For the first time this season, the Chargers are Vegas underdogs. Apparently the odds makers didn't care to look at the injury report, because in reality the Steelers are in trouble against San Diego.
Three starters are out. Tight end Heath Miller, tackle Marvel Smith and cornerback Deshea Townsend will not play. Townsend's backup, Bryant McFadden, is also out, so the Pittsburgh secondary will be vulnerable. That bodes well for Philip Rivers, the highest-rated passer in the AFC.
On offense, Pittsburgh will sorely miss Smith, the left tackle who's supposed to guard Ben Roethlisberger's blind side. The Steelers' quarterback has a bum shoulder himself, as does running back Willie Parker. Big Ben has really been beaten up lately. In his last 25 starts, Roethlisberger has been sacked 75 times (by my math, that's 3 times a game). He also has more interceptions than touchdown passes this year. Of course, the Chargers defense has not picked off a pass since October 12th, so as they say, something's gotta give.
If the Bolts want to have any chance to make a playoff run, they have to beat elite AFC teams on the road. This is a golden opportunity to prove they can do it.
