Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
How can these teams meet?
A meeting between the Chargers and Steelers would require Pittsburgh to win the AFC North — and the way that could happen is straightforward.
In order to clinch the division, Pittsburgh needs to beat Cincinnati and have Cleveland upset Baltimore earlier in the day.
If those two outcomes were to happen, the Bolts would once again travel to Pittsburgh for the Wild Card Round regardless of the outcome against the Raiders.
The two teams met back in Week 3, also in Pittsburgh, in a game where Justin Herbert left the game with an ankle injury in the third quarter. The Steelers would end up winning the game 20-10.
How did Pittsburgh get here?
The Steelers used a hot start to put themselves in a position to clinch a playoff spot and still have a chance at the division.
Pittsburgh started the season 10-3 but have cooled off since, dropping three straight games against the Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs.
They’ve seen two quarterbacks assume the starting role this year, with Justin Fields starting the first six games and veteran Russell Wilson taking over the last 10.
Wilson has enjoyed a bounce back season, throwing for 2,334 yards and 15 touchdowns with a 64.6 percent completion percentage.
And coupled with a Steelers defense that has been ranked in the top 10 in rushing yards allowed per game (100.6), third down defense (35.08) and points allowed per game (20.5), they have found a formula to win.
Who’s the Steelers’ MVP?
The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year could very well be on his way to another award this season.
While T.J. Watt’s numbers aren’t as flashy as they have been in other years, he continues to be one of the most impactful edge rushers in the league.
Watt leads the Steelers in sacks with 11.5 (tied for fourth-most in NFL), 19 tackles for loss and a career-high six forced fumbles on the year.
And even though he attracts a lot of extra attention when he’s on the line of scrimmage, he makes plays when it’s needed, as he’s tied for the third-most sacks (6.5) in the NFL on third down.
He ranks first among edge rushers with at least 500 snaps in PFF’s run defense grade with a 91.6 and is second in overall defensive grade with a 92.0.
Key Steelers stat to know
Pittsburgh has enjoyed airing the ball out since Wilson has been under center.
Since assuming the starting role in Week 7, the veteran quarterback has completed 21 passes of more than 20 yards, good for third-most in the NFL according to PFF.
Wilson is completing those at a 51.2 percent clip, which is also third best among quarterbacks with at least 30 attempts.
He has a 94.5 PFF grade on such throws, as Steelers have been able to create big plays because of this, with his average depth of target on those throws at 31.8 yards (second highest among quarterbacks with 30 attempts).