Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers: betting preview and free tip

Free NFL picks, tips and predictions for Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

When to watch

Sky Sports Action, 1.20am Sunday night

Best bet

Over 16.5 Pittsburgh Steelers points
1pt 4-5 bet365

Game preview

Pittsburgh are down to their third quarterback of the season after Mason Rudolph was knocked out by Earl Thomas against Baltimore last week.

Rudolph, who had been standing in for first-choice QB Ben Roethlisberger, was ruled out after being concussed, meaning undrafted rookie Devlin Hodges will lead their offence this week.

It’s far from an ideal situation, but Hodges coped well enough after being thrown into the game against a hot Ravens defence, completing seven of his nine passes, and the Steelers can still find ways to get points on the board against the Chargers.

More responsibility is likely to fall on the shoulders of James Conner, but the running back has scored three touchdowns in his last four games and proved himself a dual threat with plenty of receiving yards as well.

The Chargers will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss to Denver in a game that highlighted some fragilities in their defence.

Pittsburgh have some talented receivers led by JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Vance McDonald and they should be able to register a respectable points tally, even though their playoff hopes already look in grave trouble after a 1-4 start.

The lowdown

Venue Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California
Surface Grass
Weather Partly cloudy, 17C
Vegas handicap Pittsburgh +6.5
Vegas points line 41.5

Team news

Pittsburgh
Quarterback Mason Rudolph (concussion) is out, so Devlin Hodges starts. Running back Jaylen Samuels (knee), full back Roosevelt Nix (knee), wide receiver James Washington (shoulder) and linebacker Mark Barron (hamstring) are also out and cornerback Steven Nelson (groin) is rated questionable.

LA Chargers
Running back Justin Jackson (calf), safety Nasir Adderley (hamstring) and kicker Michael Badgley (groin) are doubtful.
Defensive end Melvin Ingram (hamstring) is questionable but tight end Hunter Henry (knee) is set to return.

Key stat

LA Chargers have conceded 20 or more points in every home game this season.

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