2021 Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Betting Odds & Analysis

Two teams in the thick of the AFC playoff race will collide as the Los Angeles Chargers will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers are sitting at 5-4 and in second place in the AFC West, while the Steelers are 5-3-1 and in second place in the rugged AFC North. The loser of this game could put themselves in a bad position when it comes to the race for an AFC playoff berth. Let’s get right to our NFL Betting analysis for the upcoming game between the Steelers and the Chargers.

NFL Betting Preview for Pittsburgh Steelers vs Los Angeles Chargers

Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Analysis

The big question surrounding this game for the Steelers is whether or not Ben Roethlisberger will play on Sunday? Roethlisberger missed last Sunday’s game after he tested positive for COVID-19. The Steelers have yet to make an announcement on Big Ben’s status, so we’re not sure if we’ll see him or not.

If Roethlisberger is unable to play, Mason Rudolph will see more action. Rudolph struggled in Pittsburgh’s last game, a tie against the lowly Detroit Lions. If the Steelers want to beat a good team like the Chargers, they’ll need more out of Rudolph. They’ll also need to rely heavily on the rushing attack of Najee Harris. If Harris runs well and Rudolph can find Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, and Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh has a good shot of downing the Chargers.

Defensively, the Steelers have one of the league’s best pash rushes, but they struggle to stop the run. They’ll have their hands full with a very good Chargers offense, and if they let Austin Ekeler run wild, it could be a long day for the Black and Gold.

Los Angeles Chargers Betting Analysis

SoFi Stadium hasn’t exactly been “home sweet home” for the Chargers, as they are 2-3 in their last five home games. Justin Herbert is one of the game’s top young quarterbacks, but the Chargers’ offense has been very inconsistent at times this season. If Ekeler can get going, that will open things up in the passing game.

The Los Angeles defense has had its fair share of struggles this season. They’re giving up 25 points per game. With Rudolph more than likely taking the snaps for the Steelers, this should be very beneficial for the Charger defense.

Prediction

When looking at some of the betting statistics, this one looks like a toss-up. Las Vegas has favored the Chargers by 4.5 points, but the numbers don’t really back that number up. Even though the Chargers are 9-4 against the spread in their last 13 games, they’re just 1-8 against the spread in their last nine November contests.

The numbers don’t do much for the Steelers either. In their last eight games, the Steelers are 2-6 against the spread. However, they are 4-1 against the spread the last five times that they’ve played in Los Angeles.

While we think that the Chargers are going to win this one, we do have a couple of stipulations. If Roethlisberger plays, we don’t think that the Chargers cover the 4.5. If Roethlisberger isn’t able to play, we have the Chargers covering and winning by a touchdown. Regardless of who plays quarterback for Pittsburgh, this should be a very good matchup.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?