RADIO
Steelers @ Chargers
Matchups We Love
Michael Vick, QB, Steelers - Okay, this is a little crazy and I know that but just bare with me. Vick started last Thursday night after coming in for an injured Ben Roethlisberger on a Sunday and looked okay (124 passing yards, 1 TD, 33 rushing yards). He didn't have much time to practice with the first team or get acclamated with his receivers.
After a week of practice, Vick and the Steelers receiving corps should be a little more in tune and on time. Also, the Chargers top two corners (Brandon Flowers, Jason Verrett) are dealing with injuries and should be game-time decisions. The week of practice and a depleted secondary all scream that Vick may have a sneaky good night. The number one reason Vick is a matchup to love is because of Le'Veon Bell. The Steelers will be feeding Bell all night just like they did last week against the Ravens (129 rushing yards, 1 TD, 7 receptions). It is Bell's third game and he is going against a Chargers run defense that has given up the second most fantasy points and 5th most rushing yards per game (126.8) to opposing backs(thru week 4).
Assuming the Steelers have success running the ball with Bell this will leave lots of big time shots down the field to Antoio Brown, Darius Heyward-Bey and Markus Wheaton. Everything is set up for Vick to have a good game if he can rely on all the talent around him to make the plays and not try to be the Vick that was on the cover of Madden 2004. (Sidenote: Best Madden ever).
Markus Wheaton, WR, Steelers - This was supposed to be the game where Martavis Bryant returned from a four-game suspension and helped add another star to the Steelers offense. Instead, he got hurt in practice and will be out tonight. This leaves the door open for Markus Wheaton to show that he should continue to get the snaps he's been getting (73 percent of offensive plays).
Despite his high volume of plays the ball just hasn't come his way and when it has he hasn't been able to do much with it. Last week, the Steelers debuted rookie receiver Sammie Coates in hopes of adding another playmaker. Wheaton's snaps are in jeopardy if he doesn't start making plays and I expect with the favorable matchups and high motivation he will step up and show out tonight.
Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers - Allen has secretly been one of the top 10 receivers in the league this season. He has two straight weeks with a score and seems settled into being the top guy on the outside for the Chargers. Rivers trusts Allen and both seem to be in sync with each other.
Antonio Gates will be returning from a suspension tonight and he should keep safeties and linebackers worried about him coming down the middle. Adding a star player who keeps defenses up at night can only mean more one on one opportunities for Allen.
Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers - Rivers has had an up and down season with inconsistent line play and also lots of young guys on the offense. There isn't much analysis to be had here, the guy is just a gamer and Monday Night is a time where Rivers has consistently reminded people that he's one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
Matchups We Hate
Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers - Every week this season Gordon's role on the team has become more clearly defined. The Chargers are missing a few line men and have had trouble blocking for Philip Rivers. As a result, they have slowly started feeding Gordon more to have some better run/pass balance.
Gordon's snaps have stayed consistent at around 30 a game and that should only stay the same or increase as the season goes on. This makes him an every week start but tonight he is going against a top five run defense that knows if they can stop the run they will be able to put pressue on Rivers.
I expect the Chargers to shy away from the run if it's a close game and just don't see Gordon getting the most opportunities to put stats up. The Steelers are missing LB Ryan Shazier which does hurt them when it comes to stopping the run game but not enough to have Gordon or any Chargers back beat them.
Prove It To Me Matchups
LaDarius Green, TE, Chargers - Green played really well while Gates was gone and looked every bit like a TE1. The prove it to me part here falls on the coaching staff and how much they choose to use Green. AS far as I'm concerned, Green is the third best receiving option in the red zone outside of Gates and Allen for the Chargers. His value takes a dip but it will be interesting to see how much he is used and where.
Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Steelers - All of a sudden this guy learned how to catch the ball instead of just running really fast. After being burned by Heyward-Bey's "potential" one too many times I will be the last person on his bandwagon. That being said, he has played okay and looked like a competent receiver. The Steelers will need another receiver outside of Antonio Brown to step up and make plays. This role was supposed to be filled by Martavis Bryant but Wheaton and Heyward-Bey will have another week to show why they should be the second receiver on the team.
