Top scoring defenses clash as Chargers oppose Steelers

Points will likely come at a premium when the Pittsburgh Steelers welcome the visiting Los Angeles Chargers to town on Sunday afternoon.

Opponents have yet to figure out how to break through against either team, with Los Angeles (2-0) allowing the fewest points per game in the NFL (6.5) through the first two weeks of the season. Pittsburgh ranks second in that category, yielding an average of 8.0 points.

“Outstanding,” Los Angeles coach Jim Harbaugh said of the Steelers’ defense. “One of the best front sevens in football, and elite in the coverage area as well.”

Cutting through Pittsburgh’s secondary could be that much tougher for the Chargers if quarterback Justin Herbert isn’t able to play. Herbert is dealing with an ankle injury and did not practice on Wednesday.

Harbaugh expects Herbert to be good to go come Sunday, but if the 26-year-old can’t suit up, Easton Stick would start under center.

And Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin is keeping a close eye on Los Angeles’ injury report.

“I don’t speculate and read stuff on Tuesday, it’s a waste of time,” Tomlin said. “Participation, or lack thereof, is what gets my attention.”

Tomlin is more focused on his own quarterback room. Justin Fields was the Steelers’ field general for Weeks 1 and 2, and Pittsburgh (2-0) is preparing to start him once again on Sunday as Russell Wilson continues to work through a calf issue.

Wilson was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.

Fields most recently completed 13 of 20 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers’ 13-6 victory over the Denver Broncos last Sunday.

“He loves to compete,” Tomlin said of Fields. “He’s got a quiet confidence about him. He doesn’t change in environments. There’s a clarity in his communication, in his response to communication, that’s really comfortable.”

If Tomlin’s words ring true, Fields should be able to stay composed in front of a raucous crowd that is expected to be on hand for Pittsburgh’s home opener.

The Chargers fared well in a hostile environment last Sunday, crushing the Carolina Panthers 26-3 in Charlotte. J.K. Dobbins rushed for 131 yards and a score on 17 carries, while Herbert went for 130 yards, two TDs and a pick on 14-of-20 passing.

A lot of the success in the running game can be attributed to Los Angeles offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who frequently went up against the Steelers during his two stints on the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff (2006-07 and 2017-22).

“Greg Roman’s gone against the Steelers, Steelers have gone against Greg Roman,” Harbaugh said. “There’s experience on both sides.”

Roman’s offense could be without wide receiver Joshua Palmer (elbow/calf) for the meeting with Pittsburgh, as Palmer didn’t practice on Wednesday. Linebackers Junior Colson (hamstring) and Bud Dupree (illness), a former Steeler, were also among those held out.

Three Chargers were limited with injury designations during Wednesday’s session, a group that included star linebacker Joey Bosa (hip).

Pittsburgh guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) and tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee) didn’t practice on Wednesday. Receiver Roman Wilson was a limited participant due to an ankle injury.

–Field Level Media

Surprising Saints hunting 3-0 start vs. Eagles

Arguably no team has been a bigger surprise during the first two weeks of the NFL season than the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints (2-0) are one of nine undefeated teams as they prepare to host the Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) on Sunday afternoon.

Expectations for New Orleans (9-8 last season), which has missed the playoffs three consecutive seasons, were average at best before the current campaign started.

The Saints have defied the doubters so far with a 47-10 home win over the Carolina Panthers and a 44-19 road rout of the Dallas Cowboys.

“I think everybody took offense to how we were viewed, on the outside and in our own city,” New Orleans third-year head coach Dennis Allen said. “And rightfully so. We haven’t performed the way that I think we’re capable of and so it was really incumbent on us to make some changes and play better and that’s what we’re in the process of doing.”

Saints quarterback Derek Carr and the offense have thrived under first-year coordinator Klint Kubiak. New Orleans leads the NFL in scoring with 91 points, 22 more than the next closest team, the Arizona Cardinals.

Carr paces the league in passer rating (142.4) and running back Alvin Kamara is tops in scoring (five touchdowns) and yards from scrimmage (290).

The Saints’ defense has more than held its own, ranking fourth in scoring (14.5 points allowed per game), tied for fourth in yards allowed per play (4.5) and seventh in total yards allowed (273 per game).

“The focus for us is let’s not start patting ourselves on the back,” Allen said. “The focus for us is how are we going to improve because this is a long season and we’re only two games into it.”

While Allen is trying to prevent his players from feeling overconfident after just two games, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is trying to keep his team from dwelling on a lost opportunity in its last contest against the visiting Atlanta Falcons.

Philadelphia had a chance to take a two-score lead with less than two minutes remaining, but running back Saquon Barkley dropped a third-down pass. The Eagles settled for a field goal and a six-point lead, and Atlanta needed just 65 seconds to score the winning touchdown in a 22-21 victory.

“My whole thing is, OK, we’ve got some adversity right now, but let’s have the right mindset and work hard and prepare the right way,” Sirianni said. “Have a positive mindset and know you’re going to get better from the things that you went through.

“What is in the past is in the past, and we can’t change that, but you can control your daily habits and the way you approach your process and put yourself in position to win the next game.”

The dropped pass marred what has otherwise been a strong start to Barkley’s first season in Philadelphia. The former New York Giant is seventh in yards from scrimmage (248) and has scored three touchdowns.

This will be the Eagles’ first Sunday game of the young season. They held off the Green Bay Packers, 34-29, on Sept. 6 in San Paolo, Brazil, then played their home opener on Monday night.

Philadelphia wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring), who did not play against the Falcons, didn’t participate in the team’s walk-through Wednesday and he has said he expects to miss multiple games.

New Orleans tight end Taysom Hill (chest) missed practice Wednesday and cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) was limited.

–Field Level Media