The Pittsburgh Steelers enter a vital five-game stretch as they head West to play the Los Angeles Chargers. Here is everything you need to know for this week 10 match-up!
What: Pittsburgh Steelers 5-3 at Los Angeles Chargers 6-3
Where: SoFi Stadium Los Angeles, California
When: Sunday November 9th, 2025 820pmET
Weather: 70 degrees and clear. Winds less than 2mph
Surface: Matrix turf
Wagering Information: Chargers -3 O/U 45
Last Week: The Chargers defeated the Titans in Nashville 27-20 while the Steelers beat the Colts in Pittsburgh but the same score.
TV: NBC Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analysis), Melissa Stark (field reporter)
TV Coverage in Your Area (courtesy 506sports.com): National TV Audience
Radio: Steelers Audio Network Rob King (play-by-play), Max Starks (analysis), Missi Matthews (field reporter)
Westwood One Radio: Ryan Radtke (play-by-play), Mike Golic (analysis)
Head Official: Brad Rogers. A college professor who graduated from Lubbock Christian, Rogers is in his seventh season as a head official. His last Steelers’ game was in November of last year when he called the 28-27 win over Washington. According to our friends @nflrefstats1, Rogers’ crew are assessing a league-leading 75% of their penalties via offense and special teams this season.
Game Status (courtesy steelers.com) PIT: No. 13 WR Scotty Miller (Finger) – Out, * No. 18 QB Will Howard (Right Hand) – Questionable
* No. 27 CB Cory Trice Jr. (Hamstring/Knee) – Questionable, No. 40 S Jabrill Peppers (Quadricep) – Out, No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb (Illness) – Out, No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) – Out LAC: * No. 91 DL Da’Shawn Hand (Groin) – Questionable, * No. 47 LS Josh Harris (Chest) – Questionable, No. 66 T Bobby Hart (Knee/Ankle) – Out, No. 84 WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Hamstring) – Questionable
* No. 33 DB Deane Leonard (Knee) – Questionable, No. 29 CB Tarheeb Still (Knee) – Doubtful, No. 24 CB Benjamin St-Juste (Groin) – Questionable
* in the 21-day window designated to return from Injured Reserve
Injury Notes: With Cole Holcomb out, look for Malik Harrison to get a small increase in his snaps and depending on how the game unfurls, you could see Carson Bruener too. The Bolts’ biggest issue is at tackle where they could very well have 2nd and 3rd team guys starting.
2025 NFL Ranks:
Total Offense: PIT 28th, LAC 5th
Passing Offense: PIT 21st, LAC 6th
Rushing Offense: PIT 30th, LAC 10th
Total Defense: PIT 30th, LAC 6th
Passing Defense: PIT 32nd, LAC 3rd
Rushing Defense: PIT 14th, LAC 17th
AFC North Standings:
Pittsburgh 5-3
Cincinnati 3-6
Baltimore 3-5
Cleveland 2-6
This Week in the AFC North: Cleveland at NY Jets 1pmET, Baltimore at Minnesota 1pmET, Cincinnati BYE
What You Need to Know: This will be the Steelers second visit to SoFi Stadium. They are currently 0-1 there… Pittsburgh is just 2-4 in their last six Sunday Night Football contests… They are 32-29 all-time on SNF and are 18-17 in away games… The Steelers are 23-38 all-time on the West Coast… The LAC are the only team they have a winning record against on the West Coast… Pittsburgh is 5-1 in day games and 0-2 in night games this season.
Tomlin Time: Coach Tomlin is 5-3 all-time against the Chargers… Coach T needs to two more wins to tie Dan Reeves (190) for 10th all-time in career victories… This will be Mike Tomlin’s 87th primetime game which is third among coaches since 1970.
Los Angeles Chargers Names to Know: QB Justin Herbert, WR Quentin Johnson, WR Ladd McConkey, RB Kimani Vidal, OLB Khalil Mack, S Derwin James, LB Daiyan Henley, K Cameron Dicker,
What’s at Stake: This one carries important positioning for the AFC Playoff race. LA needs a win to keep pace with Denver who won on Thursday night while the Steelers need a win to keep the Ravens at bay. A win for either team is an important tie-breaker moving forward.
All-Time Series: Steelers lead 25-11 and lead 9-7 in LA/SD
Last Meeting: September 2024 in Pittsburgh. Steelers 20 Chargers 10
Postseason History: Chargers lead 2-1
Steelers Regular Season Game Highs vs LAC:
PASSING: 333 yards Ben Roethlisberger 10/04/2009
RUSHING: 165 yards Rashard Mendenhall 10/04/2009
RECEIVING: 165 yards Charles Johnson 12/24/1994
SACKS: 2.0 Eight times, Last: Nick Herbig 09/22/2024
INTERCEPTIONS: 2 Five times, Last: Deshea Townsend 12/21/2003
Check out the latest Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast for more on the Steelers.
Three Things We Need to See for a Steelers’ Victory:
–I’ll Say It Again. Time of possession matters. Granted, it didn’t last week simply because the defense turned the Colts over six times and gave the offense short fields so that definitely impacts to ToP. That said, the Steelers’ offense was not all that good in week nine. They averaged less than two yards per carry and collected just 225 total yards on offense. Arthur Smith has to be better on first down andthe players have to execute better as well. Keeping Justin Herbert on the bench would be ideal.
–Repeat Performance? In weeks eight and nine, the Steelers’ defense recorded ZERO turnovers, gave up over 900 yards and lost both games. Last week, they recorded six takeaways and had five sacks in the win. It is more than fair to say that expecting that each week is preposterous. But is it too much to ask for a couple of turnovers? And maybe more than that, after the Colts’ went 4/4 on fourth down attempts, can the defense stop the Chargers who will no doubt do the same? Bottom line? The 2025 defense is what it is. It needs turnovers period.
–Gum Chewers Unite! Danny Smith has his Special Teams’ units playing well. While they gave up a first down on a fake punt last week, that was a ballsy call in that place on the field so credit the Colts. We already know what Chris Boswell is doing and Ke’Shawn Williams has sparked the return game. Corliss Waitman averaged over 50 yards per punt last week as well. Perhaps most importantly though, the units are tackling well and that has to continue in LA.
The ‘X’ Factor: Each week I will select a player from each team who I believe will need to play above and beyond in order for his team to win.
X-Factor Steelers: Kenneth Gainwell. It wasn’t that long ago that Gainwell carried the load and rushed for 99 yards and two scores in the win over Minnesota in Ireland. I’m in no way suggesting that Jaylen Warren isn’t doing a good job but rather, I’d just like to see Gainwell get a few more opportunities whether running or passing. His skills can open things up for the rest of the offense and he’s due for big game and big plays.
X-Factor Chargers: The Tackles. Rashawn Slater is out. Jon Alt is out. T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and company are licking their chops. The Chargers are without their top two tackles which means several things. First, I can see the Chargers trying to establish the run and play-action early. Second, look for Justin Herbert to get the ball out quickly and third, I expect a lot of tight end and running back help on the edges. If those tackles struggle it could be a long night for the Bolts.
Prediction: The Steelers’ defense is feast or famine. Get turnovers and they greatly improve their chances of winning. If they don’t, it’s gonna be a long day. I believe that the LAC will have watched plenty of tape in recent weeks and I expect them to get the ball out quickly as the Bengals and Packers did. Look for the Black and Gold to create some issues but my concern is our offense. Can they do enough? I don’t think so.
Chargers 23 Steelers 20
Season Prediction Record: 2-6
