The Steelers struggled last week, tying the winless Lions at home, without Ben Roethlisberger. And even though Roethlisberger was cleared on Saturday to play, he did not participate in practice all week. I think the Pittsburgh offense will struggle, especially with Joey Bosa back for the Chargers. I'm on L.A.

The Steelers just ruled out TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joe Haden. That's devastating defensively. We still don't know whether Ben Roethlisberger will play, although it's trending as if he will. Big Ben did have the virus and Aaron Rodgers didn't exactly look great last week returning from COVID. Chargers stud pass-rusher Joey Bosa is in protocols but hasn't tested positive and could play. The Bolts haven't played well of late, but if Justin Herbert can't feast on that depleted Pittsburgh defense, well, LA deserves to lose outright. Getting this at 5.5 instead of 6 could be very important.

The Chargers’ offense has gone kaput, having shouldered much of the blame for a 1-3 straight-up skid. The Steelers’ O is no world-beater but has caught a break with L.A. star defensive end Joey Bosa and run-stuffer Jerry Tillery placed on the COVID-19 list. That’s where Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger also can be found, but he could come off it if his reported mild symptoms subside in time to clear testing. Fill-in Mason Rudolph did not wow anyone in last Sunday’s tie with Detroit but is 5-4-1 outright as a starter career.

The narrative coming out of the weekend is how poorly the Steelers played after tying the winless Lions. But it's not like the Chargers covered themselves in glory either, gaining just 253 yards against a so-so Minnesota defense missing several key players. The Steelers will have Ben Roethlisberger back for this matchup if he tests negative twice, and if he doesn't, Mason Rudolph will get a full week of practice to prepare. But either way, the offense is going to consist mainly of handing off to Najee Harris against a terrible Chargers rush defense. The Steelers defense will probably have to overcome the absence of T.J. Watt, but the Vikings managed fine without Danielle Hunter. Remember: this will feel like a home game for Pittsburgh.