The Chargers are a winning football team again, and much of the credit needs to go to their newest running back. J.K. Dobbins, who signed in the offseason on a one-year deal and has exceeded all expectations through two weeks. The former Raven currently leads the NFL with 266 rushing yards, scoring a touchdown against both the Raiders and Panthers.
While Dobbins’ talent has never been in question, he’s quickly becoming a household name.
It’s safe to say the vibes are immaculate in Los Angeles right now (unless you’re a Rams fan). But what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?
A ferocious defense awaits Dobbins and the Chargers when the team travels to Pittsburgh in Week 3. In recent years, T.J. Watt and company have made a habit of stifling the run game. This season has been no different; so far, Pittsburgh has allowed just 76.5 rushing yards per game. According to Next Gen Stats, opposing teams are putting up -0.30 EPA per rush against the Steelers, the NFL’s second-lowest mark.
Los Angeles’ new-look offensive line has impressed so far, but this is clearly a different kind of challenge. Still, it’s hard to imagine Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh abandoning the run against any opponent. LA is currently 6th in the NFL with 71 rushing attempts. With Justin Herbert at quarterback, the Steelers won’t be able to stack the box every play, so there should be some room for Dobbins and the rest of the RB room to work.
However, the ultimate question is will Dobbins reach the end zone against Pittsburgh? As of now, I’m leaning towards no. Considering the fact that J.K.’s 27 rushes don’t even lead the team, it’s going to take another efficient performance for him to nab a TD; more than a quarter of his attempts have been 10+ yard gains. The Steelers have surrendered 3.7 yards per carry, sixth-best in football.
Rather than betting on a Dobbins anytime touchdown (+140), a better play might be teammate Gus Edwards. Despite his poor stats to start the season (29 carries, 85 rushing yards), the Gus Bus is still leading Los Angeles in rushing attempts. In what should be a physical game, Harbaugh might be tempted to go with the power back in the red zone.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, Edwards’ anytime touchdown odds sit at +265.
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