ve all been seeing the Steelers QB drama between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, and the Chargers are without weapons RB Austin Ekeler and WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, all while having a new head coach in Jim Harbaugh.
Even with such significant changes for both organizations, they’re on track for a playoff season. Of course, that’s still a long way off, so let’s focus on Chargers vs. Steelers predictions for this week.
Los Angeles Chargers: Keeping The AFC West Competitive
Despite expectations prior to seasons, the fact remains that the Kansas City Chiefs have been in control of the AFC West for what feels like forever at this point. It was supposed to be QB Justin Herbert and the Chargers that could rival QB Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, but it simply hasn’t come to fruition.
Well, LA is sitting at 2-0 right alongside the Chiefs right now, and while we’re never rooting for injuries, KC RB Isiah Pacheco going down for at least six weeks presents an opportunity for LA to make moves. The Chargers need to capitalize on this opportunity, even if they are across the country this Sunday.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Maintaining The Momentum
Speaking of seizing opportunities, the Steelers need to do the same. Starting the season 2-0 is absolutely massive for Pittsburgh, as the back half of their schedule is brutal. They play all six division games PLUs the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs in their last eight games!
So, surging out to the best record possible is a must, especially with the AFC North looking rather weak overall right now. This is all coming in the midst of the team staying in the spotlight with the QB drama as well, which is now even including some Wilson conspiracy theories.
Chargers vs. Steelers Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
Don’t worry, we won’t leave you hanging with conspiracy theories, but first, the latest Chargers vs. Steelers odds at FanDuel Sportsbook:
- Point Spread: Los Angeles Chargers +6.5 (-110) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers -6.5 (-110)
- Money Line: Los Angeles Chargers (-300) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (+245)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 38.5 (-112) vs. Under 38.5 (-108)
Chargers vs. Steelers Under 38.5 Points (-108 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
Quickly before getting into the best bet from our Chargers vs. Steelers picks. Some fans are speculating that the Wilson calf injury had quite interesting timing, as it came immediately after he was named the season starter while many felt Fields should lead the way. It also allowed him to avoid last week’s would-have-been revenge game with the Denver Broncos.
Moving on to this week, we’re expecting a low-scoring game overall. However, oddsmakers clearly feel the same, providing us with the lowest total we’ve seen all season thus far. So, rather than sweating out a pick in that market, we’re going to isolate a team total instead.
The Chargers may be 2-0, but we still aren’t overly impressed with what we’ve seen thus far. Week 1 came against a Las Vegas Raiders team with low expectations, and yes, we know they just pulled off a miraculous upset over the Baltimore Ravens. Week 2, they took down a Carolina Panthers team that is almost objectively the worst team in the NFL.
We’re not saying that the Chargers won’t end up being a playoff team, but their offense simply isn’t what it once was. We already mentioned the weapons they lost, which were nearly all their offense the past few seasons. Along with that, their offensive line has been among the worst in the league.
Meanwhile, the Steelers have made a living on the defensive end of the ball since the Steel Curtain it seems, and that’s what they’ve displayed this season. After holding the Atlanta Falcons to just 10 points in Week 1, they won last Sunday by holding the Broncos to just six points!
Those games also ended with just 28 and 19 total points, so taking the overall under still isn’t a bad pick if you just want to stick with the Chargers vs. Steelers odds in terms of the standard markets. Regardless, the best bet from our Chargers vs. Steelers predictions is LA’s team total under 17.5 points (-110 at FanDuel Sportsbook).
Chargers vs. Steelers Injury Report & Latest News
As the weekend approaches, we have the latest injury news from both teams following practice on Thursday:
LA Chargers:
- OLB Joey Bosa (Hip) - Limited
- LB Junior Colson (Hamstring) - DNP
- OLB Bud Dupree (Illness) - DNP
- S Alohi Gilman (Knee) - Limited
- QB Justin Herbert (Ankle) - Limited
- TE Hayden Hurst (Ankle) - Limited
- OLB Khalil Mack (NIR - Rest) - Full
- WR Joshua Palmer (Elbow/Calf) - DNP
- DB Ja'Sir Taylor (Fibula) - Limited
PIT Steelers:
- QB Russell Wilson (Calf) - Limited
- WR Roman Wilson (Ankle) - Full
- RB Najee Harris (NIR - Rest) - Full
- G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) - DNP
- TE MyCole Pruitt (Knee) - DNP
- LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Rest) - Full
- DL Larry Ogunjobi (NIR - Rest) - Full
- DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Rest) - DNP
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Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Beat reporter John Hendrix reports that free agent WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is among the 16 players that the Saints will host for their rookie minicamp.
Peoples-Jones last played regular season snaps with the Lions back in 2023, when he caught 13-of-24 targets for 155 yards. He is highly unlikely to return to fantasy relevance at this point but could perhaps sign on as a special teams contributor.
Titans signed fourth-round pick WR Elic Ayomanor to a four-year contract.
Ayomanor will now begin learning behind Calvin Ridley. Although Ayomanor is unlikely to find a meaningful role in year one, dynasty managers should note his status as training camp gets underway this summer. The former Stanford receiver flashed big-play ability in his two college seasons.
Buccaneers signed seventh-round pick WR Tez Johnson to a four-year contract.
Johnson will serve as a rotational deep-threat option for Baker Mayfield. His thin frame (5'10/154) simply does not lend itself to the repeated hits one incurs in a full-time role. Johnson did earn 100-plus targets in his two seasons at Oregon, though. His big-play style make him a better fit in best ball for now, pending any major on-field breakthroughs.
Giants waived DT Casey Rogers.
Rogers was a 2024 undrafted free agent and logged 33 defensive snaps for the Giants in his rookie season. He is credited with zero tackles and/or sacks. He may find his way onto another roster as a practice squad option.
Vikings signed third-round pick WR Tai Felton to a four-year contract.
Felton is quietly in play to challenge Vikings No. 3 WR Jalen Nailor in training camp. Nailor (5'11/190) caught 28-of-42 targets for 414 yards and six touchdowns in his first season as a starter last year, with the latter category buoying his fantasy productivity. Felton (6'1/183), meanwhile, caught 96-of-143 targets for 1,119 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 2.32 yards per route run in his final college season. Fantasy managers should monitor Felton’s training camp reports this summer, as he could have a matchup-based WR5 role if everything falls into place.