The Steelers (1-4) aren't looking like an AFC playoff contender, but they will look to play spoiler "Sunday Night Football" (8:20 p.m. ET) against the Chargers (2-3), who are trying to rebound from a slow start to push for second consecutive AFC playoff berth.
Pittsburgh is down to its third-string quarterback for the game, however, with Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) out for the season and Mason Rudolph (concussion) not cleared to play. Undrafted rookie Devlin Hodges will make his first NFL start in prime time.
Los Angeles' three losses (to Detroit, Houston and Denver) were all frustrating one-possession games in which the team committed too many mistakes. The Chargers' goal will be not giving their significant underdog opponent any hope for an upset.
Here's everything to know about betting on Steelers vs. Chargers in Week 6, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for "Sunday Night Football."
MORE: Get the latest NFL odds & betting advice at Sportsbook Review
Betting odds for Steelers vs. Chargers
- Spread: Chargers by 6.5
- Point total: 42
- Moneyline: Steelers -105, Chargers -105
The Chargers have been near-touchdown favorites at home since Rudolph was concussed late against the Ravens. The reason they aren't bigger favorites is the fact their home-field "advantage" is very limited.
Steelers vs. Chargers all-time series
The Steelers have dominated this rivalry, going 23-10 over the years. But the Chargers have won two of the past three meetings, both on the road, with their latest victory at Pittsburgh coming last December, 33-30. Before '12, the Steelers won eight of nine.
Three trends to know
— 53 percent of bettors have faith in the Chargers covering their reasonable number.
— 52 percent of bettors believe the game will exceed its low point total.
— The Chargers have won and covered twice as more than 5-point favorites, but they've lost and failed to cover in three games as slight favorites.
MORE: Who is Devlin Hodges? 6 fast facts about Steelers' starting QB
Three things to watch
The James Conner Show
There will be as much of Conner as the Steelers running back can handle. The Chargers' big weakness is run defense, where they are ranked No. 18. It also makes sense with an unproven QB on the road against a good pass rush.
The Melvin Gordon Show?
The Chargers' running back struggled to get going in a favorable matchup against a Broncos' run defense that is now ranked No. 22. The Steelers have been No. 21 against the run. He needs to prove in his second game back that he's worth a big payday from someone and do more damage with Austin Ekeler out of the backfield this week.
Alabama boys
Neither Hodges (Samford) nor seasoned counterpart Philip Rivers (NC State) got to roll with the Crimston Tide or Auburn Tigers in college, but they both hail from Alabama, with their hometowns being about an hour north/south away from each other. Rivers is 14 years older than Hodges, who was only 8 when Rivers was drafted No. 4 overall in 2004.
Stat that matters
The Chargers are converting third downs at 46.2 percent, good for No. 8 in the league. The Steelers are 29th, at 28.3 percent. The Chargers need to finish long drives and their defense, which is allowing opponents to convert at 46.3 percent, must use the matchup to improve.
Steelers vs. Chargers prediction
The Steelers will stay in the game with their running game with Conner and pass-rushing attack with T.J. Watt and others. Hodges won't be asked to do too much and they'll keep him from him helping the Chargers with mistakes. But in the end, the Chargers are a better all-around team at the moment and Rivers will be boosted by the return of tight end Hunter Henry to break from his recent slump with plenty of help from Gordon and Ekeler, too.
Chargers 24, Steelers 20
