In Brief
Chargers TE Antonio Gates has yet to catch a touchdown pass this year.
(Mark Duncan / Associated Press)
Last meeting:
Steelers RB Willie Parker rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns as Pittsburgh beat San Diego, 34-24, in the divisional round of last season's playoffs.
Streaks:
Pittsburgh has won six of the last seven meetings and has a commanding 21-8 overall series lead, including the playoffs.
Last week:
The Chargers beat the Dolphins, 23-13, as Chad Henne was forced to finish the game for an injured Chad Pennington. ... The Steelers gave up a late touchdown to the Bengals in a 23-20 loss.
Keep your eye on ...
A Super Bowl hangover in Pittsburgh: The Steelers have dropped two straight close games and find themselves two back of first-place Baltimore. Pittsburgh doesn't want to drop three straight, especially with a chance to get hot against lesser opponents in Weeks 5 and 6 (at Detroit and vs. Cleveland).
LaDainian Tomlinson's health: Tomlinson has missed two straight games because of an ankle injury. While Darren Sproles is capable of breaking big plays, he's averaging just 2.4 yards a carry this season. The Chargers could find more success in their ground game when the duo is able to share touches.
Philip Rivers riding high: As the ground game has struggled for the Chargers, they have relied more on Rivers to carry the offense. The quarterback leads the league with 991 passing yards through three games. The Steelers have allowed teams to rally in the fourth quarter the past two weeks, so Rivers could be a deciding factor in a close game on the road.
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