Week 13 Sunday Night Football Props: Chargers vs Steelers

• AFC heavyweights Chargers, Steelers clash Sunday Night
• Big Ben, Rivers square off in battle of 2004 draft class QBs
• Three prop bets to make you a winner 

We’re building something here, folks. Sure, Week 12 saw us go just one-for-three, but we’re starting a wave to ride all the way down the home stretch.

We’re going over the top to land you a perfect week. Think Ben to Juju over the top. Tons of risk, with a chance at great rewards.

JuJu Smith-Schuster catches a pass from Ben Roethlisberger and takes it 97 yards for a touchdown, smoking Denver #Broncos DB Bradley Roby in the process! This ties the Pittsburgh #Steelers record for the longest passing TD. #BroncosCountry #NFL #PITvsDEN pic.twitter.com/lXOPETQoWR

— Swapty Sports (@SwaptySports) November 25, 2018

It’s the perfect segue to this week’s props, as the Steelers welcome the Chargers in a big-time showdown Sunday night.

If you’re looking for the full betting preview, see our Chargers vs Steelers Odds and Predictions.

Prop #1: Chargers Will Score First

Welcome to the match-up of slow starters. Los Angeles has staked their opponents to leads in seven different games this year.

Josh Rosen climbs the pocket, avoids pressure, and delivers a strike to Larry Fitzgerald for a TD.https://t.co/s1Z0v1MQ0o

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) November 25, 2018

Even in Philip Rivers’ historic throw-down against the Cardinals last week, they were down 10-0 (more on that in a minute).

.@CameronNewton tosses to @run__cmc for the Carolina TD!

60 total yards for McCaffrey on the @Panthers' opening drive. #KeepPounding #CARvsPIT

📺: @nflnetwork + @NFLonFOX
📱+💻: https://t.co/DJUityQHC9 https://t.co/bUZFqeK242

— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2018

But that’s nothing compared to the Steelers, who have only been able to score first in two of their 11 games.

You want progress? After surrendering an opening touchdown in the first four of those games, they’ve given up field goals four of the last five.

Odds are too good to pass up on this one. Steelers play catch up, yet again.

Prop #2: Expect at Least One Explosive Score

Pittsburgh has only five TD scores on the year that have gone for more than 50 yards, but they’ve struck four times in the last three games.

Antonio Brown and Juju Smith-Schuster have had a pair each, and they’ve all been spectacular.

Big Ben Roethlisberger throws the TD pass to Antonio Brown in the #Steelers 52-21 blowout victory over the Carolina #Panthers. The two All-Pro players have a combined career earnings of $257,229,734 in #NFL contracts (72.8% going to Roethlisberger). @NFL @steelers @AB84 pic.twitter.com/qHpThnOhEB

— Cash Flow Sports (@cflowsports) November 9, 2018

The Chargers’ scoring numbers don’t jump off the screen, but they’ve also had three big-hitters in their last five games, with two of them in one game against the Titans.

First play of the day and @TyrellWilliams_ goes 75 yards for the TD

🙌 🙌 🙌 🙌 pic.twitter.com/R8ga2bV8Xx

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 21, 2018

The defenses on both sides may be in the top 10 in fewest passing yards allowed, but they’ve combined to allow for 10 plays over 40+ yards this year.

I think this one is a dandy of a shootout, with big plays all night.

Prop #3: Rivers Outduels Roethlisberger

I know this sounds crazy, but let’s go big here. Roethlisberger has 73 more completions than Rivers does this season, and his 131 completions at home dwarf Rivers’ 83 on the road.

Nobody has completed more consecutive throws than @Chargers QB Philip Rivers. 🎯🎯🎯 https://t.co/AWEZTTZisx

— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2018

Rivers is coming off a historic game, albeit against the lowly Cardinals, but the guy is in a groove.

He’s had 28 completions in back-to-back games, which tie for his second best total of the year. Meanwhile, Ben has eclipsed that mark five times already this year, including 41 last week in a loss to Denver.

But this has more to do with personnel than player for this bet. Melvin Gordon is out, and while I think Austin Ekeler is a good backup, more will be placed on Rivers’ shoulders for LA to succeed.

Look at HOW CLOSE Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger's career passing stats are. 😲 pic.twitter.com/EPuzlfEFtU

— Rotoworld Football (@rotoworld_fb) November 30, 2018

Meanwhile, James Conner needs to get back to being a dominant force. After four straight weeks of rushing for over 100 yards and averaging better than 20 totes per, he’s rushed for just 143 yards on 35 carries in the last three weeks.

Roethlisberger was asked if there are any concerns with James Conner's recent struggles: “Nope. There is no concern. We have all the confidence in the world in him. We are going to ride with James because he’s our guy.”

— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) November 28, 2018

Ben still gets his 26 or so completions to match his average for the year, but Rivers has a big one and lands you a nice payday.